Rust question

[2000GM]

Hi all, I just joined. I was curious if the rear wheel arch bed side construction design from the 3rd gen was changed for the 4th gen. Here in the northeast, the 3rd gen bed sides often rotted through by the time the trucks were 5-6 years old. There HAD to be something about the design that was causing that....an area where road salt would collect in winter, and dirt and debris would collect and stay wet the rest of the year, maybe?

My 2004 had 120K miles when I traded it in with no bed rust/rot, but it was only 3 years old. I'm hoping to keep the 2016 Laramie I just bought for 6 years at least, so I'm hoping this isn't an issue anymore.

 

[Sir John]

There was foam added at the factory there and it would hold salt and water. It's my understanding the 4th gen truck do not have that here.

 

[CVX20]

Don't think there was plastic fender liners back then like there is now either.

Either way I would get it rust proofed where you live.I had mine Krown Rustproofed even though it had the factory crap undercoating.