If you’re reading this, chances are you are like me and use your truck for more than just commuting to and from work. Heck, many of you guys might consider your truck your “work truck”. That said, these workhorses see many miles of highway use and as such, experience an untold number of situations. That said, are you and your truck ready for any of those situations? Since many truck owners probably do not give much thought to things every truck should have, I thought I would put together a quick hit list of a few things I find essential to carry in Project WorkHorse. So check out what I consider to be 6 must-have truck accessories that all trucks should have.
Get Boosted
One of the most important things I carry in WorkHorse is a pair of jumper cables and a battery jump box. While the jump box is a huge convenience over jumper cables, if you have ever experienced a situation where the jump box doesn’t give enough oomph, you understand why I carry both cables and a box.
The jump box I carry is from Shell, and you can read all about it here. This small but powerful box has supplied me with enough juice to start my Ram when the batteries left me sitting without enough juice to turn the engine over. A definite must-have for every truck.
Airing Up
It’s always a good idea to have some sort of air source on your truck. For some enthusiasts, a portable air tank is a great idea. Personally, I consider a small air compressor as one of my must-have truck accessories. The Slime 12-Volt Heavy Duty 2X Pro Power Tire Inflator/Compressor from Slime was built to handle pretty much anything you can throw at it. I have used it to inflate 20-inch 8-ply tires to 65 pounds and it has done so with ease.
A small air compressor is a great item that every truck should have on board. The Slime compressor has enough cord and hose to reach all four truck tires.
The compressor features a direct drive and dual cylinders that is relatively quiet. It features an integrated tire pressure gauge, LED light, and a total reach of 30 feet (cord and hose). It’s also easy to store as it comes in a hard case.
Table To Go
While you might not consider a table one of your must-have truck accessories to carry in your truck, hear me out. How many times have you had to work on our truck or help someone else and wish you had a workbench at the front of the truck? Now you can, The Tailgater Tire Table is small enough that it doesn’t take up much room in your truck when not in use. The table is 1-1/2 inches thick when folded up, and the legs are stored neatly under the table.
Whether needing a workbench on the side of the road to fix a buddy's truck (it's never yours the breaks) or just needing a quick table for lunch, the Tire Table makes a great addition to any rig. While it might not be a necessity, it sure is a handy item to have.
The “Tire Table” uses your truck tire as its main support, making it a stable and flat work surface regardless of the ground conditions. It has an expanded-metal surface, allowing dirt and spills to fall right through. Also, it will not be blown over by the wind. It can also be leveled on the tire even if your vehicle is not level.
It is available in either powder-coated steel or aluminum. The standard size – 23 x 29 inches to fit tires from 25 to 46 inches. A large size that measures 28 x 33-1/2 inches is available for tires from 33 to 46 inches.
Need A Wrench? Got A Wrench
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have a few hand tools that have taken up residence in their truck. It’s always a good idea to carry a few wrenches, sockets, pliers, and wrenches because breakdowns never occur in your driveway. The 100-piece Kobalt general purpose/household tool set comes in a convenient four-drawer blow-molded case that provides easy storage and transportation.
If you’re driving around without any tools in your truck, you are asking for trouble. Portable tool kits like this one from Kobalt are relatively inexpensive, and the Kobalt tools even have a lifetime warranty.
The multiple drive set features a 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch drive Pro90 ratchets along with a generous mix of shallow and deep sockets, standard length combination wrenches, two socket extensions, one universal-joint adapter, 19 assorted screwdrivers, five types of pliers, three adjustable wrenches, four uniquely shaped picks, a scratch awl, nail puller, and bottle opener.
A 19-piece screwdriver set includes various slotted, Phillips, and star-shaped tips with a hex bolster to apply more torque to loosen over-tightened or rusted fasteners. Other tools included in this set include 19 metric and SAE standard length combination wrenches, three adjustable wrenches, five pliers, four picks, a scratch awl, a nail puller, and a bottle opener
Keep It Contained
Do you have “stuff” sliding around in the bed of your truck? Does your stuff always end up at the front of the pick-up bed? Then take a look at this storage organizer that will keep your gear organized and your stuff — like your tool kit, air compressor, and jumper cables — where they belong. The Tonneau Buddy needs to be one of your must-have truck accessories.
The full-size Tonneau Buddy is a great option for under-tonneau cover storage. Quickly organize and isolate your favorite cargo in the front or back of your bed. The Tonneau Buddy is the same size and shape as the standard Tonneau Buddy Full Size HD but has a PVC frame instead of a steel frame. This makes it almost 50-percent lighter. It is also easy to install and remove.
The Tonneau Buddy Full Size is made of a tough polyester cover wrapped over a PVC frame. It’s tough enough to handle whatever you want to throw at it.
With over 12 cubic feet of capacity, you’ll keep valuable storage space in your bed. The Tonneau Buddy Full Size is water resistant and height adjustable.
Cover Your Assets
Finally, if you haul anything in the bed of your truck — including the items listed above, you need to protect them from the elements. In other words, you need a tonneau cover. While these come in various designs and styles, whatever you choose is purely a matter of function and preference. For instance, some attach via snaps on a rail system, some will fold into sections to create an open bed, and yet others will be a one-piece hardcover that hinges at the front to allow access to the cargo.
Back in April 2023, we actually covered the installation of a Roll-n-Lock tonneau cover that fit the needs of Project WorkHorse. We chose a roll-up cover because it still affords us the ability to keep some of the bed area under cover even while towing the gooseneck trailer. You can read about the installation here.
What Must-Have Accessories Are In Your Bed
I am sure you guys all have something else you feel should be included, so let’s hear about it. Tell me what must-have truck accessories you typically keep in the bed of your truck so that you are prepared for almost any situation.
