Why do we like big trucks? It's not just for looks. We own 3/4- and 1-ton trucks because we need the utility they offer. We see heavy-duty trucks as the perfect workhorse-designed to do things lighter trucks simply can't begin to tackle.
If you think about it, there are plenty of other vehicles that are far cheaper and sportier to drive, but not many that can clear 2 feet of snow from a driveway in the dead of winter or haul a pallet of bricks to the job site.
Big trucks are comfortable, and some even get good fuel mileage, but we consider these traits a bonus, not a prerequisite of owning one. They may not be as agile as their lighter counterparts, but they deliver where it really counts-in the performance department.
That's why heavy-duty rigs have become synonymous with the working trades. Look around and you'll see rigs built specifically to handle tasks like electrical, framing, or plumbing jobs. Many of these trucks are built with elaborate ladder racks, massive tool bins, and ingenious slide-outs to make jobs easier.
Weekend do-it-yourselfers get good use from everyday HD trucks, too, using them for home repair projects and quick trips to the lumberyard. Armed with that knowledge, 8-Lug compiled a condensed look at some new ideas designed to help you make money or simply expand your truck's overall job performance.
Knowing the importance of showcasing products that can be removed just as easily as they are installed, we included a few items with just that degree of flexibility on our list.
While many companies were contacted, we narrowed the list down to a select few businesses that seemed to have the best customer service response and largest product categories. If you don't find the application or product you need here, give any of these companies a call-we're sure they'll be glad to get you set up with whatever you may need.
Ranching and Farming
Ranch Hand Truck Accessories makes a variety of heavy-duty products for the work truck. Shown is its Dodge 2500/3500 Bullnose front bumper system (with winch). Ranch Hand's Bull Nose bumper is tough and dependable.
| 16 Work Truck Tricks front Bumper System
It is designed for the customer who wants the protection of a front-end replacement without the grille guard. The Bull Nose has off-road-rally styling with 12-gauge contoured skirts. Other popular truck applications are available.
Tough Tool Keepers
Because our tools make us money, we selected several Tuffy products to showcase. Tuffy has a reputation for having some of the best, safest boxes in the business.
| 16 Work Truck Tricks bedside Storage Box
Tuffy's unique truck bedside storage box is a fully enclosed truck box produced from high-quality aluminum or 16-gauge steel incorporating Tuffy's patented Pry-Guard II Locking System. It provides storage for items such as tow straps, tire chains, jumper cables, a high-lift jack, and other valuables.
The box utilizes the unused space around the wheelwells, leaving the entire length and usable width of the bed open. One box is interchangeable between either side of the bed. Each box is FedEx/UPS shippable.
Flatbed Conversion
Highway Products Inc. of White City, Oregon, introduces its latest model of the Strongback flatbed. This marine-grade all-aluminum flatbed allows your truck to carry heavier payloads and adds fuel efficiency.
| 16 Work Truck Tricks strongback Flatbed
Most of the features you usually pay extra for are standard equipment on Highway Products' Strongback model flatbeds, which are easily customized with their simple structural design. The Strongback is all-welded (no rivots that can rattle and squeak after time) and has C-channel side rails. The decking is 1/8-inch diamond-plate and the headboard is 4-inch aluminum channel. All required lighting is included in the rear apron and there are rope hooks about every 24 inches.
Commercial Campers
The A.R.E. Deluxe Commercial Units are made of rugged, fully welded aluminum frame construction, for years of reliable service. And with more than 200 options, including a variety of door and window configurations, toolboxes, custom ladder racks, interior fabric liners, side panels, and overall cap heights, A.R.E. has a commercial cap to meet virtually any job need.
| 16 Work Truck Tricks commercial Camper
These campers offer years of durable service, no matter what the weather or job. Choose from a wide selection of door and window configurations, colors, toolboxes, and overall cap heights.
Drive Aboard
AutoAnything is an official distributor of Lund products and one of the best-selling work truck ideas is its folding aluminum truck ramp.
| 16 Work Truck Tricks folding Aluminum Truck Ramp
When you want to load up and go, you don't need a fancy or expensive loading system to get the job done. Each section of Lund's aluminum ramps handles a hefty 750 to 1,000-pound distributed load capacity thanks to thick aluminum construction. Extruded holes give your wheels traction, while raised sides keep loads from veering off the ramp. A no-slack safety chain keeps your ramp stable throughout. Transportation, storage, and use are simple.
Just place the ramp's padded tailgate lip into place. When you're done, each 25-pound ramp section folds in half lengthwise for stashing in your bed fast. And, at a mere 14x36 inches folded, you still have plenty of bed space left. The ramp is backed by a three-year warranty.
Clear A Path!
If you plow for money, or you just do it for yourself, the SuperPlow makes the job a whole lot easier. Now you can plow on every pass in forward and reverse with the SuperPlow.
| 16 Work Truck Tricks superplow
The SuperPlow mounts directly to any Class III 2x2-inch hitch. It mounts and dismounts in less than a minute. If you currently plow driveways, condo parking lots, dock doors, or any tight areas using only a front plow, adding a SuperPlow will increase your plowing speed...significantly. You can expect to accomplish up to 50 percent more work in a given amount of time.
Job Site Protection
AutoAnything is now stocking the entire lineup of Delta toolboxes for practically any job size. Starting with a high-strength aluminum body, the Delta DAC Series shelters your tools right. Strong lids with full-weather seals and leak-proof lock handles keep the weather from wrecking your gear. And a handy three-compartment storage tray makes an ideal home for your smaller tools. All of these make the Delta DAC Series different.
| 16 Work Truck Tricks delta Toolbox
Choose the finish you like best: bright polished or black powdercoat. Whichever you choose, your Delta DAC Series Mid-Lid Crossover Toolbox comes with two keys and a one-year warranty.
HD Slide-Out
The Gorilla Slide 2000-XT from Highway Products is a heavy-duty, thick, marine-grade, all-aluminum truck bed slide-out cargo tray that holds up to 2,000 pounds and slides your cargo out of the truck bed fast and easy.
| 16 Work Truck Tricks slide Out Cargo Tray
It glides on sealed roller bearings on a galvanized steel Tee-Bone track system and safely locks into position with the dual Stab Lock locking mechanism. This truck bed slide is available for all brand and size pickup trucks, vans, and service bodies. This easy-to-install unit comes with an installation kit, instructions, and a five-year warranty.
Headache Racks
Highway Products has introduced its new, heavy-duty headache rack made of polished marine-grade aluminum with mirrored finish that's available in many designs.
| 16 Work Truck Tricks headache Rack
It is engineered to protect your cab from shifts of cargo in sudden stops. New LED stop and turn lights make your truck more visible in the dark and decrease the chance of being rear-ended. It also adds a beefy, distinguished look to your truck and keeps your cab cooler. This Silverback unit comes with lifetime-limited warranty.
Easy Reach
The Tuffy load deck slide is ideal for conveniently retrieving items stored toward the front of the truck bed without having to get inside the bed or reach over the bedsides. When the load deck slide is extended, it can also be used as a workbench. Each load deck slide features Tuffy's innovative three-stage slides that can be pulled out the full length. These heavy-duty welded steel slides incorporate 18 smooth-operating stainless steel sealed roller bearings. The load deck slide can be locked into position every 12 inches using the exclusive latching system.
| 16 Work Truck Tricks tuffy Load Deck Slide
Tie-down strap anchor points are provided for securing loads. An optional diamond-plate top or carpet kit is also available. The load deck can easily be removed from the slides to clean out the bed or allow access to a gooseneck hitch.
The Swing Of Things
AutoAnything now stocks this cool Undercover Swing Case, designed to be easily installed and removed. Each Swing Case holds up to 75 pounds of tools and gear without eating up precious cargo space. Just pull the latch and the Swing Case pivots nearly 180 degrees over your lowered tailgate, giving you instant access.
| 16 Work Truck Tricks undercover Swing Case
Then, the case swings back and locks securely in place. Plus, the locking lid keeps your gear secure, and the moisture seal keeps weather at bay. The case easily lifts out of your truck bed to become a portable chest you can carry anywhere.
On the inside, a sliding tool tray keeps your stuff in order. And since it's crafted from rugged ABS, the Swing Case can handle all the abuse your truck throws at it. Built for the driver and passenger sides, you can get both for less than the cost of a traditional toolbox. Installation takes about 5 minutes per side and everything you need is included. Best yet, your Undercover Swing Case is backed by a one-year warranty.
World's Fastest Plow?
According to Curtis, this is the world's fastest attachment and detachment snowplow-guaranteed! Features include a hydraulic cavity that tucks away the power system and leaves no ugly box on the front of your truck.
| 16 Work Truck Tricks snowplow
A 1/4-inch skid plate and gasket-equipped top cover are standard features. The system also allows superior airflow to the radiator and provides instant down pressure with added weight on the cutting edge.
This patented device utilizes the power of hydraulics to position the plow at the exact height required for reattachment. The jackstand automatically retracts when the plow is raised, and a frame-mounted jack switch is standard for manual adjustment. And not only is it the fastest, it is clearly the widest on the market-measuring 4 feet end to end. This extended width means superior distribution of force through the plow system and not the vehicle's frame.
Lumber-Ready Tonneau
Just because you have the TracRac mounted on your rig doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the great benefits of a tonneau cover. Now, with the TracTonneau, you can enjoy improved fuel economy, all-weather cargo protection, and a sleeker appearance.
| 16 Work Truck Tricks tractonneau
The rugged aluminum frame of your TracTonneau mounts inside your bedrails. This allows full integration with your TracRac. And its flush, low-profile fit gives your rig a fresh, aerodynamic look. A saggy tonneau looks terrible.
That's why your TracTonneau boasts automatic tension control and tight, Velcro-style floating hook fasteners. Plus, the TracTonneau's cover is made from premium, all-weather vinyl that easily rolls up when you have larger cargo to carry. When the weather gets stormy, the TracTonneau's arched support tubes will shed rain and snow right over the sides. What's more, the rear locking bar automatically secures when you shut your tailgate. The TracRac is available from AutoAnything.
Service Bodies
For the full-time tradesman, Highway Products has introduced a newly designed aluminum service body. Aluminum not only lasts virtually forever, you also get the benefit of light weight, which allows you to carry more cargo in a lighter GVW vehicle and better fuel economy pays for the extra initial cost.
| 16 Work Truck Tricks aluminum Service Body
As shown, the Silverback offers maximum storage capacity in your vehicle and securely organizes all of your tools. It includes a removable ladder rack and adjustable storage compartments to fit every professional's needs.
These 100 percent heavy-gauge aluminum service bodies using water-tight Rainmaster-style doors and marine-grade aluminum are the toughest and lightest service bodies you will find. Silverback comes with a lifetime warranty.
Space-Saving Box
We love our toolboxes, but sometimes we need something easier to reach that takes up less precious bed space.
| 16 Work Truck Tricks truck Toolbox
Cabelas has the answer with this truck toolbox that gives you years of service and installs neatly near the tailgate.
All steel surfaces are powdercoated and treated with zinc phosphate. The Brite Tread aluminum models from Cabelas feature bright aluminum, diamond-plate, and powdercoated steel drawers. Made in the United States.
Measures: 191/2 x 1911/16 x 85/8 inches.
HD Suspension Kit Ride-Rite air helper springs from Firestone Industrial Products are now available in a no-drill kit for the '08 Ford F-450.
| 16 Work Truck Tricks hd Suspension Kit
The new Ford F-450 Ride-Rite kit is specifically designed to maximize the safe load-carrying capacity, stability, and ride quality of the F-450. The system utilizes the truck's factory holes and includes all the components needed for a quick and easy installation: brackets, air springs, hardware, air line, and separate valves for manual inflation.
The kit comes with a two-year limited warranty and typically installs in less than one hour because there is no need to remove the wheels or tires. The system's reinforced double-convoluted air springs install between the frame and the axle.
A pair of Ride-Rite air springs can provide up to 5,000 pounds of load-leveling capacity. (Note: Air springs do not increase the load-carrying capacity of the vehicle. Do not exceed the vehicle's recommended gross vehicle weight rating [GVWR]).
Firestone also offers the Air-Rite(tm) air accessory system to complement the Ford F-450 Ride-Rite kit, which enables drivers to make air pressure adjustments with a push of a button installed on the dashboard.
