6 Most Practical and Useful Must-Have Accessories for Your Truck

Some trucks are used mostly for work, and some trucks are used mostly for play, but even the trucks for play need to have practical pieces to maximize the fun and minimize hassle when they’re on the trail. Many drivers also use their play truck for work, so read on for a list of the most practical bits and accessories for your truck.

Storage 

Whether it's a toolbox for work, a tent for your overland camping trip, or an extra spare tire for some extreme off-roading, you want to be able to bring all the gear you need when you travel, so it's great to have some convenient storage options for all these items. A DECKED truck bed storage system allows you to keep the convenience of a truck bed, while creating extra space in slide-out containers for all types of gear. Plus, you can close the tailgate and it secures all your stuff under the deck. Then, there's probably the most quintessential 4X4 add-on out there, the roof rack. A good roof rack not only tells the neighborhood that you mean business in the city, but it can also help you transport all your business out to the trail.

Protection

It’s great to pretend that your ride is rugged, rough, and tumble, but deep down, it’s annoying every time you get a new scratch in the paint when driving through the bush. A magnetic panel protection kit is the solution for many of these incidental scratches and scrapes that happen out on the trail. They're extremely easy to install once you're at the trail, and they store conveniently flat when not in use.

Off-Road Ride Clearance

Let's face it. If you want to travel off road, you often need a vehicle with more clearance than a stock truck, and the solution is a lift kit. Originally the domain of the handy home mechanic, there are now many commercially available lift kits for all types of vehicles, from heights as low as zero to two inches, and as high as five inches or more. Do some research to determine what lift height your desired tire size will require, and you can even do the installation yourself for many kits, with basic home mechanic tools. Installing your own lift kit can be a great weekend project with a friend. Just be sure to get a proper alignment done once your new lift kit is installed since changing the geometry of your suspension will impact the camber of your wheels.

All-Terrain Access 

Speaking of tires, they might be the most important part of the vehicle, since they are the sole connection to the road, trail, rock, or whatever terrain you are overlanding. A more aggressive  tire and wheel combination can not only make your truck look incredible but will also increase off-road capability. You will want to look at what types of off-roading you intend to pursue before you purchase your wheels and tires since you can get specialized tires for mudding, rock climbing, or even a general-purpose all-terrain tire. You may also consider getting beadlock wheels, which are wheels that secure the tire with a bolt-on rim so that it cannot spin free from the tire under high torque loads. This type of high end rim is especially useful if you intend to off-road with lower tire pressures since a lower tire pressure changes the shape of your tire and can lead to decompression in extreme cases.

Security 

One of the great advantages of many off-road vehicles is that you can pull off the top and enjoy the sunshine in the cab as you drive. The downside of a soft-top vehicle is that it can be difficult to find lockable places to secure valuables. One solution is a lockable metal storage box, with partitions to separate different items, and a lock to keep out unwanted guests.

Recovery

If you intend to do serious off-roading, you must plan to get stuck. Now, of course, you shouldn’t try to get stuck, but instead plan for the worst-case scenario, since if it isn't you in the muck, it will definitely be someone else who needs a hand. 

One of the great things about the 4x4 community is the willingness to help each other out of tough situations. Start with some recovery essentials like D-rings, a high quality recovery strap or tow rope, a jerry can of fuel, some good flashlights, and a simple jack. If a basic jack is too slow for you, up the ante with a winch, or even an air compressor, if you intend to alter your tire pressure for any of the trails you run. Having all the right tools for a dirty recovery operation will make you the most popular person on the trail, when the going gets tough.

Whatever you need for a successful adventure in your truck, you’ll find at XT. Get top brand names backed by manufacturer warranty and a 100% Price Match Guarantee.