What is the composite bed of the 2022 Tundra?
Update: The uploader has taken down the original video.
What punishment and abuse can a pickup’s bed take. Truck manufacturers want to show that their beds can withstand a lot of abuse and punishment. These stunts have been pulled off by Chevrolet and GMC. They have been known to drop cinder blocks and rocks on their beds in an attempt to prove that they are the strongest.
Toyota is now putting one of their trucks through the same testing. The 2022 Tundra will be the model subject to the torture test. How will they prove their point? They will be dropping an engine directly to the bed. It appears that this was done during product training at the dealership.
First, some background. The bed of the 2022 Toyota Tundra isn’t made entirely from aluminum or steel. The new truck uses Sheet-Molded Composite sheets (SMC). The bed is strengthened by the use of aluminum cross members. Toyota claims the SMC construction provides greater protection against dents and impact dings than traditional steel trays.
The Tundra’s total weight was approximately 500 pounds (227 kg) according to the video. The drop took place at a height of 12-15 feet or 3.66- 4.57 meters. This is a lot of force concentrated in one area of the bed.
The Tundra seems to have gotten by the huge whack it took on its bed, which is not surprising. This is just a demonstration by the manufacturer. Although the truck did not squat, it returned to its normal ride height quickly. We would love to see the bed in detail after the accident.
GMC Sierra is the only other vehicle in the class to have a composite bed. The bed of the Sierra was also subjected to torture testing and performed well even with independent testing. We’d love to see the composite bed trucks compete in a durability contest.