Are you buying a new or new-to-you truck? Do you just want to ramp up the comfort and functionality of your existing truck? What you need are some truck accessories.
Truck accessories like running boards, backup cameras, and bed liners can really take your truck above and beyond. These are the truck accessories that most truck owners consider essential.
1) Running Boards
If you’ve ever tried to clamber into a tall truck without running boards, you know just how hard it can be. Most trucks are too tall to comfortably climb into without truck side steps or running boards. If your truck doesn’t have running boards, you should put them at the top of the list of truck accessories you need.
When it’s time to buy truck running boards, you should probably pass up the chrome-plated models if you live in a climate that gets cold, snowy winters. Road salt will damage the chrome finish and you’ll find that your running boards only last a couple of years. You should also grab running boards that attach to the frame of your truck instead of to the truck body, especially if you have big people in your family. Running boards and truck side steps that attach to the frame of the vehicle are sturdier and can handle larger passengers.
2) Bed Liner
You definitely need a bed liner, even if you don’t think you do. You may be perfectly fine with letting your truck bed get all scratched up by tools, landscaping supplies, and whatever else you intend to haul in it. If you’re not concerned with how your truck looks, that’s fine, but that’s not the reason you need a bed liner.
Scratches in the bed of your truck can leave your truck’s body vulnerable to rust and corrosion. A spray-in bed liner will protect your truck bed and your truck from deteriorating before its time. Spray-in bed liners fit perfectly, last longer than drop-in liners, and only cost about $500 to have installed.
3) Tow Hitch
Are you going to be towing a trailer, camper, or boat? Is there a chance you may need to tow other vehicles? If so, you need a tow hitch.
In fact, a tow hitch is a good truck accessory to have, even if you don’t plan to do any towing. You’ll have it if you need it, but it’ll also help you sell your truck faster and for more money if you should ever decide to get rid of it. You should get a qualified mechanic to install your tow hitch.
4) Bed Cover
A tonneau cover is one of those things that you might not realize you need until you try to haul a load in bad weather or, even worse, get some or all of your load stolen during a pit stop. You can get soft or hard-shell tonneau covers – a hard bed cover made out of aluminum will offer the best protection against weather and thieves. Most truck bed covers are watertight, so you don’t have to worry about weather damaging your cargo. Make sure your tonneau cover locks for added security.
Truck bed covers that fold up or roll up are the easiest to manhandle when it’s time to load or unload your truck. A fold-up or roll-up bed cover can be opened in seconds to give you access to your truck bed. You can even get electronic bed covers that open, close, and lock automatically – all you have to do is press a button on your fob.
5) Backup Camera
If your truck was built after May 2018, a backup camera should be standard equipment. But there are still a lot of trucks on the road that were built and sold before backup cameras became a requirement in new vehicles.
If your truck doesn’t have a backup camera, you can have one installed. Backup cameras are available that can work with even the most ancient of trucks. You can get a backup camera that connects to your center screen if you want, but you can also buy cameras with large viewing screens that mount to the dash or the rearview mirror. Spend more if you want a camera with a large viewing screen and tow assist for hitching up to trailers.
Are you looking to spruce up your truck? Are you buying a new truck and wondering what accessories you shouldn’t do without? Accessories like bed covers, backup cameras, and bed liners are worth the extra money. They can really take your truck above and beyond.