Main Categories

Other Resources

Pages

OnlineEarnings Article Board » Cars-and-trucks » A Quick Guide to Putco Side Bed Rails
Welcome Guest

A Quick Guide to Putco Side Bed Rails

Author: JasonLancaster
Total views: 38
Word Count: 566
View PDF

Add2Netvouz

The typical pickup truck is an extremely practical vehicle, especially when it comes to hauling cargo. However, some people often carry bulky gear that doesn't always fit snugly between the walls of their truck's box. It might be furniture, lawnmowers, motorcycles, or pallets of wood - anything bulky that could be damaged by too much movement from side to side. Most newer pickups are outfitted with cutouts and tie-downs that allow for ropes and chains to be attached, but they are positioned at very fixed locations, and it's not always easy or convenient to use them.

Putco has developed a stylish and utile solution to this problem: a line of side rails which span the length of your truck bed. Made out of chromed stainless steel and available in a variety of designs, these rails are easy to install, are strong, and will look great on your truck.

The rails are easy to install with simple hand tools, and anchor into your truck`s existing tie-down cutouts. There are two curved anchors and a long steel bar, which you join together. Once this is done, simply place the anchors atop the cutouts, and tighten the mounting bar from the top using an Allan key. The rails feature no visible clamps, and there is a rubber gasket which goes between the rail and your pain to prevent scuffing or scratching.

The basic Putco locker side rails have a simple steel tube which has a cutout at each anchor end for more involved tying. They can hold up to 1000 pounds, which is more than enough for most hauling. You can also upgrade to 2.5 inch tubing with the same design if you feel you need a heftier look, but these 'Boss' railings, as Putco calls them, only hold 500 pounds.

Putco's Pop Up Lockers are a great option if you need to have more tie-downs, but don't want to clutter your truck's bed rails. These lockers have 4 hidden tie-downs rated at 500 pounds along the railing, which can be "popped" up to use, but otherwise appears solid, without the openings at the anchor points like on the standard version.

For those looking to only enhance the appearance of their truck bed without necessarily needing the option of a tie down, the Putco SSR Locker fits the bill. It's a good chrome accessory because it adds a lot of shine without competing with the rest of your truck. Chrome wheel well flares, for instance, usually compete with your truck's wheels because they're so close together. By adding chrome parts where nothing existed before, the eye tends to treat them a little better.

Bed side rails are also useful for people who frequently find themselves climbing in and out of the bed of their truck, especially in wet conditions where bed liners or bare steel can be especially slippery. The rails make for excellent hand grips, and can also be good for providing you with leverage when reaching over the side of the truck bed for items down on the cargo floor. The only real downside to installing railings like these is that it makes it impossible to use a tonneau cover - although if you are regularly hauling large gear, that probably wasn't an option anyway. Putco side rails are a great way to dress up your truck. They're fairly inexpensive, at about $200, and they add a practical edge at the same time.

About the Author

The author Jason Lancaster is the editor of TundraHeadquarters.com, a website with information, news, and reviews of Toyota Tundra parts and Tundra accessories.