Transform your work truck into a cutting-edge mobile workspace with smart tech upgrades.
Did you know the typical new-model vehicle has about 100 million lines of software code? That means, even the most rugged pickup truck now qualifies as a fancy roving computer – begging the question: If the definition of a “work truck” has evolved, why shouldn’t the drivers?
There are plenty of smart tech upgrades on the market that can boost your efficiency, safety, and connectivity; the trick is knowing which ones are right for you and your work truck. Keep reading to learn how these new forms of truck technology can add value to your current (or future) setup.
Device Mounts
When driving from work site to work site, it’s easy for laptops and tablets to slide around and get misplaced. With a mount, you will always know where your laptop or tablet is and – even better – can keep it front and center when using your parked work truck as a makeshift office space.
There are plenty of options available on the aftermarket, and right here on Parts Via. Below are (3) of our favorites.
A big dog in the fleet industry, Havis Inc. has mounts available for laptops, e-readers, video monitors, computer keyboards, and more. If you want the kind of tech upgrades used in public safety, last-mile delivery, and military operations, then this is the brand to reach for. For a convenient and customizable solution, we recommend the Havis Dual Ball Mount. The solid, metal mounting pedestal base ensures a secure connection, while the 1.5-inch dual ball adjustment points allow for easy swiveling so you can position your device at any angle.
For drivers who have yet to meet a truly flexible laptop mount for their work truck, the Bracketron Universal Vehicle Laptop Mount might just fit the bill. Attaching to the front passenger seat bolt with simple quick-release fitting, the whole mount can easily be installed and removed with minimal effort and absolutely no drilling. The Sure Grip deck, which accommodates laptops ranging from 10 to 17 inches, adjusts for easy viewing, while the telescoping lower arm extends from 13 to 21 inches for flexible placement.
If versatility is an absolute must-have for you, then check out the Seasucker Naked Flex Mount. The integrated 4.5-inch vacuum mount attaches to the back of your tablet, so you don’t have to stress about picking up a new bracket every time you upgrade to a new device. A second 4.5-inch vacuum mount does what no other tablet mounting system available can do – mount virtually anywhere. Stick it to the dash or window when on the job, and then attach it to your desk or a countertop when you get back to the shop or office; this thing goes wherever you do.
Navigation Aids
Being able to comfortably access your tech and tools while at a job site is obviously important, but first you have to get to said site – quickly, safely, and efficiently. While smartphone navigation apps get better every year, there are three very good reasons you should consider investing in a standalone GPS unit for your work truck.
First, those apps drain your phone battery about 10-20% per hour, even more if you’re in an area with weak signal strength. That’s not factoring in all the other functions you need it to do either, like calling, texting, and streaming music for the ride. A GPS unit does one thSecond, a GPS system uses a satellite signal instead of a cell signal, so you’ll be able get service in even the most remote of locations. It will also keep track of your vehicle, or other members of your fleet.
Third, a quality GPS unit -- like the Magellan TR7 Cam Trail and Street GPS Navigator – offers additional useful features like the ability to save waypoints and observations along a trail, see high-resolution 2D or 3D map imagery, or record critical parts of a trip from the driver’s POV.
Camera Angles
Dash cams are extremely useful smart tech upgrades for work trucks, as they can provide a much-needed additional layer of safety and security when on the road. These devices capture video (and sometimes audio) of everything that’s happening in a driver’s line of sight – a godsend when having to prove your side of a story during an accident or traffic incident.
There are many different size and style dash cams to choose from, as well as integrated special features. We recommend looking for one that’s easy to manage and that you can trust to automatically power on and off without any intervention, ensuring it will be recording every time you start the engine. WaspCam, Brandmotion, and ASA Electronics make some of our favorite cameras, and they’re easy to mount and install.
Equally useful is a back-up camera. There’s a strong possibility your work truck already comes with this technology installed, as it has been federally-mandated equipment since 2018. However, if you’re driving an older-model vehicle that didn’t option this feature at purchase, it’s a smart upgrade to add.
The Mobile Awareness VisionStat Backup Camera is designed for commercial trucks of all sizes and makes quick work of dangerous blind spots by providing at least a 120° viewing angle on up to four rear cameras. Installation is easy, thanks to a convenient license plate mount and the full-color 5.6-inch LCD monitor ensures a clear view of what’s behind you. Pick up some helpful side views when changing lanes or squeezing into parking spots with the ASA Electronics Voyager, which eliminates distracting bright areas, or the Brandmotion Curb Alert PRO, which alerts when you get a little too close to a garage wall, curb, or other vehicle.
Signal & Service Boosters
A modern work environment is a connected work environment, no matter where you’re clocking in from. Investing in cell boosters and WiFi range extenders as work truck tech upgrades ensures you never have to suffer a dead zone or sluggish data transfer again. These technologies ensure consistent communication and internet access, even in remote locations, enhancing connectivity and productivity.
Whether in the field or on the road, a smart tech upgrade like the We Boost Drive X Cellular Phone Signal Booster can keep you connected by tapping into far-away cell towers and amplifying the available cellphone signal. Specifically designed for fleet vehicles, Drive X Fleet works on all U.S. carrier networks and simultaneously supports multiple users on all different types of cellular devices.
For those who need reliable internet connection on the go, a mobile hotspot/WiFi booster is a must-have. Working off cellular data, they create a local WiFi network that’s great for keeping mobile devices and computers securely connected. Additionally, they usually provide a stronger and faster connection. Check out some of the great WiFi hotspot and boosting options here on Parts Via from trusted brands like WeBoost, King, and Winegard.
Ergonomic Additions
Spending long days working out of your truck can be really taxing on your body. In addition to sitting in a cramped space, you have the strain of continually entering and exiting the vehicle along with the stretching and awkward bending that comes with retrieving anything from the truck bed. Thankfully, there are smart tech upgrades that can help in this realm as well.
Companies like AMP Research and Westin Automotive make electronically-deploying running boards that automatically extend when you open the door and retract when you close it. Both options feature wide durable step surfaces for sure-footing and waterproof motors to ensure solid performance in any weather condition.
While it’s not precisely “tech-oriented,” we do recommend adding a cargo retriever to your list of work truck accessories. Used to wrangle things in the truck bed that may be a bit too far toward the cab, these tools usually feature a fixed or telescoping pole with a hook or grabber on the end and definitely make your life a little easier.