My truck has handled transporting surfboards with just a simple tailgate pad, but when I picked up an 11' Laird standup paddle board I knew my bed was too short and I need to get a truck rack.
The best looking one I saw also offered a lot of flexibility so I went with the Thule 422XT Xsporter Multi-Height Aluminum Truck Rack. This is a medium-duty rack system designed to maximize the load capacity of any pickup truck. You can raise the load bars to carry long loads like my SUP board or lower them for bed level loading. You can also attach a cargo box to them for more protection.
There was no drilling required to install the rack but I did need to cut out holes in the factory bed liner so I could attach the footings directly to the underside of the bed rail.
It's performed flawlessly and even with 5 boards strapped to the top it feels totally secure.
"Connecting with the earth" is an oft uttered theme among John Deere employees. I had an opportunity to find out what that really means during a tour of their tractor manufacturing facility in Grovetown, Georgia which is just outside Augusta.
John Deere is one of the most iconic American brands and their history dates back to 1837 when John Deere himself built the first polished-steel plow to turn the sticky Midwest prairie soil. Today they do business around the world and employ more than 50,000 people.
The factory I visited is where they mainly build compact utility and utility tractors. A majority of the residential including ride-on and zero-turns mowers are built in the Horicon, WI factory.
The day started with an introduction to their lineup of residential product line. These mowers and tractors are geared towards people who don't make money working their land but still require commercial grade equipment to mow, load, dig, plow or till their land. 33% of these customers are first-time buyers and although they will put in less hours on their equipment they still demand high-quality and versatility.
Are you shopping for the ultimate work truck? The options on light-duty trucks keep growing to include increased comfort, power, and fuel-efficiency. We don't hide our love for our 2001 F-150 which is still going strong but the 2011 models from the big 3 and a few imports have us considering an upgrade.
Many now offer hybrid models but at a huge jump in price. The standard engines aren't lacking in power and fuel efficiency continues to improve as most of these manufacturers are spending money on R&D to improve the MPGs.
Here are some direct links to the car manufacturers. In a few weeks we'll dive a bit deeper into our favorites and the features we find most attractive on each truck.
Do you have a favorite?
2011 Ford F-150
2011 Chevy Silverado 1500
2011 GMC Sierra 1500
If you're hauling plywood or drywall in the back of your pickup or open trailer, it's best if the materials stay dry and out of the elements. This can be a problem living in the Pacific Northwest or somewhere that rains and snows often and you don't have a covered cab.
An enterprising woodworker named Lloyd Kerry has a solution he calls the Kerry-All Pouch. They come in a variety of sizes and will fit drywall, plywood sheets, pallets and even cover a mattress. They range from $59-$99 Canadian dollars.
