Peter Packer perilously packed and piled his personal property in his purple pick-up.  Pourquoi?  (”Why?” for all you non-Francophiles.)  Because he was a pea-brain.  No one ever told him how dangerous it was to just toss the stuff into the back of the pick-up truck without securing it.

Pick-ups are no longer solely in the realm of construction workers; they’ve become family-friendly and are perfect for hauling cargo.  But it’s important - maybe even critical - to safely and properly store your stuff.  Perhaps you’re perpetually perplexed about proper pick-up packing practices?  Please, peruse…

Install some equipment:

• A bedliner (non-skid, please), which helps to reduce slippage and slipping.
• A bedrail, which can be used as a tie-down anchor.
• Additional anchors on the floor (there may be pre-drilled holes for this).
• A tool box that locks, perfect for small items, not just tools.
• A cooler (great for keeping that 6-pack chilled on your way home).
• A Tonneau bed cover; soft, hard, hinged, retractable, whatever, a pick-up with a cover is like a bed without a sheet.

Consider buying and using:

• A cargo net or a tarp that can snap or hook onto the sides of the pick-up bed.
• High quality ratchet straps for tying down heavier items; a bit more expensive than a clothes line or a jump rope, but infinitely better.

Finally, some points to remember:

• To paraphrase Pythagoras… the shortest distance between two points is a straight line connecting both.  No side trips for a latté or driving the scenic route.
• Mind the load capacity of your vehicle; don’t overload, make two trips if necessary.
• Keep the heavy stuff in the front (near the cab) of the truck.
• If it’s something small, lightweight and valuable, keep it with you in the cab.