While pickup trucks have evolved from humble, basic transport to the assortment of sophisticated, smooth-riding luxury vehicles on sale today, they still have to put in the hard work. So many Americans base their lifestyles—and livelihoods—on their trucks. Outfitting them with top-shelf equipment that guarantees high performance and long dependability is crucial. We’ve selected five must-have accessories and parts to transform your pickup into the ultimate truck for work or play.
1. Trailer Hitches
Your truck may be rated to tow 8000 or even 18,000 pounds, but without a secure hitch, your trailer isn’t going anywhere. You’ll need a Class III, IV, or V hitch that installs to the frame if your truck wasn’t factory-fitted. For towing longer or heavier trailers with uneven loads, a weight distribution hitch that attaches to the mount will balance the load between the truck so the trailer doesn’t dip and become unstable. We’ve reviewed several styles of hitch receivers which vary in price and capability. Finally, you may want to consider a wireless camera to assist with reversing and connecting a trailer. Certain late-model trucks have this capability built-in to their onboard cameras and require a factory trailer camera.
2. Truck Bed Toolboxes
Leaving loose items in a truck bed is a recipe for damage. The easy and durable solution is a toolbox, made from aluminum or plastic, that mounts to the bed rails and sits parallel to the rear cab window. This keeps items covered and secured without sacrificing the entire bed space. Other options include boxes that align to the left or right side of the bed, or smaller boxes that are shaped to arch over a wheel well. If you already have storage and just want to keep your goods out of sight, a soft-folding tonneau cover is your best bet to preserve your truck’s appearance while allowing easy access to the bed when the tailgate is lowered.
3. Lift Kits
Factory lifts on specialized trims are now commonplace across every size truck. But if you didn’t buy a Colorado ZR2 Bison or Ram 2500 Rebel, there are various factory and aftermarket lift kits to raise your truck. The most affordable option is a body lift, which raises the body (and the space between the tires and fender) but leaves the frame and suspension at factory height. For coil springs, two- to six-inch spacers can be fitted between the frame mount and the top of the springs. Blocks and extended U-bolts do the same job with leaf springs. Suspension lifts raise the entire frame with brand-new longer springs and shocks. While a lift is very labor-intensive to install, it allows space for taller tires which can further increase ground clearance (and with a suspension lift, even more clearance). If you’re frequently off the pavement, a lift is essential so you can make it there and back in one piece.
4. All-Terrain Tires
An all-terrain tire can provide great comfort and control on tough surfaces. If you regularly tow, haul, and rack up thousands of miles across challenging terrain and severe weather, a set of all-terrain tires provides an immediate boost in confidence. The new Cooper® Discoverer® Stronghold™ AT is one such example. It’s a rugged all-terrain tire built to withstand tough work conditions without sacrificing on-road comfort. Wide grooves allow the tire to grab and release dirt and mud to give you grip off-road, while large tread lugs assist with stability. The tread extends over the shoulder and onto the sidewall, which helps the tire maintain its traction when navigating narrow trails or obstacles. The tread lugs are also strategically designed to help resist cracking, tearing, and rounding of the tread. When there’s money on the line or an opportunity waiting around the corner, the Cooper Discoverer Stronghold AT may be the hardest-working part of your truck.
5. Off-Road Lighting
Gone are the days of huge halogen flood lamps mounted on a bed rack. That’s still a classic style, but the latest LED light bars are lighter, slimmer, and brighter than the best vintage bulbs. Light bars are for off-road only and using them on-road will blind oncoming drivers and potentially lead to a hefty fine. Used where intended, you can confidently drive in complete darkness knowing your vision extends farther and further to each side. Light bars can be mounted on the cab, bumpers, or grille. Smaller LED spot lamps can attach to mirrors. While LEDs are comparatively cheap, you’ll want to invest in a quality brand to avoid flickering, beam pattern issues, and outright failures from lesser manufacturers.