How do I maximize my truck bed space?

Having a truck with a large bed for hauling and transporting items is incredibly convenient. However, that spacious truck bed can start to feel small quickly when you need to haul bulky or oddly-shaped items. Maximizing your truck bed space takes some planning, creative loading, and the right accessories. Follow these tips to get the most use out of your pickup.

Measure Your Truck Bed

Before you can maximize the space in your truck bed, you need to know exactly what you’re working with. Take measurements of the bed length, width between the wheel wells, and height of the sides. Also take note of any tie-downs or cargo hooks along the sides and bottom of the bed.

Knowing the cubic feet capacity of your truck bed is also useful. Compare your measurements against the truck specs to find the cubic feet. This gives you an idea of how much total space you have to work with.

Use a Bed Liner

A truck bed liner is essential for protecting your truck from damage. It prevents scratches and dents from items shifting around in the bed. A liner also makes loading easier, since items slide smoothly along the textured surface.

Spray-in or drop-in plastic liners are best for maximizing space. Foam liners take up more capacity, while thin mats don’t offer as much protection. The ribbed texture of spray-in and drop-in liners helps keep items from sliding around.

Add a Bed Extender

One easy way to extend your truck’s carrying capacity is by installing a truck bed extender. These accessories mount on the tailgate and rear of the truck bed. When needed, you can expand the extender to add over a foot more space.

Bed extenders are great for housing longer items like lumber, piping, ladders, and more. Just make sure to strap down the extender and check the load’s center of gravity before driving.

Use a Cargo Net

Cargo nets are handy truck accessories that make the most of vertical space. Attaching nets to the sides of your truck bed gives you more places to store items and prevents them from shifting around.

Nets are especially useful for lighter items like tools, camping gear, sports equipment, and groceries. Just make sure not to overload the nets with too much weight.

Take Advantage of Wasted Space

That area above your truck’s wheel wells often goes unused. But installing a set of storage boxes or bags in that space is an easy way to maximize capacity. Just be sure the items sit flush and don’t obstruct your rear view.

You can also find ways to use the space under your truck bed. Smaller items like straps, jumper cables, tools, and tire chains can all be stowed in plastic containers mounted to the underside.

Use a Truck Bed Organizer

A truck bed organizer is a cargo management system designed specifically for pickup trucks. It fits in the bed and has multiple compartments to hold items securely.

Organizers keep all your equipment neat and tidy in one place. They come in several configurations, with shelves, drawers, and dividers. Measure your bed dimensions before picking an organizer to ensure proper fit.

Take Measurements of Loads

To avoid overloading your truck, get in the habit of taking measurements before hauling large loads. Calculate the cubic feet of the load based on length, width, and height. Compare that to your truck’s capacity to ensure you have enough space.

For extra-large loads, you can utilize your truck’s payload capacity. Weigh your loaded truck on a public scale. Then subtract the curb weight of your truck to see your available payload.

Stack Items Strategically

Carefully stacking items is key to maximizing space. Place larger, heavier items on the bottom and lighter gear on top. Make sure to secure each layer with straps or tie downs.

Interlocking stacking bins are useful for keeping items separated and stabilized. Just remember to evenly distribute weight so the load doesn’t shift in transit.

Use Space Savers

For odd-shaped objects like pipes, beams, cables, and lumber, use space saver straps to stabilize loads. The straps cinch around items, removing empty space so they stay tidy. This prevents shifting and wasted cubic feet.

Inflatable air bags are another space saver. Place them between items to stabilize the load. The bags inflate to fill gaps, helping maximize unused space in your truck bed.

Know Your Options for Oversized Loads

What if you need to carry an oversized item that exceeds your truck’s capacity? Before attempting to haul anything oversized:

• Check your state’s regulations on oversize loads. Most states require special permits.
• Make sure the item extends no more than several feet beyond your tailgate.
• Use red flags and reflective markers to mark the protruding ends.
• Drive slowly and carefully to avoid hazards.

Your best bet is having any extremely oversized items delivered. But trucks do provide some flexibility if you need to move that new sofa yourself.

Use Your Truck Cap or Topper

If your truck has a cap or topper, utilize that enclosed space to its full potential. It provides protection from the elements and extra lockable storage. Just be mindful of weight limits and avoid overloading up top.

Truck bed caps are also great for stacking lighter items like clothing, camping supplies, and equipment. Secure everything well and distribute weight evenly across both sides.

Apply Bed Rail Caps

Applying plastic bed rail caps is an inexpensive way to protect your truck bed. The ridged caps slide over the top of the bed rails to prevent damage.

The ribbed design also enables stacking items along the sides. Long equipment like fishing poles can be held in place by the ridges. Just be sure not to obstruct lights or your rear view.

Use a Headache Rack

A headache rack mounts above your truck cab to help with load support. It provides an extra tie-down point for securing large loads in the front of the bed.

Just be mindful that a rack takes up some capacity. Measure first to ensure you have enough depth for the rack and your cargo.

Divide Your Truck Bed into Sections

Adding a truck bed divider creates separate cargo areas, allowing you to haul more types of items.

Dividers are especially handy for work trucks carrying equipment, tools, and materials to job sites. You can keep everything organized in its own compartment.

Transport Long Items Safely

Loading long cargo like ladders, lumber, and pipes often requires letting them overhang your tailgate. Follow these tips for transporting long items:

• Make sure the overhang is moderate and does not exceed 3-4 feet.
• Use red or orange flags to mark the ends.
• Secure the item as best as you can to your truck bed.
• Drive slowly and give yourself extra stopping distance.
• If needed, have someone follow behind you to warn other drivers.

Be Creative with Custom Storage

Some truck owners build customized storage solutions using plywood, 2x4s and toolboxes. You can construct shelves, drawers, and compartments specifically tailored to your cargo needs.

Just be sure your storage is firmly secured, does not obstruct lighting, and balances weight appropriately. Take it slow on turns and braking until you get used to the customized setup.

Conclusion

With some clever loading techniques and the right accessories, you can maximize every inch of your pickup’s bed space. Always know the capacity of your truck, take measurements, distribute weight evenly, and secure loads properly.

By utilizing all the available space efficiently and safely, you will get the most versatility and functionality out of your hardworking pickup.