How do I organize my pickup bed?

Having an organized pickup bed can make hauling and accessing items much easier. Here are some tips for organizing your pickup bed efficiently.

Use Bed Dividers

Bed dividers or rails are a great way to section off parts of your bed for different purposes. You can use them to keep items from sliding around or to separate types of cargo. For example, you could have one divider to hold tools and another to contain bags of mulch. Dividers come in different heights, materials like steel or aluminum, and configurations to suit your needs.

Advantages of Bed Dividers

• Prevent items from shifting around during transport
• Keep different loads separated
• Can help contain smaller items so they don’t get lost in the bed
• Some have slots, hooks, nets etc. to hold specific items
• Provide an organized look to the bed

Disadvantages of Bed Dividers

• Take up some bed space
• Can make accessing some parts of the bed trickier
• Adding and removing them takes some time and effort

Use a Bed Mat

A bed mat goes nicely with dividers, providing protection for your truck bed. Rubber mats shield against dents, rust, and scratches. They also help keep cargo from sliding around. Some key benefits:

• Durable protection for bed
• Non-slip surface helps anchor cargo
• Easy to remove and clean
• Waterproof barrier against spills
• Helps prevent noise from cargo moving around

Things to Look for in a Bed Mat

• Precise fit for your truck bed size
• Sturdy, thick material (often rubber)
• Ribbed or other textured surface for grip
• Lightweight for easy handling
• Water drainage channels

Install Toolboxes

Toolboxes mount on your bed rails and provide organized storage for tools, hardware, and other small items. They keep things secure, clean, and easily accessible. Toolboxes come in many styles, including:

• Crossover: Mounted on both bed sides
• Side mount: Mounted on one bed side
• Chest: Resides inside the bed itself
• Drawer system: Pull-out drawers for access
• Top mount: Mounts above bed rails
• Underbody: Mounts underneath the truck

Toolbox Tips

• Look for tough, weather-resistant materials like stainless steel
• Make sure it locks securely
• Consider interior organization systems
• Get a toolbox sized appropriately for your needs
• Match the style to your truck

Use Cargo Nets

Cargo nets are handy for securing smaller, irregularly shaped items in your truck bed. They attach to built-in rail tie-downs or hook mounts. Cargo nets help by:

• Keeping cargo contained in the bed
• Preventing smaller items from shifting around
• Allowing you to stack items vertically
• Securing awkwardly shaped loads
• Creating more usable space

Items like sports gear, tools, and gardening supplies can fit nicely into a well-placed cargo net.

Cargo Net Tips

• Look for tough bungee cord netting
• Make sure hooks or straps will fit your truck
• Consider side nets forlonger items like fishing rods
• Use multiple nets to section off areas
• Avoid overloading – distribute weight evenly

Use a Tonneau Cover

Tonneau covers mount over the truck bed, protecting cargo from weather and theft. When not needed, the cover can roll up or retract. Benefits include:

• Shield cargo from rain, snow, wind
• Provide lockable, secure storage
• Help prevent theft
• Allow for some cargo to remain in place
• Improve gas mileage slightly

Tonneau Cover Considerations

• Hard covers offer the most protection
• Soft covers are lighter, versatile
• Roll up covers are easy to open partially
• Retractable covers have a canister housing
• Check mounting system fits your truck

Use the Cab

In addition to the bed itself, use the interior cab of the truck to store items that need extra protection from weather and dust. For example:

• Tools
• Electronic equipment
• Important documents
• Work gloves
• First aid supplies

The cab provides security and simple access to these items. Just be sure not to block visibility or impair driving.

Cab Storage Spaces

• Glove compartment
• Door pockets
• Center console
• Seatback pouches
• Under seat storage
• Overhead compartment

Use Cargo Racks

Cargo racks sit over the bed rails, providing additional storage space. They are good for larger items that won’t fit elsewhere in the bed. Pros of cargo racks include:

• Increase usable cargo capacity
• Help transport bulky items like lumber
• Allow stacking items on top of bed
• Some fold down when not needed
• Can assist with tying down oversized loads

Cargo Rack Tips

• Check weight limits before overloading
• Measure carefully to get right fit for truck
• Lock or remove racks when not in use
• Use anti-rattle devices to minimize noise
• Consider retractable versions to lower profile when needed

Use the Tailgate

That tailgate isn’t just for sitting on at a tailgate party. It also provides a handy work surface for your truck bed. You can use your lowered tailgate to:

• Extend the usable length of truck bed
• Transport long items like lumber or ladders
• Provide a work table area for sawing, cleaning fish, etc.
• Improve access to items stored deeper in the bed
• Hold tools and supplies while working out of truck

Tailgate Tips

• Install tie-down hooks to help secure cargo
• Get a rubber mat for cushion and grip
• Don’t overload the tailgate
• Support long loads hanging off the end
• Make sure to latch it securely when driving

Conclusion

Organizing your pickup truck bed helps optimize the space for hauling and storing cargo. Dividers, mats, toolboxes and other accessories all allow you to separate items and transport them more securely. Think about your common cargo needs and choose solutions that make accessing and loading your truck bed as efficient as possible.

Solution	Benefits
Bed dividers	Separate cargo, prevent shifting
Bed mat	Protects bed, provides grip
Toolboxes	Secure, organized storage
Cargo nets	Restrain smaller loose items
Tonneau cover	Protection from weather/theft
Cab storage	Utilize interior spaces
Cargo racks	Increase usable capacity
Tailgate	Extends bed work area