Bent Truck Bed - 2019 Rebel

[Clay Davis]

So the other day I ‘bent’ the bed of my truck (2019 Rebel)

Was towing my trailer (pull trailer, toyhauler, loaded, 7500 lbs, 700 lbs tongue weight, no equalizer hitch)
Went through a couple of street gutters that I didn’t see until it was to late to slow down.
Hit them going about 25 mph, it blew out one of the air lift bags and bent the bed of the truck. At first I thought it bent the frame, as the bed is pulled away from the cab and is at a slight ‘downhill’ angle. The frame is not bent, but the actual bottom the the bed is, curved upwards in the middle.

Basic question is, how did this happen? I realize the extra force/load on it going through the dips, but still? Have had it up on a lift with several auto repair guys (including the fabricator I use for my cars), all look at it and all scratch their heads as to how this happened.

Theoretically the hitch is tied to the frame, the air lift bags are tied to the frame and axel, as well as the truck bed is mounted to the frame (which it all is).

Could the load have been such that the frame ‘flexed’ going through the washes, flexing the frame and then returning to its original stance? (Bending the bed as it did this.)

Idea’s, thoughts, suggestions encouraged.

Thanks

 

[PoMansRam]

Wow that's an odd one for sure!

Just like you say, the frame must have twisted to the point of tweaking the bed, but not enough to permanently bend the frame?

 

[Clay Davis]

So then the next question is: How do I fix it (don't think that's possible) without replacing the bed?

 

[PoMansRam]

How bad does it look? If the tailgate closes right, nothing rubs and the bed looks good from the outside, I'd throw a bed mat or liner over it and forget about it while the truck is my daily driver.

 

[Clay Davis]

True, the only cosmetic thing is that the bed is split from the cab, with the bed pointing 'downhill'
I'm thinking I'll have to shim/spacers on the back of the bed (at the frame) to get it back level.

 

[PoMansRam]

True, the only cosmetic thing is that the bed is split from the cab, with the bed pointing 'downhill'
I'm thinking I'll have to shim/spacers on the back of the bed (at the frame) to get it back level.

Did the shop(s) you visited have any recommendation? I wonder if they could pull the bed, straighten it out then and do a nice line-x job as opposed to all paint work on the inside and call it good. From what you describe, leaving it would bug me too much.

 

[LeesEvoX]

i apologize for not offering any help... but can we please get some pics of this!

This just sounds crazy.

 

[14hemiexpress]

My first thought would of been everything flexing and the bed not springing back if it's not bent.

 

[2020Rebel3]

What did you end up doing? My Rebel is the same way in the bed. No frame damage just the space between the upper bed/cab area is wider than the lower channel.

 

[JayLeonard]

You said 700 lbs tongue weight. Is that an actual measured weight or is it from the manufacturer specs?

 

[Tulecreeper]

What did you end up doing? My Rebel is the same way in the bed. No frame damage just the space between the upper bed/cab area is wider than the lower channel.

You said 700 lbs tongue weight. Is that an actual measured weight or is it from the manufacturer specs?

FYI, you guys. You're replying to a thread that's 3 1/2 years old.