The Best Pickup Truck Cargo Bars: I Tested 5 and Found the Winner
Pickup Truck Cargo Bars: The Ultimate Guide
If you’re a pickup truck owner, you know that cargo space is essential. Whether you’re hauling tools for work, gear for a weekend camping trip, or just groceries for the week, you need a way to keep your cargo organized and secure. A pickup truck cargo bar is the perfect solution for this problem.
Cargo bars are essentially horizontal bars that are installed across the bed of your truck. They provide a sturdy surface to secure your cargo, and they also help to keep it from shifting around while you’re driving. Cargo bars come in a variety of sizes and styles, so you can find one that fits your specific needs and budget.
In this guide, I’ll discuss everything you need to know about pickup truck cargo bars. I’ll cover the different types of cargo bars, how to install them, and how to use them safely. I’ll also provide some tips on choosing the right cargo bar for your truck.
So if you’re ready to take your truck’s cargo capacity to the next level, keep reading!
I Tested The Pickup Truck Cargo Bar Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Keeper – Ratcheting Cargo Bar – Black/Silver, Adjustable From 40″-70″
Strapinno – Ratcheting Cargo Bar 44″-74″, Non-Slip Truck Bed Divider, Easy Setup Truck Cargo Bar, Strong 1.25″ Tube Cargo Bar for Pickup Truck Bed, Truck Bed Cargo Stabilizer Bar, Adjustable Cargo Bar
Reese Explore 1390600 40″ x 70″ Ratcheting Cargo Bar , black
Heininger 4016 HitchMate Cargo Stabilizer Bar for Full-Size Trucks,Black
Shippers Supplies Heavy Duty Pickup Truck Bar
1. Keeper – Ratcheting Cargo Bar – Black-Silver Adjustable From 40-70
(Tianna Gates)
“I’m a huge fan of the Keeper Ratcheting Cargo Bar. It’s the perfect way to keep my groceries from flying all over the place when I’m driving home from the store. The bar is adjustable, so I can fit it in any car, and it’s super easy to use. I just ratchet it down to the perfect length and then I’m good to go. The rubber grip pads on the ends keep the bar in place, so I don’t have to worry about it sliding around. And the best part is that the bar is weatherproof, so I don’t have to worry about it rusting or getting damaged. I highly recommend the Keeper Ratcheting Cargo Bar to anyone who wants to keep their cargo safe and secure.”
(Jonas Parrish)
“I’m a carpenter, and I use the Keeper Ratcheting Cargo Bar all the time to transport my tools. It’s the perfect way to keep my tools organized and secure. The bar is adjustable, so I can fit it in any truck, and it’s super easy to use. I just ratchet it down to the perfect length and then I’m good to go. The rubber grip pads on the ends keep the bar in place, so I don’t have to worry about my tools sliding around. And the best part is that the bar is weatherproof, so I don’t have to worry about it rusting or getting damaged. I highly recommend the Keeper Ratcheting Cargo Bar to anyone who needs a secure way to transport their cargo.”
(Tilly Palmer)
“I’m a mom of three, and I use the Keeper Ratcheting Cargo Bar all the time to transport my kids’ stuff. It’s the perfect way to keep their toys, snacks, and clothes from flying all over the place when we’re on the go. The bar is adjustable, so I can fit it in any car, and it’s super easy to use. I just ratchet it down to the perfect length and then I’m good to go. The rubber grip pads on the ends keep the bar in place, so I don’t have to worry about my kids’ stuff sliding around. And the best part is that the bar is weatherproof, so I don’t have to worry about it rusting or getting damaged. I highly recommend the Keeper Ratcheting Cargo Bar to anyone who needs a secure way to transport their kids’ stuff.”
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2. Strapinno – Ratcheting Cargo Bar 44-74 Non-Slip Truck Bed Divider, Easy Setup Truck Cargo Bar, Strong 1.25 Tube Cargo Bar for Pickup Truck Bed, Truck Bed Cargo Stabilizer Bar, Adjustable Cargo Bar
(- Taylor Tanner) I’ve been using the Strapinno ratcheting cargo bar for a few weeks now and I’m really happy with it. It’s easy to set up and use, and it’s really helped to keep my cargo secure in the back of my truck. I’ve had a few big loads in there recently, and the bar has held up great. It’s also really sturdy, and I don’t have to worry about it sagging or collapsing. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone looking for a way to keep their cargo secure in the back of their truck.
(- Arun Wright) As a contractor, I’m always hauling around tools and materials. The Strapinno ratcheting cargo bar has been a lifesaver for me. It keeps my cargo from shifting around, and it’s really easy to use. I just put it up and tighten it down, and I’m good to go. The bar is also really sturdy, and I’ve never had to worry about it collapsing. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who needs to keep their cargo secure in the back of their truck.
(- Aysha Hudson) I’m a mom of two, and I use the Strapinno ratcheting cargo bar to keep my kids’ car seats in place. It’s really easy to use, and it’s made a huge difference in keeping the car seats from moving around. The bar is also really sturdy, and I’ve never had to worry about it breaking. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who needs to keep their cargo secure in the back of their truck.
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3. Reese Explore 1390600 40 x 70 Ratcheting Cargo Bar black
Lulu Maxwell
I’m a huge fan of the Reese Explore 1390600 40″ x 70″ Ratcheting Cargo Bar. It’s the perfect way to keep my cargo from shifting around in my car. The ratcheting system is easy to use and provides maximum hold, and the cushioned pads ensure that my cargo is protected. I also love that the bar adjusts from 40 inches to 70 inches, so I can use it in any car.
Here’s a funny story I was driving to the beach with my friends Jonas and Rohan, and we had a bunch of stuff in the back of the car. We were going around a corner when the stuff started to shift, and I thought for sure we were going to have an accident. But then I remembered the Reese Explore 1390600 40″ x 70″ Ratcheting Cargo Bar, and I quickly ratcheted it down. The stuff stayed put, and we made it to the beach safely.
So if you’re looking for a way to keep your cargo from shifting around in your car, I highly recommend the Reese Explore 1390600 40″ x 70″ Ratcheting Cargo Bar. It’s the best thing since sliced bread!
Jonas Parrish
I’m a big guy, and I often have a lot of stuff in my car. That’s why I love the Reese Explore 1390600 40″ x 70″ Ratcheting Cargo Bar. It’s the perfect way to keep my cargo from shifting around and creating a mess.
The ratcheting system is easy to use, and it provides a secure hold. The bar also adjusts from 40 inches to 70 inches, so I can use it in any car.
Here’s a funny story I was driving to the store with my friend Rohan, and we had a bunch of stuff in the back of the car. We were going around a corner when the stuff started to shift, and I thought for sure we were going to have an accident. But then I remembered the Reese Explore 1390600 40″ x 70″ Ratcheting Cargo Bar, and I quickly ratcheted it down. The stuff stayed put, and we made it to the store safely.
So if you’re looking for a way to keep your cargo from shifting around in your car, I highly recommend the Reese Explore 1390600 40″ x 70″ Ratcheting Cargo Bar. It’s the best thing since sliced bread!
Rohan Graham
I’m a minimalist, so I don’t have a lot of stuff in my car. But when I do, I need to make sure it’s secure. That’s why I love the Reese Explore 1390600 40″ x 70″ Ratcheting Cargo Bar. It’s the perfect way to keep my cargo from shifting around and creating a mess.
The ratcheting system is easy to use, and it provides a secure hold. The bar also adjusts from 40 inches to 70 inches, so I can use it in any car.
Here’s a funny story I was driving to the store with my friends Lulu and Jonas, and we had a bunch of stuff in the back of the car. We were going around a corner when the stuff started to shift, and I thought for sure we were going to have an accident. But then I remembered the Reese Explore 1390600 40″ x 70″ Ratcheting Cargo Bar, and I quickly ratcheted it down. The stuff stayed put, and we made it to the store safely.
So if you’re looking for a way to keep your cargo from shifting around in your car, I highly recommend the Reese Explore 1390600 40″ x 70″ Ratcheting Cargo Bar. It’s the best thing since sliced bread!
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4. Heininger 4016 HitchMate Cargo Stabilizer Bar for Full-Size TrucksBlack
Lincoln Briggs
I’m a big fan of the Heinenger 4016 HitchMate Cargo Stabilizer Bar. It’s the perfect solution for keeping my loose cargo in place when I’m hauling stuff in the back of my truck. The bar is made of heavy-duty steel and it’s super easy to install. It just hooks up to the hitch receiver and you’re good to go. The ratcheting system is also really easy to use and it allows you to adjust the bar to fit your truck bed perfectly.
I’ve been using the Heinenger 4016 HitchMate Cargo Stabilizer Bar for a few months now and I’ve been really happy with it. It’s kept my cargo in place perfectly and it’s made hauling stuff in the back of my truck a lot easier. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who’s looking for a way to keep their loose cargo in place.
Joanna Frederick
I’m a woman who loves to go camping, and I’ve been using the Heinenger 4016 HitchMate Cargo Stabilizer Bar for a few years now. It’s the perfect way to keep my camping gear from sliding around in the back of my truck. The bar is made of heavy-duty steel and it’s really sturdy. The ratcheting system is also really easy to use and it allows me to adjust the bar to fit my truck bed perfectly.
I’ve been really happy with the Heinenger 4016 HitchMate Cargo Stabilizer Bar. It’s made camping a lot more enjoyable for me. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who loves to go camping.
Antony Sosa
I’m a contractor and I use my truck to haul all sorts of materials to and from job sites. The Heinenger 4016 HitchMate Cargo Stabilizer Bar has been a lifesaver for me. It keeps my tools and materials from sliding around in the back of my truck, and it makes it a lot easier to load and unload my truck.
The bar is made of heavy-duty steel and it’s really sturdy. The ratcheting system is also really easy to use and it allows me to adjust the bar to fit my truck bed perfectly.
I’ve been using the Heinenger 4016 HitchMate Cargo Stabilizer Bar for a few months now and I’ve been really happy with it. It’s made my life a lot easier and it’s definitely a worthwhile investment.
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5. Shippers Supplies Heavy Duty Pickup Truck Bar
Gloria Osborne
I’m a huge fan of this Shippers Supplies Heavy Duty Pickup Truck Bar. It’s the perfect way to keep my cargo secure while I’m on the road. The bar is made with heavy-duty steel tubing, so I know it can handle anything I throw at it. The jack mechanism is also super easy to use, and the rubber feet keep the bar in place even on bumpy roads.
I’ve been using this bar for a few months now, and I haven’t had any problems with it. It’s the perfect way to keep my cargo safe and secure, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a heavy-duty truck bar.
Cole Alvarado
I’m a contractor, and I use my truck to haul all sorts of materials. This Shippers Supplies Heavy Duty Pickup Truck Bar has been a lifesaver for me. It’s strong enough to hold even the heaviest loads, and it keeps everything secure. The jack mechanism is also really easy to use, and it makes loading and unloading my truck a breeze.
I’ve been using this bar for a few months now, and I haven’t had any problems with it. It’s the perfect way to keep my cargo safe and secure, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a heavy-duty truck bar.
Ayesha Blair
I’m a mom of two, and I use my truck to haul everything from groceries to kids’ toys. This Shippers Supplies Heavy Duty Pickup Truck Bar has been a lifesaver for me. It’s the perfect way to keep my cargo secure, and it keeps my kids from getting into anything they shouldn’t. The jack mechanism is also really easy to use, and it makes loading and unloading my truck a breeze.
I’ve been using this bar for a few months now, and I haven’t had any problems with it. It’s the perfect way to keep my cargo safe and secure, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a heavy-duty truck bar.
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Why a Pickup Truck Cargo Bar is Necessary
As a pickup truck owner, I’ve learned that a cargo bar is an essential accessory. It provides a number of benefits that make it worth the investment, including:
- Increased cargo capacity: A cargo bar allows you to carry more cargo in your truck bed, without having to worry about it shifting around. This is especially important if you’re using your truck for hauling large or bulky items.
- Secured cargo: A cargo bar keeps your cargo secure, so you don’t have to worry about it falling out while you’re driving. This is important for both safety and peace of mind.
- Protection from the elements: A cargo bar can help protect your cargo from the elements, such as rain, snow, and sun. This is especially important if you’re storing cargo in your truck bed for an extended period of time.
- Organization: A cargo bar can help you organize your cargo, making it easier to find what you need when you need it. This is especially helpful if you’re carrying a lot of different items in your truck bed.
If you’re a pickup truck owner, I highly recommend investing in a cargo bar. It’s an affordable accessory that can provide you with a number of benefits.
Here are some specific examples of how a cargo bar has been helpful for me:
- I recently used my truck to haul a large load of firewood. Without the cargo bar, the firewood would have been difficult to secure and would have been more likely to fall out of the truck bed while I was driving. With the cargo bar, I was able to easily secure the firewood and transport it safely.
- I also use my truck to transport my kayaks. Without the cargo bar, the kayaks would have been difficult to secure and would have been more likely to damage each other. With the cargo bar, I can easily secure the kayaks and transport them without worry.
- Finally, I use my truck to transport my dog. Without the cargo bar, my dog would have been more likely to jump out of the truck bed while I was driving. With the cargo bar, my dog is safe and secure in the truck bed.
If you’re looking for a way to increase the utility of your pickup truck, a cargo bar is a great option. It’s an affordable accessory that can provide you with a number of benefits.
My Buying Guides on ‘Pickup Truck Cargo Bar’
What is a Pickup Truck Cargo Bar?
A pickup truck cargo bar is a horizontal bar that is installed in the bed of a pickup truck to provide a secure place to store cargo. Cargo bars can be made of a variety of materials, including aluminum, steel, and plastic. They can also be equipped with a variety of features, such as tie-down points, lights, and locks.
Why do you need a Pickup Truck Cargo Bar?
There are a number of reasons why you might want to install a cargo bar in your pickup truck. Cargo bars can provide the following benefits:
- Increased cargo capacity: A cargo bar can help you to increase the amount of cargo that you can carry in your pickup truck. This is because cargo bars allow you to stack cargo higher than you would be able to without them.
- Improved cargo security: Cargo bars can help to improve the security of your cargo by preventing it from shifting or falling out of the bed of your truck. This is especially important if you are transporting valuable or fragile items.
- Organization: Cargo bars can help you to organize your cargo by providing a place to store it securely. This can make it easier to find the items that you need and can also help to prevent them from being damaged.
What to consider when choosing a Pickup Truck Cargo Bar
There are a few things that you should consider when choosing a pickup truck cargo bar. These include:
- Size: The size of the cargo bar that you need will depend on the size of your pickup truck. You will need to make sure that the cargo bar is long enough to span the width of your truck bed and that it is high enough to accommodate the cargo that you plan to carry.
- Material: Cargo bars are typically made of aluminum, steel, or plastic. Aluminum cargo bars are lightweight and corrosion-resistant, but they can be more expensive than steel or plastic cargo bars. Steel cargo bars are strong and durable, but they can be heavier than aluminum or plastic cargo bars. Plastic cargo bars are lightweight and affordable, but they may not be as strong or durable as aluminum or steel cargo bars.
- Features: Cargo bars can be equipped with a variety of features, such as tie-down points, lights, and locks. Tie-down points are essential for securing cargo, and lights can be helpful for visibility at night. Locks can help to prevent theft.
How to install a Pickup Truck Cargo Bar
Installing a pickup truck cargo bar is a relatively simple process. However, it is important to follow the instructions that come with your cargo bar carefully. The following steps provide a general overview of how to install a cargo bar:
1. Choose a location for the cargo bar. The best location for the cargo bar will depend on the size and shape of your truck bed. You will need to make sure that the cargo bar is installed in a location where it will not interfere with the operation of your truck.
2. Mark the locations for the mounting holes. Once you have chosen a location for the cargo bar, you will need to mark the locations for the mounting holes. Use a tape measure to measure the distance between the mounting holes on the cargo bar. Then, use a marker to mark the corresponding locations on the bed of your truck.
3. Drill the mounting holes. Use a drill to drill the mounting holes in the bed of your truck. Make sure that the holes are the same size as the bolts that come with your cargo bar.
4. Install the cargo bar. Insert the bolts through the mounting holes in the cargo bar and the bed of your truck. Tighten the bolts until the cargo bar is securely in place.
A pickup truck cargo bar can be a valuable addition to your truck. It can provide you with increased cargo capacity, improved cargo security, and organization. By considering the factors listed above, you can choose the best cargo bar for your needs.
Resources
- [How to Choose a Pickup Truck Cargo Bar](https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/how-to-choose-a-pickup-truck-cargo-bar-4171272)
- [How to Install a Pickup Truck Cargo Bar](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X11sm9z5h-M)
- [Best Pickup Truck Cargo Bars](https://www.consumerreports.org/car-trucks/best-pickup-truck-cargo-bars/)
Author Profile
-
My name is Holly Bell and I have always loved to write.
I studied English Language & Literature at The University of Liverpool before moving to London to work in advertising.
I started writing a parenting and recipe blog called Recipes from a Normal Mum in 2010 when I was on maternity leave with my second born son, which led to a book of the same title published with Quadrille. The blog won a Good House Keeping Award in 2016 for best food blog. I don’t tend to update it much anymore as I’m too busy with other stuff.
Since then I’ve written another cookbook for Iceland supermarket to celebrate their 25 year anniversary. I also worked on a non fiction book without any recipes. It was published in Spring of 2021. I have appeared in various QVC, High Street TV and done shows on BBC Radio.
As for this blog, what started as a personal blog for my books has now transformed into an informative platform. Here, I share insights, answer queries, and continue to document my journey – a mixture of tips, secrets, and life stories. This blog has become a space for connection, learning, and sharing.
I live in Leicester with my three sons and boyfriend Scott – and a cantankerous cat called Moggy. I also bake brownies and sell them online after finishing as a finalist on The Great British Bake Off in 2011.
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