Carbon fiber bed for GMC

BenK wrote:
The point is that plastic is very good to GREAT in the right applications. IMHO, a pickup bed is not one of them...by a large measure

I'm absolutely with you on this as I've been around plenty of carbon fiber applications as well. Mainly MTBs but I also have 3 carbon fiber helmets too. I have easily chipped one of my CF helmets but I would agree with those who said a CF helmet may be a poor example to compare to a CF truck bed.

Now, CF MTBs. Completely different story and it is extremely easy to find examples of CF MTBs cracking, chipping, having complete failures and more. The technology is getting better so impact resistance is coming along but it is far from perfect yet. But I agree with you about not putting your CF bikes in contact with any moving metal structure as that is very likely to damage, even if a little, your CF bike frame which can then lead to much bigger issues. Sometimes all that needs to happen is a small chip, metal or rock impact and then that has begun the beginning of the end of that frame in that area. However, it can generally be repaired, not always but many times can. Depends on where the repair is needing to be completed.

Another example I'll point out is look for stories with regards wind generation turbine blades. Many, many problems with chipping on those and those were also supposedly built to resist chipping from... weather.

As per GM's video of the cinder blocks falling. Notice not one of those blocks fell with a "sharp" point making contact onto the bed like GM did on the aluminum beds. Good slight of hand there and people are "buying it up" so GM marketing is doing their job.

EDIT: I suppose I should back up and say that I probably wouldn't be opposed to either a carbon fiber or aluminum truck bed if I were using one of those thick, heavy duty bed mats.But then the weight of that probably completely negates any weight savings you get on the materials change for the skin of the truck bed.