Free lodging and secure gun storage are some of the benefits of adequately accessorizing a pickup truck for hunting. Let’s look at ideas to turn your truck into the perfect hunting rig.
Good Tires
Taking your hunting truck off the beaten path usually doesn’t necessitate off-road tires or suspension modifications. As a general rule, all you need is a good set of tires. Here are the qualities the rubber your hunting truck rolls on should have: For any application, it’s common sense to run on high-quality rubber with an extended tread life.
All the major manufacturers offer a quiet tire. At low speeds, quiet tires make less noise, so your quarry isn’t made aware of your presence. Do you travel great distances to get to the hunting grounds? Do your hunting trips take you where gas stations are scarce? Consider fuel-efficient (low-rolling-resistance) tires. And if you’re hunting where there’s snow or ice, you’ll want to roll with the best winter tires as you possibly can.
Finish Protectant
The woods are not hospitable to a truck’s finish. There are narrow paths lined with branches that scratch paint. Add to that birds who think your pickup is a porta-john and rocks bouncing off the body panels. If you have a new truck, consider buying a used rig that runs better than it looks for your hunting truck. If you prefer to use a new pickup and care about its finish, consider these options.
Auto detailers and vinyl sign shops apply Paint Protective Film (PPF). PPF is essentially a second layer of clear coat. Nano-ceramic coating comes in two grades, professional and do-it-yourself. A certified dealer applies the professional quality ceramic coating, which is more durable than the DIY coating.
A Truck Cap
Having a cap provides a hunter with dry, lockable storage for their gear. For those who combine hunting and camping, a capped pickup eliminates the need to lug tentage. On a related note, any sportsperson who plans on sacking-out in their pickup needs at least a six-foot bed.
Pickup caps come in cab-high and raised roof versions. For most cargo needs, a cab-high topper is sufficient. For the extra headroom, a cap with an elevated roofline will prove more comfortable for those whose “truck bed” has two meanings. There is a possibility that a raised truck topper will not clear a standard garage door.
Floor Mats And Seat Covers
The mud, blood, and dirt accumulated on you while on the hunt will get tracked into your truck. Protect your upholstery with seat covers. Safeguard your carpeting with floor mats. Mats with raised edges will keep dirty water from spilling out when you remove the carpet protector for cleaning.
A Crate or Kennel
If you use a gun dog, it is natural to want your best hunting buddy riding in the cab with you. Your dog will benefit more from riding in a high-quality crate or kennel. Riding in a carrier provides a sense of security because it mimics the den that a canine would live in instinctively.
In an accident, a dog is safer in a well-made transporter than in a truck seat. You have the peace-of-mind of knowing your pup is safe, secure, and can’t wander off. Using a kennel or crate is another way to protect your rig’s interior.
Deer Hoist
A hitch-mounted deer hoist makes it easier to lift big game. A hoist is a convenient way to clean and skin your trophy. As the description suggests, a hitch-mounted big game lift uses your trailer hitch as a base. Hoists can be powered manually or electrically. Deer hoists make it easier to load an animal weighing hundreds-of-pounds into your truck bed.
Bed Liner
The bed of a hunting truck leads a hard knock life. Protecting the cargo area paint equates to protecting your pickup and its value.
Gun Storage
You never want to publicize that you have guns in your pickup. DECKED is a company that makes a secure and easily accessible solution to your truck bed gun storage needs. Their system allows you to carry firearms, ammo, and anything you need in easily accessible drawers that keep weapons hidden. The availability of additional bins, containers, and toolboxes enables you to tailor this kind of storage system to your exact needs.
