More than 15 million people in the US head out into the fields, valleys, mountains, and bush to hunt every year. It’s an incredibly popular pastime, and if you count yourself as a hunter, whether avid or novice, there’s also a great chance your truck is joining you on your adventures.
Your truck plays a huge part in a successful hunt, helping you access the land and transport your gear and – hopefully, at least – bring your quarry home. Equip your truck with the right gear to give you the best odds of success. These top hunting accessories for trucks will do just that.
Tonneau For Cargo Protection
A typical hunter invests in thousands of dollars of gear, and keeping it out in the open isn’t the best of ideas. Whether to protect your camo clothing, hunting tools, coolers, cases, or any other equipment you need, a tonneau cover is an excellent investment. Not only are most tonneau covers lockable to keep your stuff away from prying eyes and sticky fingers, but they keep it out of the elements.
The Smittybilt Bed Guard Folding Tonneau Cover is a great option for most makes and models. It’s designed to be an exact fit and can install in as little as 30 minutes. Three hard sections are hinged together for fast, easy access, and it mounts securely without drilling onto the bed rails with clamps. The aluminum panels are strong and corrosion resistant, painted black for a classy look, and keep your truck bed secure if you have a tailgate lock. And to keep your gear dry, drainage tubes snake into existing drain holes in the bed.
Another great option is the Retrax RetraxPRO XR Tonneau Cover. It’s a retractable cover with options to fit popular makes and models in common bed lengths. The cover is designed to fully retract at the front of the bed and has been improved so there aren’t any springs or moving parts to fail. The rolling aluminum panel can also bear some weight, so it acts as a second layer to carry additional cargo, and most T-slot accessories can be used along with the cover.
Add Additional Storage in Your Truck
Can there ever be enough storage inside your truck? These aren’t mandatory hunter truck accessories, but they sure do make life easier and organized.
An underseat storage box can be just what you need to keep your hunting equipment from rolling around the floor. A Rough Country under seat storage compartment can contain your recovery gear and straps or keep your spotting scope from getting bounced around. If you’re inclined to lock your equipment up, there are plenty of options with keyed locks to choose from. This Tuffy Under Rear Seat Lockbox is crafted from durable steel and has the benefit of weather seals, although there’s not a lot of rain or snow to expect in the backseat. It can be quickly and easily removed if you want to regain that space, and the mounting system doesn’t leave any holes behind.
Holsters for Your Hunting Tools
Some areas have strict regulations for carrying and storing firearms. In other states, not so much. The last thing you want is your firearm or rifle taken from your vehicle, which is not only a safety issue but the end of your hunting trip. 4 Wheel Parts has options for storing your gun the way you want.
If you need lockable storage, your under seat compartment can perform double duty. The DU-HA Underseat Cab Storage has a lockable lid.
Another great solution is the ability to add the DU-HA Humpstor Rifle Rack in the truck bed that holds scoped rifles in a supported way. The gun rack has room for two firearms too. It mounts over the wheel well, hence the hump in Humpstor, maximizing your cargo space inside.
Of course, there’s always the option to use a sling behind the seats to hold your rifles where they can be accessed quickly. Or, a mount by the rear window could be a great solution. If you aren’t keeping your rifles and shotguns in a locked storage container, it’s always advised to use a trigger lock for safety.
What Type of Suspension is Best?
Hunting truck accessories often focus on camouflage, security, or storage. But what about gearing up your truck to reach your hunting spot? The right suspension system is crucial for getting through the washed-out backcountry roads or crossing mile after mile of rocky terrain. Even cutting across a field can be more trouble than you expect.
A lift kit adds extra clearance under your chassis and gives you the option of adding oversized tires too. Manufacturers like Pro Comp offer lift kits from around two inches to six or even seven inches. The increased wheel travel can ensure you don’t get hung up on unexpected ruts or rocks, and the increased quality of components will help prevent broken suspension parts while you’re out in the field. Even if you’re only going off-road occasionally, a small lift kit is a good idea. The on-road handling also improves with high-quality kits.
If a full suspension lift kit isn’t in the cards for this hunting season, at least consider changing out your factory shock absorbers for a set that’s more attuned to the rough ground. Pro Comp has the PRO-VST 2.5 Shock series that has an additional 2.5 inches of damping capacity and is tuned for the best off-roading possible.
The fall and winter seasons are a great time to be an outdoorsperson, but your truck needs to be as well equipped as you are. Shop at 4 Wheel Parts to find the gear and accessories to make your hunt a success.
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