You just drove your new truck off the lot — or maybe you've had yours for a few years and you're finally ready to make it yours. Either way, the world of custom truck accessories can feel overwhelming. Running boards or nerf bars? Soft tonneau cover or hard? What about bed racks, towing upgrades, and interior protection?
Here at Redline Auto Creations in Tampa, we've helped thousands of truck owners sort through these exact questions. We see everything from brand-new F-150s rolling in for their first set of running boards to well-loved Tacomas getting fully built out for weekend adventures on the Gulf Coast. The goal is always the same: match the right accessories to how you actually use your truck.
This guide breaks down the most popular custom truck accessories category by category, with real product recommendations, honest price ranges, and the kind of advice we'd give you if you walked into our shop today. Let's get into it.
If your truck sits high — and most modern trucks do, especially if you've added a lift — a quality step solution is one of the first accessories you should consider. This is especially true if you've got family members, kids, or anyone who struggles with that big step up into the cab. But beyond function, the right running board or side step completely changes the profile of your truck.
Traditional fixed running boards mount along the rocker panels and stay in place at all times. They provide a wide, stable stepping surface and a clean factory-style look. Brands like Westin Sure-Grip and Lund Summit Ridge offer solid options in aluminum or stainless steel. Expect to pay $250 to $600 for a quality set before installation. These are the workhorse choice — affordable, reliable, and they look good on everything from a Ram 1500 to a Chevy Silverado.
The downside? They reduce your ground clearance slightly, and if you take your truck off-road, they can catch on obstacles. For the Tampa truck owner who sticks to pavement and the occasional boat ramp, that's rarely a concern.
This is where things get interesting. AMP Research PowerStep boards are the gold standard here. They tuck up under the truck when the doors are closed, then automatically deploy when you open a door. You get full ground clearance when driving and a solid step when you need it. They look incredibly clean — most people don't even realize they're there until the door opens.
AMP Research PowerStep boards typically run $1,200 to $1,800 depending on your truck, and the PowerStep XL and PowerStep Xtreme versions with LED lighting push into the $1,500 to $2,200 range. Yes, it's a bigger investment, but the combination of function and aesthetics is hard to beat. We install a lot of these at the shop, and customer satisfaction is consistently high.
N-Fab has really carved out a niche in this space. Their Nerf Step and Podium series give you a compact stepping point at each door without a full running board. The look is aggressive and modern — great for lifted trucks where a traditional running board would look out of proportion. N-Fab drop steps typically run $400 to $800 for a set.
Other solid options include the Go Rhino RB20 and Raptor Series Slide Track. Drop steps are a smart middle ground between the streamlined look of no side steps at all and the full coverage of a running board.
Round tube nerf bars — the classic stainless or black steel tubes that run along the rocker panel — are still popular for good reason. They're affordable ($200 to $500), they look clean, and they provide a reasonable stepping surface. Westin Pro Traxx and Barricade 4-inch oval nerf bars are consistently popular choices. They won't give you as wide a step as a full running board, but for a single driver who just wants a little assistance getting in, they work great.
If running boards are the most common first accessory, tonneau covers are a close second. A good tonneau cover protects your cargo from Tampa's afternoon thunderstorms, keeps your tools and gear out of sight, and can even improve your fuel economy by reducing aerodynamic drag over the open bed. There are more options here than almost any other accessory category, so let's break it down.
This is the entry point for tonneau covers, and honestly, they're excellent for what they are. The TruXedo TruXport is our most recommended soft roll-up — it's well-built, seals tightly, and installs without drilling. It typically runs $280 to $400 depending on your bed size. The Gator ETX is another strong budget option at $200 to $300.
Soft roll-ups are lightweight, easy to install, and give you full bed access in seconds. The trade-off is security — anyone with a knife can get through the vinyl material. If you're just keeping rain off your groceries and improving the look of your truck, a soft roll-up is a fantastic value.
Similar material to roll-ups but they fold in three sections instead of rolling. Brands like Extang Trifecta 2.0 ($350 to $500) and Tonno Pro Hard Fold give you the ability to fold the cover up toward the cab for partial bed access without removing anything. They're slightly more rigid than roll-ups and tend to sit a little flatter on the bed rails.
This is the sweet spot for most truck owners, and where we see the most sales at Redline Auto Creations. Hard tri-fold covers give you the convenience of a folding design with the security and weather protection of a solid panel.
The BAKFlip MX4 is the industry benchmark. It's built with matte-finish aluminum panels, seals extremely well against rain, and folds completely to give you full bed access. Pricing runs $900 to $1,100. It's not cheap, but it's a buy-once product that will last the life of your truck.
The Extang Solid Fold 2.0 is another excellent hard tri-fold in the $700 to $950 range. Slightly lighter than the BAKFlip and with a clean, low-profile look that sits flush with the bed rails.
For Tampa truck owners, we lean hard toward hard tri-folds. Our summer rain is no joke — you need something that genuinely keeps water out, not just reduces it. A hard tri-fold with quality seals handles Florida weather like a champ.
If budget allows, retractable tonneau covers are the premium choice. They slide open on a track and retract into a canister at the front of the bed. The result is a completely flush, clean look when closed and nearly full bed access when open.
The RetraxPRO MX is aluminum construction with a matte finish and runs $1,200 to $1,600. The RetraxPRO XR adds an integrated rail system on top for mounting accessories like a bed rack — clever engineering for the truck owner who wants both a cover and a cargo system.
The Roll-N-Lock M-Series is another retractable worth considering at $1,100 to $1,500. It uses a vinyl-over-aluminum construction that's lighter than a full metal retractable while still providing solid security. The Roll-N-Lock A-Series with the cargo manager built in runs higher at $1,500 to $1,900 but includes an integrated bed divider system.
Retractables do sacrifice a few inches of bed space to the canister housing. For most people, it's not an issue. If you haul full sheets of plywood regularly, keep that in mind.
For the Tampa truck owner who's loading up kayaks for a Hillsborough River paddle, hauling lumber for a home project, or packing gear for a camping trip to Ocala National Forest, a quality bed rack system changes the game.
The Yakima OverHaul HD is our go-to recommendation for adjustable, heavy-duty bed racks. It clamps to the bed rails with no drilling, supports up to 500 pounds, and works with standard crossbar accessories for kayaks, bikes, cargo baskets, and rooftop tents. Pricing is around $700 to $900 for the pair of uprights — crossbars are additional.
The Thule Xsporter Pro is another excellent option at $600 to $850, with a more compact folding design that lets you lower the rack when you're not using it. If you want a rack that doesn't always look like a rack, the Thule is worth a look.
For the overlanding crowd, CBI Off Road and DECKED systems offer more built-out solutions. The DECKED Drawer System ($1,300 to $1,600) installs in your truck bed and gives you two full-length sliding drawers underneath a flat deck surface. You can still use the bed normally on top while keeping tools, recovery gear, or fishing tackle organized and locked underneath. We've installed quite a few of these for contractors and outdoor enthusiasts around the Tampa Bay area.
The tailgate is one of the most-used and least-thought-about parts of your truck. A few targeted upgrades make a real difference in daily use.
A tailgate assist like the DeeZee Tailgate Assist or HSP Tailgate Assist uses a shock or strut to control how your tailgate drops. Instead of slamming down, it lowers slowly and smoothly. These are simple, inexpensive ($40 to $80), and we install them all the time as add-ons when someone's in for other work.
Tailgate dampeners serve a similar function and are available from most truck manufacturers as OEM accessories. Aftermarket options from Dee Zee and Bushwacker also work well in the $50 to $100 range.
For trucks used for serious hauling, replacement tailgates with integrated steps — like Ford's Man Step or aftermarket bed step systems from AMP Research BedStep2 — add a fold-out step built into the tailgate or bumper. The AMP Research BedStep mounts at the rear bumper and pulls out to give you a solid step up into the bed. It runs about $250 to $350 and is one of those accessories people wonder how they ever lived without.
Tampa is a towing town. Between the boat culture, RV trips up the coast, and hauling trailers for work, we see a constant stream of trucks needing towing upgrades. Here's what matters.
If your truck didn't come with a factory hitch, or if you need to step up from a Class III to a Class IV or V, aftermarket receivers from CURT, Draw-Tite, and B&W range from $150 to $400 depending on the class and your vehicle. Make sure you match the hitch class to what you're actually towing — an undersized hitch is a safety issue, not just a performance one.
If you're towing anything over about 5,000 pounds — especially travel trailers and larger boat trailers — a weight distribution hitch is critical. These systems use spring bars to distribute the tongue weight across all axles of both the truck and trailer, dramatically improving handling and braking.
The Blue Ox SwayPro is our most-recommended system, running $500 to $800 depending on weight rating. The Andersen No-Sway hitch is another popular choice at $600 to $900, with a unique design that eliminates sway without the traditional spring bars. Equal-i-zer hitches are also solid performers in the $600 to $1,000 range.
If your trailer has electric brakes — and most trailers over 3,000 pounds do — you need a brake controller in the cab. The Tekonsha Prodigy P3 ($120 to $180) is a proportional brake controller that senses how hard you're stopping and applies the trailer brakes accordingly. The CURT Echo is a newer wireless option at around $200 to $250 that mounts to the trailer instead of the truck, which is great if you tow with multiple vehicles.
Extended tow mirrors are a must for anyone pulling a wide trailer. Aftermarket options from CIPA and Fit System clip onto your existing mirrors for $30 to $80 per pair. For a more permanent solution, full replacement tow mirrors with power, heat, and integrated signals run $200 to $600 per pair depending on your truck. We always recommend going with heated mirrors — Tampa's humidity means morning fog on your mirrors is a year-round reality.
Your truck's interior takes a beating, especially here in Florida. Sand from the beach, mud from the trails, and the general wear of daily use add up fast. Smart interior protection keeps your truck looking good and holds resale value.
WeatherTech FloorLiners are the most recognized name in the business, and they've earned it. Custom-molded to fit your specific truck, they catch everything — water, mud, sand, coffee spills. A full set (front and rear) runs $150 to $250. They're laser-measured for each vehicle, so fit is precise.
Husky WeatherBeater liners are a strong alternative at a slightly lower price point — typically $100 to $180 for a full set. The coverage is comparable to WeatherTech, and many truck owners actually prefer the slightly softer feel of the Husky material underfoot.
For the rear cargo area in SUVs and crew cab trucks, both brands offer cargo liners that protect the area behind the rear seats. If you've got dogs, this is a must.
Factory cloth seats and Florida sweat are not a great combination. Quality seat covers solve that problem and let you upgrade the look of your interior at the same time.
Covercraft Carhartt SeatSaver covers are the gold standard for work trucks. They're made with genuine Carhartt duck weave fabric, custom-fit to your specific seats, and run $200 to $350 per row. They're tough, machine-washable, and look great in a work truck.
If you want to go full luxury, Katzkin leather interiors are the move. Katzkin doesn't make seat covers — they make complete leather replacement upholstery that installs over your existing seat foam and frames. The result looks and feels like a factory leather interior. Katzkin packages typically run $1,500 to $2,500 installed, depending on your vehicle and the leather grade. We've transformed cloth-interior trucks into what looks like a top-trim package for a fraction of the cost of buying the higher trim level.
The cavernous center console in a modern truck is both a blessing and a curse — great storage, but everything ends up in one big jumbled pile. Aftermarket organizers from Salex and Vehicle OCD divide the space into compartments for your phone, wallet, sunglasses, tools, and whatever else accumulates. They're $30 to $80 and one of those small upgrades that makes a surprisingly big daily difference.
Here's the honest advice we give every customer who walks into Redline Auto Creations: start with how you use your truck, not what looks cool on Instagram. A boat owner in Tampa needs different accessories than an overlander, and both need different setups than a contractor hauling materials across Hillsborough County.
Think about your accessories in tiers:
The other thing we always stress is quality of installation matters as much as quality of product. A great tonneau cover installed poorly will leak. Power running boards wired incorrectly will fail. This is why we believe in professional installation for anything beyond basic bolt-on accessories.
Whether you know exactly what you want or you're still figuring it out, the team at Redline Auto Creations in Tampa is here to help. We carry products from all the brands mentioned in this guide, and we install everything in-house with experienced technicians who work on trucks every single day.
Stop by the shop, give us a call at (813) 544-4009, or visit redlineautocreations.com to see what we can do for your truck. From a simple set of running boards to a full accessory build, we'll help you get it done right the first time.
At Redline Auto Creations, we specialize in crafting custom vehicles with precision and passion. From wheels and tires to suspension, performance upgrades, and custom designs, we bring your vision to life. Contact us today and transform your ride.
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11626 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33612
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