Accessorise to maximise level up your truck

Our last blog opened up the door to discussion about truck accessories with bullbars, towbars, light bars and tyres, yet we’ve only begun to scratch the surface of the booming hobby that is truck accessorising.

The right accessories can add a new level of visual appeal and polish your presentation to clients on site while injecting a tonne of fun. They can also open up possibilities for taking on different types of jobs, maximising work efficiency or your weekend activities.

In such a crowded field, which accessories are worth the price tag, and which can you put in the ‘nice to have’ basket?

Cab accessories

We’re talking seat covers, seat belt pads, dash mats and floor mats down to your work bag and travel coffee mug. Going all-out on your favourite brand can present a pleasing visual picture but also has the benefit of showing clients that appearances matter.

Aside from the aesthetics, a cab that’s decked out with covers and mats also means that original componentry is protected from the sun, sweat and spills, and can make cleaning a less time-consuming prospect.

Toolboxes

No one has ever regretted being fully kitted out with the tools of the trade and the right toolbox to keep them safe and cosy—there’s only regrets when it comes to the price tag of getting the perfect match.

There are a dime a dozen companies that specialise in high end or custom toolboxes. As with any accessory, it can pay to choose something that minimises modifications to your truck, use a trusted brand and choose a toolbox with enough space for what’s going inside it.

A good toolbox needs to be secure, durable and easily accessible in a pinch, as it can also double as an emergency kit with hi-vis vests, hazard safety triangles and first aid equipment.

If you’re carrying expensive equipment and need to keep it stored in the truck overnight, you might want to consider a pre-built trade truck that has individual lockable storage boxes or a central locking system for ease-of-use and protection. This can be a more cost-effective solution than specifying a custom toolbox on the truck tray, providing faster access to tools on the job.

Many OEMs produce their own toolboxes for specific truck models which can be a good choice if you need something standard as it can make installation easier and comes with the advantage of the OEM warranty and the promise of quality.

It’s also important to keep in mind that the weight of tools and the toolbox need to be accounted for in the vehicle payload and for towing within legal limits.

Pre-built trucks can save costs on custom toolboxes

Nose cones & air deflectors

These additions are now commonplace with evidence that they can reduce drag and improve fuel economy up to 10 per cent. The right design can also streamline your exterior and match the paintwork of your truck.

Weather patterns, wind, passing vehicles and highway speeds can all create huge amounts of drag, affect your efficiency, and impact vehicle control.

Winches

Truck winches are like toilet plungers—it can be better to have one and never need it than the other way around. They can also be one of the tougher accessories to match with trucks. Ideally, you want a winch without the need for modification to the cab to install it, one that has a decent rated line pull and offers you safe operation.

Also consider whether you’ll be in water or mud regularly; a water sealed winch can be taken into water crossings and be relied on to keep out rust and corrosion.

Image credit Shutterstock

And if adding a winch for anything more than cosmetic value—and let’s be honest there is a certain rugged visual appeal to a winch on the front of your truck—you must also consider battery life. A winch will draw from your battery and the amount of energy drawn is commensurate to the power of the winch.

Running boards

Running boards are a helpful accessory choice for anyone who is doing deliveries, hopping in the cab multiple times a day or has difficulty with the climb in and out of the truck.

On top of adding comfort and accessibility, running boards can also be useful for protecting the truck from mud, debris, and other road hazards. They can easily add a head turning visual pop if they are nicely fitted, too.

Your truck, your choice

The extent to which you modify your truck and the statement you want to make is entirely up to you—maybe that’s a work-and-weekender dream or a more spartan space to collect your thoughts on the drive home. It’s all in the planning about what effect and what efficiencies you want to get from your accessories… preferably before you hit the shops.

The open road, independence and personal freedom of expression are fundamentally linked to the trucking lifestyle and part of that autonomy of having your own business is building your truck to your personal vision.

Know what you tow: this blog on towing the line explains the lingo and how to work out your true towing capacity.