Stupid Tailgate Cover (Knee Killer)

I have the factory plastic bedliner . . . whatever, works for me. But what's with the 'corrugated' plastic cap with the weak cupholder indents ? Are those knee-killer ridges (same as the floor) to prevent tailgate damage in case heavy objects slide backwards and slam against the tailgate?

I always secure whatever is in the back either with the rubber mat, or tie downs, or both.
Years ago I had a local sheet metal shop fab a piece of aluminum diamond plate, that wrapped over the top a little. Worked-out find back then.
I saw a kid who camps out of his rig, use a piece of stainless steel, and it doubled as a 'food-prep' area. Seemed alright.

Last night a friend w/ a tacoma sent me a pick of a 'soft' tailgate pad that's supposed to be easier on the knee's and more comfortable for sitting. But I'd wreck that in short-order at work, and just everyday usage.

Curious if anyone one here has found a better alternative, or fab'd something themselves.

 

Basically yes. It's adding surface area to create a smash zone, essentially. Same with the floor of the bedliner.

 

I use an anti-fatigue mat, 3x5. I remove it when loading heavy things. It does take damage easily, but it keeps things planted and the knees good

 

Saw this at a Toyota meet, this is what I would like to do

 

Nice . . . I'm gonna come up with something stupid that works for me . . . not sure yet what . . . stand by.

 

This was my solution.

 

I hate plastic bed liners.
But you could remove the tailgate piece and get a BEDrug tailgate mat for $50.
It is quite the butt and knee saver.

Pickup Tailgate Mats | Bed Liners & Mats - Bedrug | Bedrug



I have a bedrug mat in my 2014 with a spray-in bed liner.




I had a full bedrug in my 2005.

 

I too have the Bedrug in both of my trucks. They're great. A little spendy for what they are, but yeah, definite knee savers (especially with really rough spray in bedliner).

 

Wow, thanks for linking this! Didn't know they made just the tailgate mats. I have a full bed rug too - years ago I cut out the portion in between the tailgate and bed to keep debris out. Anyways... the portion on the tailgate has a few holes in it, looks like I might be able to make one of these work.

 

BedRug

 

Man, hold onto that Rugged Liner. I'd love to have one for my truck, but last time I went looking, they don't make anything for 1st gen anymore. Sucks ass!

 

You weirdo! You know how much time it took me to get rid of mine? A lot!

 

Dude, I would've loved to've taken that off your hands. So much better than Pendaliners or the OEM unit.

 

I would love a bedbug, they won't make them for 1st gens. I even asked if their custom service if I could special order, they said no.

 

I see a project in my future . . .

 

Seriously? Maybe they're discontinued? My '05 DC has one, I thought it was model specific. I'll check to see if there's a model number or something on it somewhere.

 

Nice but I wouldn't be able to keep the carpet clean when use as truck

 

@jerryallday Don't you have a tailgate cover?

 

thinking I may pick up some 1/4" Baltic Birch plywood, make a template, cut it out, . . . throw a nice mellow router'd edge all the way around, slap on a couple coats of varnish, and call it good. At least it will be flat and not have those stupid ridges, and still provide a bit of protection. I can always pickup some carpet and put some button snaps on the corners.

 

I have a Mountain hatch insert

 

Thought so, How do you like it?

 

It was free after everything so it is perfect. The one I have is about 3 inches short its made for the access cab. Just got into RC offroading and it's a perfect workbench and cooking table for camping.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/mountain-hatch-tailgate-insert.89020/#post-2239736

 

A 2.5 genner who claims to “actually use his truck as a truck…”

 

Along these same lines, I have an RCLB and just took the LEER camper off (it is for sale if anyone is interested) but I now am looking for the plastic bed rails for the 8 ft bed? Any ideas on where I might pick up some of those??

 

I am interested in your camper shell. Pm incoming