SUV SECURITY FOR PICK-UPS THANKS TO NEW HARD-TOP
NEW PRODUCT Truckman SR-Series hard-top
Price: £2,352.22 Contact: www.truckman.co.uk
PICK-UP trucks are impressively versatile, but what you put on their beds largely dictates how they can be used. If the bed is not covered, the contents can be stolen, but a tonneau cover restricts the height of things that can be carried securely, while a hard-top makes it difficult to reach the bulkhead.
Truckman’s new hard-top aims to overcome some of the restrictions that come with the security benefits of an SUV-style load bay. The SR-Series allows access via the tailgate and two gullwing side windows. These make it easy to get to the front of the load bed, which is usually hard to reach, particularly when the tailgate is open.
Access is made easier because all three openings can be unlocked from the pickup’s remote key fob – a first for Truckman’s gullwing hard-tops. And the side windows, which are held open on gas struts, also have push-to-open catches, so there are no bulky handles to spoil the look.
The hard-top – which is available for the Ford Ranger, Izuzu D-Max, Mercedes X-Class, Nissan Navara, Volkswagen Amarok, Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi L200 – has hidden seals and is designed to sit flush with each model’s cab to give an OE look. Truckman also says the design of the top reduces drag and increases fuel economy.
The upmarket look continues inside, with a luxury carpet lining and an automatic LED light that illuminates when one of the side or rear doors opens. There is also a heated rear screen, and a sliding bulkhead window to increase ventilation when carrying pets.