The Best Truck Bed Organizers for Your Pickup

One of the many benefits of driving a pickup is the large cargo space that comes with it. Even a truck with a short bed comes with approximately five feet and eight inches’ worth of space that can carry some of the biggest appliances in your house.

But as convenient as it is, it can be hard to make the most out of your truck bed’s storage space. An organized truck bed is like your closet. It’s easy to find what you need because items are kept in the same place. The way you organize your things also says a lot about what kind of driver you are.

An easy and cost-effective way to keep your rear compartment looking clean is to get a truck bed organizer.

What Is a Truck Bed Organizer?

Truck bed organizers come in different shapes and sizes. Whether they’re in the form of a box or a simple divider, they’re all meant to declutter your cargo space and make it easy to grab your must-haves.

Types of Truck Bed Organizers

There’s not one type of truck bed organizer that suits everybody’s lifestyle. Check out the different types of truck bed organizers below and see which one’s the most appropriate for your rig.

Truck Bed Case

A truck bed case is often used as a side mount toolbox. It sits between the tailgate and wheel well, providing an extra storage compartment in a tricky area of your truck bed. Truck bed cases are usually weatherproof and come with a locking lid to secure your belongings. In most cases, they also come with adjustable brackets for easy installation.

Cargo Bags and Nets

Cargo bags and nets are inexpensive storage solutions for your truck’s messy bed space. Many cargo bags and nets come with tension rails that you can mount horizontally to both sides of your truck to prevent groceries, outdoor gear, emergency kits, and tools, among others from rolling around the truck bed. 

Standard Bed Extender

A standard bed extender provides a foot or two of extra cargo space that you can use for hauling big equipment, furniture, or appliances. Designed to have a cage-like structure, It’s usually mounted to the tailgate and is made to be flexible, doubling as a cargo holder to prevent items from sliding if the extender is flipped inward.

Also note that there are other types of bed extenders, such as the bed slide type and an extendable arm-like extender that’s usually attached to a trailer hitch.

Cargo Bar

Typically used in hatchbacks, minivans, trailers, and pickups, a cargo bar is like an adjustable tension rod that prevents items from shifting or falling while driving. This also prevents the truck bed from getting scratched or dented by moving cargo.

Top Truck Bed Organizer Brands

Although truck bed organizers are considered an accessory, it still pays to find one that’s built to last. Here are some of the best truck bed organizer brands you might want to check out for your next purchase.

Truxedo®

Truxedo® offers a great selection of saddlebag-style cargo organizers that are ideal for storing small items in your pickup. Crafted from industrial-grade materials, these organizers are designed to be weatherproof and are easy to install.

Truxedo® offers cargo organizers featuring a rail-mounted design and a bed case-style that easily fits between the tailgate and wheel well.

Bestop®

Bestop® is a leading manufacturer of soft tops for Jeep Wranglers and CJs. The brand offers a variety of organizers made using mildew,  UV-resistant soft top fabric, and marine-grade thread for long-lasting dependability.

Weathertech®

As a provider of world-class cargo liners and automotive accessories, Weathertech® offers durable cargo liners designed to keep your things in the right place. The brand’s cargo organizers come with a sure-grip underside to prevent cargo from sliding as you drive.

Truck Bed Organizer: DIY Tips

If you’re looking for other ways to optimize your truck’s cargo space while working on a tight budget, here are some DIY tips you might want to check out.

Crates Work, Too

Crates can hold your groceries and other items the same way as your typical cargo bag, and you can buy them for less than $2 from nearby stores.

Use Planks to Prevent Cargo from Sliding

Planks make a great divider for your cargo space and can function similarly to a cargo bar. Unlike the cargo bar, however, the planks won’t be adjustable, so you’ll need to measure the woods’ exact length before you can slide them over to the flatbed’s anchor points.

2x4s Make a Great Truck Bed Caddy

Small items in your truck bed could get thrown around as you drive. And one of the simplest yet most effective and inexpensive solutions to this problem is by building a makeshift caddy. Using a couple of 2x4s and deck screws, you can keep your small items secured at the back of your truck.

Other Things You Might Need to Optimize Your Truck’s Storage Space

The back of your truck isn’t the only place where you can keep your stuff. Underneath the seats and in between them are tiny areas that you can still optimize and make the most out of your space. Here are some organizers that you can squeeze into these tight spaces.

Truck Bed Tool Box

A truck tool box is an isolated storage area for all your tools and gears, so you don’t have to worry about misplacing them when you need them the most.

Cargo Organizer

Some cargo organizers are designed to fit in your truck’s under seat or at the back of it. These cargo organizers come in handy for storing small items because they usually come with a lot of mesh pockets and several compartments.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your truck bed organized is as important as any other responsibility when owning a vehicle. Not only does it keep your truck looking neat, but it also saves you from the trouble of repairing your truck bed caused by moving cargo.