The Importance of a Tonneau Cover

Do you regularly haul around cargo in your truck? If so, you should know that your cargo is extremely vulnerable if you’re not using a tonneau cover. One of the biggest dangers to your cargo is the weather. Rain and snow storms can hit unexpectedly and, if your goods aren’t covered when they do, you run the risk of moisture damage. Heavy winds are another problem and can cause lighter cargo to blow away, never to be seen again. You also have to think about the risk of getting into an accident. If you do, your cargo likely wouldn’t be protected without a secure cover in place. Tonneau covers are also vital for protecting your cargo from thieves. You can’t possibly watch your goods at every second, and even leaving them unattended for a brief period of time is risky.

There are many tonneau covers on the market, but Extangtonneau products are some of the best and most reliable. Extang tonneau products can be purchased through Auto Truck Depot at an affordable price. Plus, there are different covers to choose from, allowing you to choose the perfect accessory for your vehicle.

One of the most popular Extang tonneau covers is the solid-fold model. Crafted of airplane-grade aluminum, this cover is built to last, and, best of all, it attaches to your truck in mere minutes with no drilling or expensive tools required. This cover not only protects from unexpected weather, road accidents, and thieves, but it’s also great at keeping sun damage at bay. If this cover isn’t right for you, there are other models, all designed to give you an affordable way to keep your cargo safe.

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Tube Steps are a Great Running Board Product

A running board serves many important purposes for a truck. First and foremost, it simply makes your vehicle look very stylish and modern. It adds sleekness and sophistication to your truck, making it the beauty you’ve always dreamed of owning. These products are also protective, keeping your truck free from the harm that flying stone chips and other debris can inflict. A running board is also helpful at assisting passengers with entry into the vehicle. They are particularly helpful for children, the elderly, or anyone who just happens to be short in stature.

One of our favorite products of this type is tube steps, which are incredibly durable and can stand up to just about anything! They have a masculine (but still trendy!) look to them with their integrated aluminum frame, which can be finished in chrome or black. The steps come in a standard size that will work with just about any truck and, best of all, they are super easy to install. There is no drilling or damage to your vehicle necessary; you can get the whole job done yourself, with no special tools, in just a matter of minutes.

You can find these steps and other similar products at Auto Truck Depot. This store, in fact, has just about every truck related product and accessory you could ever want. So, while you’re seeking out your favorite steps, also be sure to check out the store’s other great offerings. You will find that everything is offered at a lower than average price and that many of the items are discounted even more beyond that. For your truck needs, there is absolutely no better place to shop!

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In the Market for Truck Bed Accessories? Check out the Bedslide XL!

One of the best parts of owning a truck is having a truck bed! You have likely already found that your truck bed comes in handy for many different reasons. It’s an easy way to haul materials, obviously, and it can also make a great spot for gazing out at the stars. Well, now you can celebrate your truck bed and get more use out of it than ever before by shopping for truck bed accessories. There are so many of these products on the market today that you can really make your truck bed do just about anything you want!

A particularly great product that has been attracting a lot of attention lately is the Bedslide XL. As the name implies, the Bedslide literally lets your truck’s bed slide right on out! That means you’ll have no problem getting to and/or removing your cargo, your groceries, or anything else you happen to carry around with you.

 This awesome and sturdy accessory can hold up to a thousand pounds with ease! That’s not the only thing that’s easy about it either—installation is an absolute breeze. You don’t even need a drill or have to do anything damaging to your truck. It’s so simple you can do it yourself, or you can leave it up to the friendly professionals at Auto Truck Depot, which offers a wide variety of truck bed accessories and services. In fact, you won’t find a better store around for all of your accessory needs. With the bedslide and other excellent products at affordable rates and all under warranty, now you know where to go!

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A “User-Friendly” Pickup Truck: Running Boards Make it Possible

There's nothing like getting up in the morning and heading to work in your pickup truck. We know how much pride truck owners take in their vehicle, and that's why it's always exciting to see so many people driving the best pickup trucks. Of course, getting up into a full-size pickup truck isn't always that easy. And it's not just kids or smaller folks who can have difficulty getting into full-sized trucks. There are often times when we could all use a step up. And that's why running boards are some of the most in-demand truck accessories on the market today.

They Look Good Too

Of course, you may not have any problems getting into your truck. But that doesn't mean that you won't benefit from having running boards on your truck. Let's face it – running boards just make a truck look better. Whether you're talking about a traditional running board or a step bar, these accessories just plain look great on pickup trucks.

Easy Installation

It isn't too hard to get boards or steps installed on a pickup truck. For folks who like to tinker with their trucks, getting them installed is relatively quick and pain-free. In fact, the boards that we sell all come with instructions and the hardware you need, so the process isn't difficult at all. However, if you just don't want to deal with doing an installation on you own, we can take care of getting your running boards installed in no time. 

Running boards and truck steps make it easy to get older family members and children into your truck. And since they look great too, getting them installed on your truck is a win-win situation.

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Is it Time for a Truck Box?

No matter how many cool automobile accessories hit the market, there's something that we just love about the traditional truck box. And since truck boxes have really improved in recent years, there's even more to love about these big, sturdy and attractive truck accessories. There's just something about having a nice truck tool box installed that makes a good looking pickup truck transform into a great looking one.

Of course, we all know that there's more than aesthetics to consider when purchasing a truck box. First and foremost, you'll want to get one that suits your needs. If you're in the construction, plumbing or any other field that requires you to have tools with you everywhere you go, then a truck tool box has to be easy to access and extremely secure.

Here's the most important features of a truck box, as we see them:

-    Security – a tool box that's located in your truck bed has to be secure. And to be secure it has to be tough and equipped with good locks.
-   Size. Since you can pick up truck boxes in differing sizes, it's important to make sure that you get one that's got enough room to fit all your essential tools. And since you never know when you might add a new tool to your collection, you'll want to make sure that the tool box you get has a bit of extra room for expansion in the future.

Keep these key features in mind, and be sure to check out the wide assortment of truck boxes we have available. Once you've picked yours out and have it installed, your truck will look great and your cargo will be more secure than ever before.

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What Kind of Tonneau Cover is the Best?

Tonneau covers have come a long way over the years. We can still recall just a few years back when you hardly saw these covers on any trucks at all. Of course, that's all changed, as you don't have to go far to find plenty of pickup trucks with tonneau covers installed. And since these handy covers provide security and, very often, improved fuel economy, it's easy to understand why they have surged in popularity.

Which Kinds are Best?

Any time we talk about a truck accessory being the best, we have to bring up the fact that every scenario is different. For example, if you just want a tonneau cover that can be used to cover up the groceries in case it rains, then a soft cover or even a simple truck box may be best. However, if you do a lot of work with your truck, then a different type of tonneau cover may be called for.

Here are some of the basic types of covers that are available today:

-    Fiberglass Covers
-    Retractable Covers
-    Trifold Covers
-    Soft Covers

And while all of these covers are nice, each is different, so there's really no way to say that one is better than another – they're just different, for different tastes and needs. As you get familiar with the different types, you'll be able to focus in on the models that you like the best.

You can check out some of our best tonneau covers on our website or stop by our store to see some in person. By seeing some of these covers for yourself, you'll be better equipped to decide which types of covers will be the best for your own, particular needs.

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Brake Controller Considerations

If you're like me, and have spent some time hauling trailers around, you know how important it is to have a responsive brake system. And when there is a trailer involved, you can't just rely on the brakes of the towing vehicle alone. It's safer and easier to drive when you have brake controllers installed on your vehicles when they're towing any type of trailer. These handy controllers help to evenly distribute the stopping power of your braking system and keep trailers from going into the dreaded jack knife while you're on the road.

Food for Thought

Here's a few of the things you need to consider when buying brake controllers:

-    Should you go wireless? You don't necessarily have to hard wire a brake controller. These days there are some very reliable wireless models available. I like to keep things simple, so I am really impressed with how easy it is to install a wireless system. However, if you don't mind doing a little wiring or hiring someone who does, you can still get a hard-wired unit for your truck & trailer.
-    Axle count. Most controllers are designed for a specific number of axles. This is very basic, but important to mention. Don't buy a brake controller, unless it is designed for the exact amount of axles that you'll be hauling.
-    Price. Like anything else, we know that the bottom line matters. Luckily, there are quite a few controllers to choose from these days, so it's not too hard to find one that will suit just about any budget.

There you have it – our top tips for buying the right brake controllers - for safe driving when you're pulling a trailer.

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What More Can I Say About Truck Bed Boxes?

Truck bed boxes are our most popular item here at Auto Truck Depot so I always feel compelled to blog about them.  The questions we receive usually revolve around which manufacturer is “the best” and which box or boxes are right for a customer’s vehicle.  I’ll state it again for the record that we only pick the best in truck box manufacturers, so regardless of which company you choose you’re getting a high quality product.  As for which box…that’s a matter of personal preference.

These are the questions we generally ask our customers:

1.    What do you intend to haul in them? IE. Tools, purchases, outdoor sports equipment, etc.
2.    Do you have a problem with having holes drilled into your vehicle for installation?
3.    How much room do you need remaining in your truck bed?
4.    Is there a particular color you are looking for?
5.    Will you be hauling fuel?
6.    Is this a business vehicle or personal use?

Functional use questions are always first and foremost on our minds because there is a big difference between someone who wants a truck box to have a lockable storage unit should they happen to want to haul something securely for the day and someone is a construction contractor that needs to haul the same (expensive) tools and equipment around every day.
From an aesthetic perspective, some truck owners want a box that will match the color of their vehicle.  Others care about damaging their vehicle and want something that is non-invasive.  Some truck bed boxes do snap on, while others need to have holes drilled in order to keep them placed securely on the vehicle.  So we always want to ask if they have a problem with holes being drilled into their vehicle.

I try to cover a lot of questions in the blog, but really it is best to just come on down and check them out for yourself.  Our sales team can help you with any additional questions you may have about truck bed boxes.

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Receiver Hitches: What are They and Why Do I Need One?

Receiver hitches are but one of the many types of hitches we sell here at Auto Truck Depot.  A hitch is just a piece of equipment that enables you to attach a trailer or object to your truck or vehicle.  There are ball hitches, gooseneck hitches, weight distribution hitches, fifth wheel hitches, ball hitches, and receiver hitches.  A receiver hitch is a type of hitch that contains a “receptacle” that can accommodate an insert, such as a ball mount or bike rack.
Image via Wikipedia
We don’t sell a phenomenal amount of receiver hitches at Auto Truck Depot because the types of customers we see daily usually have large trailer needs for which receiver hitches just aren’t suitable.  We do get, however, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts who come in to purchase a receiver hitch for their larger bike racks or smaller trailers.  A receiver hitch would be well suited for someone who wishes to attach a smaller trailer to their vehicle to haul their four-wheeler or jet-ski.  It would not be suited for someone who want to hook up a horse trailer and so that they can drive their 18 hands high Shire horse to a show.  It would also not be suitable for someone who wants to haul a camper behind their vehicle.  However, it would be suitable to put on an RV for the purpose of hauling your Honda Civic behind it.

Receiver hitches –even the industrial duty ones, top out at about 15,000 pounds loaded weight—that’s the trailer weight, fuel weight, and cargo weight.  Usually, people will purchase a receiver hitch when they are looking to haul something that is less than 10,000 pounds.  Beyond that most folks upgrade to a fifth wheel, gooseneck, or other type of weight distribution hitch.  It’s just safer that way.  But if you aren’t intending to haul a herd of steer or a yacht behind your truck then you can absolutely get away with purchasing receiver hitches.

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Trifold Tonneau Covers: Who Doesn’t Love Them?

Our trifold Tonneau covers and other retractable lines are always popular with customers.  People simply want that option if they are going to buy something that covers their truck beds.  I mean, you bought a truck over an SUV because you wanted that open bed experience.  The covers are just an accessory that can help you protect what you are hauling, but they shouldn’t prevent you from full functional use of the truck design. 

Having a trifold Tonneau cover makes it that much easier when you are putting smaller items into the back of your truck.  Do you really want to life the entire cover to throw some groceries in the back?  Heck no.  You just want to pop back one of the folds, shove the bags in and be on your way.  Don’t get me wrong, those fiberglass Tonneau covers are beauties to be sure.  They just aren’t as “easy in, easy out” as a retractable cover like a trifold or soft top can be.

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: it all comes down to personal preference.  There are people who like the simplicity of fiberglass covers and don’t mind that the entire cover needs to be lifted to put stuff in and out.  They like the way it looks and operates.  And there are people who want the option of pulling back just a little bit of the cover to put something in.  I’m certainly not going to tell anyone which aftermarket product they should buy.  I’m just here to explain the benefits of each one.  And from my vantage point, I can see that the retractable covers are highly versatile.  So when I hear people explain that they want a cover so they can haul groceries or shopping bags in the back of their truck, of course, I’m going to recommend a trifold Tonneau cover.

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About Our Trailer Hitch Accessories

Here at Auto Truck Depot we try to be your one-stop-shop for practical aftermarket items for your car, truck, or van.  We don’t sell fiberglass racing panels and wings, nor do we sell sway bars, Noz or other “fun” stuff that kids like. We sell sturdy, practical items like trailer hitch accessories—but we like to think we do it in a fun way.  Our line of trailer hitch accessories is fairly complete.  We sell everything you need to install your trailer hitch and hook up your trailer at home.  We can also install everything that you purchase while you’re waiting around drinking coffee. 

We sell the ball, ball mount, pins and clips, as well as, wiring supplies, hitch adapters, and hitch covers.  We even sell boxes that can fit on the trailer hitch.  All of the products we sell at Auto Truck Depot are top quality and “best of breed”.  We understand that our products are practical and high use aftermarket items.  Your trailer’s brake controllers, for example, are safety mechanisms that alert the vehicles behind you that you’re stopping.  Our trailer hitches and trailer hitch accessories are what keeps the trailer attached to your vehicle and not to the front end of another car or truck.

So, no, we don’t sell Sparco steering wheels or tanks of Noz.  And we get that trailer hitches aren’t “sexy”, but we do try to provide a fun, and positive experience to all of the customers who stop by Auto Truck Depot.  We also stand by each and every one of the products we sell, so that you know that the trailer hitch accessories that you’ve purchased from our showroom are the very best, safest, and most reliable products on the market today.  And that makes a huge difference when there’s snow and ice on the roads!  You have that extra bit of confidence in your vehicle and trailers that a can of Noz just can’t provide.

Truck Canopies: for when a Tonneau Cover “Won’t Do”

Truck beds come in a wide range of depths.  When people buy a truck box, cover, or canopy for their truck it is usually with some item in mind.  People purchase truck boxes when they want to securely store an item that they are carrying in their vehicle like tools or guns.  They purchase Tonneau covers when they want to protect larger items from the elements that may not fit in truck boxes or to protect the truck bed from rust.  Truck canopies can both protect larger items (like a Tonneau cover) and secure items (like a truck box).  They also are able to cover those items that would stick above the bed of a truck, and for this reason many people choose truck canopies over Tonneau covers.

These days, truck canopies come in several design types.  You can purchase truck canopies that look very similar to Tonneau covers (lids) and canopies that make your truck look like an SUV.  They also come in aluminum and fiberglass, both lightweight materials making them easy to put on and take off.

When you frequently haul items that would raise above the bed of your truck, especially in winter months it is more reasonable to choose a truck canopy over another type of cover.  We usually talk to our customers about their needs before recommending a canopy, truck box, or cover.  In general, the same people who look at Tonneau covers are the same customers that are looking at truck canopies.  Our sales staff knows to review the needs, truck bed height, and size requirements of items being hauled before making recommendations to our customers.  We don’t try to sell people more product than they need.  If you can get away with a Tonneau cover or lid, that’s what we’ll recommend.  If, however, you need something larger—or just like the look of truck canopies we are happy to sell you one of those, as well.

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Who Makes the Best Tonneau Covers

Our salespeople at Auto Truck Depot get asked a lot about “what’s the best” product.  People want to know things like, who makes the best Tonneaucovers?  It’s really hard for anyone here to answer a question like that because we feel that we have chosen the best vendors on the market for all the products we choose to sell.  Choosing between the best at their game is pretty difficult and subjective.  Our answer is usually goes something like this: whichever brand works the best for you.

 

The fact is whether its BAKFlip,Extang  Roll-N-Lock, or UnderCover you are purchasing a high quality product.  All of these companies were specifically chosen because of their high customer ratings.

It all boils down to your personal tastes, reason for using the Tonneau cover, and type of cover you’re looking for.  Some people like soft Tonneau covers, other people like hard ones.  The best Tonneau covers are those that suit your personal needs.  Soft covers are typically more affordable than hard covers, so if it saves you money you

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Why You Need Professional Installation for Brake Controllers

  We install everything we sell at Auto Truck Depot.  Most of the time, we do it for the convenience factor.  People just don’t have the time or inclination to install these products at home.  However, some do.  We have a lot of customers who are very hands on and do-it-yourself.  DIY is great because it cuts costs for you.  Although we certainly want your business, if you told our sales staff that you want to install your truck box yourself we’re not going to be broken-hearted.  Installing a truck box, however, is a bit different than installing an item that is considered a “safety feature”.  Brake controllers are safety mechanisms.  While there are a great many people out there that are meticulous and handy, it is still a good idea to have a professional team install any item that involves safety.  If you scratch your truck installing a truck box, you’ve done cosmetic damage.  If your brake controllers fail, you have a potential accident on your hands.

Since the mid 90’s manufacturers of RVs, trucks, and SUVs have all made allowances for trailers and are set up to use an electronic trailer brake controller.  Most of them now have brake controller units built right in, but some have what is called a “quick plug” on the dash somewhere that connects up to the standard brake controller.  This does make things a lot easier and there are customers that I know who I would sell a brake controller to with good conscience because I know that they will be just fine connecting the brake controller quick plug to their vehicle.

With older vehicles and trailers this process is not quite as cut and dry.  Someone would have to be good at wiring to create the connection between the trailer brakes and the vehicle’s own braking unit.  This means tapping into the brake light wiring, finding the brake light switch and running a 12 volt power wire, ground wire, and brake light wire to the controller and then back to the trailer’s brake wiring connector.  This isn’t rocket science—what is besides rocket science?  Still…I’d feel a lot better if I knew that someone who does this daily or weekly is handling it.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve driven behind a trailer whose brake lights don’t work.  

That concludes my rant of the day on brake controllers.

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Do I Need a Fifth Wheel Hitch?

Most of the time, people can get away with using a standard ball hitch for their trailer.  However, larger trailers (RVs, campers, livestock trailers, etc.) require a fifth wheel hitch because they allow for appropriate weight distribution.  The whole fifth “wheel” thing is a bit of a misnomer in modern configurations and dates back to the days of carriages when there really was a “fifth wheel”.  Today’s configuration consists of a coupling that has been installed in the bed of a pickup that consists of a “coupling pin” and a horseshoe shaped device (the “fifth wheel”).

When do you need a fifth wheel hitch?  Well, you absolutely need one when you are hauling larger livestock trailers, campers, or semi-trailers. You could use one when you have a medium sized trailer that requires the type of extra support and weight distribution that these hitches provide.

Once you’ve made the decision to purchase a fifth wheel hitch for your truck, stop by our showroom.  We work with several different manufacturers, each with their own set of strengths. It is easier to discuss which one is best for your vehicle in person because it allows the sales staff to physically point out things about the hitch or your vehicle that might help you make the right purchase. 

To answer the original question: when do I need a fifth wheel hitch?  The short answer is that if you’re hauling a second home with your truck, if you’ve got 20 head of steer you need to move, or your truck is actually a “semi” then you need a fifth wheel hitch.

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