Essential Truck Gear: Editors' Picks

Whether you're stuck in mud, snow, or sand, traction boards can help you out of a sticky situation. These all-element boards are reasonably priced and were among our favorites in our recent traction-board test.

This folding tonneau cover is a simple way to keep your gear out of the elements and away from prying eyes (and sticky fingers). It is simple to install, is available for most trucks, and won't break the bank.

The appropriately named Pistol Grip tire inflator from Avid Power makes short work of low tire pressure while staying portable enough to stash in your vehicle. Powered either by a battery or by plugging it into your vehicle's 12-volt outlet, it's a great emergency tool to have on hand.

Featuring a near-magic hydrophobic coating, the Rain-X Latitude Water Repellency wiper blades work wonders at keeping water off your windshield. These wiper blades are relatively affordable and straightforward to install, and we proudly recommend them for your truck.

If your truck illuminates that scary check-engine light, this Bluetooth OBD-II scanner from BlueDriver can kick-start your diagnostic journey. Featuring an intuitive, easy-to-use app and some helpful advice, this tiny scanner is even small enough to store in your glovebox for emergencies.

Never worry about a dead battery again. Not only does this jump-starter come with an override function to supplement even fully depleted batteries, but it's also easily rechargeable with an included USB-C cord.

Running late? The Uniden R8 will help you arrive on time and ticket-free. It can be mounted easily with single or dual suction brackets and comes equipped with radar and laser detection, GPS false-alarm memory, and an OLED display.