Top 5 Truck Bed Extenders for Transporting Your Stuff (Lumber, Kayak…)

When you have a truck, your trunk room provides a lot of storage space compared to other types of vehicles. In fact, you can transport small to medium size cargo, and it will fit the maximum of the tailgate of the truck. But if you are thinking of packing up of bike or angling rods this space is still not enough. Even with a big lawn mower, space will not be enough.

When your load has longer dimensions, you need a truck bed extender to give them extra security. There are many uses for extender, and there are different brands available in the market. The best truck bed extenders are made to expand the capacity of the truck’s loading length. It is best for trucks and pick-ups. The installation process is simple and easy. You simply attached them to the slot that you can find in the bumper of your vehicle. Install them horizontally and attach its bolt and cotter pin.

With a truck bed extender installed in your truck, you can transport sports gear, goods and furniture easily. The reason is that it provides extra space to accommodate the extra dimensions into your vehicle.

Choosing a good truck extender can be hard, but if you take some time to do extensive research, you will find the right product. Here we have done it for you with a list of the best truck extenders among those available in the market and a guide to making your buying experience as stress-free as possible.

Top 5 Reviews

1. ECOTRIC Pick Up Truck Bed Hitch Extender

This truck bed extender from the ECOTRIC is perfect for carrying items that have longer dimensions for your truck. The extender is made from steel and weighs 27.6 pounds. What is good about it is you can assemble and detach them easily with only minimum effort and time. You can rely on them because they have a sturdy built and can handle the load as massive as 750 pounds.

The ECOTRIC has an inclusive safety flag and can adjust the width from 28.25 to 48.75 inches. The height is also adjustable from 4 inches to 10 inches. This extender is suitable only for 2-inch trailer hitches and can fit any using a hitch adapter.

The only drawback with the ECOTRIC Truck Bed Extender is it needs little drilling. The process of installing them is not very complicated; however, and there is a product manual included for you to follow. After the drilling, it will be easy to install and uninstall.

2. Erickson 07605 Pick-Up Bed Extender – Junior

If you are looking for a truck bed extender that is not heavy but still have enough room for your loads with extra dimensions. It is best for canoes so you can be sure that it is a dependable extender for your truck. It can add 4 feet from the truck’s tailgate. According to its specifications, it can accommodate any load that can fit into a 52” x 50” x 25.5”.

This truck bed extender is not as sturdy as other options mentioned here, and it can only carry a maximum weight of any load weighing below 350 pounds. However, it can compensate for this limitation by its versatility because it can take a variety of loads from canoes, paddleboards, fishing boats, ladder, plywood, drywall, or lumbers. Just be sure that they don’t weigh beyond the suggested load capacity.

You can adjust the height of this extender, and the width between its loops is 48 inches. This extender is made from durable steel that doesn’t rust easily, so it has a longer lifespan compared to others.

One of its great features, why this truck bed extender made it here, is the high mount option. This provides the ability to put the loads on the roof of the truck efficiently. You can do this by inverting the extender when you are sliding them into the extender.

3. Erickson 07600 Pick-Up Bed Extender – Senior

This truck bed extender is another product from the Erickson with a slight modification from the previously mentioned extender of the same brand. It has three height adjustments to adapt to different bed heights. It is easy to do this by removing the screw and raising the mast to the desired height. You can keep it in place by putting back the screw. In addition, there are red reflective tapes at the end of the bed extender as a safety feature to warn people who are driving behind you. It is made from steel coated with black powder. Therefore, it is rust-resistant and durable.

It can fit in a 2” x 2” hitch receiver and has a weight capacity of not more than 400 pounds. This steel extension weighs about 38 pounds, and it can be extended up to 4 feet. Its best feature is foldable when not in use for easy storage. This truck bed extender can fit vans, SUVs, and other vehicles for hauling loads.

4. AMP Research 74813-01A BedXTender

To extend the capacity of your cargo bed, you need a good truck bed extender, and one of the top choices is the AMP Research 74813-01A that comes in a classic U-shape. This extender is an all-American product. Its design has an upright torque resistant composite and in a curved rectangular shape. It is made from a high-grade aluminum alloy tube. This tube is coated for maximum durability and longevity.

Its maximum length from the tailgate is 2 feet of the additional enclosed cargo area to keep the load safe and sound during transport. It is highly recommended for long transport and higher capacity. There are no tools necessary to install this bed extender. In fact, you can install them in minutes. Another good thing about this bed extender is that its high quality yet at a very affordable price.

5. ReadyRamp I-beam Bed Extender/Ramp

If there is one truck bed extender that is always ready for use, then it is ReadyRamp I-beam bed Extender. The extender is a patented item that is made from aluminum and weighs about 21 pounds. This can also be converted into a motorcycle ramp you can stow in your truck bed. Maximum load capacity is up to 600 pounds.

This versatile extender can fit in any full-sized truck. You can also easily fold it flat when you are not using them. Aside from using it as a ramp and extender, it can also double as your barrier to secure items and prevent them from falling off the truck bed during transit.

The first installation might take considerable time, but it will be more comfortable with the succeeding attachments. You don’t have to drill on the side of the truck because there is already an attach mount plus storage is also easy.

Things to Consider When Buying a Truck Bed Extender

There are a few factors that you need to consider before deciding to buy one, and below may be the most important factors you must pay attention to.

1. Extender Type

There are two types of truck bed extenders that you can choose from: the tailgate extender, which is appropriate for those who have tonneau covers and the hitch mount extender that mounts on your hitch at the back of your vehicle. The latter can increase twice the length of the truck bed and is sometimes it can be a roof extender in some vehicles.

2. Compatibility

The truck bed should fit your vehicle, or else it does not have any use for you. Since you can have many choices, you must make sure that the product is compatible with your vehicle.

3. Material

As the extender is used to hold heavy items, you need to have a durable and robust construction. Aluminum and steel are common materials and often the best. For the tailgate extender, it can be from carbon fiber or plastic. Make sure that they also have protection against corrosion and rust.

4. Installation

Installation is definitely a concern because you will use it very often. Moreover, the pieces should also not too heavy when you carry them. Check if it has a roof mounting capability and has a curve shape when mounted vertically.

5. Safety Components

The best truck bed extender should have additional components for its security and efficiency. It can be a reflective tape in red, which is helpful at night or a red flag to enhance visibility.

Final Thoughts

Truck bed extenders are very useful when you need to transport goods that are beyond the dimensions of the truck bed. If you are carrying these things quite often, you need them as an essential accessory for your truck. Your buying decision can be easier if you keep in mind the buying guide we have mentioned above.