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How to Outfit a K9 Vehicle For Safety and Efficiency

September 30, 2025

How to Outfit a K9 Vehicle For Safety and Efficiency

k9 police vehicle

When you’re setting up a K9 police vehicle, you’ve got a partner in the back who depends on you for every mile, and a job that doesn’t leave much room for mistakes. So, it’s important you build a rig to match.

From the kennel to the tailgate, every detail matters. The right setup keeps your dog safe, your gear organized, and your vehicle working like a trusted tool. Learn where to put the kennel, how to keep your four-legged partner and a passenger safe, and smart ways to store your gear. Build it right, and your K9 vehicle becomes part of the team.

Kennel Placement: Secure and Dog-Friendly

The kennel is the heart of any K9 police vehicle. It’s where your partner rides, rests, and stays safe between calls, so getting it right isn’t negotiable. A good setup protects them in traffic, keeps them comfortable on the road, and makes your job easier when it’s time to load in or deploy.

Most use a purpose-built K9 insert or kennel that bolts into the vehicle, like an Extendobed stationary kennel. In an SUV, that usually means removing the rear seats or using the cargo area. 

An SUV’s cargo door or back door sits lower than a pickup bed, and that’s one big reason SUVs are the go-to for most K9 units. The less jumping on the floor and climbing your partner has to do, the better — especially after a long shift in the field.

If you’re running a dual-dog unit or working with a large breed, make sure the kennel’s got room for them to stand up, turn around, and stretch without blocking your visibility. Small touches like a rubber mat or a bit of padding make the ride more comfortable and can be pulled out for a quick wash, because wet dogs and mud are just part of the job. 

Climate Control: Keeping Your K9 Cool (or Warm)

Anyone who’s worked a K9 unit in summer knows that feeling when you step out of the car and the heat hits you like a wall. Now imagine sitting in that with a full fur coat. Heat exhaustion is a serious issue for police dogs. 

While most K9 law enforcement units come equipped with an alarm system to detect rising temperatures in the vehicle, there are further steps you can take to make sure they’re comfortable: 

  • Make sure the kennel gets the same A/C and heat you do: Make sure your K9 compartment gets direct A/C and heat output.
  • Add ventilation aids: Window guards, rear-door fans, and vented kennel panels keep fresh air moving even when parked.
  • Insulate the kennel: Foam-lined panels help maintain temperature in both hot and cold weather, and can cut down on noise stress.

Good climate control just makes the day easier on the K9 officers and their handlers. With steady airflow, a bit of insulation, and the right backup in place, your partner can ride in comfort no matter what’s happening outside. It’s one of those small things that pays off every single shift.

Maximizing Gear Storage in a K9 Police Vehicle

K9 units carry a lot of gear. Beyond the usual law enforcement equipment, you’ve got all the dog’s leashes, harnesses, muzzles, first aid supplies (for both of you), possibly specialized sensors or cameras, and maybe even training aids like bite sleeves. 

Consider these storage tips for your K9 police vehicle:

  • Prioritize daily essentials: Keep leashes, harnesses, water bowls, and reward toys up front or on top where you can grab them without thinking.
  • Use K9 vehicle inserts for built-in storage: Many inserts include lockers, drawers, or other accessories beneath or beside the kennel. Perfect for food, medical kits, or extra collars.
  • Work your vertical space: If your kennel’s raised, put a pull-out drawer underneath to hold smaller, high-value items you want close at hand.

The more organized your K9 rig is, the faster you can move when the call comes in. Every leash, collar, and piece equipment should have its place so you’re not wasting time digging through gear. Get the storage right, and your truck or SUV becomes a well-oiled tool that helps you and your partner work smarter and stay ready for whatever’s next.

Slideout Drawers: Your New Best Friend

Slideout drawers are a game-changer for storing heavy or bulky equipment. Instead of crawling into the back of an SUV or reaching over a tailgate to dig for a case of evidence tools, you just pull a handle, and the entire drawer comes out to you. 

In fact, heavy-duty units, like Extendobed’s truck bed dog kennel slideout slide over the tailgate so you can access every crate and all of your equipment without climbing into the bed. Each kennel keeps dogs separated, with removable walls so you can adjust the setup as needed. Air vents keep the airflow moving, and a built-in storage area gives you space for leashes, medical kits, and other gear.

Whether you’re in animal control, law enforcement, or search and rescue, many police K9 vehicle kennels can be built with this included. Giving you a rugged, no-nonsense solution that protects your dogs and makes the handler’s job easier.

The Difference Between Stalling and Responding

A solidly outfitted K9 vehicle is a lifeline for you and your dog. Every decision, from where you mount the kennel to how you store your gear, impacts how quickly you can respond and how safely your partner rides. Build it right and you’ll have a rig that works as hard as you do: secure, organized, and built for the long haul.

Out on the road, there’s no room for guesswork. When the call comes in, you want to know your gear’s ready, your dog’s comfortable, and the whole setup will hold up shift after shift. Outfit your K9 vehicle with the same pride and grit you bring to the job, and it’ll never let you down.

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Outfitting Mobile Command Centers for Law‑Enforcement Operations

September 30, 2025

Outfitting Mobile Command Centers for Law‑Enforcement Operations

What Kind of Gear Is Inside a Police Car

If you’re in law enforcement, fire and rescue, or emergency management, you already know the truth: a mobile command vehicle has to pull triple duty. 

It’s a communications hub, a meeting space, and a rolling storage room, all in one package. If it’s not built to work the way your crew does, you’ll feel it the minute things hit the fan.

But when it is built right? That truck becomes the anchor. The place everyone turns when the clock’s working against you. It’s where the comms keep firing, and turns a tough situation into a job handled.

Work Surfaces: Where Plans Take Shape

You can’t run an operation off the hood of a cruiser. That may work in a pinch, but when things heat up, you need steady ground. That’s why the work surfaces inside a mobile command center vehicle matter more than most folks think.

  • Fold-down tables give you space when you need it and fold up when you don’t, keeping the walkways clear.
  • Pop-up writing desks give your crew a spot to jot notes, sign off on paperwork, or work on a laptop without wobbling.
  • Reversible map boards are the playbook. Maps on one side, dry-erase on the other. Flip, mark it up, and keep going.

You can’t make smart calls with a notebook sliding off your knee. A good surface gives your team a place to write it down, draw it up, and keep the plan on track.

Communications: Keeping the Lifeline Open

The success of every mission depends on communication. If the radios go down or the laptops can’t get power, you’re dead in the water. A mobile command truck is first and foremost a communications hub, and everything else comes after. 

Radios, laptops, and network gear all need to ride in one place where they’re safe and easy to grab. Slide-out units built for comms mean no tangled wires, and gear that’s ready the second you reach for it.

Power’s the other half of the fight. A mobile command center vehicle has to keep everything running, whether it’s a half-hour callout or a twelve-hour grind. If the comms stay alive, so does the mission.

Securing Weapons and Sensitive Gear

Out on the job, not everything you carry can sit out in the open. Firearms, evidence, sensitive files. They all need to be locked down. That’s where heavy-duty drawers come in.

A solid mobile working environment comes with locking drawers that hold their ground even when the road’s rough. No rattling, no shifting, no surprise when you slide it open. When you step away from the truck, you know your gear’s right where you left it.

In a mobile command center police unit, security must be forged into the steel. But not every department has to fight the same fight.

Choosing the Right Setup

A small-town crew might only need space for two people and a single map board. A big-city PD could have half a dozen staff working inside at once, which means benches along the sides, multi-level work platforms, and enough outlets to keep every laptop and radio running.

Think about the gear, too. Radios and network equipment take up space and need reliable power. Map boards can be built right into the slide if you want them locked down, or kept portable if your team needs to carry them into the field. Weapons and sensitive files? Those belong in locking drawers, the kind that don’t rattle loose on rough roads and give you peace of mind when you step away from the vehicle.

Answer those questions straight, and you’ll end up with a truck that fits like a glove. Extendobed offers options, multi-level platforms, containment gates, and locking drawers that let you build what you need.

Built for the Work Ahead

A mobile command center can be a dependable ally when the day runs long and the stakes are high. Get it right, and it becomes more than steel and storage. It’s the place where the crew gathers, the plan takes shape, and the gear’s always ready.

When the whole community’s counting on you, you can’t afford a setup that backs down. That’s why Extendobed builds command centers with one goal in mind: to give departments gear they can count on, shift after shift, year after year. 

Ready to Build a Mobile Command Center That Works as Hard as You Do?

A well-outfitted mobile command center isn’t just a convenience — it’s a lifeline when the pressure’s on. From secure storage and smart work surfaces to reliable communication setups, the right build keeps your team focused and your mission moving forward. 

If your department is ready to upgrade or customize a mobile command center that meets the demands of real-world operations, contact Extendobed today. We’ll help you build a solution that works as hard as you do.

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Choosing the Right Slide-Out for Fire Truck Beds

September 30, 2025

Choosing the Right Slide-Out for Fire Truck Beds

Fire command truck slide-out unit.

Outfitting a fire command vehicle or rescue truck means picking gear that’ll show up and work just as hard as the crew riding in it. The right slide-out tray or drawer can be a game-changer if you’re hauling heavy equipment. It gives you quick, organized access to everything, from medical kits to the Jaws of Life, right when you need it.

First responders know that every second counts. Slide-out drawers allow you to keep multiple heavy and large items in your vehicle and deploy them at a moment’s notice. But not all slide-outs are built the same.

How do you choose one tough enough for the job?

Types of Fire Department Slide-Outs

First, nail down what kind of equipment you’ll store and how you’ll operate. Slide-out systems generally fall into four rough types: heavy-duty rescue unit trays, first responder slide-outs, fire investigator units, and mobile command center slides. While there’s overlap and each provides easy access they’re both optimized for different roles.

Rescue/Extrication Gear

If you’re hauling extrication tools, hydraulic pumps, cribbing, saws, and medical rescue gear, you need a beefy slide-out with a high weight capacity and simple, rugged design. These heavy-duty slide-outs are rolling platforms that can handle bulky, heavy equipment (often up to 3,000 lbs) without breaking a sweat.

Command and Control Equipment

On the other hand, a fire department command vehicle slide-out is like a mobile office for the fireground. If you’re a Battalion Chief or safety officer setting up a command post, your slide might carry radios, laptops, incident command boards, medical bags, lighting, and maybe a coffee thermos or two. These slides often come with built-in fire command vehicle cabinets, drawers, and electronics mounts to organize smaller equipment.

First Responder Slide-Outs

When seconds matter, first responder slide-outs provide immediate access to lifesaving gear. Built to handle heavy-duty rescue tools like extrication equipment, hydraulic pumps, and medical kits, these units are designed for fast deployment under pressure.

Their rugged construction stands up to the harshest fireground conditions, ensuring firefighters can grab, use, and return gear quickly between calls. For departments responding to vehicle accidents, structural fires, and other high-intensity emergencies, first responder slide-outs keep essential equipment organized, secure, and ready at a moment’s notice.

Fire Investigation Units

After the flames are out, fire investigation units transform a truck into a mobile forensic lab. These slide-outs are optimized for organization, with compartments for cameras, evidence kits, laptops, and reporting tools. Unlike heavy-duty rescue trays, which prioritize sheer load capacity, fire investigation slide-outs emphasize accessibility and separation of sensitive gear.

They keep equipment protected from environmental exposure while providing a clean, efficient workspace for inspectors. Whether documenting fire origins, preserving evidence, or managing case files on-site, these units help investigators perform their duties with accuracy and efficiency. For departments with dedicated fire investigation teams, this slide-out is a practical solution that turns a vehicle into a command-and-control hub tailored to post-incident analysis.

Built to Last: Durability and Maintenance

Firefighters put their equipment through hell and back, and slide-outs are no exception. Off-road brush fires, winter storms, and daily wear-and-tear at the station. Your fire unit needs to handle it all while asking for minimal maintenance.

Here are a few durability pointers:

  • Material and finish: Look for heavy-gauge steel or aluminum construction and a tough finish. Many top slide-outs come with a rugged powder-coat finish that resists corrosion and scratches.
  • Rattle-free design: One complaint you’ll hear about cheap slideouts is the rattling. Every bump in the road turns the back of the truck into a noisebox. Opt for a unit with a solid latch mechanism and tight tolerances.
  • Maintenance features: Find out what maintenance the slide requires. The best heavy-duty slides use sealed bearings or rollers that don’t need constant greasing.
  • Field tested: Search for slides that have been proven in the field. For over 30 years, firefighters have been using Extendobed slide-out trays in some of the toughest environments.

At the end of the day, toughness comes down to how it’s built and how you treat it. Choose a slide-out made with quality materials, and then give it the care it needs. Do that, and your vehicle will be a reliable workhorse, deployment after deployment, in snow, rain, or heat, year after year.

The Right Slide-Out for Every Call

A fire command vehicle or rescue truck is a lifeline on wheels for your team and community. Outfitting it with the right slide-out system ensures that all your critical equipment is organized, protected, and ready to grab at a second’s notice.

Out on the fireground or at a hectic highway incident, your top priority should be on the mission. A quality fire command vehicle slide-out lets you load up, lock in, and roll out to the next call on a moment’s notice. When the pressure is on, you’ll be glad you chose a slide-out system that’s up to the task.

And that’s where Extendobed Slideouts earn their keep. With decades in the field and a track record of performance in departments across the country, our fire department-ready units are built for loads up to 3,000 pounds, fast access, and years of dependable service.

If you’re ready to explore your options, contact us today.

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4 Tips To Protect Your Tools From Cold Weather

February 24, 2023

4 Tips To Protect Your Tools From Cold Weather

4 Tips To Protect Your Tools From Cold Weather

Every tool, whether it’s durable or delicate, is subject to potential damage because of cold weather. Freezing temperatures can render your tools useless if you don’t protect them. To help you prevent that, here are some tips to protect your tools from cold weather.

Keep Them Inside

The best way to protect your tools is to keep them out of the cold in the first place. Storing your tools in a place that stays dry and at room temperature is the best method to keep them in top shape. While most tools can survive the cold for a bit, try your best to prevent long-term cold exposure.

Regulate The Temperature

If you do need to keep your tools in a colder area, do whatever you can to heat the space around them. That may mean investing in a heating system for your storage area so you can keep it warm in the winter. It’s also a good idea to invest in a dehumidifier to prevent moisture buildup and damage.

Custom Vehicle Storage

You probably can’t keep your tools in storage all the time during the cold months. That’s why investing in custom storage for your vehicle that keeps your tools out of the cold is a good plan. For example, storing your tools in an insulated box inside a truck trunk organizer can free up space and keep your tools out of the cold when driving around.

Insulated Covering

Sometimes, you can’t keep your tools out of the cold as you need them on the go or don’t have the space to store them. That’s where insulated coverings can come in handy, as you can wrap them in airtight insulation that’ll keep them warm for as long as possible. While this is a great way to protect your tools from the cold, you should only use them temporarily as most coverings aren’t long-lasting solutions.

Using these tips should help you keep your tools in top shape when those colder months roll around. Whether it’s for long-term storage or transportation, keeping your tools away from the cold will help keep them in pristine condition.

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The 12 Must-Have Truck Mods for Ice Fishing

January 19, 2023

The 12 Must-Have Truck Mods for Ice Fishing

The 12 Must-Have Truck Mods for Ice FishingIce fishing is plenty of fun, as you can enjoy some of the most peaceful times of the year out on the water. But it requires much forethought and preparation to go on a successful trip. One of the major tools you’ll need is a vehicle capable of handling the cold and helping you when fishing. Here’s a look at some truck modifications that’ll make it easy to enjoy an ice fishing trip.

Transportation Mods

The first thing you’ll need to do is ensure your car can handle the transportation to and from the fishing location. Traveling to an ice fishing location has a few more hurdles than taking a summer trip, so your vehicle needs to handle that. Specifically, you should add some driving mods that help you get to your location safely despite the cold weather.

GPS Features

The first feature you should add to your vehicle is a form of navigation. Getting lost can be very dangerous when traveling in winter, so you need something to ensure proper navigation. The best tool for this is a good GPS you can install in your vehicle or bring with you as you travel.

Tires or Tracks

Driving in the cold or on the ice is much different than normal drives on the road. The cold affects friction and can make your vehicle slower than usual, endangering you and others. Switching your tires out for specialty ice tires or changing to tracks instead of tires can make it easy to drive in the cold or on ice.

Better Engine

Your engine influences your vehicle’s ability to drive, and you don’t want it to break down in the cold. At the very least, make sure your engine can handle being in the cold for hours, and replace it with a better engine if it can’t handle the cold.

Improving Suspension

One of the most difficult parts of driving in the cold is getting traction on the road and ice. Better suspension can help with traction and improve your vehicle’s control. Look for better suspension before taking to the road for a smoother ride and better tire-to-ground friction.

Limited-Slip Differential

A limited-slip differential is a unique modification you can make to your wheels to help with turns. Normally, the outside wheel of a turn must travel further and faster to keep up. This can cause problems when the ground is slippery and you have low traction. A limited-slip differential is a mod that helps offset these issues and makes it safer to drive when it’s cold.

Storage Mods

Storage is a major issue when it comes to ice fishing trips. It can be difficult to bring all your gear even when going on a normal warm fishing trip; you need to bring even more when going on an ice trip. That’s why storage modifications can be so helpful for these trips. Here are a few good storage mods any truck can utilize for ice fishing.

Storage Drawers

One of the most common additions people add to their vehicles is a set of storage drawers, which make it easy to store items in designated places. You can efficiently utilize more space in the vehicle because of these drawers. You can also install these on the outside of your vehicle for extra storage space.

Sliding Truck Beds

Maximizing space in your truck is difficult as you need to store everything while keeping it accessible. That’s why sliding truck beds are so helpful—you can fully utilize the space while accessing whatever gear you put in easily. It’s simple to install a large aluminum storage trunk with all the compartments you need for your gear and custom built-in drawers.

Mounted Boxes

Some of your gear is delicate, and you want to keep pieces separate so they don’t break when you drive. That’s where mounted boxes come in handy—they protect the contents inside and won’t shift around your truck. Additionally, you’ll increase your organization since you can dedicate the box to store specific equipment.

Roof Rack

Roof racks are a great way to increase your storage capacity and are especially handy for transporting large objects. If you can get a roof rack on top of your vehicle, you can easily store large items like canoes or kayaks on your roof without using up other storage room.

Fishing Mods

When it comes to essential ice fishing modifications for trucks, you aren’t limited to modifications that purely provide utility. Many modifications make ice fishing easier and solve common issues. Here’s a look at a few of the mods that may make it easier to fish when it’s freezing out.

Fishing Rod Holders

Fishing rods aren’t made to withstand direct contact with ice and cold, especially when wet. The rods will get cold, and some may become brittle, so avoiding contact with ice and snow can be a big deal. Installing simple rod holders to your vehicle can make it easy to store your rods when you’re not using them, and you won’t have to put them on the ground.

Bed Liner

A bed liner can serve several purposes during the icy season, which is why it’s a good investment. It’ll help you keep your truck bed clean from anything you catch and protect your bed from damage. Additionally, you can use it as a comfortable place to sit because the liner adds some cushioning.

Winterizing Your Vehicle

While this isn’t necessarily a mod, you must winterize your vehicle before going on an ice fishing trip. The mods will help with that, but there are other important steps, such as switching out your liquids for cold-resistant options and topping them off. Routine maintenance is also important for the continued function of your vehicle in the colder months, so bring it to a mechanic regularly and before every trip if possible.

Next time you want to go on an ice fishing trip, add these mods to your vehicle. This way, you can avoid many common problems, and you’ll have a much better time for it. Whether you’re traveling for just a day or going with friends for a long time, these changes can make the whole trip more enjoyable and safer for everyone.The 12 Must-Have Truck Mods for Ice Fishing

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Why a Stationary Storage Box Might Be a Better Option

January 18, 2023

Why a Stationary Storage Box Might Be a Better Option

Why a Stationary Storage Box Might Be a Better Option

When it comes to storage, few vehicles are as useful as a truck or a van. That doesn’t mean you can’t improve the space in these vehicles with a good storage solution modification. While there are many cool options for storage mods, sometimes the best option may be a stationary storage box, and here’s why.

Consistent Organization

A stationary storage box doesn’t move from its spot and will always have the same space, which means you can rely on it for consistency. This is important for the gear you need to access quickly and frequently, as you always know where it is and how to retrieve it.

Specialty Boxes

One of the best benefits of these truck storage organizers is the ability to store specific gear in special boxes that perfectly fit the equipment. This is extremely useful for delicate gear that can’t shift while driving for fear of breaking or damage. A stationary storage box is also great at improving your organization by keeping things from moving around.

More Protection for Gear

Stationary boxes offer a lot of protection for your gear, as they hold everything in place and take the hit from anything falling on the boxes. Additionally, you can get locks on your stationary boxes to stop unauthorized access to whatever you store within, which is important for stopping theft.

Fits With Other Options

While stationary storage boxes may be the best option for your storage, they don’t need to be the only option. You can get these stationary boxes in your van or truck while investing in other storage modifications. This way, you can benefit from these boxes while using other modifications that may best fit your needs.

It’s impossible to say which storage modification is the best, as they all fulfill their own separate roles, but that’s why a stationary box can be such a great option for your vehicle. As they fulfill their purpose better than any other option out there, you’ll never find another option that fits all the same needs.

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5 Tips for Installing Your New Truck Bed Slide

December 28, 2022

5 Tips for Installing Your New Truck Bed Slide

5 Tips for Installing Your New Truck Bed Slide

Installing a truck bed slide can be a difficult task if you aren’t familiar with the process. Since every bed is unique to the make and model of the vehicle, you can’t just memorize the steps. Instead, you can learn these universal tips that make installing a truck bed slide easier.

Clean Your Space

Your truck bed should be clear of any items before you start installing so they don’t get in the way. Additionally, you should wipe clean the bed to prevent dirt and grime from dirtying the slide and complicating the installation.

Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions

The best thing you can do when installing your bed slide is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. As the creator and developer of your bed slide, they’ll know the best method to install the tray without causing issues.

Be Careful of the Vehicle’s Internal Systems

Every vehicle has internal systems and vulnerable parts that you can damage during installation. Before you drill through any part of your vehicle, ensure you’re not damaging these systems, like the fuel line or wires.

Leave Some Room

Since you’ll need to tighten the nuts and bolts when installing your truck bed slide-out platform, you’ll need to leave enough room on both sides to get a wrench in. Before you anchor anything down, make sure you have the space to get your tools in so you can complete the job.

Professional Installation

While you can install a truck bed slide yourself, it’s sometimes easier to leave it to a professional. One of the best tips for installing a bed slide is to hire a professional who works with vehicles for a living and has experience installing different car parts.

These tips should help you install your bed slides so you can benefit from all the space organization and utility these modifications provide. A good bed slide will provide storage space and speed up loading and offloading items.

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The 4 Best Styles of Truck Bed Slide for Any Truck

December 22, 2022

The 4 Best Styles of Truck Bed Slide for Any Truck

The 4 Best Styles of Truck Bed Slide for Any Truck

People praise trucks as the best vehicle for hauling and carrying large loads, and it’s easy to see why. They offer great capacity for carrying things, and their beds are perfect for storing items. However, sometimes you need more space, and the best way to do that is with a space organizer like a bed slide. Here are the four best styles for a truck bed slide that you can put in any truck.

Full-Extension Tray

A lot of sliding trays don’t fully extend outside the truck bed, even those that claim 100% extension. A tray that boasts 100% extension will only be able to extend to where the frame is mounted inside the truck bed, leaving 8” – 12” still inside the truck/van bed. Unless a slide extends over 110% – past the taillights – it will inhibit access to items stored on the sliding deck, especially at the back or cab end, and it can also limit how much you can carry in your truck bed. Full-extension trays, those that extend over 110%, on the other hand, make storage easy, accessible, and plentiful. For this reason, full-extension trays are a great truck bed slide for any truck.

Sliding Drawers

One great modification you can utilize in your truck bed is sliding drawers. Sliding drawers can fit right on the tray and make storing smaller items and gear very easy. Additionally, they provide extra protection for the gear by preventing items from shifting while you drive. Again, unless you have a tray that extends over 110% you will not be able to access drawers on the side of the tray at the back/cab end.

Uneven Weight Distribution

A lot of people don’t think about weight distribution when they get a bed slide, and they regret it. Even if your tray states it can handle thousands of pounds, most trays require that you distribute the weight evenly. This means it’s difficult to store large, heavy items, as you can’t distribute the weight. However, Extendobed is one slide that does not require weight to be evenly distributed. Their stated weight capacity can be point loaded anywhere on the deck. This is the only truck bed slide out tray style that lets you distribute weight as you need.

Custom Truck Slide

Speaking of which, the best style of truck bed slide you can get in your truck is a custom truck bed slide. Most slides aren’t custom and come fully designed, which means you can’t get all the features to match your needs. Your best bet is to invest in a company like ours that can work with you to build the perfect storage solution for your truck. Extendobed® has everything you need, so contact us today!

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15 Important Truck Bed Slide Maintenance Tips

December 22, 2022

15 Important Truck Bed Slide Maintenance Tips

15 Important Truck Bed Slide Maintenance Tips

Many truck owners can benefit from the extra storage and ease of use a high-quality truck bed slide adds to a vehicle. Whether for personal use or for extra storage on a work vehicle, bed slides are useful for all the extra storage they provide. However, these sliding trays need proper care and maintenance, just like any other part of your truck. Here’s a deeper look at how you should tackle the maintenance of your truck bed slide.

Why Slide Maintenance Matters

Slide maintenance is crucial for keeping your slide tray functioning. Without regular maintenance, your slide will quickly wear down and could eventually become useless to you. Improper care can even lead to dangerous situations where normally safe features rust and become hazards on the road or at the worksite.

Where To Start

When it comes to maintenance of your bed slide, there are many things you should do that’ll prevent issues. However, it’s up to you to prioritize repairing the most damaged parts of your truck bed and prevent further damage. But if there isn’t one part that needs your immediate attention, you should start with an overall cleaning of your slide.

Empty Your Bed Slide

When you start trying to clean and perform maintenance on your slide, the first step is to empty the bed slide of all the equipment and items you have on it. It’s difficult to fully clean your tray if there are items or gear still inside while you clean it. Take the time to fully unload everything from your truck bed so that you can freely access all parts of your slide.

Sweep Away Debris

When you can fully access the slide, the easiest thing to start with is sweeping away all the debris on your slide and in your truck bed. A simple brush or broom will help you sweep away any large debris on your sliding tray. Normally, it’s easier to clean away the debris if you fully extend the tray, as this step provides easy access to every part.

Clean Away Grime

Once you clear away the bigger debris, you might find small patches of dirt or grime stuck to your slide. Leaving this mess will cause damage over time, as the grime will eventually weaken the metal of the slide. Take your time to wipe away any dirt or grime to clean your slide and prevent future damage.

Use a Wet Towel

You should utilize a wet rag or towel to clean any part of your slide. Simply using water and a rag should clean up almost any mess and won’t damage your slide with abrasive chemicals. Be gentle when cleaning to avoid scratching the metal as you clean off the dust or grime, as the debris can leave marks on the metal.

Dry Quickly

Whether the moisture is from your cleaning process or recent rain, you should dry your truck bed slide whenever it gets wet. While air drying can work, it can also cause damage over time and slowly affect the performance of your tray. Using a cloth or towel to clean and dry your tray will help you maintain the condition of the part.

Check the Moving Parts

The moving parts of the slide can accrue the most damage and wear. Inspecting these areas for damage is a major part of maintenance, as you can often spot the causes of issues right away. You should also check the rails that help guide the slide for any chips or debris that might affect the part’s operation.

Ensure Stability

You should also test your slide for stabilityto ensure the mounting system hasn’t loosened over time. Check all the bolts and latches of the bed slide to ensure that they’re still tight and keep your slide stable. Inspect the stability of the slide on a monthly basis to protect your truck bed and slide from any avoidable issues relating to the mounting system.

Manufacturer’s Instructions

When it comes to the specific care of your bed slide, it’s best to follow whatever instructions you receive from the manufacturer. Every sliding tray is different and will need specific care according to the materials and build. Use these instructions to create a maintenance schedule you can follow.

Preventative Maintenance

A huge part of maintenance isn’t repairing damage but preventing it in the first place. This preventative maintenance is essential, especially if you have something like custom truck storage boxes, as normal cleaning methods can be less effective with custom modifications. Preventing damage is more effective for maintaining your vehicle and modifications than any other form of maintenance.

Frequent Inspections

The most important preventative maintenance tip for a truck bed slide is to inspect your sliding tray regularly and frequently. These inspections are a major part of identifying damage so that you can deal with it before the damage spreads and becomes problematic. Run these inspections every few weeks to catch any damage early.

Caution During Use

When you utilize the bed slide, it’s vital that you’re gentle and don’t rely on its durability. While these trays can be very durable, you shouldn’t actively cause more wear and tear than necessary.

Prevent Sliding Items

You should tie items down when you store things on your truck bed tray. Sliding items are a common occurrence, but they’re safety hazards to people, and they can cause damage to the truck and tray. Whether you invest in custom storage options and slide out trays or utilize nets and ropes to tie things down, preventing item shifting will help maintain your truck bed.

Invest in a Cover

If you have an open bed with a slide out, you may want a cover to go along with it. Debris can damage your truck bed and slide when you drive. A cover helps prevent that damage and protects your slide while you transport items and goods.

Follow Slide Restrictions

Every slide out tray is different, which allows you to pick the one that best fits your needs. However, that means they each have different restrictions regarding capacity and weight. Always avoid going over those set restrictions on your specific slide out tray.

These maintenance tips are important for the continuous use of your bed slide and will make your investment worthwhile, ensuring you enjoy better returns on your investment over time.

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The 4 Best Truck Slide-Outs for Police Units

November 22, 2022

The 4 Best Truck Slide-Outs for Police Units

The 4 Best Truck Slide-Outs for Police Units

Police units need a high-efficiency storage setup and design. Quick access to important gear and equipment is key when responding to an emergency. One of the best methods to organize and structure a vehicle’s storage area is to use a truck slide-out as they provide easy access and improve storage organization. Here are some great options for truck slide-outs for police units.

Writing Boards

A command center needs to organize and manage a lot of information quickly. Dry-erase writing boards give police officers a place to write and track information quickly while still accessing gear in their vehicles.

Sliding Drawers

When it comes to storing gear and equipment, a sliding drawer on your slide-out unit will optimize space and help you organize your gear. Proper organization is key for police response, and drawers allow you to quickly get all the small pieces of gear you need. You can even include lockable munitions drawers or ATF Type III Slide Out Day Boxes into your unit.

Open Shelving

Sometimes, you have no time to waste, and you just need to grab something on the run. Open shelves keep items in place but still give you access to the contents without a hassle. This is perfect for larger gear like body armor, traffic cones, or even a med kit—anything you’ll need quick access to in the case of an emergency.

Custom Slide-out Trays

The best police slide-out truck bed storage you can get is one get that matches your specific needs. A custom slide-out tray can have whatever features you need in your vehicle and carry whatever gear you have. This is the best way to optimize your police unit, and it’s the best option when it comes to truck slide-outs that fit your needs.

These slide-out trays are a great way to improve response times and maximize the storage space inside police vehicles. With a good custom slide-out tray for your vehicles, you’ll see better performance and fewer injuries from accessing storage.

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