Pickup Truck rookie.
1Of all of the vehicles I've owned the past twenty years of driving, I've never owned a pickup truck. Convertible, sedan, coupe, SUV, minivan, wagon, but no pickup. That all changed this weekend. I need help.
I need a tonneau cover and I'm cheap. Please post suggestions!
*Where can I find some sort of a box/cargo thing that will make groceries and stuff easy to manage?* Preferably something that will work with the above mentioned cover.
Thanks for solving all my problems, @pavlov.
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For the cover - that depends on your truck. Prices and options can vary pretty widely depending on the model.
For a cheap easy solution to groceries... a tote and a bungee cord is pretty cheap and easy.
google bed covers in autoparts on craiglist. I gotta century $1000 fiberglass cover for $400 for my silverado
They're milk crates. I use a spring tension rod cargo ($15 ar harbor freight) holder to keep mine up against the tailgate. Also keeps the lawnmower gas can from flipping all over.
@cranky1950 I second this. Those spring tension rods are great, although I went through two harbor freight ones in less than a year since they kept breaking on me. Probably a combination of my misuse and my bed liner not being a good mounting surface. Tie all the plastic bag handles closed and use the rod to keep them kind of secure. A 2x4 cut to the right size to fit built in slots in the bed or bed liner also works to keep groceries in place. For teanneu covers for security and fuel economy I like Roll-N-Lock since they are hard aluminum that rolls up, and are lockable, and they lock the tailgate also. I bought mine used and put it on a brand new truck and it only cost a few hundred. Some other truck owners have complained to me that they think the Roll-N-Lock design uses up too much bed space, however I think the security and look is worth it.
Put your grocery bags/boxes up toward the cab, they'll be fine. A bungee cord or rope is a big help.
I always just load groceries (and other small items) up in the cab. Shove most of them in the back (much easier with a 4 door) and any extra ride up front. Which is why I prefer to drive the car when I go grocery shopping.
I had a pickup for a few years. Hubby dropped in a 2x4 across the bed as a fence to keep small things close to the tailgate (like grocery bags). I think the bedliner had slots to hold it? Either way, it kept stuff in place, and only took a few seconds to pop out and toss in the bed if I had something big to carry.
Edit - the tension rod @cranky1950 is a store bought version. Same concept. I never had milk crates, but this was the days of paper grocery bags. Always tie the tops of plastic bags shut. Trust me.
CRAIGSLIST! there are usually tons of used truck stuff listed there. tool boxes and/or luggage compartments especially. I don't know how big your cabin is but a larger box will be nice to have if you travel much or even a little with a family. Its nice to have a place to put luggage and not worry about the rain.
When I got my pickup, I debated with myself for a while on whether to get a cap or not.
I got a SoftTopper*, and have never regretted it. -It's easy to put on when I want it, and easy to store hanging on the garage wall when I don't.
*There are other brands are out there, and I'm sure are just as good)
@zachdecker thanks ZD! Welcome to the forum!
I upgraded my old F150 supercab to a F150 crewcab with a 6.5 ft box (took forever to find one with the bigger box) I can flip up the back seats and load up on groceries and yet still have useable size bed for hauling my toys around :) Plus getting kids out of a supercab was getting old quick.
@StrangerDanger mine is a Ram 1500 Crew Cab short box. I plan on using the bed for not much more than a big trunk. I'm shocked how much room is in the rear seating area.
I have a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab with a 6.5' bed, and I have this tonneau cover which I'm quite fond of! I also have this tool box which I really like! I keep one side filled with assorted tools, a tow strap, and jumper cables (the responsibilities of a truck owner!), and I keep an umbrella stroller and some rope and other things in the other half.
I typically throw groceries in the passenger seat or back seat if I'm by myself, but if I have the wife and kids with me then I use a cargo bar that I got cheap at Walmart the keep things from sliding too far in the bed of the truck (I keep things near the tailgate, since the cover keeps them from flying away). I couldn't find a link to the one I got for around $15 or $20, but while searching I found this one for a little more money that I like much more than mine!! If I had it to do again I'd buy this!
Also, I don'e remember if I had a coupon or something when I got my cover.. but I paid $265 for it and it looks like it's $30 more than that now.
I use one of my recycling bins for groceries. It also has convenient carrying handles.
Unless you are towing and need a truck, why the hell would you get a 6.5' box? The only thing I've ever needed a truck for in my entire life that an suv or van couldn't do was 4x8' sheets of whatever.
Yes, I got a full size washer AND a full size washer in my SUV with the doors and windows all closed. So moving appliances is not a good answer.
@givemeyoursoul Should I list the following things I hauled with my 6.5 foot bed over the last 6 months? 2 couches, my ATV, 6 foot table (I move it a lot), picnic table, snow blower, mulch (not in bags). These are just off the top of my head.
@givemeyoursoul There is a vehicle for everyone. I once saw an article about why we should ban trucks and SUV except for farming and renting to move stuff. I live in Buffalo, a truck or 4x4 is crucial to get through the snow. I camp a lot and ride dirtbikes and avt less often then I like but still do. I live ouside of the city so getting home a used snowblower, wooden playset or even loads of mulch, it's needed. 4.5ft box is good for some people but most that have the small box use the vehicle as a people hauler.
I often carry things in my truck that wouldn't work in an SUV or a car easily...like my son's JS550 standup Jetski, my 9' Surfjet (Jet powered surfboard), sheets of plywood, 3+ mountain bikes, etc etc