Pickup trucks aren’t just vehicles—they’re mechanical Swiss Army knives with wheels. Most trucks leave the factory with all the charisma and functionality of a dishwasher until proper accessories enter the equation. The right upgrades transform that vanilla hauler into an apocalypse-ready command center that laughs in the face of whatever foolishness you throw its way.
While manufacturers spend billions convincing you their plastic bed liner is revolutionary, we’ve hunted down accessories that actually solve problems truck owners face in the real world. Forget the dealership upsell nonsense—these are the battle-tested additions that separate the pavement princesses from the true workhorses. Ready to turn your truck from mundane to magnificent? Buckle up.
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21. DECKED Truck Bed Storage System
You know that feeling when you hit a pothole and your entire tool collection performs a chaotic interpretive dance across your truck bed? The DECKED system eliminates this percussion concert with high-density polyethylene construction and a steel subframe that could probably survive a tactical nuclear strike. It’s built like an East German prison guard—unyielding, efficient, and surprisingly well-organized. If you use your truck for camping, you can also improve your truck with camping gadgets.
The full-width drawers glide out smoother than a politician’s excuse, each supporting 200 pounds of gear while the entire system handles a 2,000-pound payload for full-size trucks. Installation involves drilling, yes, but so does brain surgery, and both are worth the effort. The integrated ruler and bottle opener tell you everything about the engineers who designed this—practical geniuses who understand that measuring lumber and cracking a cold one often happen simultaneously in the real world.
20. Retractable Tonneau Cover
Factory truck beds have all the security and weather protection of a shopping cart abandoned in a parking lot. A retractable tonneau cover delivers the automotive equivalent of having both cake and eating it—complete protection when closed and full access when open. Unlike fixed covers that turn simple retrieval into a gymnastic event, these retract with one-hand operation while still providing complete coverage that keeps your cargo drier than a standup comedian’s delivery.
Weather-sealed tracks and heavy-duty aluminum slats protect your precious cargo from everything Mother Nature throws at it while simultaneously deterring thieves with more determination than a hungry mosquito at a barbecue. Most models integrate with your truck’s existing locking system for seamless security that doesn’t require additional keys to lose. The low-profile design maintains your truck’s carefully engineered appearance while dramatically increasing its practical utility for work and recreation. It’s like discovering your reliable work boots are actually comfortable enough for dancing—functionality and style achieving rare harmony in the automotive world.
19. Mobile Strong Truck Bed Storage Drawers
Truck beds without proper organization have all the efficient accessibility of a teenager’s bedroom. Mobile Strong storage drawers bring military-grade order to this chaos with 100% recyclable polyethylene construction and an aluminum frame that could probably survive reentry from orbit. The 3/8-inch phenolic composite drawer fronts aren’t just for show—they’re automotive body armor disguised as storage solutions.
These industrial-strength organizers handle a combined 1,000 pounds—equivalent to half a Harley-Davidson or one mother-in-law’s weekend luggage. Individual drawers support 250 pounds each while the entire system measures 47 inches wide, 57 inches long, and 10 inches high—dimensions that maximize every cubic inch of space with the efficiency of a Manhattan apartment designer. The whole system transforms your truck from “where did I put that?” to “everything in its place” faster than you can say “I know it’s in here somewhere.” When properly installed, these drawers stay more firmly in place than political opinions on social media.
18. ARB IQ Driving Lights
Factory truck headlights have all the illumination power of birthday candles in a hurricane. ARB IQ driving lights transform pitch-black trails into daylight with four beam patterns that adapt to conditions like a chameleon on a mood ring. The super spot beam cuts through darkness with the precision of a laser-guided missile, while flood mode creates illumination so wide you’ll spot wildlife plotting against you from half a mile away.
The high-pressure diecast aluminum housing could likely survive direct artillery fire, while clearcoated polycarbonate lenses protect against flying debris with the resilience of a presidential motorcade. Operating on anything from 11 to 32 volts and drawing 170 watts, these luminous monsters blast out 7,000 lumens on spot and a retina-searing 14,000 lumens on flood—brighter than most budget projectors. Yes, they cost approximately $1,850, but that’s cheaper than replacing your truck after driving it off a cliff you couldn’t see. Night becomes optional with these installed.
17. Black Armor Bed Mats
Your pristine truck bed looks about as virgin as a convent until that first load of concrete blocks turns it into something resembling the surface of the moon. Black Armor bed mats prevent this automotive tragedy with 3/8-inch thick vulcanized recycled rubber that could probably stop small arms fire. They’re like bulletproof vests for your truck bed, only more environmentally friendly and less likely to raise eyebrows at the school pickup line.
Weighing up to 100 pounds, these armored plates add more stability to shifting cargo than marriage counseling does to rocky relationships. The Traction Plus checker plate surface grips loads with the tenacity of a toddler refusing bedtime, while ultrasonic cutting technology ensures fitment so precise it would impress German engineers. Made in North America by people who actually understand trucks, these mats deliver protection that’s more effective than your truck’s factory warranty and considerably easier to claim when things go wrong.
16. Yakima SkyRise HD Medium Rooftop Tent
Hotels are for people who enjoy paying $200 to sleep in a bed previously occupied by strangers of questionable hygiene. The Yakima SkyRise HD Medium rooftop tent transforms your truck into a mobile penthouse that follows you everywhere like an enthusiastic golden retriever. With three-person capacity and a 600-pound weight limit, you’ll have room for yourself, a companion, and all the emotional baggage you both bring to the relationship.
When deployed, this airborne sanctuary expands to 56 inches wide by 96 inches long—bigger than some New York apartments and certainly better ventilated. The 2.5-inch thick mattress delivers comfort that would make Goldilocks weep with joy, while 600D ripstop polyester with 3000mm waterproof coating keeps you drier than prohibition. At 114 pounds, it’s lighter than your last relationship and installs faster too, thanks to a speed clamp system that even a mechanical novice could manage after three cups of coffee. It’s like having a five-star hotel bolted to your roof, minus the overpriced minibar.
15. Dumper Dog
Most pickup owners eventually face the soul-crushing task of unloading hundreds of pounds of material by hand—an experience ranking somewhere between dental surgery and extended family holidays. The Dumper Dog transforms your ordinary pickup into a fully functional dump truck with the ability to handle up to 6,000 pounds while lifting the bed to a 45-degree angle—steep enough to make gravity your willing accomplice rather than persistent enemy.
Its 3-horsepower motor delivers industrial-grade performance while connecting directly to your truck’s electrical system with the simplicity of plugging in a toaster. This brilliant system costs less than therapy for the back injuries it prevents, while delivering functionality previously available only to commercial operations with dedicated fleets. For landscapers, contractors, or weekend warriors battling with bulk materials, the Dumper Dog doesn’t just save time—it preserves vertebrae and prevents the kind of colorful language that makes neighbors question your character.
14. Expedition 1 Dual Swing Out Rear Bumper
Factory truck bumpers offer all the protection and utility of a wet paper towel. The Expedition 1 Dual Swing Out Rear Bumper delivers salvation with 3/16-inch and 1/4-inch thick steel construction that could probably survive a direct meteor strike. Its lock-open universal plate handles spare tires up to 40 inches (or 37 inches with the carrier option)—rubber so massive it affects local tidal patterns.
This isn’t merely a bumper—it’s a mobile fortress that transforms your truck’s vulnerable hindquarters into an armored command post. The swing-out arms operate with the smooth precision of a luxury sedan door, while mounting points for jerry cans, hi-lift jacks, and other overlanding necessities turn this bumper into expedition headquarters. For serious off-roaders who venture where tow trucks fear to tread, this bumper represents the difference between being stranded and self-sufficient. The substantial weight serves as both protection and ballast, keeping your truck firmly planted like a philosophical argument backed by irrefutable evidence.
13. Centurion Aluminum Canopy
The Centurion aluminum canopy makes those flimsy fiberglass options look like they’re made of wet cardboard in a hurricane. While your neighbor’s plastic canopy bends like a politician’s promise under a slight load, this aluminum behemoth laughs at the laws of physics with its 200 kg dynamic and 600 kg static load ratings. It’s the automotive equivalent of replacing a plastic garden chair with a medieval throne.
Full-width gullwing doors swing up with the dramatic flair of a supercar, making your mundane task of grabbing a hammer feel like an event worthy of paparazzi. Heavy-duty locks secure your tools with bank vault reliability, and the powder-coated finish shrugs off corrosion like a teenage boy ignores chores. For both commercial warfare and weekend battle stations, the Centurion transforms your truck from a mere vehicle into a fortress on wheels.
12. CHANNELLOCK Headache Rack
Nothing ruins a perfectly good day like a shifting toolbox performing a dynamic entry through your rear window. The Channel Headache Rack prevents this automotive disaster with sandblasted, powder-coated steel construction that stands between your precious cranium and whatever poorly secured payload you’ve thrown in the bed. It’s like having a bouncer between you and potential projectiles—minus the neck tattoos and protein shake addiction.
Available in a variety of heights that sound like secret government programs (FS at 24 inches, MSX at 20 inches, SD at 27 inches, and GL at 24 inches), each model incorporates window protector inserts designed to keep flying cargo from performing an impromptu window replacement. The rack’s corrosion resistance approaches immortality, while installation proves simpler than explaining why your truck needs yet another upgrade. This isn’t merely an accessory—it’s insurance against the laws of physics that wait patiently for you to hit the brakes too hard.
11. ARB Slimline 100 Lithium Battery
Power in the wilderness is like oxygen—you don’t appreciate it until it’s gone and you’re sitting in darkness contemplating your life choices. The ARB Slimline 100 lithium battery delivers electrical salvation with 12V, 100 amp-hour capacity and 1280Wh energy storage that could probably power a small developing nation. It’s the difference between being Ray Mears and being the subject of a wilderness rescue documentary.
This electrical powerhouse pumps out 100 amps continuously and can surge to 200 amps for 20 minutes when you’re demanding more current than a presidential election. The integrated Battery Management System monitors cell health with more diligence than a helicopter parent, while direct solar input lets you harvest power from that giant nuclear reactor in the sky. With multi-directional terminals and reinforced M8 mounting points, this battery installs more securely than government surveillance equipment. It’s not cheap, but neither is being stranded in the wilderness with dead electronics and that sinking feeling of regret.
10. Maron Explore 2 SXS Deck
The Maron Explore2 SXS deck isn’t just a trailer—it’s a mechanical marvel that makes transporting off-road toys easier than explaining why you need a fourth fishing rod. Engineered with the precision of a Swiss watch (but considerably less delicate), this aluminum battleship accommodates two and four-door SXS models up to 120 inches long, with extensions stretching to a massive 165 inches—longer than some marriages in Hollywood.
At 76 inches wide externally with a 50-inch internal loading width, it swallows side-by-sides like a hungry python. The 10-foot aluminum ramps feature 4-inch safety edges tall enough to keep even the most determined wheels from making a suicide leap for freedom. Every nut, bolt and component uses stainless steel hardware coated in black powder that laughs in the face of rust with more conviction than a politician denies scandal. The Tyionet tie-down system grips your expensive toys like an overly attached girlfriend, ensuring nothing moves an inch even when you’re driving like you’ve stolen it.
9. Iconic X1 Truck Cap
Most truck caps have all the structural integrity of a chocolate teapot in summer. The Iconic X1 demolishes this paradigm with 0.125-inch thick marine-grade aluminum construction that wouldn’t look out of place on a military assault vehicle. This isn’t just metal—it’s armor plating for your precious cargo that transforms your pickup into a rolling panic room.
At a hefty 478 pounds, this behemoth feels like it was carved from a single block of unobtanium. The one-piece drop-in design installs easier than blame in politics, while adjustable shelving and optional crossboxes supporting up to 1,500 pounds turn your truck bed into an organized command center. The built-in LED lighting system illuminates your work area with all the subtlety of a Las Vegas casino, ensuring you’ll never fumble around in darkness again. It’s expensive, yes, but so is a heart transplant, and both are rather essential if the original has failed you.
8. BTS Lighting Vehicle Lighting Kit
Factory truck lighting has all the effectiveness of a birthday candle in a wind tunnel. The BTS Lighting Vehicle Lighting Kit puts an end to squinting with 60 watts of raw power generating 6,000 lumens of pure, unadulterated brightness. The 6,500 Kelvin color temperature casts visibility so crisp you’ll spot a deer’s judging expression from 200 yards away—it’s basically portable daylight in aluminum housing.
Running on standard 12V DC that any vehicle can provide, each light comes armored in diecast aluminum with a polycarbonate lens that could likely withstand small arms fire. Installation proves simpler than assembling discount furniture, while the performance transforms night into something resembling late afternoon. Whether you’re changing a tire in darkness or attempting to navigate a forest trail that GPS has never heard of, these lights deliver the kind of confidence typically reserved for people with corner offices and trust funds.
7. Neodyne Loader System
Back injuries from loading heavy cargo are as common among truck owners as questionable political opinions at family dinners. The Neodine Loader System delivers mechanical salvation with the precision of German engineering and the practicality of a fire extinguisher at a pyromaniac convention. This loading miracle transforms what was once a two-person hernia risk into a one-person operation smoother than a luxury sedan’s transmission.
Available in the AU110 (2.1m long) or beefier AU210 (2.5m long), both capable of hoisting a staggering 550kg—roughly equivalent to a grand piano or your in-laws’ luggage for a weekend visit. The aerospace-grade aluminum frame has been laser cut, welded, zinc plated and powder coated with more attention to detail than most people give their tax returns. Powered by an ordinary 18/24V cordless drill, this system delivers industrial lifting capability without industrial complexity—genius disguised as simplicity, much like the internal combustion engine itself.
6. Tailgate Mirror TGM500
In a world where backup cameras cost more than some countries’ GDP, the Tailgate Mirror TGM500 stands as a monument to elegant simplicity. Weighing a featherlight 113 grams and costing roughly the same as a decent lunch ($40), this mirror is the automotive equivalent of a haiku—minimal, effective, and surprisingly profound in its simplicity. It’s the rare accessory that improves functionality without requiring a second mortgage or engineering degree.
Installation involves 3M dual lock fasteners—the same industrial-strength stuff that could probably hold a rhinoceros to the ceiling. The wide-angle view transforms your rear visibility from “hopeless guesswork” to “crystal clear certainty,” working alongside backup cameras like a perfect duet partner. It’s a humble mirror that delivers more practical value than most overpriced electronic gadgets, providing the kind of peace of mind that typically requires therapy or meditation. Sometimes the old ways really are the best ways—assuming those old ways have been cleverly redesigned with modern materials.
5. Huracan Tailgate Storage
Most truck tailgates have all the useful storage capacity of a politician’s promise. The Huracan Tailgate Storage system transforms this wasted space into a secret compartment worthy of James Bond, using materials tough enough to survive the apocalypse and a powder coating that laughs in the face of oxidation. At 42 pounds total (adding 32 pounds to your tailgate), it’s substantial without triggering a visit from your suspension’s lawyer.
Installation requires approximately one hour—about the same time it takes to explain to your partner why you need yet another truck accessory. Gas struts provide opening action smoother than a jazz saxophone solo, while the carpeted interior cradles your tools with the tenderness of a nursery rhyme. This isn’t just storage—it’s stealth organization that maintains perfect tailgate alignment while adding functionality that truck manufacturers somehow overlooked despite charging prices that rival Manhattan real estate.
4. Mobile Boat Loader
Attempting to load a boat onto a pickup truck traditionally combines all the grace of a giraffe on roller skates with the safety profile of juggling chainsaws. The Mobile Boat Loader transforms this potential emergency room visit into a one-person operation that works with everything from pickups to motorhomes. It’s the maritime equivalent of discovering someone invented a self-cleaning kitchen—something you never knew you desperately needed.
Marine-coated aluminum construction shrugs off water exposure like a duck’s back, while corrosion-resistant materials ensure longevity that rivals some geological formations. The entirely mechanical system eliminates the traditional testosterone-fueled group activity of manhandling watercraft onto vehicles, replacing it with a civilized process that wouldn’t look out of place at a high tea. Yes, it’s expensive, but so is spinal surgery and the lifetime of painkillers that follows improper boat loading—consider it preventative healthcare for both you and your vertebrae.
3. Pierce Dump Bed Kit
Factory truck beds offer all the versatility of a one-trick pony with stage fright. The Pierce Stump Bed Kit unleashes your truck’s true potential with configurations that transform it from ordinary hauler to specialized workhorse faster than politicians change positions during election season. Available in both factory and flatbed configurations, it creates a platform that adapts to your specific needs like a chameleon on a rainbow.
With load capacity up to a staggering 4,000 pounds and designs for half to one-ton trucks, every task from furniture delivery to equipment transport becomes manageable without breaking a sweat or your suspension. The complete hydraulic system—pump, fittings, hoses, and controls—installs with the comprehensiveness of an organ transplant and similar importance to function. Built for demanding jobs that would make lesser trucks weep coolant tears of inadequacy, this kit expands your truck’s capabilities beyond what the original engineers ever imagined possible. It’s like giving your vehicle an advanced degree in hauling physics and a minor in defying loading limitations.
2. Kelderman Manufacturing Air Suspension Systems
Factory truck suspension systems provide all the comfort and adjustability of medieval torture devices. Kellerman Manufacturing Air Suspension Systems revolutionize the experience with Firestone or Goodyear airbags that deliver reliability surpassing most marriage vows. Each system operates via Vieier 400 C compressors that adjust ride height with more precision than a Swiss watchmaker after six espressos.
Choose between three control options—self-leveling that handles adjustments automatically, manual control for the micromanagers, or remote operation for those who appreciate convenience more than exercise. This system transforms your truck’s handling characteristics more dramatically than therapy changes personality disorders. Whether hauling heavy loads that would normally flatten your leaf springs like pancakes or seeking comfort that doesn’t rearrange internal organs on rough roads, these air systems deliver customizable performance that embarrasses factory setups. Like discovering that shoes come in half sizes after years of foot pain, this suspension upgrade makes you wonder how you ever tolerated the factory compromise.
1. Impact Dog Crate
Transporting dogs in pickups typically involves the same safety standards as medieval plague control. The Impact Dog Crate changes the game with military-grade powder-coated aluminum construction that transforms your truck into a canine fortress. Available in sizes that sound like ammunition calibers (30, 34, 40, and 48 inches), these crates weigh between 35 and 55 pounds—substantial without requiring a suspension upgrade.
When folded, the crate collapses to under 8 inches tall, taking up less space than your ego. The entire system stands up to dogs that chew, scratch, or push with the persistence of telemarketers, while optional airline-compliance rails make this suitable for travel by air, land, or sea—short of actual spaceflight. Watching your beloved pet bounce around unsecured is like watching someone use a smartphone while driving—an accident waiting to traumatize everyone involved. This crate delivers peace of mind worth every penny of its premium price tag, protecting your four-legged companion with engineering that would impress NASA safety inspectors.
