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The Ultimate Guide to Bed Slides
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BED SLIDES: OPTIMIZE YOUR TRUCK’S CARGO MANAGEMENT
What is a Bed Slide?
A bed slide can be an absolute game-changer when it comes to cargo management systems for pickup truck beds. Our X-ONE, X-HIGH, and X-LOW truck packs offer this accessory as an option. Picture this: a sliding platform that effortlessly gives you access to organize and retrieve items in your truck bed. Made from a combination of high-quality aluminum and steel materials, bed slides are built to handle heavy loads without breaking a sweat.
Why Should You Get a Bed Slide?
The primary purpose of a bed slide is to bring you ultimate convenience in accessing the contents of your truck bed, and avoiding any awkward climbing into the truck bed. With a bed slide, you can effortlessly pull out the platform towards you, bringing your desired items within easy reach. Loading and unloading cargo becomes much easier, and you can find specific tools faster.
Bed slides have become the go-to choice for service industry professionals, first responders, and outdoor enthusiasts who frequently transport equipment, tools, or recreational gear in their pickup trucks. If you’re someone who regularly carries heavy or bulky items, the sliding mechanism of a bed slide dramatically reduces the strain of lifting and reaching, saving you time and energy and helping you be more efficient on-site.
One of our customers was an experienced electrical contractor who was purchasing an X-ONE from us. He needed a reliable solution to transport his equipment hassle-free, and easy access to the items stored in his truck bed. He purchased an X-ONE with a bed slide, and he mentioned multiple times how happy he was to not have to reach or climb into the truck cap or his truck bed to access his equipment. With a simple pull, everything was right at his fingertips, making his job easier and helping him be more efficient on every job.
Exceptional Quality from Cargo-Ease
When it comes to sourcing the best bed slides on the market for our truck packs, we turn to Cargo-Ease. Their bed slides are the only ones that meet our high standard for quality. We work closely with Cargo-Ease to customize their bed slides to complement our products, maximizing storage efficiency for our customers. Their bed slides are all powder coated steel and aluminum, and crafted in North America by fellow truck enthusiasts.
The Range of Bed Slide Models We Offer
As of the time of writing this, we offer the following bed slides from Cargo-Ease:
- Single Bed Slides with weight capacities ranging from 1,000lbs to 3,000lbs.
- Split/Dual Bed Slides with a 1,200lbs capacity.
- 100% Extension Bed Slides with weight capacities of 1,500lbs to 2,000lbs.
Cargo-Ease also offers a wide array of other bed slides and cargo locker products that we can integrate with our truck packs. Reach out to our knowledgeable product experts for all the details.
Bed Slide Capacities and Specs
For the bed slide capacities and specifications that we offer, here’s what you need to know:
Single Bed Slides
- Capacities (LBS): 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000
- Side Rail Height: 4” – 8” (Depending On Model)
- Extension Length: 75%
- Locking Positions: 3
- Tie Down Points: 4
- Rubber Mat: Included. 1/4″ Thick
- Handle: Easy-Pull Handle Included
- Finish: Powder Coated Black
- Materials: Steel Frame, Aluminum Body
Split/Dual Bed Slides
- Capacities (LBS): 1200
- Side Rail Height: 4”
- Extension Length: 75%
- Locking Positions: 3
- Tie Down Points: 4
- Rubber Mat: Included. 1/4″ Thick
- Handles: Easy-Pull Handle Included
- Finish: Powder Coated Black
- Materials: Steel Frame, Aluminum Body
Single Bed Slides (100% Extension)
- Capacities (LBS): 1000, 1500, 2000
- Side Rail Height: 4” – 8” (Depending On Model)
- Extension Length: 100%
- Locking Positions: 3
- Tie Down Points: 4
- Rubber Mat: Included. 1/4″ Thick
- Handles: Easy-Pull Handle Included
- Finish: Powder Coated Black
- Materials: Steel Frame, Aluminum Body
Dimensions Matter
We understand the importance of a great fit. That’s why we customize the dimensions of every truck pack we create to tailor it to your specific truck. Our X-ONE, X-HIGH, and X-LOW truck packs are tailored to maximize your available storage space. For specific dimensions on Cargo-Ease products, reach out to them directly through their website.
Choosing the Right Bed Slide for Your Truck
Finding the perfect bed slide for your truck requires some careful consideration. Here are some essential points to guide your decision-making process:
Compatibility: Ensure the bed slide is compatible with your truck make, model, and any truck storage solutions you have, such as our truck packs. Check product specifications or consult with the manufacturer to confirm compatibility.
Single or Split/Dual: Decide between a single bed slide that spans the full width of the cargo area or two individual slides side-by-side. If you frequently transport large items, the single slide may be your best bet. If you carry more smaller items, consider the split/dual slide.
Weight Capacity: Determine the weight capacity based on your typical loads. Choose a bed slide that can handle your heaviest loads and provides a safety margin.
Dimensions: Measure your truck bed’s length, width, and height, accounting for any obstacles or protrusions that may affect installation or operation.
Slide Extension Length: Consider how far you want your bed slide to pull out. Opt for a bed slide with 100% extension if you want maximum accessibility.
Material and Durability: Look for bed slides made from durable materials like aluminum or steel with high weight-rated bearings for strength and longevity. Consider corrosion resistance and overall build quality.
Additional Features: Compare the additional features offered by different bed slides to find the ones that suit your specific needs.
Budget: Determine your budget and select a bed slide that fits within your financial constraints while meeting your requirements.
Reviews and Recommendations: Seek out customer reviews and recommendations from truck owners or professionals to gain valuable insights into different brands and models.
Bed Slide Installation Made Easy
While we won’t delve too deeply into the specifics of installing a bed slide, here’s a brief overview:
Cargo-Ease slides, the ones we use with our Truck Packs, feature a shorter, simplified installation method compared to other bed slides on the market. Here’s all you need to do:
- Place the slide in your truck bed and center it.
- Drill two 5/8″ holes into your front bed wall.
- Insert the included L-bolt and tighten two nuts on each bolt.
If you opt for our X-ONE Truck Pack, the bed slide comes pre-installed inside the pack at our factory, eliminating the need for any drilling or bolting from you. We take care of it. In the case of the X-HIGH or X-LOW Truck Packs, you will have to install the bed slides yourself.
The advantages of our installation method include:
- Installing the slide just once, eliminating the need to move it in and out while measuring and drilling.
- No worries about hitting your gas tank since you’re drilling into the wall of your truck, not the bed.
- Only two holes to drill instead of four to six.
- It can be installed in aluminum Ford beds without requiring extra hardware.
Need More Bed Slide Info?
If you’re looking for additional information on the bed slides we offer and how they work with our truck packs, don’t hesitate to contact our knowledgeable product experts. They’re ready to provide you with the details you need to make an informed decision.