Accessorize Your Truck!!

If you have or are about to purchase a pickup truck, whether it is a half ton truck, a heavy duty diesel, or a midsize truck, you will want to make some changes or "upgrades" to your truck to make it truly yours.  Although many trucks can come with most options when purchased new from a dealer, there are often some options or accessories that cannot be included.  This is especially true if you are buying a used truck from a dealer, let a lone private party.

Today you can accessorize a vehicle from the front bumper to the tailpipe and all points in between.  There are things to stick on your car, things to improve performance, and items to make it more comfortable.  Below are some of the best and smartest accessories that you need to consider for your truck.

Two of the most bought interior truck accessories are floor mat systems and seat covers. More likely than not, if your truck came stock, you have the basic carpet floor mats that get dirty easily without containing the dirt that you track. Aftermarket floor mat systems are great at covering every area that needs to be covered while fitting together to give complete protection to the floor of your truck.  One of the best companies to make floor mat systems for trucks and SUV's today is WeatherTech.  Their floor mat systems are made specifically for every make, model, and model year.

Seat covers can be a very smart option if you have a very dirty job, or just like to play in the mud. There are also some seat covers that are extra strong to protect against accidental cuts and tears due to hopping in the truck with tools or knives in your pockets. Most of these covers can be bought in any color or pattern. Camouflage and designs of favorite teams can even be found.  I am sure, though, that your wife would not appreciate you putting these in her Camry, Accord or whatever.

Probably the most flashy of all truck accessories, accessories for the outside of your light truck range from purely superficial to mostly functional.  A very common accessory for the any truck exterior is a custom bumper, such as a Ranch Hand bumper. These bumpers give needed protection to the front of the truck providing extra knockdown power for wildlife and or thick brush. They also provide an area for winches or other tools that may be needed off road or on the job.

Another great accessory for the truck exterior is side steps. These can come in the form of running boards, nerf bars, or a simple step. Although some truck makers are considering making this a built in accessory that lowers down from the door frame when your truck parks, it is something that most of our trucks need if we aren't fortunate enough for them to have come with steps.  If your truck is a bit higher than the average truck, or you just like the look, any of these can make an excellent addition to any truck. They also generally add to the overall resail value of the truck.

Some truck accessories that are often overlooked are the ones you generally don't think to buy until you either see them on another truck or are in need of them yourself. One of these is a hitch platform or hitch extender. These devices slide into your hitch receiver and stand out behind the truck. Some of them are made to extend the ability of your bed to help carry long items and others are actual platforms that can be used to carry items. The latter configuration is very handy for SUV's.

Another often overlooked accessory is a set of emergency tools. By this I mean a chain or pull strap, a set of tools, jumper cables, and a small medical kit. Most everyone with a truck has one or two of these items, but for some reason few people have all of them. If you prepare your truck with each of these items, very few situations will catch you by surprise.

Lastly, if you do a good bit of driving in your truck, you may think about buying a computer programer to change some aspects of your shifting, etc. These are not for the mechanical newcomer, so learn how they work before buying one. You can definitely use one to help with hauling and even get some help get better fuel mileage.

Also, some other accessories you may consider include light guards, bed covers, plastic trimming, organizers, center consoles, cargo nets, electronics, and steering wheel covers.  Go out and get the best accessories to make your truck perfect for you so that you can get every bit of enjoyment and utility out of it.