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Your areas of opportunity
Page 44
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If you're running a pickup, there are lots of ways to tailor the load area to your needs. CM looks at the options, from truck tops to roller covers.
Words: Julian Milnes
As useful as your average pickup is, numerous aftermarket companies offer practical and innovative products to further its commercial ability and make your life that bit easier.
Truck tops, bash-proof load linings, secure roller-top coverings and multi-function secure load-box/ladder combinations are just some of products on the market designed to give your pickup further flexibility and security.
And if what you need isn't on the shelf, many manufacturers provide bespoke services to satisfy your particular demands.
Adding to your pickup makes perfect sense in these multi-functioning times., you can make better use of the load area, inject an element of style, and — in the case of truck tops — have a place to splash the company logo. Nice.
Prices vary considerably, from a few hundred pounds for a cheap plastic truck top with low-rent locking system, to thousands for a bulletproof aluminium rolling cover with equally robust security. But before you splash out on the cheapest/nearest/flashiest option, it's worth stepping back and assessing your needs.
First, if you regularly use your pickup at maximum payload, fitting heavy or multiple extras will severely dent its carrying capability, so it's worth finding out the weight of any additions, and if there are any alternatives that use lighter materials.
You should also consider whether you'll be able to get some of the money back when you sell on the vehicle — an attractive load feature will be desirable on the second-hand market, while a bargain-basement example may put off potential buyers (see panel).
Also, if you want to hold on to the addition, will it transfer easily to another vehicle as a one-size-fits-all, or is it a one-off and therefore limited in its flexibility?
For example. Mitsubishi's L200 has a unique load area design and may not be suitable for certain types of linings and truck tops.
Issues such as security, job role (is it liable to be damaged during its service?) and how the product attaches to the pickup are also important considerations.
Many truck tops are secured by clamps attached to the vehicle's sidewalls, allowing easy removal — but some systems are drilled and bolted in, damaging the vehicle in the process.
You may also want to think about whether it may interfere with your vehicle's warranty — most pickup manufacturers tend to have approved suppliers they recommend and may not be happy if you drop an all-singing, alldancing truck top into the equation.