Main Categories

Other Resources

Pages

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

Your Guide to Putco Side Bed Rails

Author: JasonLancaster
Total views: 53
Word Count: 574
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 come up with a solution that is both stylish and useful. They offer a line of side rails that are designed to stretch the length of your truck bed. These rails are simple to install and come in a variety of designs. Made out of chromed stainless steel, they are not only strong but they look great too.

Designed to anchor into your truck`s current tie-down cutouts, the rails can be easily installed with simple hand tools. The three main pieces - two curved anchors and a long steel bar - are joined together, the anchors are placed atop the cutouts, and the mounting bar is then tightened from the top with the use of an Allan key. There are no visible clamps, and scuffing or scratching is prevented by a rubber gasket which goes between the rail and your paint.

The simplest Putco locker side rails are a simple steel tube with a cutout at each anchor end in case of more involved tying. These can hold up to 1000, which is more than most hauling will require. A heftier look can be achieved by upgrading to 2.5 inch tubing with the same design, but these "Boss" railings, as called by Putco, can only hold 500 pounds.

If you have a need for more tie-downs, but don't want to clutter up your truck's bed rails, the Putco Pop Up Lockers might be worth a look. They have 4 hidden tie-downs, which are rated at 500 pounds, along that railing that can be 'popped' to use when you need them. Otherwise, the railing maintains a solid appearance, lacking even the openings found at the anchor points 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.

Those who frequently climb in and out of their truck bed will find bed side rails to be useful, especially in wet conditions when bed liners or bare steel are more slippery. The rails are great for hand grips, and provide leverage when reaching over the side of the truck bed to get something from the cargo floor. The only real disadvantage of bed side rails is that you will no longer be able to use a tonneau cover, which probably wasn't an option anyways, if you're regularly hauling bulky loads. Putco side rails are a great way to accessorize your truck, at a rather inexpensive price of about $200, and have the added benefit of being practical as well.

About the Author

The author Jason Lancaster administrates TundraHeadquarters.com, a website with info, news, and reviews of Toyota Tundra accessories and Tundra parts.