Truck bed configuration ideas?

[SouthernCharm]

Will probably get a newer truck next year and want to get your options. Currently have a deck system, like it ok but don’t love it. Had aluminum tool box, didn’t care for that. My dad had a one piece tonneau, didn’t like that at all for function. I have not used the trifold covers maybe with the dual sliding pullouts. Has anyone used that and your thoughts. Open to any suggestions to keeping gear out of sight with no canopy. Thanks for looking.

 

[MuleyFever]

Some good ideas in these recent threads.

P

Thread 'Know the truck I want, but what bed setup for a new family in the mountains?'

Jan 21, 2025

I have my first kid on the way and Im looking into buying a new truck and thinking about the setup I would have for this new sized family. Based on our situation below, What do you suggest?

1. It will be me, my wife, 90lb lab, infant in a car seat.
2. We live in Colorado and are very outdoorsy which means at times we have a lot of gear. Mountain bikes, fly fishing gear, camping gear, hunting gear, all dependent on whats going on. We also do a lot of off-road stuff in the mountains
3. I will be getting a F150 Supercrew with 5.5 ft bed
4. Thinking if I need a bed shell, decked system...

• Pikespeak
• Replies: 73
• Forum: General Discussion Forum

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Thread 'Help with truck storage systems for bed cargo?'

Sep 29, 2024

So you can’t see an instagram post on upland hunting or general without seeing a decked system.

I get the utility, but a lot are not waterproof rated and then completely wipe out the use of your bed. Truck vault seems the same, but with waterproof and added features - but $4k plus!

I was on truck vault the other day and noticed a half bed option. I thought, hmm, I get the benefit of storing hunting/tools on one side safely and securely, and keep the other half open for when I need it (even if for stupid stuff like hailing firewood, bow stands, etc etc). But it was STILL $3k+!

I came...

• ptwysocki
• Replies: 9
• Forum: Gear

 

[Davyalabama]

What are you going to do with it? The only thing I want in my bed:
1) tie down options in the four corners top and bottom. The bottom, I don't have to have if it is going to take up much space. Both need just enough to get a 3/4" rope through twice. (I use rope with trucker's hitches)
2) I need a thick rubber mat that is quality, my current bed mat is 27 years and counting, lots of stuff has been on it.
3) truck bed paint liner
4) folding gooseneck hitch for trailer to tow tractor and implements. I just fold the mat back to access the hitch.

My truck is used like a truck, not a wannabe SUV. I've needed the whole bed when over size pallets of flooring/tile/whatnot has been loaded. It's needed when huge pallets of sod are loaded. I don't use a toolbox in the back, it takes up way too much space! I've needed the full bed when hauling lots of furniture, etc.

27 years, it asks, "What else ya got we gonna do."

About the only thing my 98 Z71 hasn't helped me do is have a baby delivered in it or started one. It sure has been there when I was trying, though.

Keeping gear out of sight with no lookie looks, tint the side windows as black as can be, tint the others as much as the law allows, don't tint the back as much, you need to see out of it in the dark sometimes. (I guess with these new trucks and all the cameras in them, you may not). Get a flat black box that doesn't look like a gun case, throw some extra blankets on it to make it look indistinguishable, etc.

Buy a huge Tahoe/Suburban, rip the back seats out, bolt in a box for guns, valuables, throw a thin blow up on it for sleeping, or blankets and a thick pad. Get the suburban that has the lowest gears you can find, put steel wheels with bf goodrich ko3 mud terrains on it and roll. After hunting season, go back to aluminum wheels and still run Ko3 mud terrains, you may want all terrains. Why for me? There is always a chance I will be in the woods any day of the week. If you have all terrains, one rotation in mud, you now have street tires. I've run mud terrains all my life, I've seen friends that use all terrains, way too much slipping, sliding, spinning for my taste. Too easy to end up in a tree, down in a deep rut, etc.

 

[SouthernCharm]

What are you going to do with it? The only thing I want in my bed:
1) tie down options in the four corners top and bottom. The bottom, I don't have to have if it is going to take up much space. Both need just enough to get a 3/4" rope through twice. (I use rope with trucker's hitches)
2) I need a thick rubber mat that is quality, my current bed mat is 27 years and counting, lots of stuff has been on it.
3) truck bed paint liner
4) folding gooseneck hitch for trailer to tow tractor and implements. I just fold the mat back to access the hitch.

My truck is used like a truck, not a wannabe SUV. I've needed the whole bed when over size pallets of flooring/tile/whatnot has been loaded. It's needed when huge pallets of sod are loaded. I don't use a toolbox in the back, it takes up way too much space! I've needed the full bed when hauling lots of furniture, etc.

27 years, it asks, "What else ya got we gonna do."

About the only thing my 98 Z71 hasn't helped me do is have a baby delivered in it or started one. It sure has been there when I was trying, though.

Keeping gear out of sight with no lookie looks, tint the side windows as black as can be, tint the others as much as the law allows, don't tint the back as much, you need to see out of it in the dark sometimes. (I guess with these new trucks and all the cameras in them, you may not). Get a flat black box that doesn't look like a gun case, throw some extra blankets on it to make it look indistinguishable, etc.

Buy a huge Tahoe/Suburban, rip the back seats out, bolt in a box for guns, valuables, throw a thin blow up on it for sleeping, or blankets and a thick pad. Get the suburban that has the lowest gears you can find, put steel wheels with bf goodrich ko3 mud terrains on it and roll. After hunting season, go back to aluminum wheels and still run Ko3 mud terrains, you may want all terrains. Why for me? There is always a chance I will be in the woods any day of the week. If you have all terrains, one rotation in mud, you now have street tires. I've run mud terrains all my life, I've seen friends that use all terrains, way too much slipping, sliding, spinning for my taste. Too easy to end up in a tree, down in a deep rut, etc.

Yes, use the truck as a truck. That’s where trying to use it as a most versatile vehicle. Truck with topper is a no go and they don’t make 3/4 ton suburban to pull my bumper pull trailer. Everything cost so darn much don’t want to fork out money for the bed slide and tri fold bed cover only to learn that’s junk. Not really thrilled with the deck system, works but limits and mine started leaking. Saw some cool Molly panels on the side and that an option for storage. It’s going to used for hunting ,fishing and everyday truck use of hauling firewood,etc.

 

[Davyalabama]

Hey, someone that uses a truck for a truck. You talking 3/4, have you seen the F450's? Those things will turn inside the f250/350's. Yeah, it's a 1 ton, but bigger inside too. They have gun vaults for under that third seat too, amazing configs. Now, if you do the tint, yep, some good, sturdy molly panels behind the seat would work definitely! Just put some kid's blanket(s) over the seat, drape it over, maybe they will think, "Oh, a kid spilled something, letting it dry out."

Tri-fold, the problem with those for me is the railing system they have to have. Yeah, you could take the cover completely off, but that railing system is still there. Then, if you are out, where are you going to store the tri-fold?

 

[JoeDirt]

Canopy on the truck and buy a utility trailer?

I find a trailer for truck stuff hauling is more convenient. Eventually im going to end up with a dedicated hunting rig because I struggle with the same dilemma.

 

[SouthernCharm]

The 450 would be sweet for the road, but I spend a third of my time e off road on forest service roads.

 

[SouthernCharm]

Canopy on the truck and buy a utility trailer?

I find a trailer for truck stuff hauling is more convenient. Eventually im going to end up with a dedicated hunting rig because I struggle with the same dilemma.

No full size canopy. Have two trailers now,lol…

 

[hoosierhunter11]

I have a 1/2 ton, crew cab, 6.5 foot bed Silverado. Just ordered a Ranch camper shell and I’m planning on building a 1/2 bed width DIY decked system. I’ll use it as a cot to sleep on and then still have full height storage on the other side.