Must-Have Pickup Truck Accessories

Updated on Aug 10, 2023

Written by
 RealTruck Expert Team

People are always asking our customers services reps about their favorite products. After all, we live and breathe pickup trucks all day long. To give you some insight into some must-have products, we've compiled a list of a few of our employees' favorite products. We've opted to highlight underrated products that will make a huge difference in your daily life. Whether the truck is used for work or play, or perhaps it changes day to day, each one of these accessories is a must-have addition that will increase your truck's utility or lengthen its life.

1. BEDRUG FULL BED LINER

Recommended by: Chris King, Director of Marketing

Why Do You Love It?

The BedRug bed liner is one of my favorite products because it's super durable, made from water-resistant, mold-resistant, and wear-resistant plastic, while still tough enough to carry tools, dirt, gravel, mulch, and everything else I need to transport. My gear doesn't slide around, and my tools, toys, and projects aren't scratching and denting my truck bed. An occasional quick spray down with the hose or a little work with the vacuum is all the BedRug requires in return after extra-dirty chores.

The Bedrug Full Bed Liner protects your truck bed and makes clean up easier.

The Bedrug Full Bed Liner

Check out the BedRug Full Bed Liner in action

2. DEE ZEE TAILGATE ASSIST

Recommended by: Brian McElfresh, Director of Customer Acquisition

Why Do You Love It?

The DeeZee Tailgate Assist is certainly one of my favorites. It acts like a shock absorber for your tailgate as it glides into the open position. I often find myself with too much to carry, struggling to open the tailgate with no free hand to prevent it from slamming open. The Dee Zee Tailgate Assist prevents me from having to worry about any wear or damage to my tailgate when I open it. I don't have to bother being careful. It's an easy must-have for any truck owner.

The Dee Zee Tailgate Assist helps your tailgate glide into position.

The Dee Zee Tailgate Assist

Check out the Dee Zee Tailgate Assist in action

3. HUSKY LINERS X-ACT CONTOUR FLOOR LINERS

Recommended by: Matt Sather, Merchandising Manager

Why Do You Love It?

I need the Husky X-Act floor liners because of my two kids and our dog. They leave behind a ton of crumbs and mud, and the Husky X-Act Contour floor mats protect the carpet. Whether a juice box spills or an entire hamburger hits the floor, I have 100 percent confidence in the Husky mats to protect the carpet and contain the mess. Raised edges keep everything contained within the mat itself, and grooves ensure that your feet stay dry - and the liners stay non-slip - by keeping liquid in those channels until you can clean your mat.

Husky Liners X-act Contour Floor Mats keep spills off your carpet.

Husky Liners X-act Contour Floor Mats

Check out the Husky Liners X-act Contour Floor Liners in action

4. BESTOP TREKSTEP TAILGATE STEP

Recommended by: Dustin Carstenn, Brand Manager

Why Do You Love It?

If you use your truck to transport items daily, you know how tiring it can be to keep crawling in and out of your truck bed. This is why one of my first purchases was the Bestop TrekStep. This retractable bed step cut the distance from the ground to my tailgate and has made it so much easier to step in and out for access tools or materials. I no longer have to worry about carrying around a step ladder and forgetting it at the hardware store after loading my truck, and I never have to worry about painfully crawling into the bed again. My knees thank me for this upgrade.

Bestop TrekStep Tailgate Steps make it easier to load items into the truck bed

Bestop TrekStep Tailgate Step

Check out the Bestop Trekstep in action.

5. POP & LOCK GATE DEFENDER

Recommended by: Mark Ellis, Brand Manager

Why Do You Love It?

So you purchased a new truck and all you can think about is what you are going to buy for it next. The very first accessory should be the Pop & Lock Gate Defender. Tailgates are stolen everyday! I speak from personal experience. The price of tailgates ranges from $1,000 to $6,000 (depending on year, make, and model), but spending $40 on a Gate Defender will save you time, money, and the hassle of dealing with the insurance company.

The Pop Lock Gate Defender can prevent your tailgate from being stolen -- like Mark's!

Pop & Lock Gate Defender in locked position

See how easy it is to install the Gate Defender.

6. SWING CASE TRUCK BED TOOL BOX

Recommended by: Brian McElfresh, Director of Customer Acquisition

Why Do You Love It?

The Undercover Swing Case is a great way to organize your truck bed. It fits perfectly in my truck bed, swings out easily, and can be removed quickly if you need the extra space. The best part? It locks with a key, giving my cargo extra security.

I've been able to use the Swing Case to hold drinks/ice/snacks while tailgating before a football game. Everything remains secure and it does not get in the way of my tonneau cover. It is also great for organizing and protecting valuable tools or other items that would otherwise float around in the truck bed.

The Undercover Swing Case Truck Bed Tool Box is easy to access and stores your essentials

Undercover Swing Case Truck Bed Tool Box

See the Undercover Swing Case in action.

7. ACCESS EXTENDABLE CARGO EZ RETRIEVER

Recommended by: Matt Sather, Merchandising Manager

Why Do You Love It?

I'm a big fan of the EZ Retriever and keep it in the bed of my truck. It's a simple product that takes up almost no room and makes life a whole lot easier. Sometimes the last thing I want to do is get up into the bed of the truck. When you're tired and you see that one last item sitting in the very back of your truck bed, the EZ Retriever is the best. This tool might not be the product for you (who knows, maybe you can still jump up onto your tailgate), but I guarantee there's someone in your life who will think this product is perfect for them, like your dad!

An Access EZ Retriever makes it easy to pull items out of the bed

An Access EZ Retriever

Check out the Access Extendable Cargo EZ Retriever in action

8. ARIES SEAT DEFENDER

Recommended by: Chris King, Director of Marketing

Why Do You Love It?

Have you ever draped a towel over your seat to "protect" your truck from your sweat and dirt? Most of us have. It's not ideal: the towel is too small, slides around, soaks through if you're really sweaty or wet, or you just don't have one because you're not in the habit of keeping towels in your truck. It's like a bad infomercial.

I keep a Seat Defender under the back seat for just such occasions. They slide right over the headrest and in about 5 seconds you've got a waterproof seat cover that covers the whole seat, doesn't slide around, and when I'm home I just give it a shake and fold it up for next time. No worries about getting the truck seats dirty or wet. No cleaning afterwards. They just work.

Aries Seat Defenders keep your pickup seats protected and clean

An Aries Seat Defender

Check out the features on Aries Seat Defender seat covers.

9. DU-HA UNDER SEAT STORAGE

Recommended by: Dustin Carstenn, Brand Manager

Why Do You Love It?

I carry around a lot of tools and other miscellaneous items for emergency or work-related use, and my back seat is left cluttered and dirty. I saw the DU-HA Under Seat Storage container and immediately knew I had to have it. It's got several dividers that keep cargo organized and out of the way of passengers using the back seat. Its dividers can even act as a gun rack!

DU-HA Under Seat Storage

DU-HA Under Seat Storage helps keep important items and tools tucked out of sight

See how easy it is to add DU-HA Underseat Storage to your truck.

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