for elements common to the various embodiments of the invention , the numerical reference character between the embodiments is held constant , but distinguished by the addition of an alphanumeric character to the existing numerical reference character . in other words , for example , an element referenced at 10 in the first embodiment is corresponding referenced at 10 a , 10 b , and so forth in subsequent embodiments . thus , wherein an embodiment description uses a reference character to refer to an element , the reference character applies equally , as distinguished by alphanumeric character , to the other embodiments where the element is common . referring to fig1 , there is shown a pickup bed 10 for a pickup truck , the bed may comprise an essentially unitary plastic body having a front wall 12 , side walls 14 and a floor 16 . the front wall 12 , the side walls 14 , and the floor 16 may form a bed liner . modern plastic molding methods have evolved to where large moldings of this size can be accomplished by a variety of processes . the bed 10 may also be formed as separate walls and a floor then attached together by methods known to those skilled in the art , or the entire bed can be molded as a single body . using hand lay - up , vacuum bag molding , or resin transfer processes , a glass reinforced plastic construction of lightweight and excellent physical properties can be obtained . in addition , new larger equipment is allowing parts of this size to be molded by compression , injection , thermoforming and blow molding processes . by adding reinforcing members to the molding , additional rigidity can be designed - in where needed . these reinforcing members can then be used as attachment points for anchoring the bed to the vehicle frame . turning again to fig1 , storage compartments 18 may be molded into the outer side wall 14 of the bed inner . the compartments may be molded to form shapes conducive to the storage of specific tools ( skill saw , drill , wrenches , etc .) by having recessed portions matching the shapes of those tools . the storage compartments may be separated by a plurality of dividers 15 . in addition , the dividers 15 that form the various compartments may also serve as reinforcing struts for the pickup bed . a fender outer 17 is shown in a partially raised position from its normally closed position covering the storage compartment 18 . the fender outer 17 can be of sheet metal , but preferably is molded of plastic by the aforementioned processes , to provide an outer lighter in weight and more resistant to denting than a metal outer . one embodiment of an articulating mechanism is shown in fig1 as a pivot mechanism 19 and arm mechanism 13 which is attached to the back side of the fender outer 17 at a second hinge point . mechanisms of this type are well know to those skilled in the art as they are commonly used on aircraft doors , passenger shuttle bus doors , and commercial bus luggage storage doors . they are generally comprised of two separate hinges connected by a rod mechanism which is formed at such an angle to allow the door , or in the case of the invention , the outer fender , to move slightly outwardly to clear the sealing edge , then move in a plane parallel with the doors &# 39 ; ( fenders ) closed position . typically two mechanisms are used , one at each end of the door ( fender ). examples of such preferred mechanisms as applied herein can be found in u . s . pat . no . 4 , 479 , 622 and u . s . pat . no . 6 , 030 , 024 , and are herein incorporated by reference . alternatively , a mechanism commonly used on minivan “ sliding ” doors may be used . a pair of spaced , parallel tracks guide the fender outer substantially parallel to the side of the vehicle . examples of such preferred mechanisms as applied herein can be found in u . s . pat . no . 4 , 561 , 690 and u . s . pat . no . 6 , 213 , 535 and are herein incorporated by reference . fig2 a - c show a fender outer 17 in a “ closed ” position ( fig2 a ) in which there is no access to the storage compartments 18 , an “ intermediate ” position ( fig2 b ), and an “ open ” position ( fig2 c ) in which there is access to the storage compartment 18 . the articulating mechanism maintains the outer fender 17 in a substantially vertical orientation as the outer fender 17 moves from the “ closed ” position to the “ open ” position . the description and drawings illustratively set forth my presently preferred invention embodiments . i intend the description and drawings to describe embodiments and not to limit the scope of the invention . those skilled in the art will appreciate that still other modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teaching while remaining within the scope of the following claims . therefore , within the scope of the claims , one may practice the invention otherwise than as the description and drawings specifically show and describe .