Several different reasons exist for truck accessories. Some truck accessories make work easier; others are simply for decorative or entertainment purposes. Many truck owners are unaware of truck accessories basics. They buy their vehicles without knowledge of the full potential of the truck.

If you sell truck accessories, keep a truck with accessories readily available for customers to try out. Many people do not realize the benefits of truck accessories until they use them. When thinking about how you can share truck accessories basics with your customers, consider the following:

1. What is the purpose of the truck accessories?

2. Who will use the truck accessories?

3. Will you focus on personal or commercial truck accessories?

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Display truck accessories for entertainment purposes

Some truck accessories are simply for eye appeal and entertainment; they do not help with any type of work or function. Drivers desire them for extra zest. These accessories include special lighting, special sound equipment, and special vehicle details. Some add lighting underneath their truck. At night, the colored light shines on the road as they drive. Sound accessories include bigger speakers and special radios. Flame stripes, window phrases, and logos are some of the truck detail accessories that one sees on the road. Once many customers see these accessories on a vehicle, they have to have them!

I recommend: Truck Master tells about different types of truck lights. Buzzle discusses the various accessories for trucks that can enhance the appearance of a truck.

Demonstrate truck accessories that enhance work

People who use their truck for work purposes often add heavy-duty truck accessories to make the work easier. These accessories include lifts, ball and gooseneck hitches, bed liners, bed rails, and mud flaps. Suggest these accessories when selling to companies that use trucks in their business. Farmers also greatly benefit from working truck accessories.

I recommend: Essortment discusses how to install bed liners for a truck. Truck Specialties tells about the various accessories that one can purchase for truck utility beds, such as bed liners.

Discuss storage truck accessories

Many like driving a truck, but do not feel comfortable leaving their belongings in the open bed of the truck. These customers need storage accessories. Storage is especially important for flatbed truck accessories. Varieties of truck bed toolboxes are available. Heavy-duty plastic boxes, chrome boxes, side bed boxes, and front bed boxes are all options. The boxes lock for added security. Storage accessories that attach to the roof or back of the vehicle are also available. These are good for hauling canoes, bikes, and luggage. Truck bed campers and covers allow one to lock items in the bed of the truck. They are safe from weather elements, also.

I recommend: Ezine Articles names the benefits that a tarp accessory can add to the bed of your truck. Inside Wood Working discusses advantages of plastic truck toolboxes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When discussing truck supplies with your customers, keep in mind that not every truck accessory fits every make, model, and year. Always ensure that the accessory and the truck make are compatible. The truck accessory supplier often has a list that names the vehicle compatibility.

Heavy-duty truck accessories are a must have for any business that uses a work truck to haul materials, equipment and supplies. From flatbed truck accessories to those for pickups, you can make your vehicles carry more, store equipment more efficiently and protect your trucks from the wear and tear of normal commercial use. What kinds of accessories for trucks should you consider?

1. Truck accessories like ladder racks help you carry the equipment that you need.
2. Storage truck equipment keeps your tools organized and secure on the job site.
3. Hitches and other towing truck supplies allow you to add on trailers to your truck.
4. Flatbed truck accessories like side slats make your vehicle ready for multiple uses.

Heavy-duty truck equipment will make your job easier and more efficient. You’ll have the equipment and tools that you need at your fingertips and be ready for anything the job throws at you.

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Protect your truck with commercial truck accessories

Bed liners, mud flaps and other heavy-duty truck accessories will help make your truck last longer. Help prevent body damage, rust and other problems by protecting your truck from the harsh conditions of the work site.

I recommend: Choose protective commercial truck accessories based on your particular truck or SUV at AutoAnything. TruckXpressions also sells a wide range of protective exterior gear and accessories.

Add storage for tools, equipment and supplies with a storage truck accessory

Truck boxes can give you extra room on your truck for smaller tools and supplies. You can also add a shell with shelving or extra storage as well. You'll keep your supplies more secure with storage units that lock.

I recommend: Try one of the toolboxes available from Truck AddOns for extra storage and organization. Truck Stuff USA also sells toolboxes from several different manufacturers.

Tow equipment or supply trailers by adding a heavy-duty hitch to your truck

The ability to tow trailers and equipment is a virtual necessity for commercial trucks. Adding a hitch or other tow accessories gives you versatility for the times when you need it.

I recommend: MasterHitch has a wide range of towing accessories and hitches available.

Use heavy-duty floor mats and seat covers to protect the inside of your truck

Muddy work sites and greasy clothes can wreak havoc on the interior of a work truck. Protect your upholstery and seats by using floor mats and seat covers designed to keep your truck looking good.

I recommend: TruckChamp and Truck Accessory Wholesale have a number of floor liners available to protect your truck’s interior.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Although truck accessories can make your job easier, you'll want to begin with a solid foundation by buying a reliable, heavy-duty work truck. The best accessories for trucks can only take you so far, but you'll be in the best shape possible when you build upon a dependable, tough truck.

The more truck accessories you add to a vehicle, the more money you will invest in it. Most advertised truck prices are for the basic truck. One adds accessories for additional fees. In most cases, you can add accessories to the truck later. The pricing and costs of truck accessories comes in a wide range of costs. Heavy-duty truck accessories are typically more expensive. One can purchase a simple $5 sun visor accessory or a more elaborate $500 toolbox.

Many companies select commercial truck accessories for their company vehicles. In some cases, the truck accessory makes their job easier. In other cases, it advertises for them. Either way, businesses must factor the pricing and costs of truck accessories in with their vehicle budget. When considering accessories for your company trucks, think about the following:

1. What outcome do you wish to receive from you truck accessory?

2. Will you need industrial truck accessories?

3. How many vehicles will need truck accessories?

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Look for used truck accessories

It is not uncommon to see used truck accessories and flatbed truck accessories for sale. Many vehicle classifieds have ads with truck rails, toolboxes, bed caps, and more for sale. You can find used truck accessories for 50% to 75% of the retail price.

I recommend: It is not uncommon to see used truck accessories and flatbed truck accessories for sale. Many vehicle classifieds have ads with truck rails, toolboxes, bed caps, and more for sale. When thinking about buying a truck accessory for your company vehicle, consider looking at these. One can find used truck accessories for 50% to 75% of the retail price. Salvage yards are great places to look for used truck accessories at low cost. Action Salvage sells items such as a vinyl roll up cover for truck utility beds for under $500. Tool Boxes Direct offers 5 tips for selecting a toolbox for your truck. Check these out before making your purchase. Tips include material, locking, and more.

Ask for volume discounts when buying new truck accessories

If you determine that buying new truck supplies is right for your company, look into industrial truck accessory manufacturers that offer discount for volume purchases. If you have several company trucks to accessorize, buying in bulk is likely the cheapest way to go. Most companies give percentage discounts for volume purchases or free shipping.

I recommend: Truck Specialties offers free shipping on orders over $150. Buy Auto Truck Accessories guarantees they have the lowest prices. One can purchase a truck rack for under $400.

Consider the value that truck accessories add to your vehicle

When examining the cost of truck accessories, consider the resell value that they to the vehicle. Some accessories protect the appearance of the vehicle giving it more value. If you plan to upgrade or sell the vehicle in the future, keep in mind that you will get more money for you truck after adding the accessories.

I recommend: Superior Car Care details various seat covers. They sell seat covers for $140 to $280. Street Directory explains how bed liners protect your truck.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When planning to buy accessories for trucks in your company, take a close look at other companies' truck equipment. Gain a good understanding of how the accessories have benefited other businesses and what they can do for yours.

Working in the trucking industry encompasses more than just driving down a road. When you learn and understand truck accessories key terms, you will be able to easily communicate with other drivers and industry experts. It increases your legitimacy in business dealings as you clearly define your expectations using the industry vocabulary.

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Automatic transmission shift lock

The automatic transmission shift lock is a safety mechanism. Its design requires the driver to turn the ignition on and depress the brake pedal before moving the transmission lever out of the park position.

I recommend: BuyAutoTruckAccessories.com defines the automatic transmission shift lock and cites examples of its usefulness.

Auxiliary springs

Auxiliary springs, also called helper springs, control the swaying and rolling of high body trucks and trucks with shifting loads, such as liquids. Generally located in the rear section of the truck, the springs act only after partial deflection of the regular truck springs.

I recommend: DuPont offers case studies on how auxiliary springs increase the stability of heavy duty trucks.

Balance shafts

Balance shafts reduce engine vibration and noise in most four-cylinder engines. The weighted shafts inside the engine block rotate in opposing directions at double the crankshaft speed.

I recommend: DHgate.com offers an image of an assembly for the balance shaft suspension for Mercedes Benz trucks.

Crumple zones

Designed to crumple in a certain manner in a collision, crumple zones are part of the rear and front sections of a truck. This crumpling action reduces impact force on the passenger compartment, protecting the occupants.

I recommend: Truck Trend offers images and blogs demonstrating the ways crumple zones keep truck and car drivers safe.

Double wishbone suspension

Double wishbone suspension refers to a design that minimizes truck changes when driving around corners or over bumps. With this design, each wheel connects with ball joints to a 'knuckle' connector attached to lower and upper A-arms. The arms are not of equal lengths.

I recommend: Team-Integra.net explains double wishbone suspension as compared to MacPherson strut suspension.

Power takeoff (PTO)

Power takeoff (PTO) is a device that transmits power from the engine to auxiliary equipment. These devices mount on the transmission in a standard opening, or to the rear or front of an engine.

I recommend: Inland Truck Parts Company offers power take off units for a variety of trucks including lift and refuse trucks.