Cargo-carrying tips for your truck

Axioms like, "A tidy desk is the sign of an empty mind," and, "Housecleaning makes you ugly," were undoubtedly coined by messy people. Even those of us who thrive in what we defend as organized chaos have to admit there are places where tidiness is a near necessity. One of those is in our vehicle.


Driving distracted is one of the major causes of auto accidents, and what could be more distracting than trying to find a map in a jam-packed glove compartment or having a week's worth of groceries fly to the floor when you have to hit the brakes. Of course, in smaller passenger cars, it's not too difficult to wedge shopping bags, roadside emergency gadgets and other collectibles into tight spots, but for pickup truck and SUV drivers, that luxury of cargo space can turn a six pack of soda into a lethal weapon.


Automotive manufacturers have solved some of our storage problems—starting with the cup holder that is standard equipment on nearly every vehicle, to the first aid kit tucked into the tailgate of the latest luxury SUV. The most common cargo products are roof racks, but aftermarket companies have come up with a storage solution for nearly every cargo problem, including extending the load capacity of truck beds. Here's a sampling of different ways to keep your clutter uncluttered:

Truck-Bed Toolbox

Heavy-duty truck-bed toolboxes have been around nearly as long as the pick-up truck. Originally designed for tradesmen, the boxes have proven functional for ranchers, sportsmen or simply those who have the ability and tools to fix roadside disasters. Truck boxes come in every conceivable size, shape and mounting configuration. While these boxes' most common contents are tools, they can carry roadside emergency gear and any number of lifestyle items we can't live without. Features include heavy-duty aluminum construction, such as on Dee Zee's Platinum Series, which stands up to abuse without weighing a ton. There's also a rubber bulb seal on the lid to keep contents dry, secure locking mechanisms, piano lid hinges, a rubber floormat and gas shocks to hold the lid in place. Many models also have removable tool trays and cargo nets on the inside lid for quick and easy access to the most-used items.

Roof-Rack Cargo

Two of the most common cargo box manufacturers are Thule and Yakima. These aerodynamic items, easily installed on factory or aftermarket roof racks, are designed for skis, camping gear, kayak paddles, but can handle tamer equipment like tennis rackets and oversized gym bags. The largest Thule model measures 92-inches long, 3-feet wide and 16.6-inches high for a total of 21 cubic feet of storage and is made of UV- and impact-resistant ABS.