As useful as your pickup truck is, chances are you can make it even more valuable by cleaning up clutter and using the space inside the cab and the bed more efficiently. Here are some ideas on how to get organized for the road.
Extended Cab
The Truck Office, made by MobileDUZ LLP, transforms the rear of the extended cab of a full-size pickup truck into a system of secure drawers and storage compartments for organizing paperwork, files, technical data and supplies, storing a laptop computer, and operating a printer-copier-scanner.
“It was designed by an excavating contractor and is made of high-strength, low-linear-density polyethylene, which resists impacts and punctures,” says Debi Manning, a partner in the company. “This material performs well in scorching heat or subzero temperatures.”
The system has a custom-fitted base that attaches to the cab floor using the same points and hardware as the rear seat, which it replaces. The base includes a lockable Long Drawer, measuring 12 inches by 4 1/4 inches by 49 inches, for holding items like site plans and levels. It pulls out 37 inches in most full-size pickups.
The Universal Chest, which attaches to the base, provides three compartments for storing ring binders, files, manuals and the like, plus lockable laptop storage and two drawers for office supplies. There’s even a place to store the truck jack. Options include an electric package to power printers and other devices; a printer-copier-scanner on an electric lift; and a soft-sided cooler that fits in a compartment. Visit www.mobileduz.com.
Sturdy Bed Cover
The DiamondBack truck cover doubles as a secure protection for tools, supplies and other materials in the bed of your pickup and as a strong, rugged, load-bearing flat bed for hauling lumber, equipment and other cargo.
“The front and back panels of the three-piece cover fold up to give you full access to cargo in the front or back of the box,” says Ethan Wendle, president of DiamondBack Automotive Accessories. The panels, made of aluminum tread plate, weigh 25 to 35 pounds and can be easily removed as needed.
The SE model, made of 0.08-inch thick tread plate, can haul up to 400 pounds of cargo, while the 0.1-inch thick tread plate of the heavy-duty HD model can support up to 1,600 pounds of distributed load. Two keyed locks provide security for the bed.
“You can install the cover in about 15 minutes using a 9/16-inch socket wrench,” Wendle says. “Clamps secure the center panel to the bed rails, and steel 3/8-inch rods lock into the side rails to secure the front and rear panels. One person can remove the cover in about 10 minutes.” Visit www.diamondbackfleet.com.
In-cab Mounting
RAM Mounting Systems are made of marine-grade aluminum with a powder-coat finish and stainless hardware. The RAM family of more than 1,500 interchangeable mounting accessories lets you mount your laptop and other devices in your pickup truck (as well as on an ATV, boat, motorcycle, snowmobile or other vehicles).
The Ram Mount for laptop computers includes a telescoping mounting pole that rotates 360 degrees, providing optimal viewing angles. The Tough-Tray computer platform uses a ball-and-socket design to tilt, turn and twist to fit your preferences. This technology includes a nitrile rubber ball that reduces road shocks and vibrations. The base attaches to the front bench or passenger side seat rail using existing hardware.
“Our system will hold any laptop with a screen width of 10.5 to 17.8 inches,” says Erik Seymour, sales representative for National Products Inc., the manufacturer. Other vibration-damping mounting systems include custom and universal cradles for tablet PCs, GPS units, cell phones and cameras that attach to dashboards and other flat surfaces. Visit www.ram-mount.com.
Roll-out Bed Deck
The BedSlide roll-out cargo deck for pickup trucks, cargo vans and utility bodies eliminates crawling or reaching into the bed to get at tools and materials. “It’s the easy, safe and convenient way to organize and retrieve cargo,” says David McInturf, vice president of the manufacturer, IFW Bedslide.
The weight capacities of the five models range from 1,000 pounds for the light-duty unit to 1,800 pounds for the top-of-the-line Contractor Grade model. Squeeze and pull the handle of the CG and the deck, with its powder-coated, reinforced steel framework and eight sealed steel roller bearings, rolls out to about 80 percent of its length, or about 6 feet for an 8-foot bed.
Made with 3/4-inch marine-grade plywood, 4-inch-high aluminum side rails and a 1/4-inch-thick rubber mat, the CG deck locks in the closed, mid- or fully-opened positions. It comes fully assembled and can be installed with a three-point mounting system in about 30 minutes. Bolt-in installation takes a little longer. Once installed, it can be removed in less than a minute, if not bolted in place. Visit www.bedslide.com.
Swing-out Toolbox
The Swing Case toolbox makes it easier to reach tools and supplies in the truck bed. The unit fits out of the way against the inside wall of the bed between the tailgate and rear wheel well and can be used under any tonneau cover, says David Wells, president of E.D. Industries Inc., which also makes Undercover tonneau covers.
A quick-release latch allows the case to swing out nearly 180 degrees for easy access, and it swings back to lock in place. To remove it, swing the case out and lift it off the hinge. Made of ABS plastic, the weatherproof product holds up to 50 pounds of tools or cargo and includes a sliding tool tray and lockable lid. It provides a 3-inch clearance above the truck bed for storing lumber and other materials.
The case installs in about five minutes using six self-tapping screws. It is available in both right- and left-side mounted versions. Visit www.undercoverinfo.com.
Vinyl Water Bag
Fill the vinyl ShurTrax unit with 3 inches of water from a garden hose and you add up to 400 pounds of traction weight over the rear axle of your pickup truck.
“It provides a safe, secure weight that improves vehicle balance, handling, cornering and traction on wet, slippery roads,” says Jim Brooks, vice president of Owens Classic International, the manufacturer. “It is safer than other types of ballast weight, like sandbags, concrete blocks, cord wood and other potential projectiles, and it’s more economical than some commercial weight alternatives.”
The dual-chamber unit consists of a 25-mil vinyl water bladder and a durable outer protective chamber made of 25-mil UV-resistant vinyl reinforced with woven nylon mesh. The inner bladder is divided into four chambers to prevent water from sloshing around when turning corners.
The product is designed to freeze. “It expands and contracts during normal freezing and thawing and is rated to withstand outside temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees,” Brooks says. “It lies flat and can support up to 500 pounds of flat-lying cargo.” Four brass grommets provide tie-down points. Visit www.shurtrax.com.
Greg Northcutt is a freelance writer based in Port Orchard, Wash. He can be reached by e-mailing this publication at editor@onsiteinstaller.com.
