Junk/Thin metal

[RRees]

My old 99 V10 2500 dented also. But it was inside the bed. So it didn't bother me that much.



I still bought another Dodge, although this time it was diesel. So far, it's been my best vehicle purchase.

 

[bighammer]

Personally, I don't really care about the dents in the bed. If you use it, it's inevitable. I really would like to see a tailgate that is better suited for it's intended purpose-- Open and close to keep stuff in and an extension of the bed surface for longer items or loading. I can feel mine flex under my own weight. (I'm not THAT big )

I'm no engineer, but I would think a different design of the same weight could be made stronger. Maybe I'm wrong, but when you remove it, you realize how heavy it is.

The front of the box is another weak point. Mine is bowed in towards the cab quite a bit.

It's unfortunate that the same box that's on a 1/2 ton hotrod city truck is the same as the one that's on a 1 ton work truck. (Minus the goofy looking looking fins, stickers, or tails of course )

 

[Huskerman]

It's unfortunate that the same box that's on a 1/2 ton hotrod city truck is the same as the one that's on a 1 ton work truck. (Minus the goofy looking looking fins, stickers, or tails of course )

So TRUE!



Huskerman

 

[Jong]

If you really want to save your bed and make it easier to unload, get something like this: http://www.ez-dumper.com/proddetail.asp?id=1

I've got one in a 1996 F350 and it really takes abuse well, adds resale value, and makes getting firewood out of the truck a snap!

 

[Mhouse4]

I had a buddy of mine handing the wood to me and I was stacking it. The weight of the wood being stacked dented in some places where branches and knots were sticking out. It was not tossed any time!

 

[Heavyweight]

New Fords, Chevys, Toyota's they all have thin sheet metal. They ALL SUCK!

Look at how they market to the American Lemmings. The Toyota and Dodge commercials are idiotic! Toyota gets thrown 100 feet without a scratch? Dodge gets punched and sparks fly? Holy crap, what happned to the real STEEL of the 60-70's? Everything is feminized!!!! Accept it. I do not want to get into a typing match, but there is no such thing as "HEAVY DUTY" any more.

 

[Whiskey]

I have owned pickups since 1973, Fords Chevys & Dodges, new every two years.



And I have to say that ALL the beds dented REAL easy.



Just my 2 cents worth.



whiskey

 

[CStraface]

IT's A BED FOR FRIGGIN SAKE! Heavyweight- I agree with you that all the new truck commercials are idiotic, but who cares man. ALL marketing these days is idiotic! Thats why it's called marketing. Your going tell me that "Bob" in those Enzyte commercials walks around with that big of a smile on his face all day?



You mean to tell me that Taco Bell really trained those lions to speak?



Come on people, lighten up. commercials are meant to appeal to the senses... ever heard of ethos, pathos, and logos? These marketing campaigns are meant specifically to appeal to your 5 senses. I am pretty sure these manufactures know that their trucks can't get thrown 300 feet by the sea monster and land perfect with no dents!

 

[Heavyweight]

I want my truck bed to stand up to the 12 year old who leans against it! I am a simple man, I am not asking for my truck to stand up to the lockness monster!



Little kids leaned up against my truck,,, oops, they dented the bed in 4 inches... Throw me a bone here!

The whole panel right by the fuel door popped in, totally unacceptable. I had to pop it back out. I actually got lucky, it did not leave a crease!!!

 

[Grizzly]

Sorry, I did not know that this was a private thread reserved for Ram bashers. I was under the understanding that this was a public forum for members to express their concerns, experiences, and helpful solutions to common problems. It is my opinion that when you express a perceived problem in a negitive fashion, do not ask for help or offer a solution, then it is behavior that is called whining. I guess I don't want to join your private club so I will refrain from any more post to this thread. Everyone should be happy. If your not happy with your Ram then solve your problem.

I agree with you 100%. . For those of you who don't like the thin sheet metal, which is on all new trucks, I have three suggestions for you.



1, Put a bed liner with a heavy rubber mat on it.



2, When you order a new Dodge you can take a $700/ $800 deduct and delete the box. Then get a 68 Dodge box.



3. Get an old army 3/4 ton Weapons Carrier if you want real thick metal.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I got the bed Line-x'ed and then put 1. 12" thick flooring plywood in the bed. The weight makes it ride better, and the bed is protected from dents. I cut the plywood into 1' wide strips so I can use them to level a travel trailer. If you ever weighed a bed full of wood, especially oak or other hardwood, you will realize just how much weight was bearing on the knot stubs etc. that contacted the bed.

 

[Regcabguy]

Thin sheet metal.

I want my truck bed to stand up to the 12 year old who leans against it! I am a simple man, I am not asking for my truck to stand up to the lockness monster!



Little kids leaned up against my truck,,, oops, they dented the bed in 4 inches... Throw me a bone here!

The whole panel right by the fuel door popped in, totally unacceptable. I had to pop it back out. I actually got lucky, it did not leave a crease!!!

My sister in law caved in the passenger door with her hip on her '85 Toyota Fourunner. Over $800 damage. I wish they put more metal in our Dodge's but it's thin in every brand these days. I closed the driver door on a new Tundra at the car show and I swear it felt lighter yet and the door was comparable in size.

 

[BTighe]

anyone who thinks the sheet metal on these trucks is think enough in not using it hard enough. that being said, the truck bed will dent no matter what. the bed on my 97 was bowed toward the cab because of forklift driver slamming rolls of carpet into the back. i added a cabguard to my 06 to prevent that. while that edge is protected, the bed got nailed by a 75lb toolbox when i slammed my brakes. looks like the old truck bed now. i have no problem throwing anything heavy or sharp back there. it is a truck.

its like people that where white shoes and cry when the get a spec of dirt on them.

 

[CStraface]

They need to make the glass thicker on these trucks too. My passenger window got busted in last night while sitting in front of a transmission shop in Marble Falls, Texas. #@$%! If only DC would make thicker glass.



Come on guys, it's a truck, dents are going to happen. Lets worry about the dang theifs who keep breaking into our trucks, not the dents we pickup from owning a truck.



My comparison applies the same idea. If a theif wants to break into my truck, he's going to break into my truck no matter how thick that glass is----If you own a truck and use your truck, your going to get a dent here or there, no matter how thick your bed panel's are.

 

[Heavyweight]

CStraface, If you come across another ARE, let me know!!!!

 

[CStraface]

As in my shell? You can have mine :-laf

 

[Heavyweight]

You painted it Black???

 

[CStraface]

She's black as black gets now. Yes sir.

 

[betterthanstock]

I'd prefer they made it out of that flexible bumper plastic all over, doorskins, roof, bed, hood, gate, bumpers.

That would make it heavier though, but you'd not need the bodyshop anymore.

 

[MRaynor]

I am not complaining about mine at all, but I will have to say that I was very surprised when I installed my stacks. When I cut the hole and looked at the piece that came out, the spray in liner was twice as thick as the metal from the bed. I haven't had any problems with dents, just crappy paint.