Bed Side
Tips for Choosing the Best Truck Bed Rail or Cap by Kaila
Anyone that has a truck knows that regardless of how carefully you load materials and items into the bed there is always the possibility of scratching the top surface on the sides of the bed. Over time these very small surface scratches start to cause discoloration, rusting and really nasty looking large scratches, dents and rub spots around the edges of the truck bed. A simple way to protect your truck while also giving it a new look is to invest in a truck bed rail or cap.
A truck bed rail is usually designed as a railing that sits up slightly off the surface of the sides of the bed. They are often chrome but can also painted or coated to be black or, if you want to really coordinate your vehicle, you can opt for custom painting to match the color of the truck or make a bold contrast. The rail is not high off the bed but just enough to allow materials to be slide over the edge without touching the paint job. The rail can also act as a tie down that allows quick securing of loads regardless of their size or position within the truck bed. This option is a definite plus over the standard tie downs that are located at the four corners of the bed as well as over the wheels.
A truck bed rail cap fits securely on the surface of the truck bed, literally forming a protective layer that is affixed to the paint surface. This option allows tonneau covers, campers or racks to be mounted to the truck without the need to remove the bed cap. There are also specific truck bed caps designed for the tailgate, which often takes most of the beating when larger items are loaded into the truck.
Making the decision as to which option is the best for your needs is not difficult, but it may be tough to decide just what style of rail or cap you like the best. Both provide protection for the truck, but the rail does sit up and off the surface and would need to be removed to add any other type of cover or rack to the truck. Rails also come in a wide variety of styles but do not provide protection for the tailgate. Often people that go for the rails use a tailgate cap that provides full protection all around the bed.
Installation of both rails and caps is relatively simple and not at all difficult for the vehicle owner to complete on his or her own, even if they aren’t mechanically inclined. The caps, particularly the rubberized or softer material caps are usually attached to the surface using double sided automotive tape. This provides a secure attachment but also allows the vehicle owner the opportunity to remove the cap at a later time. Rails typically insert through the use of stakes into the pre-set stake locations on the bed of the truck. They can also be mounted over a cap which provides a high level of protection.
Making the decision to go with a truck bed rail or a bed rail cap is usually more of a personal choice than a practical one. Both are great options for preserving your paint job and helping to keep even a heavy duty work truck looking new. With a wide selection of colors, styles and designs you are sure to find just the rail or cap that you want.
About the Author
Some truck owners like tough trucks but they also want to keep these tough trucks looking nice. Kaila knows that one way to do this is to install a truck bed rail.
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January 31, 2012 9:25 pm 
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