Truck accessory update

Jan. 1, 2002
TRUCK ACCESSORY DISTRIBUTORS got an eyeful at the annual Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week in Las Vegas. Approximately 70,000 people, including attendees

TRUCK ACCESSORY DISTRIBUTORS got an eyeful at the annual Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week in Las Vegas.

Approximately 70,000 people, including attendees from 124 foreign countries, participated in the two trade shows: the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) and the SEMA•ITE show that comprise the annual Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week.

While primarily aimed at automotive markets, the show also included a wide range of introductions of truck accessories and light-duty truck equipment.

Here are some of the truck-oriented products that the crowds saw:

X-tra Lift from Stellar Industries gives the term “pickup” an additional dimension. The lifting device fits inside the pickup box to lift approximately 1,320 pounds. It is hydraulically and electrically powered, invented by Rinspeed Inc of Switzerland and manufactured by Stellar in Garner IA. (www.stellar-industries.com).

QuickChange commercial fleet pickup service module is designed to fit any full-size pickup, says Lynn Stockman. The 91" × 71" module reaches to the floor of the pickup box in order to provide support for the top-mounted toolboxes and to protect the interior walls of the pickup. The module includes a front compartment designed to house a Champion HGR6-3 air compressor, two front section tool compartments, and two rear section tool compartments. The IMT lift-gate has 1,000-pound capacity. It is a product of Iowa Mold Tooling Company, Garner IA.

Personal utility plow requires no hydraulics or electricity. Frame is attached to a front-mounted receiver hitch. Blade is held in one of two positions — raised or lowered. Push frame holds the blade above the road surface. However, when the blade is manually lowered as Rick Rowe demonstrates, it is free to slide up and down with changes in terrain. The Snowsport personal utility plow is a product of Agri-Cover Inc, Jamestown ND. (www.mysnowsport.com).

Detachable lift platform fits on a Class 4 receiver hitch, yet it has the capacity to lift up to 800 pounds. Electric motor mounted on the top of the Lift Pro runs off the vehicle's battery simply by plugging into the lighter/accessory plug. It is a product of Hitch Things Inc, Chambersburg PA. (www.hitchthings.com)

Tailgate loading system has a 60" × 24" platform capable of lifting 660 pounds. By using existing holes, the LycoLoader can be installed without drilling new holes in the pickup. The LycoLoader is manufactured in Australia and distributed in the US from a distribution center located in Fredricksburg TX. (www.lycoloader.com)

Bumper crane lifts 750 pounds, says Paul Jarvis with Grablock Inc, Bolton ON. The crane can be assembled or disassembled in three minutes or less. Shipping weight is 72 pounds. (www.hitchhoist.com)

Quick installation and removal is the idea behind the QuickRack truck rack produced by QuickRack Inc, Phoenix AZ. The three-section rack slips beneath the side rails of the pickup box and bolts into place. The three sections have been tested with loads of 1,500 pounds.

Four new racks for pickups were introduced by ProRack LLC, Chowchilla CA, says Chris Green. All are designed for 6-ft pickup boxes, are mounted without cutting or drilling, and can be dismounted and disassembled in 10 minutes or less. One of the racks, the Tradesman, can carry 4" × 8" sheets of building materials. (www.prorack.com)

Truck storage chest with Tracker System from Geneva Manufacturing, South Elgin IL, is a large chest-style toolbox that stores behind the cab but moves to the rear of the pickup box for easier access. It is designed for full-size trucks and vans. (www.genevaproducts.net)

Sliding toolbox rolls to the end of the pickup box for easy access — even when the pickup box is equipped with tonneau cover. Toolbox mounts to rails and not to the box itself and can go above the rails (leaving the floor of the pickup box free) or below the rails to retain visibility. Rick Clonan demonstrates for Slide Systems LLC, Syracuse NY. (www.slidesystems.com).

X-Tender Drawer from OSEA Products is designed to fit pickups and SUVs. Main rails are made of steel, with standard decks made of polyethylene. OSEA Products is located in Wilkes Barre PA. (www.x-tenderdrawers.com).

TailRail from Blackhawk Manufacturing, Bloomington CA, serves several functions — tailgate protector, a roller for loading long materials (with the table up or down), and a rotating handle for raising or lowering the tailgate.

Hauler Bed from J & J Enterprises, Ontario CA, is an upscale way of pulling a trailer with a Ford F-450 or F-550. It is equipped with stainless steel bumper, tie-down rails, and optional headache rack. Options include 22,000-lb fifthwheel hitch, Class 5 receiver hitch, Fleetco air-ride suspension system, and lighted tailgate insert. (www.j-jent.com)

SlickBed converts a flat-floor pickup box into one capable of towing a gooseneck trailer. It is held in place at the rear by a standard receiver hitch and by a single bolt at the front. It is a product of Convert-A-Ball, Sidney NE.

Power Glider 16K is a new fifthwheel designed for pickup truck installations. Among its features are a one-piece wrap-around, double-spring-loaded jaw designed to hold the trailer without rattles and a visual indicator that is activated when the kingpin is fully inserted. It is manufactured by Valley Industries, Lodi CA. (www.valleyindustries.com)

Midship fuel tanks are compatible with diesel- and gas-powered General Motors trucks. The 56-gallon tanks, made of aluminized steel, mount inside the frame rails. Designed to meet all federal and state emissions regulations, the tanks are manufactured by Transfer Flow, Inc, Chico CA. (www.transferflow.com)

Upholstery for commercial vans? Interior protection kits designed for fleet vans are produced by Wise Industries, Old Hickory TN. They include non-woven cargo liner bonded to automotive fiberboard for both sidewalls, side and rear door panels, headliner, D-pillar trim panels, rear wheel well covers, and fuel filler covers. Kits can be used in conjunction with items such as shelving, partitions, and E-track. (www.wiseindustries.com).

Truck Mobility Package combines a hinged pickup cap and Bruno Out-Rider wheelchair lift with off-road-equipped Toyota Tundra 4 × 4. Glasstite Raven cap is powered up and down by the Bruno Pow'r Topper hoist. Bruno Independent Living Aids is located in Oconomowoc WI. (www.bruno.com).

Swing-out cargo carrier offers additional carrying capacity while also providing easy access to the vehicle, as Ryan Cox demonstrates. The Stowaway 2 mounts with a standard receiver hitch. It is made by Ironwood Pacific, Lake Oswego OR. (www.stowaway2.com)

Bull-nose bumper fits Ford, GM, and Dodge full-size trucks. It comes standard with receiver tube and a choice of black gloss or the black hammertone. It is a product of Ranch Hand Truck Accessories, Boerne TX. (www.ranchhand.com)

Bed Bonez allow long cargo in a short pickup. Capable of being stored in the pickup box or behind the seat, these aluminum extrusions extend past the floor of the pickup to hold sheets of drywall or other materials. Vertical stops at the end of the horizontal extrusions keep sheets stacked neatly. Representing Bed Bonez LLC, Woodland Hills CA, is Paul Terrusa.

Prototype rack, made of stainless steel, has a 500-lb capacity. Mark Tremblay and Marshall Bennett display the rack for Vanguard Manufacturing, New Ipswich NH. (www.vanguardtruckracks.com).

Recent improvements have made Better Built industrial toolboxes built even better. Among the changes: wire form striker, latch that doubles as a brace, dual-action rotary latches, aluminum powder-coated tray, and a new lid design with dual c-channel braces. Clint Daws II represents the manufacturer — Daws Manufacturing, Pensacola FL. (www.dawsbetterbuilt.com).

Underbody box combines polyurethane and diamond plate. It is produced by Unique Truck Accessories, Sturgis MI, says Vanessa McDonald. (www.uniquetruckaccessories.com).

Flip-down step provides easier access to pickups and SUVs. The Flip-Step from Nu-Tec Designs, Redmond WA, is mounted simply by inserting it into a standard receiver hitch. Connecting it to existing trailer lighting enables the step to double as an additional brake and running light. Marie Lincoln says it comes complete with wiring. (www.flipstep.com)