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Memorial Day and Trucks: Top Sales, Upgrades, and Activities

Updated on Jun 25, 2025

As Memorial Day approaches, it's time to prepare for a day off, the associated sales, and a long weekend's worth of your favorite outdoor truck activities. However, you can't forget where the holiday comes from and why we celebrate it. As you revel in a day of four-wheeling, tailgating, or camping, don't forget to thank those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

In this RealSource feature, we're discussing the favorite holiday of veterans, outdoorspersons, and deal seekers—Memorial Day. Learn more about the holiday, its perks, and our top recommended activities for the long weekend.

Table of Contents:

What is Memorial Day?

Why Do We Observe Memorial Day?

When is Memorial Day?

Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day with Your Truck

What Is Memorial Day?

a flag in a field with the sun in the distance

Before diving into perks, it's important to remember why we celebrate each year. Memorial Day is a national holiday that, although commonly associated with a long weekend and time off from work and school, holds a far deeper meaning. Especially to active and retired military service members and the families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance.

Why Do We Observe Memorial Day?

a grave stone marker shaped like an old pickup truck

Memorial Day originated during the Civil War era, when a group of ex-Union soldiers and sailors, led by General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, declared May 30, 1868, as a day to decorate the graves of fallen Union soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. Today, Memorial Day is celebrated across the country as a federal holiday, which gives government employees, school children, and most other Americans the day off from obligations to honor fallen military service members.

When Is Memorial Day?

Calendar for May 2025 with U.S. flag. Sundays in red, Saturdays in blue. May 26 highlighted.

While Memorial Day doesn't fall on the same date yearly, it's always celebrated on the last Monday of May. This holiday gives Americans a three-day weekend to celebrate, kick off warm weather that'll soon become Summer, and honor past service members. Due to the pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, most Americans spend Memorial Day weekend outdoors, camping, boating, and enjoying the weather.

Memorial Day Sales and Perks

Blue Chevrolet pickup truck in desert with mountain background, promoting Memorial Day deals.

Each year, numerous businesses, particularly in the automotive sector, offer substantial sales in celebration of Memorial Day. From automakers and dealerships to aftermarket manufacturers, Memorial Day is often one of the best times to purchase or upgrade a vehicle. Keep an eye on RealTruck as well—we typically offer sizable discounts on some of our top-name products, such as tonneau covers and steps.

Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day with Your Truck

Once Memorial Day rolls around, there's no better way to spend the holiday than an outdoor excursion with your RealTruck-modified truck. Check out some of our favorite ways to incorporate your truck into the long weekend.

Tailgating

People serving food at an outdoor barbecue gathering.

If you can secure a ticket to your favorite sporting event, set up in the parking lot for the ultimate Memorial Day weekend tailgate. Get inspiration for your build from our first Trucket List giveaway, where RealTruck, alongside KC Chiefs' tight end Travis Kelce, worked together to build the ultimate tailgate truck for a worthy firefighter.

To optimize your tailgating setup, consider outfitting your truck with accessories like bed steps, tonneau covers, coolers, hitch grilles, and more.

Off-Roading

White Jeep Gladiator truck crossing a rocky creek in a fall forest.

Travel off the beaten path this Memorial Day weekend with RealTruck's off-roading accessories. We carry all the parts and upgrades you'll need to transform your truck, Jeep®, or Bronco into an adventure-ready off-road machine, including lift kits, wheels and tires, off-road lights, and body protection.

Truck Camping

There's nothing like loading up the truck, trekking to your favorite campsite, and spending a relaxing weekend among the trees. Truck camping is one of our top recommended activities for the long weekend, especially if you can bring the family along.

Regardless of your truck camping configuration, whether a simple truck bed tent or an elaborate bed rack and roof tent setup, get outdoors this Memorial Day with your favorite truck camping accessories from RealTruck.

Overlanding

A cargo bed with a white fuel container and small shovel on a blue vehicle outdoors.

If you're caught between the previous two activities, why not combine them by embarking on an overland excursion this Memorial Day? Overlanding involves loading an off-road-capable rig with all the necessary tools, gear, food, and camping equipment to embark on a journey into the wilderness. Once you've reached your remote campsite, enjoy an evening under the stars with little to no light pollution.

For inspiration on the ideal overland build, check out our Toyota Tundra Overland build series, where we transform a 2016 Toyota Tundra into a capable overlander.