The annual Specialty Equipment Market Association show is a great place to see amazing modified vehicles and learn about trends in the world of aftermarket manufacturers. It also happens to be the perfect venue to find out what new products are coming for trucks and SUVs within the next year. Here are our favorites from the most recent show.
Fifth Wheel Tailgate
When switching from a regular tailgate to one that can accommodate fifth-wheel trailers, you lose the backup camera that came with the truck from the factory. Until now, that is: Husky Liners has a fifth-wheel tailgate with a mount for a backup camera, so you can install the camera of your choice. The aluminum tailgate's mount is durable and weather-resistant.
| Husky Liners Fifth Wheel Tailgate
Husky Liners
800/344-8759
www.huskyliners.com
Bully Dog PMT2
This tuner is a collection of monitoring devices and tools, all in one. Bully Dog's newest Performance Management Tools system provides tunes for diesel and gas vehicles, with significant increases in horsepower and torque (amounts depend on the application). The screen through which you control the tuner is capacitive-touch, wi-fi- and Bluetooth-enabled, and GPS-capable.
| Bully Dog PMT2
Bully Dog Technologies
866/285-5936
www.bullydog.com
Jeep BedRug and BedTred
New kits from BedRug make it easier to protect the interior from the elements, which is especially handy if you like driving your Jeep with the top down. The BedRug and BedTred kits are waterproof, and are molded to fit specific Jeep applications. The BedRug is like carpet; the BedTred looks and feels more like a spray-in material, and can be removed.
| BedTred Jeep Liner 01
BedRug
800/462-8435
www.bedrug.com
Elephant Stand Swivel Hitch
This product combines a ball mount and truck step in one. No drilling is required to install -- it slides into the current hitch assembly. It sits under the truck when not in use, and swivels around and locks in place when you need something like a "man step" to get into the truck bed. The step can hold 600 pounds of weight.
| Elephant Stand Swivel Hitch
Elephant Stand
651/271-5062
www.elephantstand.com
BedXtender HD
AMP Research has redesigned its heavy-duty truck bed extender, now called the BedXtender HD. Built tough, it features rounded-rectangle tubes, and its composite uprights are made to withstand torque. The product is available for most full-size and compact/midsize trucks.
| AMP Research BedXtender HD
AMP Research
888/983-2204
www.amp-research.com
Cargo Assault Mount
This cool rack is initially available only for Jeep JKs, but it's an idea we hope Xtreme Outfitters can adapt for use in other vehicles. This cargo mount, which sits behind the rear seat, is ideal for outdoorsmen -- it can hold four fishing rods or rifles. The Cargo Assault mount is made of powder-coated high-strength steel, and installs to the OE rear-seat holes and convertible top mounts. The mount is black, but custom colors are available.
| Xtreme Outfitters Cargo Assault Mount
Xtreme Outfitters
830/367-7557
www.xtreme-outfitters.com
Mini Monster Hook
We've been impressed with the Monster Hook and like that the company has expanded its line of products to include the Mini Monster Hook. This one is made for smaller vehicles, such as smaller SUVs (Jeeps), compact/midsize trucks, and UTVs. Each recovery hook is forged and heat treated, and comes polished and chrome plated.
| Monster Hooks Mini Monster Hook
Monster Hooks Inc.
408/268-7417
www.monsterhooksinc.com
Hammer Works Zinc Hammer
We can't wait until we can try this hammer on something. Hammer Works is said to offer the only hammer with a head made of zinc composite, and the hammer won't vibrate, spark, or bounce when used. The hammer comes with either a short or a long handle made from high-density and shock-absorbent material. It's also chemical- and corrosion-resistant.
| Hammer Works Zinc Hammer
Hammer Works Manufacturing
559/734-7664
www.hammerworksmfg.com
StableLoad
Quick Disconnect can help reduce truck sway and improve handling, especially helpful when towing or carrying heavy payload. The disconnect installs within the leaf springs, works on any truck suspension with an overload spring, and doesn't require drilling to install.
| Torklift International StableLoad
Torklift International
800/246-8132
www.torklift.com
Aluminum Hood Latches
Anyone who has gotten frustrated with the rubber hood latches on Jeeps may be interested in these replacement latches. Not only do the OE latches degrade over time, they can stretch out and cause the hood to rattle. Rugged Ridge's replacement hood latches are made of billet aluminum. They're adjustable and durable; the one you see here is built for the Jeep JK.
| Jeep Hood Latches
OMIX-ADA/Rugged Ridge
770/614-6101
www.omix-ada.com
Salt Eraser
When roads are salted to melt the snow, that salt gets tracked everywhere. CleanTools' Salt Eraser is designed to safely remove salt from the floormats and rugs in your truck or SUV. This is also a great idea for those who tow boats or personal watercraft to ocean areas.
| Salt Eraser
CleanTools Inc.
630/887-1300
www.cleantools.net
Justice SS5 Wheels
American Force has a new line of wheels, called Justice SS5. Pictured here are the 20x9-inch size. The Justice line of wheels is available in five-, six-, and eight-lug fitments, and are made of forged aluminum.
| American Force Wheel Justice SS5 Wheels
American Force Wheels
786/345-6301
www.americanforcewheels.com
Electric Jack Pack
If you want to find a quicker, easier way to hitch and unhitch your trailer, Fastway's Electric Jack Pack may help. The Jack Pack comes with the Flip jack foot and a 2-1/4-inch A-frame jack. It's available in electric, side-wind, and top-wind varieties. The Fastway Flip jack foot automatically increases the height of the jack by 6 inches. It drops into place when you extend the jack, and tucks up out of the way when you retract it.
| Fastway Trailer Products
Fastway Trailer Products
877/377-9103
www.fastwaytrailer.com
EasyPuller
Las Vegas Tool's EasyPuller attracted a lot of attention at this year's SEMA show. This pulling tool makes it easier to quickly remove clips, pins, bolts, seals, and even whose heads have sheared off. It's handy in the garage and around the house.
| Easy Puller
Las Vegas Tool
702/992-0202
www.lasvegastool.com
BD Exhaust Brake
BD Diesel Performance makes this variable-vane exhaust brake for the Ford 6.4-liter PowerStroke engine. It electronically controls the vanes inside the diesel's turbo, essentially acting like an exhaust brake that creates up to 130 retarding horsepower.
| BD Exhaust Brake
BD Diesel Performance
800/887-5030
www.bd-power.com
Universal Trailer Light Power Module
Tekonsha's universal trailer light power module uses a Zero Contact Interface (ZCi) for trailer lights. It works like a universal T-connector, but doesn't require splicing. The ZCi's sensor isolates your trailer's lights from your tow vehicle's electrical system, so it won't trip any circuits. The ZCi works on any vehicle with a 12-volt system.
| Universal Trailer Light Power Module
Cequent Performance Products
800/632-3290
www.cequentgroup.com
Slide 'Em Gloves
Just because truck interiors come equipped with more electronics doesn't mean they're easy to use in winter. If it's too cold to take off your gloves, often the screen won't respond to your touch commands through gloves. This is also a problem for people working on the job site, out in the field, or for riding UTVs or ATVs. The Smartglove lets you use a capacitive touch-screen device in the cold, thanks to conductive material within the glove. There are a variety of styles and sizes available.
| Slide Em Smartgloves
Slide 'Em Smartgloves
705/627-8395
www.slideem.com
Easy Mount Electrical Brackets
Curt Manufacturing's electrical bracket makes it easier to mount tow wiring to your truck or sport/utility. There is no drilling required to install this bracket, and no clamps are needed. The powdercoated bracket is available in seven sizes.
| Curt Manufacturings Easy Mount Electrical Brackets
Curt Manufacturing
877/287-8634
www.curtmfg.com
Cari-Mor Cargo Carrier
There were plenty of innovative storage solutions at SEMA this year, including this cargo carrier. It can serve as a bed extender and a cargo carrier. You can drive an ATV, snowmobile, or motorcycle on it (with the front and rear guard removed); with the rails attached and a Cari-Mor cargo bag, it serves as a cargo carrier. It's compatible with any truck or SUV with a Class 2 or 3 receiver hitch with enough payload capacity for the gear you want to carry. The deck measures 24 x 54 or 24 x 61 inches.
| Cari Mor Cargo Carrier
Cari-Mor
315/714-3456
www.cari-mor.com
Winch Accessory Kit
Warn's newest accessory kit is made for winches with up to a 10,000-pound capacity. It includes two 3/4-inch D-shackles, a rigging strap and tree trunk protector (both rated to 14,400 pounds), a snatch block rated to 20,000 pounds, and winching gloves, all in a heavy-duty bag.
| Warn Industries Inc Winch Accessory Kit
Warn Industries Inc.
503/722-1200
www.warn.com
CargoGlide
Here's a cargo solution that's great for use in work trucks and cargo vans. CargoGlide's DualGlide model seen here slides in both directions. This makes it a lot easier to get gear out of the front of a long bed, or cargo that's just behind the bulkhead in a van. There are several models choices for various payload and vehicle sizes, with no drilling necessary.
| CargoGlide
CargoGlide
877/525-9535
www.cargoglide.com
Fuel-Tool PT500 Fuel Transfer System
The PT500 is installed in your truck's bed, and once in place, can be used to transfer gas from the truck's tank to any gas-powered equipment. This can come in handy for people who need to add fuel to lawnmowers, farm equipment, recreational gear, marine equipment, and more.
| Fuel Tool PT500 Fuel Transfer System
Fuel-Tool
201/956-2350
www.fueltool.com
SupertopNX
Jeep owners who want to replace their vehicle's top with something stronger yet lightweight and durable may want to consider a replacement top from Bestop. This top is made of triple-layer black twill fabric, the same material found on soft tops on luxury cars. The top has DOT-approved windows, made with industrial-strength thread, and comes with a sunroof panel.
| Best Top Black Twill Top
Bestop
800/845-3567
www.bestop.com
Companion Slider Fifth-Wheel Hitch
Well known for hitch innovations, B&W introduced a new one at SEMA. The Companion Slider fifth-wheel hitch is a new version of B&W's Companion, and includes slides to increase turning clearance on trucks with short beds.
| BW Trailer Hitches Companion Slider Fifth Wheel Hitch
B&W Trailer Hitches
800/248-6564
www.turnoverball.com
BedRock and BikerBar
Yakima has two great products for those who use their trucks to carry outdoor equipment or mountain bikes. The BedRock is a tower system that creates two levels of storage. With a mount attached, you can carry cargo boxes, skis, bikes, or boats, yet still have room for other gear. The BikerBar carries two bikes and come in two sizes.
| Yakima BedRock And BikerBar
Yakima
888/925-4621
www.yakima.com
