Make your bed

New bed accessories extend truck versatility

Whether you’re running around in a half-ton pickup or taking care of business in a one-ton commercial truck, aftermarket companies are coming with up some clever accessories that will transform your bed to much more than a catch-all for what you need to carry.

Here are some of the many new bed accessories that were featured at the National Truck Equipment Association’s Work Truck Show.

1. Pure, clean power
On power-short jobsites, the only options have been taking along a noisy portable generator or use an inverter connected to a truck’s electrical system that can, over time, overheat truck components.

Contour Hardening  Inc. offers its patent-pending Real Power power station that mounts under the chassis of light-, medium- or heavy-duty trucks.

The lightweight, low-maintenance and low-profile weather resistant generator mounts under the floor pan of the pickup between the vehicle’s frame rails – without affecting ground clearance. Nofloor pan or chassis modifications are required.

The unit gets power from a PTO adapter special-built for Ford or General Motors automatic or manual transmissions or Chrysler manual transmissions. The generator can produce 120- or 240-volt power at 12 kW or 15 kW while the truck idles. It’s ideal for work or leisure activities. Item 126

2. One ton capacity moveable bed extension
Load and unload tools, supplies or equipment easier with the Prosled sliding deck.

Unlike other sliding decks that have a 200 lb. capacity, the Prosled sliding deck can hold up to 2,000 lbs. with minimal deflection under load. It’s easy to install and uses steel or optional T-6 aircraft aluminum decking and I-beams. Decking can be smooth, diamond plate or carpeted. Can be installed in most truck beds. Item 127

3. Truck body with slide-out shelves
Reading Truck Body, Inc. introduces its Classic II C2-50 truck body. The truck body features an Extend-A-Shelf compartment behind the passenger side of the bed with 250 lbs. of capacity. The shelves pull out for easy access of tools and supplies. Plus, compartments can be locked/unlocked with the Latch-Matic remote wireless locking system that is similar to the remote locking system on automobiles. It can control the locks on compartment doors up to 25' away. The Latch-Matic system also controls compartment lighting that helps users find tools and supplies easily in the dark. The lights will automatically turn off 10 minutes after the body is locked.

Other enhancements include stainless steel locks that resist rusting, nitrogen shocks on all vertical doors for smooth door opening, an aluminum gas-fill box that resists nicks and dings during fueling, and a flanged body that’s assembled without solid welding or secondary grinding that helps prevent corrosion. Item 128

4. Take power to the jobsite
Dynamic Power Source, LLC offers the PowerBox welder/generator/compressor units that offer more power in a smaller unit. The PowerBox 175 MP offers 7,500 watts of 110-volt and 220-volt power, 13 cfm of compressed air at 100 psi and a 5 gal. air storage tank. The Powerbox 240 MP offers 4,500 watts of 110-volt and 220-volt power, 13 cfm of compressed air at 100 psi, a 5 gal. air storage tank and 175 amp welding power.

The fuel tanks on these units allow them to run continuously for up to nine hours. The clean electrical power helps extend tool life and offers smooth and quiet operation. Because it is self-contained, it eliminates the need to haul three separate units to jobsites. Item 129

5. Part topper, part tonneau cover
Astoria Industries of Iowa introduces the T-3 Cover Up bed top with the workability of a topper and the visual clearance of a tonneau cover.

Designed to fit Ford and GM 8' beds, the gel-coated fiberglass truck topper features two large gull-wing side doors and a rear flip-up door for superior pickup bed accessibility. The unit can be customized with adjustable trays in the drop-in bins and steel pull-out drawers built to your specifications. It can also be equipped with an aluminum ladder rack that can hold two ladders.

The Cover Up comes with a five-year warranty. Item 130

6. Fiberglass topper offers side storage
CoverMaster’s WorkPro FRP topper is a molded fiberglass unit that offers superior fit and style. The multi-layered roof is engineered for strength and optimum insulation qualities and its raised roof profile allows the rear door to be larger for easier bed access. The side compartments are built to carry up to 150 lbs. of tools or supplies and are lighted for visibility. The top rack can carry up to 250 lbs. of payload. Item 189

7. Tailgate lift for tools or toys
Littlestar Products offers the V-Force power lifter that attaches easily to any Class IV hitch. It is light weight, looks sharp and resists corrosion and can be installed without any hitch or truck modifications. The hydraulically driven lift can load/unload up to 1,000 lbs., making tool (or toy) transport easier and safer.

The self-contained hydraulic system is powered by the truck’s electrical system. Item 131

8. Top-lid upper side truck boxes
RKI introduces the UST-Series truck boxes that are ideal for use on welding trucks, flat beds and equipment trailers. The heavy-duty steel or aluminum tread plate boxes feature top and side openings for excellent access to tools and supplies.

The boxes, which can be black or white powder-coat painted and feature a high-quality stainless steel paddle latch, have eight dividers in the top compartment that adjust on 2" centers. Top tray is optional. Two sizes available: 72 1/2" x 14 1/2" x 20". Item 132

Published in the May 2005 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

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