Look, as truck owners, we really do appreciate the thought behind many of the ‘truck-themed’ gifts we receive around the holidays. The calendars, mall kiosk air-brushed front license plates, and oddly specific t-shirts are all cute…they really are. But there’s always a bit of uneasiness that follows.
Am I really going to wear/use/put this gift on my truck?
We’re sure there have been many a scuffle between loved ones when they see that rather expensive Chevrolet Racing jacket they purchased has been relegated to the back of the closet. We’ll say it again, we appreciate the thought -- but this year, how about a gift that packs thought and usability? We’ve gathered together a few functional gifts that truck lovers will be talking about for years to come.
Truck Bed Mattress
If you’re not an outdoorsman and/or a truck person, then the term “truck bed mattress” may seem a bit crude and rudimentary. (Perhaps even a bit like those people who fill their truck with water to create a makeshift pool or hot tub.) But trust us, whether you’re camping, tailgating, or just need a comfortable place to post up for watching a sporting event or drive-in movie, nothing beats a truck bed mattress. They inflate and deflate easily and, when not in use, take up minimal space when compared to other lounging/sleeping solutions.
And if this gift is for someone who has a bed cap from brands like A.R.E, Bestop, or RSI -- even better! It’ll turn the back of their truck into a mobile bedroom, so there will be no need to set up a tent when camping or overlanding.
Don’t be fooled by cheap blow-up beds that may or may not fill the truck you intend to outfit. You’ll want to go with a unit that uses heavy duty material and construction, especially if the truck bed has a gritty bed liner or mat. We recommend Pittman Outdoors’ Aidbedz. The mattresses come in a variety of different flavors with applications that perfectly fit today’s (and yesterday’s) trucks. And with precision engineering and cutouts/air coils to sit snugly over the wheel wells, the whole bed becomes sleepable.
Truck Bed Mat
In the previous gift idea, we mentioned truck bed mats, so why not throw those on the list as well? You or your giftee may be lucky enough to have a bed mat already, as they are many times the first thing a truck owner will purchase after getting their new ride. But go ahead and stroll through a busy parking lot next time you’re at the grocery store or a strip mall this holiday season. There are plenty of pickup owners who somehow get by without using one of these in the bed of their truck. Perhaps, they don’t haul a dang thing back there, but we’re guessing since this is a list for truck lovers, that isn’t the case.
A truck bed mat is a custom or universal-fit mat that sits in the bed and serves many functional purposes besides looking good. Firstly, it protects cargo -- preventing anything you’d be hauling from sliding, tipping, or bumping. Secondly, it protects the truck bed -- keeping items from rattling around and denting your sidewalls, or even worse, crashing through your rear cab window.
Interestingly, a truck bed mat can also augment or even eliminate the need for straps in some situations. When on a bumpy road that can easily throw cargo around, a truck bed mat plus straps can keep things sure footed, or for smaller or awkward items, remove the need for straps altogether.
Quality mats from brands like DeeZee, TrailFX, and WeatherTech have been proven for decades and are a good place to start. Affordable and heavy-duty models are available, as well as custom and universal fit. So, whatever the need -- there’s a bed mat for that.
Hitch Step
We all could use a little boost sometimes, whether it’s with our vehicles or just life in general. While we can’t help with the latter, if you or a loved one have a truck or SUV with a hitch, then we have the former covered. A hitch step is a wonderful idea for someone who always seems to either be in the bed of their truck or the back of their vehicle.
For those that may not know exactly what a hitch step is, it’s simply a large platform or step that slips right into an empty hitch receiver and mounts securely. Since the hitch is a fairly low point on a vehicle, it makes an easy, secure, and immeasurably useful place to step onto. Want to reach that item in your bed without putting the tailgate down? Want to fold, roll, or snap your tonneau from a much more advantageous position? Heck, do you need an extra boost to change that garage lightbulb up in the ceiling joists? A hitch step can help you do all that and more.
Lots of manufacturers make a step, but we recommend trusted brands like Carr, Westin, and Bully. You can also throw the ever-popular WeatherTech BumpStep in this category as well.
Cargo Retriever
To some of you, a cargo retriever may be an item that you’ve never heard of. And while these cargo retrievers may take up quite a bit of truck bed space, we promise what we’re talking about leaves a bit of a smaller paw-print.
Just like the last gift idea, a cargo retriever is all about convenience. Sure, the younger folk among us may not have trouble pulling themselves up over the side of the bed to reach items inside, but some of us just aren’t as spry and sprightly as we used to be. But even if you are a young pup, you’ll find that cargo retrievers are an efficient and effortless way to get to out-of-reach items.
A cargo retriever is just as it sounds—a tool used to wrangle things that may be a bit too far toward the cab half of the bed. The most common form is a fixed or telescoping pole with a hook or attachment to grab or pull items toward you and the tailgate. It may sound trivial to some, but go ahead and see how easy it is to grab that cooler that shimmied its way to the forward center part of your bed during travel. Most retrievers come with mounting brackets, making it easy to stow in the side or tailgate of your truck.
Countless cheap, flimsy cargo retrievers have made their way onto the market, so be sure to go with one from a pedigreed manufacturer. Brands like Access Cover, Truxedo, and Adjust A Brush have great options that will surely make perfect companions for your bed.
Bed Extender
A great tool that handyman truck owners should consider is a bed extender. Perhaps, you or a loved one has a shorter bed pickup or just occasionally needs extra space to haul larger items, larger loads, or unwieldy cargo. A bed extender gives a couple more feet of usable space to any pickup and can be used as-needed. In situations like hauling long 2x4s, a bed extender will eliminate the need to prop up boards on the back of your tailgate, which can lead to scratching and damage to the inside of your truck bed.
There are a few different types of bed extenders you may encounter in the wild. For items you need more than a lowered tailgate amount of space, you’ll want to consider a unit that mounts via hitch. But generally, the more popular choice is the standard U-shaped cage type that mounts to a down tailgate. They may not be ideal for super-long items, but that extra few feet often gets the job done. Before purchasing, always check truck and tonneau compatibility to ensure a proper fit and avoid compatibility conflicts.
Brands like LUND and AMP Research have been in the bed extender game for quite a while and are both great choices. They offer many different sizes, shapes, and varieties to make sure you’ll get exactly what you’re looking for. And perhaps best of all, they both come with industry-leading warranties, so you won’t have to worry about headaches down the road.