Power, convenience, managing cargo: Whatever you're looking for, the 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show, held annually in Las Vegas, had something to meet your needs. Here are the best truck and SUV products introduced there.
| Trailer SecurityThe Bully CouplerLock makes it a snap to secure a trailer to a tow vehicle. The trailer coupler is easy to install and features a built-in coupler lock. Pilot Automotive, 768 S. Turnbull Canyon Road, City Of Industry, CA 91745, 626/937-6988; www.couplerlock.com.
| Air It UpThe Voltair 12-volt air compressor provides 150 psi to air up tires, air mattresses, and soccer balls--and can even power air wrenches and air jacks. The one-horsepower motor has a 75-percent duty cycle--it can run for 45 minutes out of an hour. Voltair, 1109 Road B, Henderson, NE 68371, 402/723-4985; www.12-voltair.com.
| Spark 'Em UpMSD's bolt-on Multiple Spark Coil Kit for GM LS-1 and LS-6 engines features high-output coil packs that produce three times the spark energy of stock coils. Plus, they deliver multiple sparks to each cylinder to help keep the engine clean at idle. MSD Ignition, 1490 Henry Brennan, El Paso, TX 79936, 915/857-5200; www.msdignition.com.
| Step Right UpWysco's Retractable Electric Truck Step for Chevy and Ford trucks supports 400 pounds and includes an obstacle-sensing safety feature. The big step is made from billet aluminum with nonskid tread. Wysco, 13121 Spring St., Baldwin Park, CA 91706, 800/731-9972; www.wysco.com.
| Keep Stuff On-BoardTarpeez, a durable, weatherproof soft tarp, uses large clips that attach it to the truck's stake holes and bungee cords to secure it over loads. Tarpeez, 2847 E. Dartmouth St., Mesa, AZ 85213, 877/827-7339; www.tarpeez.com.
| Easy AccessWant to get gear out of your toolbox without climbing into the bed? The top of the Pro-Slide crossover box slides to the right or left, so you can get items out of the upper compartment and can reach what's stored underneath. Taylor Wings, 3720 Omec Circle, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742, 800/634-7757; www.taylorwings.com.
| Cost-Effective CampingWant to sleep in your truck's bed or provide a shaded, safer place for the dogs? Bestop's soft-sided Supertop offers a cost-effective alternative to hard truck caps. It's also great for shielding cargo from prying eyes. Bestop, 2100 W. Midway Blvd., Broomfield, CO 80020, 800/845-3567; www.bestop.com.
| No More SpaghettiThe Reel-Deal gets trailer wires under control, helping prevent damage from wires twisting, dragging on the ground, or being eaten by critters. The self-adjusting retractable harness stores and protects the wires when not in use, and it allows movement when a trailer is connected. Independent Solutions, P.O. Box 1428, Mansfield, TX 76063, 817/477-2683; www.thereel-deal.com.
| Boost It, BabyThe Roushcharger for 2005 5.4-liter V-8-equipped Ford F-150s uses a Roots-style supercharger to provide 112 horsepower and 137 pound-feet of torque. Roush Performance Products, 28156 Plymouth Road, Ste. Z, Livonia, MI 48150, 800/597-6874; www.roushperf.com.
| Efficiency ImproverB&M's Task Master Torque Converter for diesel trucks has been engineered to improve efficiency from off-idle to redline. With a furnace-brazed impeller and turbine and a multiple disc lock-up clutch, it boosts pulling power and durability. B&M Racing & Performance Products, 9142 Independence Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311, 818/882-6422; www.bmracing.com.
| Wherever You GoGarmin's Trail Guide dash-mounted navigation system has dedicated speakers, so you can hear turn-by-turn directions with ease. When you're ready to proceed on foot, snap the unit out of the cradle and use it as a handheld GPS device. It also accepts Garmin's MapSource U.S. Topo data for off-road adventures. Garmin International, 1200 E. 151st St., Olathe, KS 66062, 800/800-1020; www.garmin.com.
| Gimme Some SpaceStreet & Performance Electronics's VMAX intake manifold spacer for GM Vortec V-6 and V-8 engines increases intake-manifold volume by up to 31 percent. In dyno testing, that translates into increases of 21 horsepower and 21 pound-feet of torque over stock. Street & Performance Electronics, 304 Smokey Lane, North Little Rock, AR 72117, 501/945-0354; streetandperformanceelectronics.com.
| Versatile Cover-UpThe Hard Hat tonneau folds open for bed access and to accommodate taller loads. (You can drive safely with it folded open.) It can be installed or removed in one minute. Advantage Truck Accessories, 640 Riverview Ave., Elkhart, IN 46516, 574/293-0979; www.advantagetruckaccessories.com.
| Even KeelBilstein's BTS Leveling Kit for F-150s, Tundras, and Tacomas installs like factory replacement shocks, but is designed to level out the factory rake. The kit repositions the OEM spring seat to provide more preload to the factory spring, giving your truck a level front-to-rear ride height. Bilstein, 14102 Stowe Dr., Poway, CA 92064, 858/386-5900; www.bilstein.com.
| Stop Beating Your DrumsStill running the factory drum brakes in your half-ton Silverado or Sierra? Baer's Baer Claw GT drum-to-disc rear brake conversion kit makes it a snap to switch to discs. It includes 14-inch rotors, two-piston aluminum calipers, and a drum-in-hat parking-brake mechanism. Baer, 3108 W. Thomas Road, Ste. 1201, Phoenix, AZ 85017, 602/233-1411; www.baer.com.
| Strong, Silent TypeGoodyear's Fortera was designed for SUV owners who want tough tires that offer the quiet, comfortable ride of a car. The Fortera features SilentArmor Technology, with an Armor Zone made of DuPont Kevlar, a Durawall sidewall to resist punctures and cuts, and a rugged rim guard to help protect wheels from curb damage. Goodyear, 1144 E. Market St., Akron, OH 44316, 330/796-2121; www.goodyeartires.com.
| Stop SquattingWhether hauling a heavy load or towing a trailer, the Hell-Ya Hitchhelper is designed to keep the truck's rear end from sagging. A level ride is key for stability, proper headlight alignment, and steering control. The height-adjustable Hitchhelper fits any two-inch receiver. Hell-Ya Productions, 114 E. 2nd St., Miller, SD 57362, 877/851-0096; www.hell-ya.com.
| Higher & HigherRough Country's EVO-X Series six-inch suspension lift can fit 35x12.50-inch tires. It installs without cutting, drilling, or welding. The kit includes front and rear crossmembers, one-piece CNC-machined knuckles, skidplate, racing CV shafts, shocks, and rear blocks and U-bolts. Rough Country Suspensions, 1400 Morgan Road, Dyersburg, TN 38024, 800/222-7023; www.roughcountry.com.
| Ready for BusinessThe fully integrated iMobile CarPC System from Advanced Mobile Technologies makes it easier to work on the road. The touch-screen PC includes an application launcher, Web browser, scheduler, address book, and calculator as well as a navigation system, DVD player, MP3/video player, and XM Radio. Advanced Mobile Technologies, P.O. Box 131616, Staten Island, NY 10313, 877/732-5100; www.imobilepc.com.
| Take TwoThe ATS Aurora Twin Turbo Upgrade Kit for Cummins 5.9-liter diesels combines an Aurora 2000 turbo with an Aurora 5000. The small turbo allows for quick spool-up, while the large one delivers increased power and low exhaust gas temperatures. ATS Diesel Performance, 5293 Ward Road, Arvada, CO 80002, 800/949-6002; www.atsdiesel.com.
| Major-League JackIf there's a chance you might get stuck in sand, mud, or snow, consider bringing along ARB's Bushranger X-Jack. Connect the hose to the tailpipe and start the engine to inflate the jack. It has a lifting capacity of more than 8800 pounds and a height of 30 inches. It can also be inflated with an air compressor. ARB, 720 SW 34th St., Renton, WA 98055, 425/264-1391; www.arbusa.com.
| Stylish & Sensible BallsMaster Lock's Custom Chrome Ball Mounts come in four styles, including Dodge and Ford emblems and a sculptured skull design. They use the One Tool Torque system, which locks a hitch ball into place as it's inserted into the mount--there's no need for a second wrench. Master Lock, 137 W. Forest Hill Ave., Oak Creek, WI 53154, 800/308-9244, www.masterlock.com.
| Limited or LockedAuburn Gear's ECTED Locking Differential functions as a limited-slip and a locked differential--choose the mode with a dash-mounted switch. ECTED is available for Dana 30 and 35 axles. Auburn Gear, 400 E. Auburn Dr., Auburn, IN 46706, 260/925-3200; www.auburngear.com.
| Just Get CloseThe Swinger Hitch from C&G Products is designed to make hooking up a lot less stressful. Swing the hitch out to the side of your truck, where you can see the hitch ball, and position it under the trailer tongue. Then push the trailer into the locking position or drive ahead two feet, then back straight up and the hitch will close automatically. C&G Products, 1201 Gold Course Road, Suite 1202, Monticello, MN 55362, 888/462-1212; www.swingerhitch.com.
| Hot & Bothered?Banks' Techni-Cooler charge-air cooler assembly for Ford Power Strokes replaces the restrictive stock system. Huge 3.5-inch boost tubes and a unique tube-and-fin intercooler design work with Banks's High-Ram inlet casting to pack more cool air into the engine for improved combustion and power while helping minimize exhaust-gas temperature. Banks Power, 546 S. Duggan Ave., Azusa, CA 91702, 626/969-9600; www.bankspower.com.
| Complete Kitchen To GoWhen closed, Cook's Ultimate BBQ Kitchen may look like a toolbox, but it opens to reveal a 90,000-btu propane stove, grill and griddle, microwave oven, mini-fridge, and even a kitchen sink. It can slide off your truck onto a rolling docking station for total portability. Cook Industries, P.O. Box 21170, Carson City, NV 89721, 877/577-2665; www.cookind.com.
| Ergonomic & AttractiveSmittybilt's Auto Desk fits between a truck's center console and the passenger seat, so you can work on the road without being a contortionist. The wood top includes a clipboard-style paper holder, and the base has a leather outer to blend with a truck's interior. Smittybilt Automotive, 1550 Magnolia Ave., Ste. 101, Corona, CA 92879, 888/717-6170; www.gosmitty.com.
| Power, Towing, or Mileage?Reprogram your Duramax in 10 minutes with the Fast-Flash Power Programmer from Fuel Air Spark Technology. The programmer saves the factory settings and lets you tune for power, towing, or fuel economy. FAST, 3400 Democrat Road, Memphis, TN 38118, 901/260-3278; www.fuelairspark.com.
