Bed Tricks continues with this look at several new cargo carrying ideas designed to enhance your truck for work or play. We already addressed bed restoration techniques by showcasing the bonding strength of Line-X (January 2010 issue). We also revealed some new affordable toolboxes and gave readers the lowdown on the AMP Research bumper step from Bestop (February 2010) for tenderfeet (like us) that don't like jumping into truck beds.
| BedSlides are made for both short and longbed trucks.
What's next? Well, we discovered three more fantastic new products that can turn an ordinary truck bed into a handy cargo space: the BedRug, BedSlide, and Snap-Loc Cargo Control System. Let's begin with the BedSlide, which is a concept from IFW in Oregon.
Easy Access To Cargo
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 shortbed truck bodies. It's made mostly for the construction trades, however, we think there's a bunch of recreational uses for it, too.
| The BedRug and Snap-Loc Cargo Control System are a great upgrade for hauling bikes. Both are rugged bed accessories made for even the toughest jobs.
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 bed floor. However, there is still some room on both sides of the bed for bedrail-mounted boxes or smaller items, or it can be removed when it's not in use.
At the SEMA show in 2009, we caught a glimpse of newer models of the BedSlide, which appeared to be redesigned to handle bulky loads. It was too late for our installation story, but at least you can have the latest model if you ask for it. "Because of consumer demand for better carrying capabilities," David McInturf of BedSlide said, "we came out with the new CG Pro, which has higher side rails to contain gear and attachments for tie-downs. The big news is that the SR-10 will replace our standard model and will be available in 2010, and both units have an 1,800-pound capacity. Retail pricing ranges from $800 to $1,200."
While there are several models of the BedSlide to choose from, we installed the Contractor Grade BedSlide simply because we needed something rugged. It is intended for work trucks that get used every day and is considered a workhorse. The installation process was very basic and required limited 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 and dirt. It features three locking positions as the drawer is pulled out and has 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.
Soft, Tough, and Weather Resilient
Our next product is the BedRug by Wise Industries. The BedRug makes a crusty bed like new again, and it's a very affordable alternative to spray-on or drop-in liners.
| The BedRug is a great alternative to drop-in or spray-on liners. The BedRug is designed to fit the ridges of the truck bed, offering you a soft, flat platform that won't scratch or dent fragile items like traditional liners can.
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-it's so comfortable you can actually sleep on it.
The BedRug 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 Pickup 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 bed floor."
If there were 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. Retail pricing runs from $399 to $459, depending on application.
Not Just Another 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 it. These aren't your typical light-duty S-hooks with flimsy nylon straps, either.
| After installing the BedRug, we tried out the Loc-Down Cargo Control System by Snap-Loc. This system is one of the best ways to secure your ATV, motorcycle, or cargo, allowing you to install the patented Loc-Down (E-connectors) hardware any place in the vehicle.
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 are rated up to 2,500 pounds. They are specially designed for motorcycles, ATVs, and other bulky cargo.
The Loc-Downs are very slim, which means you can mount them 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.
(Editor's Note: Many thanks to Pickup Parts in Mission Viejo, California, for its installation work and product recommendations. Owner Justin Sagert and his crew at Pickup Parts are ready to answer any of your truck or van questions. Tell them 8-Lug sent you.)
