Article Advise

submitted: Jul 15th 2008 | by: JasonLancaster | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 548 | |

The typical pickup truck is an extremely practical vehicle, especially when it comes to hauling cargo. However, some people often carry bulky gear that doesn't always fit snugly between the walls of their truck's box. It might be furniture, lawnmowers, motorcycles, or pallets of wood - anything bulky that could be damaged by too much movement from side to side. Most newer pickups are outfitted with cutouts and tie-downs that allow for ropes and chains to be attached, but they are positioned at very fixed locations, and it's not always easy or convenient to use them.

Putco has come up with a solution that is both stylish and useful. They offer a line of side rails that are designed to stretch the length of your truck bed. These rails are simple to install and come in a variety of designs. Made out of chromed stainless steel, they are not only strong but they look great too.

The rails are easy to install with simple hand tools, and anchor into your truck`s existing tie-down cutouts. There are two curved anchors and a long steel bar, which you join together. Once this is done, simply place the anchors atop the cutouts, and tighten the mounting bar from the top using an Allan key. The rails feature no visible clamps, and there is a rubber gasket which goes between the rail and your pain to prevent scuffing or scratching.

The basic Putco locker side rails have a simple steel tube which has a cutout at each anchor end for more involved tying. They can hold up to 1000 pounds, which is more than enough for most hauling. You can also upgrade to 2.5 inch tubing with the same design if you feel you need a heftier look, but these 'Boss' railings, as Putco calls them, only hold 500 pounds.

If you need to have more tie-downs without cluttering your truck's bed rails, Putco Pop Up Lockers are worth a shot. 4 hidden tie-downs rated at 500 pounds lie along a railing that can be "popped" up when you need it, and which looks solid otherwise, without even the openings at the anchor points found on the standard model.

If you don't really need a tie-down but like the look of them anyways, the Putco SSR Locker is a great accessory for you. It adds a lot of shine because of its chrome construction, but won't overwhelm your truck like wheel well flares will, which compete with truck's wheels for visual attention because they're so close together. Adding chrome where none was will give a better effect.

If you find yourself frequently climbing in and out of your truck bed, especially in wet conditions when bed liners or bare steel are extra slippery, you might get a lot of benefit out of adding bed side rails, which make excelling hand grips. They're also useful for leverage when reaching over the side of the truck bed to the cargo floor. Their main disadvantage is that they make it impossible to use a tonneau cover. However, that may not have been an option anyways, if you're used to hauling large gear. Putco side rails are fairly inexpensive, with a going rate of about $200. They're a great way to jazz up your truck's look, and offer a practical edge too.

About the Author

The author Jason Lancaster operates TundraHeadquarters.com, a website with information, news, and reviews of Toyota Tundra accessories and Tundra parts.

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