Truck Accessories That Work Well with Tonneau Covers

Tonneau covers are considered the most functional among the wide range of truck accessories. They provide the owners with a low-cost way of protecting the truck bed. Moreover, they offer a secure way to store items in the truck bed. The bed covers minimize the chance of theft that usually happens on open truck beds.

It doesn't stop there when you put a tonneau cover to your truck because it works well with other truck accessories. You can set additional enhancements to improve the functionality and utility of your vehicle.

To give you an idea, here’s a list of truck accessories that you may pair with tonneau covers.

Tailgate cover and bed mat

Manufacturers often sell truck bed mats and tailgate covers separately. These accessories work well when paired to protect the bed from scratches, dings, and dents. Whether you have a soft, rolling, hard, or retractable type of truck bed cover, you can combine them with these aftermarket accessories to ensure maximum truck bed protection.

These two accessories are advantageous for truck owners who use the bed to load groceries and other items. The mat keeps the things from sliding and moving around as the truck moves. If the items you put on the truck bed have sharp jagged ends and corners, they can be abrasive to the paint finish. They might scratch the finish of the bed’s sides and flooring, and even the tailgate when it’s closed.

Both the bed mat and tailgate cover deflect the ultraviolet (UV) rays that may cause the truck bed’s paint to fade. They also help prevent rust spots. They block moisture and rainwater from the truck bed that can cause corrosion.

Bed liner

The bed of your truck is vulnerable to scuffs and dents from practically everything you put in there. From personal items like furniture and other things for commercial or farming purposes that you may be hauling around—they can damage the truck bed’s paint and finish.

Bed liners have the same purpose as bed mats. They are created to protect the bed from scratches and other forms of damage. The difference between them is the difficulty of installation. The mats are flat and easier to install, while the liners have a customized fit for the truck’s bed.

The liners also protect the sides of the pickup’s bed. They also function as a shock absorber, absorbing the impact of vibrations. Truck bed liners come in two types: drop-in and spray-in (sometimes called spray-on).

The drop-in liners are made from custom-fitted plastic designed to lock with bolts and hooks. The spray-in liners are formulated to stick to the truck bed as a sprayable substance. Spray-in liners have a more air-tight seal than other types of truck bed protection. Water, dirt, and other loose materials cannot enter, so you don’t have any worry about corrosion.

Tailgate assist

Before you can access the truck bed, you need to open the tailgate. It won't be easy to control how the tailgate unlocks if you carry something with your hands. The tailgate might ram down without your hands supporting it. It may be the cause of its premature wear and tear.

If the tailgate jolts frequently, the hinges may wear out quickly and be damaged. This accessory serves as support when you unlock the tailgate. Instead of dropping hard, the tailgate shock assist (also known as tailgate shock assist) helps the tailgate move gradually downward.

The tailgate lift assist includes a shock absorber that minimizes strain on the tailgate. Its push-to-release mechanism smoothly opens and closes the tailgate gradually, quietly, and safely. In most cases, a tailgate product with only one lift strut will take no more than an hour to install.

Truck rack

There are various styles of truck racks for your pickup. Also known as headache racks, they are great to use for work and play.

The rack is attached to the rear windshield of the truck’s cab. It’s great to use when you often transport large or oversized items with your vehicle. When the cargo you put on the truck bed is heavy and with sharp corners, they might scratch, or worse—break the glass. The rack is made of durable metal material to ensure the protection of the rear windshield.

Other designs of truck racks allow you to put your sports gear such as kayak or surfboard. Most kayaks are designed to fit the bed of standard pickup trucks. Even the trucks with shorter beds can carry a kayak by installing an appropriate truck rack.

Some truck rack designs are combined with roof racks to extend the support for the kayaks, surfboards, and other sports equipment. Even if you have a tonneau cover, the combination of a bed rack and a roof rack in one provides a more extensive storage area and higher load capacity. It also frees up the bed, giving you space for other items.

Bed rails and tie-downs

Bed rails are metal-made poles that stretch across the length of the truck bed's sidings. They are beneficial for truck owners who use their vehicles for hauling. They are more convenient and easier to tie down substantial items at multiple angles and points. They will ensure that the large items placed on the bed will not move around and shift as the truck moves.

For commercial purposes, you can secure heavy equipment such as ladders, pieces of machinery, or materials like pipes and lumber. It’s easier for farming to ensure the equipment and supplies. You can secure your ATV, snowmobile, and other power sport vehicles for recreational use. You can also transport large items like furniture or appliances without worrying that they fall down the truck bed for personal purposes. Secure all these things by putting chains or ropes through the bed rails.

Just like the bed rails, tie-down straps and accessories serve as additional security for the large items you put on the truck’s bed. Not all tie-down types may work with various styles of tonneau covers. The retractable tie-down mount into the stake hole pockets, so you need to set it on the bed rails. Some clamp-on tie-downs and cargo cleats may not work with selected truck bed covers as they are mounted to the side of the rail where the cover also mounts.

Cargo management products

You may add various truck improvement products to help you organize and categorize the items you put on the truck bed. Cargo management products can help you assemble and sort your things.

You can find impressive cargo management products for your truck such as:

• Cargo bars
• Stretch nets
• Bed extender
• Bed basket
• Bed pockets
• Under rail net
• Sliding drawers and trays

Without the cargo management system, you need to open the cover entirely or crawl and reach to get the things you need from the truck bed. You don't have to scramble and rummage the pile of stuff. It will be easier to sort and arrange your tools and things that you usually put in the truck’s bed using any cargo management products.

If you’re looking for swing cases, check out Undercover and Vertically Driven Products. Swing cases are popular aftermarket accessories due to their convenience and versatility. Whether you have hard, soft, folding, or rolling tonneau covers, this portable utility storage provides easy tailgate access as it swings out to nearly 180-degrees.

Toolboxes

Toolboxes for the truck’s flatbed are used for a more complex storage solution. They are different from tire repair kits and other portable tool kits. Utility toolboxes are more spacious and made of durable materials.

Truck bed tool boxes provide better organization. You can put various things inside to help organize or sort the things you put on the bed. Whenever you leave some belongings in your truck bed, they are exposed to corrosive elements and even theft. Toolboxes provide security and protection for the items you put inside them.

LED lights

Truck bed LED lights are a simple product that makes the work easier. Installing lighting products can surely benefit you when you need to access the truck bed during nighttime or in places with light conditions.

Installing the LED lights only takes a few minutes. They mount easily onto the truck bed sidings as they come with automotive-grade adhesive. You can also use them in other applications, including boats, RVs, and other vehicles.

Truck improvements

Pairing the tonneau covers with compatible accessories will make your driving experience more convenient, functional, and handy. They also improve the security of your pickup truck’s bed. Check out your local or online auto supply stores to find these suggested truck accessories.