Not everyone is going to have complete access to the bed of their rig, especially if they do a lot of towing. But if you mostly bumper-pull, then here are three bright ideas that can help transform your truck bed into a more functional cargo space.
| 1. Don't under-utilize the space in your bed. There are many new products on the market that help you get better organized for those long road trips ahead.
Let's start with the Bedslide
The Bedslide solution is effective, durable and unique. Crawling on your hands and knees can be time-consuming and uncomfortable, and the Bedslide makes accessibility to anything in your bed effortless. The Bedslide is a full-length, slide-out shelf on sealed roller bearings. It attaches directly to the floor of the bed and fits either long or short bed truck bodies. It's made mostly for the construction trades; however, we think there's a bunch of recreational uses for it too.
It's designed to occupy most of the cargo area on the bed's floor, so everything you normally carry finds its rightful place on the Bedslide. The next time you need to access a piece of equipment up against the bulkhead, you simply slide out the platform and get what you need. If there is a drawback, it is that the Bedslide covers up three quarters of your bedfloor. However, there is still some room on both sides of the bed for bed-rail mounted boxes or smaller items, or it can be removed when it's not in use.
"Because of consumer demand for better carrying capabilities, we came out with the new CG Pro, which has higher side rails to contain gear and attachments for tie-downs," David McInturf of Bedslide says. "The big news is that SR-10 will replace our standard model and will be available in 2010, and both units have a 1,800-pound capacity. Retail pricing begins at $800 up to $1,200."
| 2. The Bedslide is a DIY product and takes only a few hours to install.
While there are several models of Bedslide to choose from, we installed the Contractor's Grade Bedslide simply because we needed something rugged. It is intended for work trucks that get used everyday and is considered the company's workhorse.
The installation process was very basic and required few handtools. The unit came factory powdercoated on a heavy steel frame with eight roller bearings that glided smoothly through a steel channel. Because the bearings were completely sealed, the Bedslide does not have to be covered and is resistant to foul weather or dirt. It featured three locking positions as the drawer was pulled out and had short aluminum side rails and a WeatherDeck top with a 1/4-inch rubber mat.
So if you have back problems, or simply don't want to crawl around in the bed of the truck, the Bedslide is a worthy upgrade.
A Great Tie-Down
If you're like us, there are never enough tie-down points when you need them. So when Snap-Loc Industrial came out with its new Cargo Control System, we couldn't wait to get our hands on a set. These aren't your typical light-duty S-hooks with flimsy nylon straps, either.
| 3. The idea behind the Bedslide is you can have total access to any cargo without climbing inside the bed. The Bedslide rolls on bearings that are totally sealed against foul weather, dirt, or debris.
These high-end systems come with quality heavy-duty 16-foot by 2-inch straps with E-fittings at the ends and feature Snap Loc's own patented "Loc-Down" anchor points. They are available in ratchet or cam buckle) and E-fit (in multiple grade finishes) and are rated up to 2,500 pounds, especially for motorcycles, ATVs, or other bulky cargo.
The Loc-Downs are very slim, which means you can mount these to the tailgate to carry oversized planks of wood that extend over the bed. Installation required only simple tools, and the Snap-Loc Cargo Control System allowed us to link several straps together for the biggest loads. Retail pricing for the Snap-Loc Cargo Control system ranges from $9.99 to $39.99.
Softer Landing
Our final product is the BedRug by Wise Industries. The BedRug makes an old crusty bed like new again, and it's an affordable alternative to spray-on or drop-in liners.
We've all had to crawl on our hands and knees in the bed of a truck. Not very comfortable, is it? That's when we learned the advantage of having a BedRug with its 3/4-inch padding the first time we used it, because the BedRug is so comfortable you can actually sleep on it.
It is an all-plastic liner that feels more like a short-ply carpet kit but is completely rugged for even the dirtiest cargo. It's made of tough polypropylene resin (plastic) that won't mildew or deteriorate. You can get it wet, wash it, or leave it uncovered in rain and snow, and never have to worry about it again. The BedRug can even be pressure-washed because it is a closed-cell polymer construction that can't hold water.
According to Justin Sagert of Pick-Up Parts, "The sides and headboard of the BedRug are all vacuum-molded and application-specific. It is oil and acid resistant, and it is designed to lie flat on the wavy bedfloor."
If there is a hint at trouble (and that's a big if), it would be with the durability of the Velcro-like fasteners that hold the BedRug in place. You can use an adhesive promoter to make the contact more secure. We'll try to bring you an upgrade on all the products you've seen here in a future issue or online. Retail pricing runs from $399 to $459 depending on application.
There you have it. Three new products that will transform your truck so that it becomes an extension of what you do whether you use it for work, play, or daily driving. Now we'll show you how easily these cool new ideas went together.
Editor's Note: Many thanks to Pick-Up Parts in Mission Viejo, California, for their installation work and product recommendations. Owner Justin Sagert and his crew at Pick-Up Parts are ready to answer any of your truck or van questions.
