{"id":11164,"date":"2021-12-17T08:42:28","date_gmt":"2021-12-17T08:42:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/?p=11164"},"modified":"2021-12-17T08:42:29","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T08:42:29","slug":"what-are-practical-upgrades-for-farm-truck","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/what-are-practical-upgrades-for-farm-truck\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Practical Upgrades For Farm Truck?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A truck really is one of the most useful and versatile pieces of equipment you can have for working on a farm. It\u2019s great, not only for getting you out to the farthest parts of your land but for carrying the tools and equipment you need. Having a truck<\/a> may seem like common sense, but how you kit it out can make a huge difference to its usefulness. What practical upgrades can you make to a farm truck? Let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are The Best Farm Truck Accessories?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When you get a new truck, the dealer will most likely offer you a raft of optional extras, but which are really worth the money? Here are some of the options worth considering, or if your truck is second hand, adding for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BED LINER<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The bed of your truck can quickly get banged up if it\u2019s not protected. Scratches, dents, and deeper gouges are not only unsightly but they allow rust to start forming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are various options available to help protect the bed of your farm truck and help it to look good and last longer. We will start with the least expensive options first:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paint on or spray-on<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There are various options available that are inexpensive and reasonably durable such as Rust-Oleum\u2019s truck bed coating<\/a>, or Raptor Black<\/a> that comes in a handy kit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They come in two kinds, either spray on or paint on. They are generally easy to apply and provide a waterproof, tough, grippy surface that not only protects from weather damage but also provides a durable grippy surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because they are bonded directly to the surface there is no risk of water becoming trapped underneath and causing rust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main downside to these types of coatings is that over time they will wear off, they don\u2019t protect against dents and they can be very messy and smelly to apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plywood D.I.Y.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

You can fit a liner yourself, by simply putting in a custom cut sheet of marine ply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s best to apply a paint-on protector underneath the ply to give added protection, but the plywood will stop dents and is easy to replace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The biggest downside is that it doesn\u2019t have a really long lifespan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plastic liners<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Almost all truck manufacturers offer model-specific plastic drop-in liners. There are some other companies that also provide aftermarket ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They do a great job of protecting against scratches and dents, but water can get trapped under them increasing the likelihood of rust. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the plastic liner becomes cracked, it\u2019s difficult to fix and will probably require replacement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carpet<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Yep, you read that right, a specially made carpet from Bedrug, a US-based firm lets you put a nice carpet in the bed of your truck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It isn\u2019t quite as crazy as it sounds, as the tough properties of this polypropylene rug are resistant to all kinds of substances, including grease, oil, and even some corrosives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are easy to clean too, as you simply pressure wash or vacuum them. Because they are non-absorbent they dry in approximately 20 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The manufacturer states that the carpet acts as cushioning against impact, prevents your load from sliding about, and is softer on your knees…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available in several options, plus floor mats, it is stuck to the bed using adhesive Velcro strips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Custom Chequer plate<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re after some real heavy-duty liner, then you won\u2019t be able to beat a custom-fitted metal chequer plate.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some manufacturers offer a single-piece, laser-cut, and welded that simply drops into place, much like the plastic liners do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An added bonus is that you can also have additional hooks, mounting plates and sockets included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are waterproof and will last the entire life of your truck. The only real downside is the added weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BED TOPPERS OR TONNEAU<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

No, I\u2019m not talking about a lovely soft squashy mattress topper for your bed here, but a cover that goes over the bed of your truck to protect it and any cargo you place there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a wide variety of different styles available. As with the bed liners, these are usually available from the manufacturer of your truck and fit almost seamlessly, blending perfectly with your cab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re getting your truck second-hand, you may not have the option of a topper from the manufacturer (or the budget) so, what other options do you have available?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re handy, then you could opt to make your own from plywood. A word of warning here, however, if they aren\u2019t properly secured, your wooden masterpiece will simply catch in the wind and fly off, potentially causing a serious accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What else should you consider?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n