Summer is the perfect season for road trips, especially for those who are keen on making unforgettable memories.
It’s the best time to bring out gear such as boats, bikes, and other unwieldy cargo. The tricky part is knowing how to pack your belongings in a way that keeps them safe and secure.
While pickup trucks are perfect for such occasions, there are times when the storage space offered in the truck bed might not be enough. There might also come times when it’s hard to secure the cargo, which can damage both the truck bed and your belongings.
Fortunately, there are accessories that can help with these problems and more.
Cargo Mats
Cargo mats can help you pad the storage space of your pickup.
Besides protecting the cargo area, these mats also prevent your groceries, luggage, tools, and equipment from moving about while driving. This makes for quieter, smoother drives because you won’t have to worry about your belongings skidding about your truck bed.
Bear in mind that cargo mats differ greatly from cargo liners. Unlike liners, cargo mats are easy to install and remove because they’re simply layered over the truck bed. This makes them easy to maintain because you can remove them from your truck for cleaning.
Another difference worth keeping in mind is how cargo mats are smaller and take up less space than cargo liners. Arguably, their size makes them less effective at protecting the truck bed because they cover a smaller area.
Fortunately, unless you’re hauling heavy, unwieldy cargo, you won’t need an accessory as difficult to install as a cargo liner for long interstate drives. Something convenient and easy to use, like a cargo mat, should be more than enough to keep anything you’d reasonably pack for a road trip safe and secure.
Price Range: $50 to $500
Cargo Straps
Another accessory truck drivers should consider investing in is cargo straps, which are also known as ratchet straps or tie-down straps.
These handy accessories can be used to secure cargo by binding your belongings together and tying them down. This prevents things in your vehicle’s cargo hold from moving around, keeping them from getting damaged or scratching the truck bed in transit.
Cargo straps are typically made of sturdy materials, such as polyester, and secured with metal buckles and hooks for maximum strength and durability. They’re simple yet effective, and they don’t require a lot of effort to set up.
Cargo straps are typically attached to the floor of a truck and wrap around the cargo. One end of the strap is fed through the slot in the buckle and secured by the lever.
Price Range: $10 to $45
Bed Extenders
Bed extenders can increase the cargo space of the truck bed, allowing you to haul bigger, heavier things. These accessories are cage-like by design to minimize weight and maximize security.
These extenders also help improve overall stability while driving with heavy cargo. Unlike with trailers, you won’t have to worry about maneuvering your vehicle while towing your cargo.
Bed extenders are also more stable and more suitable for drivers who are keen on maximizing convenience. They have a simple and straightforward design that makes them easy to use and install on your vehicle
Bed extenders are especially ideal for sporty, adventurous drivers keen on bringing heavy items and equipment that normally wouldn’t fit in the back of a pickup truck. This includes kayaks, quad bikes, and motorcycles.
They’re a preferable alternative to towing trailers because they require a lot less effort to set up and drive in.
Price Range: $330 to $400
Hitches
Hitches are another must-have accessory for truck drivers, especially for those who are considering towing a trailer for their vacation.
But take note: just because you have a hitch doesn’t mean you’re obligated to bring a trailer with you all the time. Installing a hitch simply means you can now tow trailers.
The ability to tow trailers is ideal for summer road trips because you might want to bring extra outdoor equipment with you, such as tents, boats, and bikes.
Once summer ends, you can remove the trailer from the hitch and go back to driving about the way you normally would.
Price Range: $60 to $600
Spare Tire Carriers
A lot can happen on a road trip, especially during summer. If you’re on the highway and one of your tires bursts, the odds of you finding a gas station or an auto repair shop nearby are low.
Why leave it up to chance when you can install a spare tire carrier and bring your own replacement? This upgrade lets you mount and secure a spare tire in your vehicle’s truck bed.
It’s always important to carry an extra tire in case one bursts, especially in the middle of a road trip. Installing one can be tricky, but if you pack the right tools and a car jack to help you lift your vehicle, having a spare tire can keep you from getting stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Price Range: $20 to $850
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