Choosing the best truck equipment could really enhance your truck’s utility, allowing you to better manage time and space. Our evaluation focused on design, ease of use, installation, multi-purpose ability, number/type of certifications, and safety. These are some of the same things we focused on when we reviewed some of the best car accessories.
After more than 16 hours of research and testing, our top pick for truck parts goes to the Lamphus SoundAlert Backup Alarm Bumper. It is an absolute dynamo, featuring a compact box with a 112 dB alarm and IP67 waterproof rating to safely and reliably back up large trucks with limited rear visibility. Keep reading to learn more about the Lamphus SoundAlert Backup Alarm Bumper and six others that made the grade.
Top 7 Best Truck Equipment
#1 Lamphus SoundAlert Backup Alarm Beeper
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Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This backup alarm beeper comes with a 112 Db alarm and IP67 rated aluminum housing, great for large vehicles with limited rear visibility who regularly park in tight spaces.
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- Best on a budget
- IP67 rated & very loud
- SAE J994 Type A, CE, E11-compliant
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- Instructions could be better written
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This backup alarm beeper is very compact, measuring only 5″ by 4″ by 3 3/4″ or roughly the same length as your license plate. It uses a monstrous 112 dB siren when backing up, which we estimate could be heard a half a mile away. It is immediately distinguishable from other loud noises with the familiar ‘beep beep beep’ sound that lets others know it is obviously coming from a backing vehicle.
An IP67 waterproof rating helps it withstand enough to be submerged in water for 30 minutes. Installation is also on point, only needing a set of fasteners and splicing into your truck’s reverse wires or back up system. No need to drill mounting holes here. Bonus points go to its SAE J994 Type A, CE, E11 Certifications, which are American and British seals of approval awarded for backup alarm products that adhere to its strict manufacturing standards. For the bed of your truck, you’ll want the best truck bed liner too.
#2 Xprite Amber LED Rooftop 12″ Mini Emergency Strobe Light Bar
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Thanks to 36 bright LED chips and a rooftop mount, this emergency strobe light bar offers excellent visibility and hazard protection for trucks in dimly lit areas, especially during roadside emergencies.
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- Can be easily moved
- Outstanding visibility
- Very easy to install
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- Not recommended for highway speeds
- Cord may be too short for some people
- Some users reported condensation inside the lens
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This emergency strobe light bar is built like a brick, with 36 LEDs encased in ABS plastic, offering excellent impact resistance. Installation is also a breeze, using a series of magnets and suctions to mount its base atop your vehicle’s roof or hood. Protective rubber feet also keep your paint scratch-free. Note, although suction is strong, this unit is not intended for highway speeds (over 45 miles per hour).
Thanks to 15 different strobe flash patterns (e.g. flashing and rotating), this emergency strobe light bar offers a lot of ways to inform passersby and authorities of a hazard. Kudos to its battery-free operation (connects to your vehicle’s power source) and 50,000 hour LED lifespan, which means they will never have to be replaced under normal circumstances. If you really love your truck, you’ll also want the best truck floor mats.
#3 Buyers LT25 Water Cooler Landscape Truck & Trailer Rack
Award: BEST FOR HOT WEATHER
WHY WE LIKE IT: This water cooler truck and trailer rack is made using powder-coated steel with adjustable straps, allowing upright coolers to be mounted inside trucks, in garages, and other areas needing quick access to water.
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- Constructed of steel
- Durable and rust-resistant steel frame
- Allows multiple mounting options
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- Does not include water cooler
- Mounting plates may be too small for some people
- Bolts could be a little more sturdy
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This water cooler rack works with most standard sized water coolers up to five gallons. We like how well it holds, using two adjustable straps and clips keeping the water cooler upright and wobble-free. A steel base is powder-coated for rust-resistance, making it hold up very well outdoors.
Our favorite feature with this best truck accessory is its versatility. It can be mounted to any flat surface, even on the back of flatbeds or top rails or cargo trailers for long road trips. Installation should take no more than 20 minutes with a simple mark hole, drill, and bolt exercise. A quick install and efficient make this a fantastic piece of food truck equipment.
#4 Better Built 67011387 30″ x 12″ x 11″ ATV Box
Award: BEST FOR SECURITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: This ATV box comes with a heavy-duty steel construction and a locking latch and key, great for people who want added security for cargo sitting in trunks or on top of flatbeds.
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- Easy to open; responsive hydraulic hinges
- Includes two keys
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- Does not have side handles
- Flimsy latch & not rust resistant
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We like this 30″ by 12″ by 11″ ATB box’s design, which uses alloy diamond plating that feels sturdy on any flat surface. A spacious interior is more than enough to fit multiple tools and hydraulic opener hinges make it easy to open with one hand. It is also a breeze to stow and carry, weighing only 14.6 pounds.
Besides working as a truck toolbox, we like these toolboxes for a variety of uses, including as a casual storage option for indoor garages and battery box on an RV trailer hitch. One of our favorite mounting options is to chain the box to a seat post to keep it in place on bumpy rides. Two sets of keys and a lock are included. If you like this ATV box, you might also want to read about the best transmission jack.
#5 Buyers LT12 3-Trimmer Landscape Truck & Trailer Enclosed Rack
Award: BEST FOR GARDENERS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Thanks to three snap-in mounts and spring-loaded hooks attached to a vertical bar, this rack is a great choice for storing up to three trimmers.
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- Accommodates 3 full-size trimmers
- Responsive snap-in mounting & easy to install
- Rust-resistant for outdoor use
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- More expensive than most items on our list
- Does not include locking mechanism for security
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We love this 3-trimmer rack’s design, which uses three snap-in mounts with vinyl-coated hooks to affix trimmers in place. There is enough clearance between each trimmer to not knock against one another. Flexible steel springs maintain good springiness to pull each trimmer in and out easily. This item is durable enough for daily use even by commercial gardeners going from job to job.
Installing this trimmer mount is very easy. Simply drill, aligning to the rack’s mounting holes, which are located behind the rack clip vertical bar. We estimate it takes no more than 20 minutes to install for someone with moderate technical skills.
#6 All-Top Heavy Duty Recovery Strap
Award: BEST FOR EMERGENCIES
WHY WE LIKE IT: This recovery strap kit is rated at 35,000 pounds with a ¾ D-ring shackle, making it a great choice to snatch cars and trucks out of mud, snow, and sticky terrain.
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- Massive pull rating
- Lengthy 30” strap for enough clearance between the pull vehicle
- Includes storage bag
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- On the heavy side (11 pounds)
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This recovery strap is built like a monster, featuring a massive 35,00-pound pull rating and a 22% stretch for proper leverage pulling trucks out of sticky spots. Triple reinforced eye loops hook to a ¾ D-ring shackle, creating a nice and strong anchor point with your hitch. Plus, neoprene and nylon are scratch and tear-resistant, so it can be reused again and again. Consider this a must-have for any off-road vehicle.
Neoprene protector sleeves prevent your car from getting scratched with each pull. This is very important, as constantly pulling can generate tons of whiplash. No installation of any kind of needed – simply attach the D-ring shackles to your hitch and away you go. We were very impressed with its overall build quality, down to the stitching. Speaking of recovery, you might want to have the best car jack on hand in case of emergencies.
#7 Gator ETX Soft Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
Award: BEST FOR CARGO PROTECTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This tonneau cover comes with extreme weather-resistant vinyl and a no-drill install, making it an excellent choice for 2002-2008 1500-3500 Dodge RAMs with 6’4″ beds.
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- Weather-resistant vinyl
- Quick 10-minute install with no tools
- Heavy-duty construction and one-handed operation
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- Pricier than several items on list
- Sides of tape on bed liner may have small openings if not installed correctly
- Less flexible than a roll-up style tonneau cover
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This bed cover is very durable, constructed using industrial-strength and tear-resistant vinyl attached to aluminum frames. Its sealed design keeps rain and snow from penetrating. We like the fact the cover does fold two-thirds of the way towards the back of the truck bed, which allows easier access to your cargo.
Kudos for a tool-free installation (clamping only), taking no more than 10 minutes if you have decent mechanical skills. Once attached to the rails, it is safe with no danger of thumbs or fingers snagging. If you need full bed access for larger items, it takes less than 20 seconds to dismount and remove completely. When it comes to pickup truck accessories, cargo protection is as essential as it can get. While you’re at it, you should also grab one of the best truck bed liner mats too.
How We Decided
In determining the best truck equipment to buy, we explored design, ease of use, installation, multi-purpose ability, and safety.
Design and ease of use should focus on usability. For example, our #6 pick, the Gator ETX Soft Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, takes no more than ten minutes to install, folding up in seconds up to two-thirds of the way back for easy access to cargo. Our #5 pick, the Buyers LT12 3-Trimmer Landscape Truck & Trailer Enclosed Rack, is also a shining example, with a snap-in mounting design that allows novice and commercial gardeners to retrieve up to three trimmers with ease.
Installation time should be very minimal, easy enough for the mechanically inexperienced. With the exception of our #1 pick, the Lamphus SoundAlert Backup Alarm Beeper, there is either no installation required (Better Built ATV Box) or a minimal installation that does not require the use of any hand tools.
Safety is an important consideration. None of the products on this list are heavy or have any excess parts that require extension wiring or exposure to electricity or complicated tools.
Best Truck Equipment Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Design/Ease of Use
We like best truck accessories that are easy to use. We preferred items with a one-handed operation (e.g. Gator ETX Soft Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover) and those that were excellently designed. t. Even the #3 pick, the Buyers LT25 Water Cooler Landscape Truck & Trailer Rack, is a minimalist’s dream, consisting of a vertical bar and adjustable straps that mount a heavy five-gallon cooler in seconds. - Installation
All of our best truck accessories take no more than 30 minutes to install. At most, they require simple drilling, using easy to locate mounting holes. Others, like the #2 pick, the Xprite Amber LED Rooftop 12″ Mini Emergency Strobe Light Bar, use a magnet and suction cup-equipped base to mount on top of your vehicle’s roof. Although not as easy to install as floor mats, they are all intuitive enough to not feel frustrated. - Safety
Truck owners would appreciate truck equipment that avoids complicated installations that could expose users to wiring or other activities that could endanger them. We also made sure each and every item we picked were extremely safe during use.
