Pro-tec Bed

Hecktorx · March 12, 2004

Well, this morning, I dropped my truck off at the dealer for some work and I started looking at new trucks on the lot while I was waiting for my ride to pick me up. They had a brand new 04 white silverado with the plastic bed. I thought they were discontinued?

I know the tail gate cap is a lot nicer, IMO. It looks almost the same as the regular one, but was color matched.

Kenny

gmcjoe · March 12, 2004

I'd love to have one, built in bedliner and all

Wingnut · March 12, 2004

Somebody on here was saying that they were, but (like you) I went in to the dealer for something, and voila! There was one sitting right there.

Oh, it's also two entire pages in the Silverado catalog. I was thinking about scanning it, and posting it a few days ago...But I think that there might be some copyright issues with that.

I don't think they advertise it enough, I like my Protec bed, and would think that a lot of people would like the fact that you can't dent it. But most people that I show it to, have never heard of it. (They do notice the raised letters on the tailgate though).

dmc874 · March 12, 2004

Somebody on here was saying that they were, but (like you) I went in to the dealer for something, and voila! There was one sitting right there.

Oh, it's also two entire pages in the Silverado catalog. I was thinking about scanning it, and posting it a few days ago...But I think that there might be some copyright issues with that.

I don't think they advertise it enough, I like my Protec bed, and would think that a lot of people would like the fact that you can't dent it. But most people that I show it to, have never heard of it. (They do notice the raised letters on the tailgate though).

I, myself, have never heard of it. Is is some sort of plastic bed? Kinda like the Saturn body? Just curious.

Dave

Wingnut · March 12, 2004

Yes, it's pretty much the same stuff as Saturn. And it's not only the bodywork on the bed, it's the entire bed. Other than the frame, and a few other odds and ends, the entire rear of my truck is plastic....

If you want pics, I'll post 'em.

dmc874 · March 12, 2004

WOW. Sounds pretty interesting. I would like to see it if it isn't too much trouble. Is there any drawbacks to it? Without experiencing it myself, it seems it would not be as able to haul, say, a load of bricks or plywood, but I guess they wouldn't do it if that was the case. You would know better than anyone if this was the case. Thanks.

Dave

Wingnut · March 12, 2004

The biggest drawbacks are that you can't put a topper on it (no traditional bed rails to clamp to) and no toolbox.....I kind of think that a tool box would be fine, but they say no.

As for load capacity, look at the third pic. The suspension would give out before the bed did. And I have had a load of bricks, and shoveled a couple loads of gravel out of it, and it still looks great.

Third pic is too big, and I'm too lazy to shrink it right now. So I'll link it for you dialupers.

***Pic three.***

dmc874 · March 12, 2004

That's pretty darn cool man. The tailgate is differenct, but pretty darn cool. Thanks.

Dave

Wingnut · March 12, 2004

The tailgate is a like it or not sort of thing....Good thing I like it.

Most people ask what kind of bedliner it is....And I have to explain that there isn't one, it's the actual bed that they are looking at.

dmc874 · March 12, 2004

The tailgate is a like it or not sort of thing....Good thing I like it.

Most people ask what kind of bedliner it is....And I have to explain that there isn't one, it's the actual bed that they are looking at.

Well, the more I look at it the more I like it. Of course it took me a while before I liked the front end on the 03 ( the front end I have now and like ) and it took me a while before I liked the NBS. Of course, I hated the body style when they first changed it in 88 too, soooooo. Yes, it takes some things a while to grow on me

Dave

Hecktorx · March 12, 2004

My only problem I think I would have with one is traction. I have traction problems with a steel bed, I could only imagine it being worse with one of those.

Kenny

Wingnut · March 12, 2004

I think it's only like 50 lbs lighter. My neighbors' 01 is identical to my 02 in every way except leather, and the bed. He doesn't have any less traction problems than me. That's due mostly to the fact that we both buy decent tires. They make a world of difference when it comes to that. Especially in the rain.

Schwag · March 12, 2004

Article from Oct '03 magazine,

The first-ever fullsize composite pickup box is going out of production just two years after its debut, Ward's has learned.

General Motors Corp. is discontinuing its Pro-Tec technology for the '04 model year due to weak demand. Pro-Tec bowed in 2001 as an $850 option on the Chevrolet Silverado.

The demise of the only fullsize composite cargo box is a huge blow to the composites industry, which for years has identified the pickup box as a perfect application to convert from traditional steel.

The Pro-Tec program was troubled from the get-go. It was delayed several months as GM and its suppliers struggled with surface-quality problems. When it debuted, the technology flopped with consumers and dealers. In mid 2001, Pro-Tec was missing its take-rate forecasts by 90% — only 5,000 Silverados were ordered with the feature, rather than the anticipated 50,000.

Pro-Tec was 50 lbs. (23 kg) lighter than a steel bed. It didn't corrode, scratch or dent. It wasn't slippery and didn't trap water like bedliners do. But it also is a technology unfamiliar to consumers, who either are happy with considerably less-expensive bedliners or who don't care about the appearance of their nicked-up steel cargo boxes.

The Pro-Tec program was a cooperative effort by many composite industry heavyweights, including Dow Automotive, Bayer AG, Meridian Automotive Systems, Owens Corning and The Budd Co.

Sources previously have told Ward's that Toyota Motor Corp.'s next-generation Tacoma pickup will feature a composite box.

GM's gamble on Pro-Tec was costly. The auto maker invested $64 million in its Ft. Wayne, IN, assembly plant for an addition to build pickups with composite boxes.

Who bets Toyota will market this technology and sell it like hotcakes.

The Titan is already getting praise for being the first with a factory spray-in liner.

The Protec was only available as a 6 ft bed and was said to be stronger than the steel one.

I say a toolbox shouldn't be an issue.

GM blew this one big time. I don't think I saw ONE ad either on TV or magazine on this feature.

-steve

Wingnut · March 12, 2004

That's kind of the point of this thread, we thought it had gone away.

Now we're seing brand spanking new (yes it was an 04, I checked) Silverados with the Protec bed on them, not to mention the fact that it's still in their catalog.

Definately weird.