Truck bed organization does not come easy without the proper truck bed storage system. Whether you are hauling large and heavy loads, sensitive robotics, or all your hiking gear, investing in an optimized truck bed system can streamline your hauls. Avoid back and joint pain while having the best looking cargo bed around, even if it is stacked to the brim with tools.
For leisure or work, pickup truck beds afford you the storage capacity you need to get the job done. When shopping for truck bed organizers, consider these key features in your truck bed storage solution. Keeping any type of item (no matter what shape or size) secure is possible with the right bed organizer tool.
Consider the types of loads you will be carrying and the need for a cover if necessary. Is everything neatly tucked away in tool boxes? Is loose equipment liable to fallout before you reach your destination? A cargo net is an excellent and easy-to-install tool used to keep your equipment tied down on open cargo beds.
Cargo nets offer the strength, security, and elasticity required to secure loads of varying shapes and sizes. It does not matter how oddly shaped your cargo is, a cargo net can adjust to the different equipment shapes in your pickup truck bed.
Consider the amount of connection points on the mesh net to ensure a secure hold. Its buckles and hooks can be made of plastic or metal. If you are working in cold conditions, plastic hooks may not stand up to the frigid temperatures and may snap in severe weather.
If you will be working in wet weather, a weatherproof lid cover can keep your truck bed contents dry and secure. It can also keep prying eyes away from your vehicle’s contents. Truck tonneau covers are functional and stylish pieces that can come in a variety of styles.
When it comes to a hatch, you can choose either a flat or domed center hatch. Simply close it and the hatch locks the tailgate giving you complete security and weather resistance like any other type of cover would do.
Covers vary in quality, price, and style and include the following:
A headache rack saves you time and stress by protecting your passengers from the cargo in the bed. Carrying tall and heavy equipment in the back? If you suddenly make a stop, the cargo can potentially go through the rear window. A headache rack provides complete protection from any equipment in the back.
Headache racks can also help you transport longer items in your truck bed. Height rear hoops are an alternative to a full size equipment or pipe rack. For contracting gigs, the height allows for more clearance over the cargo bed. This is vital when carrying long and flexible loads. It is the best option to haul everything from canoes for your camping trip or wood or ladders for contractors.
Most importantly, headache racks can be customized to fit your needs. Select supplemental lighting, lumber stops, tool boxes, and grab handles among other tools to help you get the job done. Install floodlights, brake lights, and other lighting options to make your workspace clean and organized. As an added benefit, headache racks can also protect you from break-ins through the back window, since it usually is made of the thinnest glass.
When you are hauling cargo, it is important to understand the capacity your vehicle can handle. Going over this capacity limit can lead to excessive wear on your vehicle's engine, tires, brakes, transmission, and other components. A truck's payload capacity refers to the amount of weight your truck can hold in the cargo area on top of its empty/curb weight. Towing capacity, however, refers to the total weight a truck can tow after you factor in the weight of the cargo and truck.
If you are interested in knowing how much you can carry and tow, you can refer to your truck's owner manual for the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) which is the total amount of weight your truck can carry inside including driver, passengers, and cargo. Your payload capacity is the gross vehicle weight minus the curb weight. Towing capacity is your gross combined vehicle weight (the maximum weight of your loaded truck and the weight of its attached trailer) minus the curb weight. To make it easier, utilize this GVWR and Payload calculator
Consider the maximum amount that you will be carrying in your cargo bed. Not only are you factoring in the size of your equipment, but also the weight, too. For instance, slide trays can only handle a certain amount of payload capacity. Ensure you are accounting for the maximum amount you can carry. If not, you will find yourself needing a replacement tool very soon.
For instance, truck bed slides have different weight capacities. On the low end, truck bed slides can hold about 1,000 pounds. A 2,000 pound weight capacity is common although there are bed slides that can hold up to 5,000 pounds. Also, consider the weight capacity of the top of your storage such as the drawer system that holds your gear. Some drawers allow you to store heavy objects such as your ATV or a ton of bricks. In addition, each drawer offers smaller load capacities when fully extended out.
A truck bed storage system does not have to be boring. From pre-made options to custom designs made to your exact specifications, truck bed organizers come in a variety of colors and finishes. From a plain and simple hue to a textured and rich-colored exterior, the color and finish of your tools can provide a distinguished look that means business.
Hauling reinforcing bars to your work site does not have to be a pain. Add a rebar box on the driver and/or passenger side to keep your long and heavy rebars in place. Avoid hauling them on top of a tall and level truck rack. You do not have to lift and pick up your rebar to great heights. Instead, you can pick up your rebar and hoist it into the partitioned rebar boxes that are around waist level.
No longer will you have to climb up on your bumper or bed of your truck and extend yourself to pull the rebar off on your work site. From the ground, you can just grab your rebar and move it from the truck. Not only is it easier to load and unload long and heavy items, but you reduce the risk of slipping and falling. Whether your rebar is resistant to corrosion or not, rebar boxes provide complete protection in any weather environment to keep them clean and rust-free.
Slide trays are invaluable storage tools that save yourself the pain of reaching far for objects toward the other end of your truck bed. With a cargo slide tray, you can simply pull your equipment out towards you. Then, you will be able to organize your truck bed as you please. When you are done, you can slide your tray back in and you are good to go.
When it comes to cargo slides, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Slides can extend out various lengths. Some can only go slide out half of your bed length, while others can slide out three-quarters of your bed length. If you need additional sliding length, go with the full extension truck bed cargo slides, which are capable of holding high capacity.
In addition, some slide trays slide out in multiple components. For instance a dual slide tray gives you two slides in the same amount of bed space. Bed slides can also come with additional features such as cargo baskets and buckets with separate compartments. Some bed sides also feature rubberized floors to prevent your cargo from moving.
Finally, sliding out lockers offer drawers capable of holding hundreds of pounds of equipment in various height models. If you are a contractor working out of your truck, the slide out drawers are essential to keep your gear safe. For higher-capacity loads, go with slides that are made of sturdy materials and include high-quality bearings and rollers. Generally, more rollers equals easier sliding.
If you are hauling dirt bikes, ATVs, or other off-road vehicles, a cargo ramp can be the best choice for you. Cargo ramps extend all the way down to the ground providing a durable tread where you can drive up your bikes and rugged terrain vehicles.
Depending on your truck bed length, the types of storage tools you need will vary. Generally, a standard pickup truck bed is 6 feet 5 inches long. A short cab bed is about 5 feet 8 inches long. For extended loads, a long bed is 8 feet long. Of course, measurements may differ based on the manufacturer.
Before you invest in a complete truck bed storage system, ensure it is compatible with your specific vehicle. Some design tools are meant to fit a variety of vehicles. Other manufacturers make tools for a specific make or model. First and foremost, measure your pickup truck bed to find out its exact dimensions.
In low-visibility environments, lighting systems can provide you with plenty of visibility in any weather condition, including rain and snow. LED light bars and off-road lights are integral when a cargo light is not enough. If your heavy load (tool box, cargo, cover) blocks your cargo light, LED truck bed lights provide a supplementary light source that is functional and stylish in fluorescent and neon-colored options. Some LED lights you can literally peel and stick on the side of your cargo bed while other lighting systems may require you to wire it to the truck's battery
Tool boxes are one of the most in-demand truck bed storage system tools. Available in a wide range of durable materials, these tool boxes can be mounted in the bed and protect your items from weather conditions and theft. Shelves inside the tool boxes can separate small items and equipment to keep you organized.
Tool storage varies by installation techniques and include the following:
Cargo bars and cargo gates are helpful tools to keep your gear in place.
Keep your objects from rolling and sliding around and hitting the edges of your truck bed. Choose from a wide array of easy-to-install dividers with expandable bars that can accommodate any width of bed. Ratcheting bars allow the tension to be adjusted incrementally to fit your vehicle. Rubber ends can hold the bar securely in place without damaging the vehicle. Keep in mind, cargo bars are generally used for lighter loads since heavy loads can knock into the bar and out of place.
Cargo gates offer the same level of organization as cargo bars but provide an even greater divide with the gate component. Gates are also easy to install. Just lift, lock into place, and load your accessories. Place your gates anywhere in the cargo bed. Keep in mind, cargo gates may not all work with track systems that prevent them from locking into place.
When shopping for truck bed organizers, you will likely have to choose between a few different materials including plastic, aluminum, and steel. From the buckles to the track system to the drawers, each truck bed organizer material has its unique advantages and disadvantages. Plastic is lightweight, making storage drawers and cases easy to move. Aluminum provides durability while being a lighter weight than steel, which is the heaviest and most durable.
When it comes to choosing a material, consider the environment you will be working in and the amount you will be carrying. The different types of material used have different levels of rigidity. If you are carrying heavy and sharp objects, you may invest in more heavy duty metals that will not break or dent with frequent use such as cheap plastic or alloy.
Choose between portable and mounted truck bed organizers. Portable systems do not require any extensive installation and can easily be switched out between vehicles. However, some portable systems may lack the security needed to hold in place valuable accessories. Mounted storage systems can be semi-permanently attached to your vehicle and provide the most protection, although it can be tricky to install.
Whether you are trying to organize your truck, SUV, or van, bed organizers can help you find your tools faster without having to dig, lift, and carry equipment out of the way. For industrial-grade truck bed storage systems, Baseline Equipment Company provides field professionals with heavy duty and weatherproof truck bed storage systems built to handle any work environment.
