Best alternative to “Bed Utility Group” and “Wheel to Wheel Side step” options?

[jastevenson]

I will definitely need a bed liner of some sort, and also side steps for my young child. For 2021, that will cost me $1,800, which seems like a lot.

Thoughts on the best more economical alternative to the factory Bed Utility Group and Wheel to Wheel Sidesteps options?

Thanks!

 

[jdefoe0424]

For a bedliner, I got the Mopar drop-in unit. Dealer gave me a discount and cost me $385...pretty easy install if you have the torx bits on hand. They are grippy so stuff doesn't slide around.
For bed lighting, you can get strips of LED's off of amazon for $20. If you're handy you can wire them in yourself and have light usable all the way to the back of the bed..unlike the factory stuff which anything at the back of the bed blocks the light up to the front of the bed.
Personally, I wouldn't miss the adjustable tie downs...You still get the 4, 1 at each corner which will suffice for most.

For running boards, there's lots of options out there so find something you like. I have go rhino RB10's, they are great for the kids, like 6" wide

 

[Jako]

The Bed Utility Group is a good deal if you want all 3: sprayed liner, rails and bed lights.
You need to figure your needs for the bed liner, would a bed mat suffice? There are no after market alternatives to the bed rails unless you create your own. There are plenty of options for the bed lights depending on your price and skill level. Running boards you have plenty of options again unless you want the wheel to wheel style.

I purchased a used wheel to wheel set off of this website for $200, I believe a buddy sold his for $300 and another friend found a set on facebook for $300. I put a $160 ebay set on because the black matte OEM were not available at the time and later purchased them for $390 at Christmas time with specials that were going at the time.

My one concern with the OEM sprayed in liner was the warranty, not sure what it would take for a claim versus Line X.

 

[brian42]

I got the nerf bars for my last truck from https://runningboardwarehouse.com/.

Lots of options for style and price.

 

[mikeru82]

The Bed Utility Group is a good deal if you want all 3: sprayed liner, rails and bed lights.

I strongly agree with this comment. You can't add those items separately afterwards for anywhere near that price if you decide you want them later. The bed divider alone costs over $1100 (rambox version). You really might want to reconsider your decision not to include the BUG.

There are many aftermarket options for side steps. Spend some time shopping online and it shouldn't take you long to become a little overwhelmed... LOL.

 

[brian42]

The bed divider alone costs over $1100 (rambox version). You really might want to reconsider your decision not to include the BUG.

The $445 BUG only includes the bed divider on the Longhorn and Limited (some configurations).

 

[AZHUND]

I went a much cheap route with mine (didn't have a choice as the only BTS in stock had a "naked" bed) of the Mopar bed mat (~$150) that also covers the tailgate and one of those ratcheting cargo bars (like $25 on amazon) as a divider. Hasn't held more than a lumber trip to home depot and a few plants int he 3 weeks I have had it, but seems fine so far.

 

[User_3336]

I have the bed mat. Its pretty thick and heavy (42 pounds). Drilling required.

82215784AB RAM 1500 DT 5th Gen Bed Mat 5'7" Bed Rubber Mopar | Bam Wholesale Parts

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I went a much cheap route with mine (didn't have a choice as the only BTS in stock had a "naked" bed) of the Mopar bed mat (~$150) that also covers the tailgate and one of those ratcheting cargo bars (like $25 on amazon) as a divider. Hasn't held more than a lumber trip to home depot and a few plants int he 3 weeks I have had it, but seems fine so far.

 

[ClancyO]

First truck didn’t have it, second does.. I did have a Rhino-liner Spray in liner in the first truck - $600ish? Wanted rails but never got them - I thought they were 3-400 max (w/o divider). Lights are meh. Still might add leds under the rails even with the factory lights. Didn’t want the step until I have it, now I love it. I’m happy to have it, but it wouldn’t have been a deal killer not to as the aftermarket (plus oem rails) can do the same or better. Still need to check on smaller cone nuts to see if they’ll work in the factory rails.. If your ordering the truck anyway, it’s just easier if it’s all there from the beginning...

 

[mikeru82]

The $445 BUG only includes the bed divider on the Longhorn and Limited (some configurations).

Not sure what your point is. I never mentioned a price for the BUG. The Limited and Longhorn come standard with a spray in bed liner. So that's not part of the BUG for those models. Which I suspect is why it's half the price that it is on the other models. The bed divider automatically comes with the BUG if you also order the rambox option, on all Ram 1500 models. I can't speak for non-rambox bed dividers because I've never owned one.

 

[RJS]

I will definitely need a bed liner of some sort, and also side steps for my young child. For 2021, that will cost me $1,800, which seems like a lot.

Thoughts on the best more economical alternative to the factory Bed Utility Group and Wheel to Wheel Sidesteps options?

Thanks!

Hard to go wrong with the BUG at $845 when you consider the spray in liner is about $500+. I have the rails and wish I had the lights also. The steps at $745 are about 2 - 2.5X over the cost of aftermarket or OEM purchased here or on line.

The $1800 you quoted may include the power boards, if so you can save $255 by going with the non-power.

IAC, the decision comes down to how you feel about installing the boards and giving up the OEM Warranty on the installed boards. If you go with the BUG and fixed steps it's $1590. Aftermarket will bring it down to around $1200. So is it worth the difference $300-400 to get aftermarket and lose the warranty. I realize most aftermarket ones come with a warranty but you still need to get involved with an aftermarket installer or handle the whole thing yourself.

It's your call but if you go with the power boards, I'd want them on the truck from the factory.

 

[brian42]

Not sure what your point is. I never mentioned a price for the BUG. The Limited and Longhorn come standard with a spray in bed liner. So that's not part of the BUG for those models. Which I suspect is why it's half the price that it is on the other models. The bed divider automatically comes with the BUG if you also order the rambox option, on all Ram 1500 models. I can't speak for non-rambox bed dividers because I've never owned one.

I was just agreeing with your opinion to reconsider the BUG as it is a good deal if someone plans to use the bed for more than a few bags of recycles every now and then.

I didn't realize that the divider comes with the Rambox. Thanks for the correction.

 

[mikeru82]

No worries, my bad if I mis-understood what you were saying.

The bed divider doesn't automatically come with the rambox, like it did with the 4th gens. You also have to add the BUG to get the divider now. It's a change they made with the 5th gens, but not a lot of people realized that until they received their trucks without a divider (ask me how I know this LOL).