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· Registered
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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
For those of you with one, do you feel it's worth it/would you buy it again?

I am thinking of getting one and read that it's fairly easy to install but have a question or two.

Does it remove easily?
Is it a PITA with a tonneau cover?
Where did you buy yours & how much did you pay?


Thanks!
 

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I had one on my S10. It was given to me by a neighbor - I wouldn't have paid money for it. When I traded the S10 for my Taco I kept the bedxtender but haven't mounted the hardware yet and might not bother. I just never found it that useful. Maybe the model that can be unfolded into a ramp would be nice for loading dirtbikes, but I just carry a cheap aluminum ramp.

The advertising photos always show it with the gate down and a couple dirtbikes in the back. What's the point? The bedxtender isn't holding the bikes in - they're tied down in the front. I wouldn't count on it to keep my gear from departing either. When I throw stuff in the back with my bikes I always strap them in with bungee cords or tie down straps. Think about it - how many times would you load something in the back of your truck and trust the bedxtender rather than secure it with straps?

If you live in a theft prone area keep in mind that the easy install/removal also means it's easily stolen. A thief could take the bedxtender and buy the mounting hardware off the manufacturer's website for a few bucks.
 

· My Other Truck
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4,028 Posts
I have a hard tonneau, so the bed extender is hidden and relatively secure. It provides an easily accessible storage area at the back of the bed (prevents things from sliding forward where they'd be hard to reach because of the tonneau). Can't recall what I paid but it was money well spent... bought it from board member te51levin (Lithia Toyota in Oregon).

I haven't used it out on the tailgate, but that would work easily with the tonneau. And yes, it is very easy to remove...
 

· Humble Servant
2012 DC PreRun Auto
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1,162 Posts
I very much value mine -although I wouldn't buy that brand/style again.
I have the TopLine brand. It is a PIA to install on the Taco (not so bad if you have just a steel tailgate) since it fastens to the tailgate instead of the sides of the box. It is easily removable even w/ the tailgate closed -unless you put the hinge pins in from the outside, which means it's easily stolen. (To prevent expansion/contraction prblms, and to deal with the non-flat steel behind the tailgate liner, I drilled 1" holes thru the liner, then installed shims and spacers so the bracket would clamp to the steel structure, and allow the plastc liner to slide underneath it -avoiding buckling. A lot of extra work over just drilling 6 holes and installing screws, as you do w/ the Westin.)

The type made/sold by Westin (and Toy) are functionally as good or better, more easily installed, and with a tailgate lock, less easily stolen.

But functionally, they're almost the same (though the Westin is good for holding pkgs againstthe tailgate when closed). I probably only use it 4 times a year to extend the bed -but it is extremely handy. The only advantage of the Topline is that it folds fairly flat against the tailgate, not using much cargo space when it is not being used to hold something.
 

· Mine is better than yours
'06 Dbl-Cab 4x4 Taco
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1,209 Posts
For those of you with one, do you feel it's worth it/would you buy it again? Yes

I am thinking of getting one and read that it's fairly easy to install but have a question or two.

Does it remove easily? Yes
Is it a PITA with a tonneau cover? No
Where did you buy yours & how much did you pay? Ebay, $170 shipped to my door. Brand new OEM Toyota one.
Thanks!

The OEM Toyota one and the Westin are made by AMP Research, and are essentially exactly the same.

Marc M
 

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191 Posts
Discussion Starter · #7 ·
Thank you guys, I really appreciate all of your viewpoints. I actually imagined some of what you are saying. I thought perhaps it would get in the way. And Punkinhead you made a lot of great points.

Thanks again!! :thumbup:
 

· Go Vols!
Joined
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317 Posts
I've got the OEM one and LOVE it. I will definitely buy it on any new truck purchases in the future. I like the fact that when it isn't used as an actual extender, it serves as a bed divider and keeps things like grocery bags, use oil container, etc. in place and easily accessibly by letting the tail gate down. It also came in very handy as an extender when I was moving.
 
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