I just got my 2024 Santa Cruz last week and honestly im so frustrated right now. I thought having a truck bed would make my life easier but everything just slides around back there like crazy every time I take a turn and I feel like an idiot chasing my groceries across the plastic. I tried looking online for stuff to fix it but everything has weird names like tonneau covers or bed extenders and I literally have no idea what any of that even means or if it fits my car.
Sorry if this is a really dumb question but where do I even start with making this thing more useful? I live in Tampa so I carry a lot of sandy beach chairs and grocery bags and right now its just a disaster zone. My budget is pretty tight like maybe 350 dollars tops since I just put a huge down payment on the truck so I cant afford those fancy motorized covers or anything yet.
Are there like specific bins or nets that actually stay in place? Or something for under the back seats because that area is just a big empty hole right now and I dont know how to organize it. Does anyone know what brands are actually good for beginners who dont know how to install complicated stuff...
> Are there like specific bins or nets that actually stay in place? Or something for under the back seats because that area is just a big empty hole right now Regarding what #3 said about "I have been dealing with trucks for a long time" and some gear being junk, i've found that getting sturdy bins is way better than thin nets. I'm really happy with the Vevor Underseat Storage Box for 2022-2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz. It fills that big empty hole perfectly and keeps my gear from rattling around while I'm driving. For the bed, I use the Rubbermaid ActionPacker 24 Gallon Lockable Storage Bin. Since youre in Tampa, these are great because they keep the sand out of your clean stuff. They're heavy enough that they dont move much on the plastic bed liner, so you dont have to worry about the safety of your cargo shifting... honestly its a lifesaver. No complaints so far, it works well for my weekly grocery runs too.
I remember taking a turn too fast with a glass bottle in my first truck. Heard it shatter and spent hours picking out shards. Tbh, a sliding load is a real safety hazard because it shifts weight unexpectedly. For a 350 budget, you just need a few solid anchors.
Just saw this. You might want to be careful with that plastic bed liner since its super slick. I would suggest:
I have been dealing with trucks for a long time and unfortunately, most beginner accessories are just overpriced junk that breaks. I had issues with those thin elastic nets people love... they lose their stretch in the Florida sun after a single summer. If you want to keep that 350 budget intact, stop buying the cheap stuff and get things that actually survive the heat. Here is what I would actually use:
100% agree