The invention provides a multi-layer truck bed. The truck bed includes a frame, a layer of backer plates, and a layer of non-slip plates. The frame is under the layer of backer plates, the layer of backer plates is under the layer of non-slip plates. The truck bed is elongated in a first direction. The frame includes a plurality of metal crossmembers extending crosswise to the first direction. The backer plates are formed of a first metal, and the non-slip plates are formed of a second metal. The first metal has a higher strength than the second metal. In some embodiments, the invention provides a truck that includes the truck bed and has a material handler mounted thereon, and the material handler includes a boom.