Install a bed rail. These options protect the rail of the truck bed from scraping and dents when heavy cargo is loaded over the side, may improve the appearance of the truck, and add tie down locations for large cargo which may be taller than the sides of the truck’s bed. Install a non-skid bed liner. These are usually fabricated from polymer materials and have the added benefit of preventing damage to the bed’s factory finish. They can be removable or factory applied, and will reduce load shifting on the slippery truck bed floor in braking and cornering situations. Install side rails. Most full-size pickups have factory formed post holes in the top of the bed sides. These are carryovers from a time when stake bodies were added to farm trucks for hauling hay or otherwise increasing the cargo capacity of the truck bed. You may want to haul trash or other light, bulky cargo, and can create your own temporary stake body by installing wooden posts in these holes and screwing horizontal rails along the length of your truck bed. Install additional tie down anchors in the bed floor. You may purchase D-rings or other similar aftermarket anchoring systems from auto parts stores and screw or bolt them directly to the truck bed floor for anchoring specific cargo. Keep in mind, drilling the original metal of your truck may encourage rust and devalue the vehicle in the event of resale. Keep a large cooler in the back of the truck for hauling groceries or other items back from the store. These are weather resistant, and keep things from blowing out while travelling. Purchase and install a large permanent toolbox, or tool boxes. These come in a remarkable number of configurations, but if you cannot find one that perfectly suits your needs, metal fabrication shops can custom build one to your specifications. Purchase and install a Tonneau Cover. This is the ultimate cargo protection, offering weather proofing, locking ability, and improved aerodynamics. Two drawbacks to this remedy are cost (they are expensive), and the fact they preclude hauling tall loads.
Park your truck in a well-lit area at night. Make sure your cargo is as invisible as possible, either by covering it with a tarp or storing it in some type of container. Park where your vehicle is visible to passers-by. Interstate Highway rest areas are a prime location for thieves, so try to park in the front, where people entering and leaving will discourage a thief. Lock the most valuable items inside the truck, and out of sight if possible. Consider buying a king-cab or quad-cab pickup so you have more interior room for storing your cargo. Travel directly to your destination when transporting cargo from one location to another. Stopping and shopping, sight-seeing, or for other activities exposes your cargo to greater risk either from theft or weather.
