115 degrees ambient temperature, high speeds and oh yea, old tires....this is what happens. I now know my truck bed is made of fiberglass - thought it was steel. Looking for a used bed but not as available as one might think. Already started to TRY to repair this one.
Was going to buy new tires in less than 12 hours. Live and learn.

 

OWW!

I know it probably won't make you feel any better, but you could take a black marker and write the old badly-dented car phrase "XXXX HAPPENS" on what's left of the fender.

 

step side makes it a little harder to find and replace.

 

Actually, I have found some beds on craigslist in l.a. dallas etc. Low as $385. Just have to get them to my house or wait for one to appear in the az area.