If there is one characteristic that all of the best-selling portable GPS devices share, it is uniformity. In terms of shape and size, most GPS units look very, very similar, and as discussed in the first part of this two-part portable GPS buying guide, all of these portable GPS units offer very similar functionality.

The portable GPS industry is dominated by two companies: Garmin and TomTom. In fact, of the devices we examined, all but one were produced by Garmin. As such, we’ll analyze Garmin’s offerings first, arranged in descending order by price.

Garmin's top-of-the-line Nuvi 885

The top of the line Garmin GPS unit is the nüvi 885/885T. With a list price approaching $600.00, the 885 can more often be found selling for around $350.00 online.

One of the benefits of paying so much for a GPS device is the fact that the nüvi 885 can recognize speech commands – you can use your voice to move through its menus. It also includes 6 million pre-loaded destinations such as restaurants, movie theatres, national parks and other points of interest. It’s a solid unit, but it’s not our favorite…mostly because of the price.

Garmin's nuvi 755-765-775-785 family are all the same unit, with only minor differences between them.

The next Garmin we looked at is the nüvi 765/765T. Its street price is just under $300.00, and for that amount of money it offers similar features to the 885, minus the speech recognition. The device’s lane guidance feature helps you to more easily find highway exits, and like many Garmin devices it can be transformed into a hands-free speaker for a cell phone thanks to Bluetooth.

The 755-785 family also features multi-point routing, which means you can use your GPS to find the best route to visit more than one destination. Using a built-in FM transmitter, all the units in the 755-785 family can transmit directions through your vehicle’s speaker system. This feature is nice because, sometimes, the volume on the GPS is just a little too low.

If you like the 765 but don’t need Bluetooth connectivity, the nüvi 755 is a nice option that’s less than $250. Moving up from the 765, the nüvi 775 and nüvi 785 include more maps and a slightly upgraded traffic data system. Cool extras, but we think the 765 or 755 are the units to pick from this family.

Our top pick is the Garmin nuvi 260

Our favorite unit on this list is the nüvi 260W (about $140). It’s very basic, but it features a nice big screen, text-to-speech directions, an easy-to-use interface, and good battery life. The nüvi 260 doesn’t have the traffic finder feature (the 260 isn’t even compatible with the feature, but the 255 is compatible with an external adapter), so if you want traffic info then one of the higher-priced units on this list is a better option.

However, as far as “bang for the buck” is concerned, the nüvi 260W is a solid little device that does exactly what you need.

TomTom's GO 720 is a nice mid-range portable GPS with some nice custom mapping options.

The sole TomTom offering to crack this list is the GO 720. Priced at around $220.00, it compares favorably with the mid-range Garmin options in terms of features. It includes an MP3 player, traffic and weather updates through a Bluetooth cellular connection and of course spoken directions. The GO 720 can also connect to an online service called MapShare, which allows for special maps and directions created by other TomTom users to be uploaded into the device.

Bottom Line: If you’re into futuristic options like voice recognition and up-to-date traffic data, a high end unit might be the way to go. Are you a road warriors doing business on the road? The mid-range devices are probably the best option – they’re catered to a business type user with a little bit of tech savvy. Are you looking for a lot of the features of a good GPS without spending a lot? If so, the Garmin 260 is our recommendation.

Whichever GPS device you choose, it’s hard to go wrong choosing one of the units on this list. We found them all to be fun and easy to use, and in our limited “test drive” they all performed nicely.

FTC Disclosure – This was NOT a paid post. However, if you buy a product using one of our links, we get a small percentage of the sale. So if you want to help us out…cool. If not, that’s cool too. See our about page to learn more about how we make money.

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.

Back in the old days – a.k.a. the days before GPS – when you needed to go somewhere you’d never been before there was a process you had to follow. First, you’d ask whoever it was that you were meeting for directions. Next, you’d consult a road atlas or a map. Finally, just in case you got lost, you’d be sure to write down a phone number.

How *did* we survive?

Garmin's nuvi 885 is a great example of the top-of-the line in portable GPS units.

OK OK, you don’t need GPS…but it sure is nice. GPS navigation systems save time and trouble, and more and more they can be found in cars, computers, and cell phones. While GPS enabled cell-phones are growing dramatically, the most popular GPS navigation option is a portable, dedicated unit. Ranging from $100 to $400, dedicated portable GPS units are a nice accessory for vehicles and a popular holiday gift.

Thus, our buyer’s guide. In part one of this two-part guide, we’ll break down the key features offered on most GPS portable units. In part two, we’ll evaluate some specific models that are popular right now and offer some recommendations. Here we go…

The Screen

Screen size is usually the determining factor in the overall size of a portable GPS device. If the screen is too big, the GPS device could be hard to hold in your hand. If the screen is too small, it’s hard to read when mounted on the dash of your vehicle.

The most common (and most popular) screen size for a portable GPS navigation device is 4.3 inches. This size is ideal for use in a car – it’s wide enough to make reading on-screen maps at a glance comfortable, but not so big as to take up too much dash or windshield real estate once installed.

If you’re looking for a GPS device with a smaller screen size, there are only a handful of options on the portable GPS market. More and more, people are relying upon cell phones for “pocket” GPS use, but there are some smaller, dedicated units available.

Idea: If you’re interested in a GPS device that fits in your pocket, consider GPS devices designed for outdoor sports like running, cycling, golf, etc..

Mounting

Once you’ve settled on a screen size, it’s time to dive into mounting options and where the power comes from. The primary mounting option for most portable GPS devices is a suction-cup windshield mount, and most of the time this works reasonably well. However, some people like using a “bean-bag” or “friction” mount option instead. Usually this is an add-on feature.

Friction or "bean-bag" GPS mounts are a popular alternative to the standard windshield mount. They're usually an extra that costs $10-$25 dollars.

Automated Traffic Updates

Many portable GPS devices feature a traffic update system that promises to steer you clear of traffic problems, saving you time and headaches…but don’t get too excited. Some of these systems require you to pay a monthly fee, and there are many places in the U.S. and Canada where this feature won’t work. This feature is only worth paying for if you live in a large city notorious for traffic problems.

Text To Speech

Almost every major manufacturer also offers voice prompts to go along with the arrows and maps displayed on the screen. This theoretically allows drivers to keep their eyes on the road instead of gawking at a map while moving through heavy traffic. In order to either provide an extra entertainment factor or increase the clarity of communication, many devices allow for “voice packs” to be uploaded into them, changing the tone used by the GPS to one that ranges from celebrity impersonations to amusing English accents. This is a great feature to have and one we highly recommend.

Lane Guidance

This is a great feature that is starting to become available on lower-priced models. In addition to telling you when and where to turn, lane guidance will also help you get in the right lane…which is really nice advice to have sometimes.

Maps

All portable GPS units include map data for the continental United States and Hawaii, but map data for Alaska and Canada isn’t always standard…so be sure to check for it if you need it.

Depending on the unit you buy, you may be entitled to free map updates. Otherwise, you can purchase updates as needed. Most GPS owners update their maps every 3 to 5 years, and the cost runs $50-$100 per update. If you’d like to use your GPS on vacation (say in Europe or South America), of if you’d like to use your GPS while hiking or camping, you can buy maps for these purposes…but keep in mind that top quality maps are only available for the US, Canada, and Europe.

Here's an example of a "reality view." While it's not quite reality, it's easy to understand and a nice feature.

Reality View

Instead of a map schematic, reality view attempts to give you a more accurate depiction of the road ahead. While it’s sort of cartoonish, reality view makes it easier to understand some directions (especially highway interchange directions).

Bluetooth and Hands Free Phone Features

Many portable GPS devices have the ability to serve as more than just a GPS. Some of them use Bluetooth to interface with your Bluetooth-enabled cell phone and allow you to initiate calls, look-up addresses, and showing the ID of an incoming caller without having to look at your phone. If you conduct lots of business on the road – and if your cell phone has Bluetooth – this could be a nice add-on.

Voice Recognition

Some top-end portable GPS models feature voice recognition. Obviously, it’s a great feature…but it’s not essential. If you opt for this feature, expect to pay quite a bit of a premium.

“GW” Features

In addition to the practical features listed above, GPS devices are often crammed with a number of other capabilities in order to differentiate them somewhat from the competition. Fun but not all that useful gadgets such as images viewers, video and MP3 players, travel clocks, and calculators are some of the more whizz-bang options available. These features can be cool, and in some situations they’re probably really useful. However, don’t let the “gee-whiz” features distract you from the important options listed above.

In part two of this buyer’s guide, we’ll review specific and popular portable GPS models you can find online. Be sure to check back on Friday.

FTC Disclosure – This was NOT a paid post. However, if you buy a product using one of our links, we get a small percentage of the sale. So if you want to help us out…cool. If not, that’s cool too. See our about page to learn more about how we make money.

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.

Truck bed toppers (also known as camper shells or “truck caps”) are popular because they allow truck owners to haul tools, gear, and even dogs in the truck bed while keeping them dry. At first glance, toppers seem like a really smart accessory. Why wouldn’t you want to turn your pickup bed into a really big cargo area? The answer is that toppers need to be removed sometimes in order to haul tall or bulky “stuff,” and that removal can be a real pain…so a lot of truck owners don’t like them.

ARE (among others) makes dozens of varieties of truck toppers for personal and commercial use.

The primary style of topper is a full-on cab extension that meets or exceeds the height of the truck’s roof and is made of fiberglass , composite material, or aluminum. Depending on the material and features, toppers can be range from cheap ($300-$500 buys a cheap and ugly work-truck topper) to expensive ($2500 can buy a painted-t0-match topper with a door that replaces the tailgate). Most toppers come with a rudimentary lock and are installed using good old C-clamps, only some are high-tech affairs with comprehensive security features and bolt-on attachment.

The typical topper is too heavy for one person to remove safely, and unless you’ve got some sort of nifty topper storage system in your garage, toppers are a pain to store when not in use. Obviously, someone has come up with a solution that is easy to remove and easy to store…

SofTopper's folding truck bed topper.

SofTopper provides many of the benefits of a hard shell topper, but it is also easy to remove. SofTopper truck caps are very similar to a convertible top. They employ a plastic and aluminum frame latticework that serves as the frame, and then this frame is covered in a waterproof canvas material. Rising up as tall as a full-size cap when fully deployed, SofToppers fold up into an easy-to-carry shape that weighs between 25 and 45 lbs and can sit in the corner of your garage without any trouble.

In addition to being light-weight, SofTopper claims the entire cap can be retracted down to its “resting” position in just 60 seconds…meaning you can add or remove your topper quickly and easily. This is the primary advantage to this accessory. The potential offered by this type of cap is significant for anyone who finds themselves either a) constantly installing and removing a topper or b) skipping the topper option altogether because it’s just too much of a pain.

The SofTopper is a truck bed topper that folds up and stores easily.

Pros:

• Flexible use – put the topper up when you need a big dry cargo area, put the topper down when you need room to haul taller items or to make loading and unloading easier.
• Lightweight – one person can easily remove the topper all together, and unlike fiberglass toppers that can weigh 200 lbs +, the SofTopper is 25 to 45 lbs max so it doesn’t impact day-to-day fuel economy near as much.
• Easy storage – When not in use it’s small enough to put out of the way

Cons:

• Security sucks – there’s no way you’re going to be able to secure your truck bed with this accessory. While it’s true that NO topper is completely secure, this topper is easy to defeat with nothing more than a knife.
• Cold weather stiffens this thing up, making it difficult to use in ice and snow.
• Price – $600 (buy it at Lakeland gear) seems like a lot of money considering a cheap aluminum topper can be had for a little less.
• Did we mention security sucks? One of the main reasons to have a topper is to put your gear in your truck bed without fear of being ripped off. This thing keeps your stuff dry, but it’s not going to keep your stuff secure.

Bottom Line: The SofTopper is a compromise. If you need the features of a topper but don’t feel like un-clamping, lifting, and then storing a solid topper every time you want to haul something big, the SofTopper is an option. Considering what the SofTopper does and doesn’t do, a truck tarp seems like an option as well.

We give this thing a ‘D’ – It’s probably great for some purposes, but it’s a bit expensive compared to the old-fashioned truck tarp and bungee cord system (about $25 at your local Wally World). We’d either like to see a folding hard shell topper (something like a larger version of Extang’s Solid Fold tonneau cover we reviewed last year) or a much lower price for this add-on.

Related posts:

• Tundra bedliner options
• Tundra tonneau cover reviews
• Tonneau cover fuel economy MYTH

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.

Earlier this week we talked about winter gas mileage and why the cold weather hurts your MPGs. Today, we’re talking about a series of electronics called the Kiwi PLX Gas Savers.

Kiwi's little MPG gas saver

Fact: In-dash fuel meters with instant gas mileage readings have been shown to improve gas mileage.

Oddly enough, most hybrid vehicles (with their super-efficient powertrains) have in-dash fuel economy displays. Most pickup trucks (with their super-inefficient powertrains) don’t have this feature. Seems sort of backwards, doesn’t it?

Recognizing that:

1. There are a growing number of drivers out there interested in getting a more accurate measure of their gas mileage, and
2. Instant fuel economy readings help people drive more efficiently, and
3. People love cool little toys.

PLX Devices created the “Kiwi Gas Saver”, a funny little series of devices that are designed to help people save gas. They plug into your vehicle’s OBD-II port (very easy to access on most models), turn on and off automatically, and they give you lots of useful info…

The cheapest Kiwi PLX, the $89 Kiwi MPG, is a small digital gauge that displays your instant and average miles per gallon as you are driving. In addition to instant gas mileage, the Kiwi MPG can also display various temperature readouts, the amount of fuel used since your last fill-up (and how much is left), trip travel mileage, miles to empty, etc. What’s more exciting is that it can also read engine codes and clear check engine lights . Make no mistake – the Kiwi is not a diagnosis tool – but it can help you figure out which codes require immediate attention and which codes might be a minor issue (like a loose gas cap).

Kiwi's WiFi transmits vehicle data to your smart phone

The next level up is the $149 Kiwi Wifi, which works very similarly to the less expensive MPG…but instead of using a small LED display to give you info, it transmits information wirelessly to an iPhone, BlackBerry, or other handheld device. By sending this data to a powerful handheld (and by installing one of Kiwi’s iPhone or BlackBerry applications on your phone), the Kiwi Wifi can reveal almost everything about how your truck is running, with full diagnostics, data logging, and even power and torque graphs.

The Kiwi PLX Green is the fanciest way to improve gas mileage 3-5%

The top of the line Kiwi PLX is the “Green” model. It’s a more in-depth digital device that incorporates almost all of the functionality found in the other two Kiwi models, but it also includes a program that “teaches” you how to reduce your fuel consumption and carbon footprint while driving. Four metrics – Smooth, Drag, Accel and Decel – are actively monitored and displayed to you while you drive, and they’re used to calculate something called a Kiwi Score.

The higher the Kiwi Score, the better. The system also provides a number of lessons or “challenges” which attempt to instruct you on how to improve your fuel efficiency. The company claims that properly used, the device can lower your gasoline costs by at least 20% and as much as 33% out on the highway – all for the “bargain” price of $299.

Note: It’s important to remember when using these kinds of gadgets that there is more to driving that just fuel economy. It’s easy to get sucked into concentrating on the device and stop paying attention to what’s going on around your vehicle (safety first kids!).

Pros: The Kiwis are really easy to understand and they will pay for themselves at some point. The limited diagnosis features are a nice bonus.

Cons: It doesn’t work on all vehicles (most, but not all) and the little guy (the Kiwi MPG) isn’t easy to read in sunshine.

Bottom Line: Kiwi claims you’ll cut your fuel use by as much as 20%, but that’s optimistic. Nissan tested a similar system in their vehicles (called the EcoPedal) and found that it cut fuel use by 5-10%…and that was when it was paired with an accelerator pedal that pushed back against your foot! More likely, you’ll see a 3-5% savings in fuel.

Still, at only 3% gas savings…

15000 miles per year / 17 mpg = 882 gallons used

882 gallons x 3% = 26.5 gallons saved

At $3 a gallon, that’s about $80 a year. Not bad.

Related Posts:

• Equus 3100 Scanner and Code Reader Review

• K&N Air Filter Saves $1100 on Gas!

• 7 Ways to Improve Your Tundra’s Fuel Economy

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.

For some people, the ideal form of camping is “roughing it,” heading out into the wilderness with a knife, a sleeping bag, some matches to start a campfire, and a profound sense of confidence.

Extreme campers don't wear shoes.

Others consider camping an electric adventure – they prefer to roll around in giant motor homes, bring along portable generators, and watch satellite TV from the woods…sort of like a bungalow on wheels.

This isn't really camping...but it sure looks comfy. Think she's drinking a margarita?

The rest of us fall somewhere in the middle. Not Davy or Daisy Crockett rigging any small game snares to catch our dinner, but not exactly interested in watching TV from our portable hot-tub while we’re enjoying the best that nature has to offer.

The good news is that for those who own a truck, there’s an easy way to strike a balance between the two. Here are some “luxury” truck camping accessories that make for a fun time outdoors that’s warm, dry, and comfortable.

Any camping enthusiast with a good-sized cap on their truck (or truck bed tent) has often pondered a way to convert their cargo bed into a more comfortable sleeping area. The biggest issue has always been making the best use of the space available, given the unique shape of a truck bed’s flat space interrupted by protruding wheel wells. Lakeland Gear offers truck bed air mattresses that conform almost exactly to the shape of your truck’s bed.

These truck bed air mattresses can fit in 5.5' to 6.5' beds, roughly conform to your truck's shape, and vastly improve your comfort while truck bed camping. They're available for SUVs too.

Retailing for between $70 and $100 depending upon their length, (a more luxurious model with a deluxe covering is also available for an extra $100), these mattresses include an air pump that plugs into your truck’s 12-volt outlet, and they provide you with 8 inches of comfort between you and the steel beneath.

After sleeping accommodations have been taken care of, the next order of business when camping is almost always eating. Campfires are fun, but not the most practical way of preparing every single meal. The Margaritaville Hitch Mount Propane BBQ Grill makes use of a special swing frame that mounts on a standard trailer hitch, making it easy to travel with and even easier to use.

Mount this cool grill on your truck and cook wherever you are.

All you need to do to get dinner started is swing it away from your truck and light it up. It even comes with a license plate bracket so you won’t get busted for concealing your tags. [Caption Obvious (Jason the Admin) - says "This thing would be cool as hell at a tailgate party."] The damage is about $400…definitely a luxury item.

This person seems a little too happy to be real, but it's a good photo of the grill.

Of course, even though you are getting away from it all, you might still have real-world obligations to consider back at the office. If you need to run a laptop computer, or maybe want to stay in touch with a sports team in the playoffs using a mini-TV, then you need to consider buying a portable generator to take some of the load off of your truck battery.

Honeywell's HW2000i portable generator is top quality and CARB compliant.

The Honeywell HW2000i is rated at 2000 watts, and runs on standard gasoline for up to 5 hours at a 50 percent load. It’s easy to store – weighing in at just under 60 lbs – and the small 1.5 gallon gas tank means you won’t have to haul around a dangerous amount of fuel with you. It’s also fairly quiet to operate, which is a big consideration if you are in a state park or around other campers who might not appreciate the sound of an industrial intrusion into their relaxation.

OK – it’s not cheap (about $500). But we didn’t say this stuff was cheap…we said luxury. At least Amazon offers free shipping on this little number.

Whatever you do, remember these important camping rules:

1. The key to fast setup: when you finally arrive at the campsite, don’t let anyone use the bathroom until the tents are setup.

2. Don’t eat potentially poisonous berries, mushrooms, or freeze-dried “made for camping” health snacks. Blech.

3. You can never have enough beef jerky. Never.

4. You WILL have to go to the bathroom in the absolute darkest, coldest part of the night. Plan on it.

5. Don’t lose track of your clothes for an instant…especially your pants.

Don't trust your camp buddies. They WILL steal your pants and take your picture.

6. If you do lose your pants, don’t let anyone take pictures of you. If someone does take pictures, try and look like you’re thinking about something really important.

7. Before you go on your next camping trip, check out LakelandGear.com.

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.

Pickup trucks are often hauling gear. Big pickup beds are great for cargo of all shapes and sizes, but they’re not always ergonomically friendly when it’s time to load or unload. Gear placed in a long, deep box is hard to reach for all but the tallest people, and many of us find ourselves jumping (or crawling if we have a topper) into the truck bed to retrieve it. At the end of the day, crawling around or jumping in and out of the bed is usually felt in the lower back and shoulders.

IFW's BedSlide is like a big heavy-duty dresser drawer for your truck bed.

Fortunately, ingenuity has come to the rescue. IFW has a slick truck bed accessory that really should be a factory option. Called the BedSlide, it’s a sliding floor panel that mounts in your truck bed and does exactly what it sounds like it does – it slides in and out. It’s basically a drawer for your pickup bed.

BedSlide facilitates easy access to all areas of the cargo bed without jumping , crawling, and/or straining to reach something by leaning over the bed rail. The loading system is designed to be pulled out, loaded, and then pushed back in with a minimum of effort, and thanks to its low profile it adds only a few inches of height to the bed floor. It also features the ability to lock in three positions, which allows for you to leave it unattended while you go back into the garage or shop to fetch more gear to pile on top of it.

OK – you’re probably thinking “big deal” – anyone could have thought of this one. True. What makes the IFW product different is that it’s easily removable – you and a buddy can uninstall it (and reinstall it later) in less than 10 minutes. Use your truck to haul tools on Tuesday, then uninstall the BedSlide and fill up the bed with bricks on Wednesday…then put it back the way it was. There’s a permanent mount option as well.

BedSlide comes in a few different varieties and styles, depending upon the application.

The standard is the “Classic” BedSlide, which handles up to 1,200 lbs of weight. It comes with a painted steel frame, aluminum sides, and a plywood floor with gray carpet on top to prevent scratching. Instead of the carpet, a “WeatherDeck” option is also available, which substitutes marine-grade plywood and adds a rubber mat top for those who worry about their BedSlide constantly being exposed to water or the elements. The classic BedSlide with the carpet top starts at about $600.

The upgrade is the  “Contractor Grade” BedSlide. It has an 1,800 lbs capacity, making it more useful for hauling heavier equipment, large power tools, etc. It shares many of the same features as the classic but with enhanced components such as upgraded ball bearings for the roller system and taller side rails. The Contractor Grade BedSlide comes standard with marine WeatherDeck. Contractor grade BedSlides are about $1200.

If your job involves a lot of crawling and/or jumping to get at equipment, this thing might save you from an injury.

There aren’t really any downsides to installing the BedSlide in your truck (other than the $600-$1200) except a slight narrowing and raising of the cargo floor. For a lot of truck owners – especially the 40% or so who use their truck for work every day – this is a pretty cool feature. If it helps you sell it to the boss, start by complaining about lower back pain. Sprinkle the words “workers comp” in with your story and then show them the brochure.

But seriously – this accessory makes a lot of damn sense compared to just one day of missed work or injury as a result of hurting yourself getting in and out of your work truck’s bed.

If the “boss” in our little scenario is your spouse, perhaps some sort of quid pro quo can be arranged. Good luck.

FTC Disclosure – This was NOT a paid post. However, if you buy a product using one of our links, we get a small percentage of the sale. So if you want to help us out…cool. If not, that’s cool too. See our About page to learn more about how we make money.

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.

Considering that towing a trailer is one of the main reasons people buy pickup trucks, it’s no surprise that most trucks come with trailer hitches. However, not all trucks come with the right trailer hitch. Some auto manufacturers try and save money by installing a light-duty hitch on a heavy-duty truck. In fact, it’s not uncommon to find a new or used half-ton pickup without a hitch at all.

Fortunately, there’s an easy fix.

Class III and Class V trailer hitches from Curt Manufacturing.

Curt Manufacturing Inc, better known as Curt, is a precision builder of after-market trailer hitches. Curt uses an army of precision welders, electricians, and finishers to produce some of the highest quality tow components in the industry.

First, here’s a quick review of trailer hitch classes and weight ratings:

As you can see, the vast majority of half-ton pickup trucks need a Class IV or Class V hitch (FYI – check out “What To Know Before You Tow” for some trailer towing and trailer hitch basics). Curt manufactures both a Class III and Class V hitch for the Toyota Tundra (along with most brands of pickups), with the Class V hitch capable of pulling more than the Tundra is rated for (14k lbs with a weight distributing setup).  Each hitch also features the ability to add a Curt T-Connector to facilitate trailer brake light wiring, and don’t forget that most trucks without a trailer hitch still include a basic 5 pin trailer connection at the back bumper.

The stock class IV receiver hitch on a 2007 Toyota Tundra.

Curt protects their steel hitches with a layer of with black powder-coating, and if you’re looking to dress-up your truck you can order a more arresting color (such as bright red or silver) in order to match the finish on your pickup. Each hitch has been custom-built to specifically conform to the underside of your truck so as to ensure that there will be no need to drill any holes in your truck’s frame during installation. Drilling holes can weaken a frame, and drilling also makes installation more difficult. Because Curt custom-designs their hitches to each application, they can be bolted on with only a few basic tools.

When you’re selecting an aftermarket hitch for your truck, a do-it-yourself installation process is pretty important. Some hitch brands require professional installation, which can seriously add to the total price of the item. Professional install can be nice (especially if your truck’s frame is a little old), but a do-it-yourself kit from Curt isn’t so bad. For example, there are typically only six steps to putting a Class-III Curt hitch on your truck. The only tools required are 3 different sockets, a torque wrench, and a single standard wrench.

As always, corrosion is a concern when installing anything on the underside of a pickup truck. The “dirty side” is one area where dirt, grime, and road salt tend to accumulate over time. Because Curt uses robotic welds and a sealing process that helps to prevent the intrusion of water, all Curt hitches come with a lifetime warranty.

Depending on the hitch rating and vehicle application, Curt hitches are usually priced between $150.00 (class 3) and $350.00 (class 5). Considering the fact that Curt hitches are designed to be self-installed, they provide a significant value in a segment that offers a very wide range of quality when it comes to available hitch designs. In fact, this is one of the rare instances in the automotive world where going with a trusted and reliable brand name doesn’t entail having to shell out a premium price.

Bottom Line: If you need to upgrade an existing hitch OR add a hitch to a truck that doesn’t have one, check out a receiver hitch from Curt.

Do you have any experience with a Curt receiver hitch? Leave a product review and comment below.

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.

Last Spring, we took a look at the Napier truck bed tent. The general consensus was that while there were a few gripes we had regarding features that could probably be improved, in general, it was a very practical and well-made tent that provided nice sleeping space high up off the wet ground. With hunting season upon us (or nearly upon us, depending on your game of choice), we thought it might be nice to look at truck camping again.

The Camp-Right Truck Bed Tent

There are a few pickup truck tents available on the market that are worthy of investigating should you be tempted to transform your Tundra into a full-on recreational vehicle. One of which, the Camp-Right full-size Long (and Short) Bed Truck Tent, is an interesting competitor to the Napier model.

Like the Napier, the Camp-Right (available at LakelandGear.com and AutoAnything.com) uses the full length of your truck bed plus the lowered tailgate in order to expand the amount of interior room that is available to you. A full-sized adult can stand up inside each of the tents, which makes them much more useful than simply sleeping under a standard truck cap.

The Camp-Right even features glow-in-the-dark zippers for easier access in the middle of the night. It uses nylon buckles and special straps to protect your trucks paint, and it also comes with an extra large bag so you can basically just fold it up and go without trying to squeeze it into a tiny carrying case at the end of your trip.

Setting up the Camp-Right tent is easy enough, but where's the floor?

The Camp-Right differs from the Napier tent in a few important ways. Strangely, it doesn’t actually provide a floor – the bottom of the tent is completely open. CampRight claims that this is so you can just set up the tent overtop of whatever you have currently riding in the truck bed – ostensibly coolers and luggage for a camping trip – but it seems an odd omission, particularly since it means dealing with the usually dirty steel floor of the cargo area. You’ll have to bring a blanket or a tarp to keep your air mattress and other belongings from getting filthy.

The Camp-Right also doesn’t offer the awning that is available with the Napier tent, meaning that the area directly behind the tailgate is completely exposed to the elements. Both tents can be “sealed up”, but the awning is nice because it gives you a sheltered place to setup a camp chair.

There are two features that make the Camp-Right tent more appealing than the Napier. The first is a roof vent that functions as a sort of “skylight,” providing natural illumination by day and a view of the stars by night. The second addresses one of the single biggest complaints about the Napier tent – the inability to reach through a truck’s sliding rear window into the passenger compartment. CampRight’s tent provides a special sleeve that allows occupants to do just that, which for many truck-campers is a crucial feature that puts the tent head and shoulders above the Napier.

Unlike the Napier tent, with the Camp-Right you can access your truck's cab.

Does the window access balance out the lack of floor and missing awning? This might seem like a simplistic way to evaluate the two tents, but with both priced at around $200.000, it would seem as though that question will be the determining factor between those campers who opt for the Napier or those who choose the Camp-Right.

Own either of these tents or want to see some user reviews? Review the Camp-Right or Review the Napier

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.

If you spend any time at all flipping through parts catalogs or browsing internet auto parts shops, one thing eventually becomes clear: pretty much anything you can imagine as an accessory for your truck has already been designed, built and put on sale at a hard to resist price. Want LED lights for you windshield washers? They’re out there. Want to dangle a nasty representation of the male anatomy from your trailer hitch? It’s a mouse click away from being shipped to your house. The array of products available for the Tundra is really quite impressive, and it represents a very large market of people that are looking for ways to make their trucks nicer and easier to enjoy.

Custom sun shades are a nice accessory, but they might be overkill.

Sometimes, however, you run across a product that at first seems to make sense but after a little bit of research turns out to be impressively over-engineered and over-priced for the task at hand. The Covercraft Car Sun Shade and Intro-Tech Automotive Windshield Sun Shade might fall into this particular category.

Basically, these products perform a very specific task: they keep the sun from streaming through your windshield and heating up the interior of your truck to an uncomfortable level. Sun blockers are a great way to avoid that steamy jungle feeling you get when you open the door to your truck after it has been parked outside all day. They are also excellent at preventing interior materials from fading and cracking due to UV rays and at keeping leather seats from reaching a temperature that is hot enough to burn your skin on contact.

The Covercraft Sun Shade

Both the Covercraft and Intro-Tech sunshades use a reflective metal surface and insulated interior layers in order to drop temperatures inside your truck down to a manageable 40 degrees F C, regardless of how hot it might be outside. Each are custom cut to fit your Tundra, and the Covercraft sun shade features its own bag for easy storage. Each shade retails for around $40…which is 8 times the price of a cardboard sunshade that can easily be found at any big box store for a measly $5.

Intro-Tech Sun Shade

Having said that, a one-size-fits-all cardboard sunshade isn’t going to do too much insulating, nor is it going to necessarily make a snug fit on your dash. However, given that you could easily buy two or even three cardboard sunshades and still not spend half of what one of these deluxe models costs, you could afford to stack a couple of them up across your windshield should temperatures get really intense.

There’s also the one-size-fits-all reflective material sunshades, which you can buy for $10-$20. They don’t fit as nicely as the Covercraft or Intro-Tech, but they DO have some insulating/reflecting properties.

Still, despite all of our efforts to show you cheaper alternatives, there is something to be said for custom-fitted sunshades and the 40 degree F C guarantee. Considering the price you paid for your pickup, another $40 to protect the interior seems like a no-brainer…but it’s a slippery slope. That same argument can be used to justify a lot of extra purchases, so it should be used carefully.

The good news is that if you ARE going to spend for a nice sun shade, you can’t beat either the Covercraft or the Intro-Tech. They’re both high quality and work exactly as advertised. If you have to park your truck outside all the time and you live in a very sunny climate, $40 spent on a sunshade will save your interior from UV and your skin from super-heated steering wheels, door handles, and seats.

These sun shades are really popular too – AutoAnything.com lists them as some of their consistently best-selling accessories. A lot of people are tired of futzing with cardboard and like the features…so there’s definitely something to these things. But they’re not for everyone…

The bottom line: Don’t buy premium truck accessories without investigating to see if there is a cheaper solution (or to see if the cheaper solution works). Sometimes, $40 sun shades are $35 more than you need…and sometimes not. In the right situation, you can’t put a price on the convenience that comes with NOT burning your rear end on your expensive leather seats.

Already own one of these products? Review the Covercraft Sun Shade – Review the Intro-Tech Sun Shade

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.

Bed liners might be the most popular truck accessory of all time. Truck owners love them for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is their role in protecting the shiny factory finish inside the truck bed. If you’re a new truck owner thinking about getting a bed liner, here are 7 truck bed liner buying tips for you:

1. It’s all about what you’re hauling. If you own an antique furniture business and you’re putting a bed liner in your delivery truck, a rug liner probably makes a lot of sense. It’s going to protect your cargo (furniture) while also protecting your truck. On the other hand, if you’re hauling drums of toxic waste, a spray-in bed liner with corrosion guarantee is the only way to go. In other words, the best liner for your truck is the best liner for your typical cargo.

2. Beware the do-it-yourself bed liner. From trim-to-fit rubber mats to truck bed liner “paints,” there are quite a few inexpensive do-it-yourself options. Some of these options are better than others, but the take-away here is that these home remedies often underwhelm…many of them are cheap for a reason. UPDATE: As Mickey commented below, he has had success with Herculiner. While we can’t vouch either way for Herculiner or any other do-it-yourself bed liner coating, it’s important to factor prep and installation time into the final cost. For example if your time is worth $30 an hour and it takes 4 hours to install a do-it-yourself bed liner, the total cost is higher than the initial $70 price.

3. Consider surface texture. There are five types of bed liners that are often used – plywood, rubber mats, molded plastic, carpet or “rug” mats, and a liner that’s a sort of thick, plasticized paint (like Linex or Rhino liners). Each type of liner has it’s own texture, and the differences can be important. Plastic liners, for example, are easy to slide across. If you do a lot of loading on your own, you might want a slippery surface to make your life a little easier. On the other hand, if you want things to stay put in your bed as you drive around, a rough spray-in texture might be better.

4. Every bed liner material has it’s advantages. Rubber absorbs more shock than any other type of liner material. Plastic does a nice job of protecting the truck bed from dents. Wood is cheap. Carpet mats are great for truck camping. Spray-on liners look great and stay out of your way. The bottom line is that every type of liner is worth considering – every material has it’s own strengths.

5. Think about bed liner cost as a long-term investment. Often times truck owners buy the bed liner that offers the lowest up-front cost. However, up-front cost should be weighed against long-term value. A spray-on bedliner, for example, is all but guaranteed to add $100-$300 value to your truck when it’s time to sell or trade it. A rubber mat, on the other hand, might actually hurt the value of your truck if rust has accumulated underneath.

6. Think about maintenance. Unless you opt for a spray-on bed liner, you’re probably going to want to pull your plastic liner / rubber mat / carpet liner / piece of plywood out of your truck once or twice a year and clean. If not, dirt and moisture can accumulate underneath and cause your bed to rust.

7. Talk to your local new car dealer. Often times you can get a deal on a bed liner (especially a spray-in liner) by asking your local dealership for a referral. Call the new truck manager at your favorite Toyota dealership (or Ford or Chevy or whatever) and ask them who they recommend. If you’re nice about it, you can sometimes find out what the dealer’s price is for the liner. If nothing else, you’ll find out the name of a local company that sells a lot of bed liners…which means they probably know what they’re doing.

Read more about different truck bed liner options and our Linex vs. Rhino liner review.

Read user reviews of Tundra Accessories.