Abstract: A tailgate tie down system includes a first plate assembly and a second plate assembly. A strap is connected between each of the first plate assembly and the second plate assembly. In an exemplary method, the strap can be routed through at least one accessory tool before securing the first plate assembly and the second plate assembly within tailgate latch openings. Once the plate assemblies are locked within the latch openings, the accessory tool is also locked relative to the tailgate.

Abstract: This disclosure details tie down systems for securing cargo within vehicle cargo spaces. An exemplary tie down system may include a corner bracket mounted in a corner of the cargo space. The corner bracket may include a plurality of openings for tying down cargo at different heights within the cargo space.

Abstract: A tailgate for a motor vehicle is disclosed and includes an interior space accessible through a removable panel, a motor mounted within the interior space, and a drive mechanism driven by the motor for moving the tailgate about a pivot axis. The tailgate includes an overall height from the pivot axis and the motor is mounted a distance from the pivot axis.

Abstract: A disclosed accessory mount for a vehicle includes a housing with openings, at least one bearing, a lock cylinder movable within the housing and holding the at least one bearing in a locked position extending through the openings and a released position where the at least one bearing is not held within the openings, and a mount including a groove receiving the at least one bearing in the locked position.

Abstract: An article rack includes a base mountable to a top rail of a truck box, a carrier, and a linkage pivotally connected to the base and the carrier. A drive mechanism of the rack has a first wheel fixed to the base, a second wheel fixed to the carrier, and an endless loop trained around the wheels such that pivoting of the linkage about the base pivots the carrier about the linkage.

Abstract: A motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of this disclosure includes, among other things, a roof structure, a bracket projecting from the roof structure, a roof panel configured to attach to the roof structure such that the bracket is beneath the roof panel, and an accessory configured to attach to the bracket. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A winch is disclosed for a pick-up bed having a floor, and a front wall. The winch includes a winch motor and spool assembled to the truck body below the floor. An upper pulley is assembled to the front wall with a cable wound around the spool that is extendable and retractable from the spool. The cable is routed over the upper pulley through an opening defined by the front wall. The opening is spaced from the floor to facilitate loading articles into and unloading articles from the truck bed.

Abstract: A vehicle truck box assembly including a tailgate, a hinge-on-box bracket, a puck component, a hinge post, and a plastic shim is provided. The tailgate is pivotally mounted to a truck bed. The hinge-on-box bracket includes a cup extension. The puck component is secured to the cup extension. The hinge post is for securing to the puck component and to a hinge-on-gate bracket and the hinge post defines a cavity. The plastic shim is received in the cavity for contacting the cup extension. The plastic shim may include an upper angle portion extending from a base portion. The upper angle portion may extend between the cup extension and the puck component that are arranged to snugly receive the hinge post. The upper angle portion may extend from the base portion at an angle value between five and fifteen degrees.

Abstract: A tailgate tie down system includes a first plate assembly and a second plate assembly. A strap is connected between each of the first plate assembly and the second plate assembly. In an exemplary method, the strap can be routed through at least one accessory tool before securing the first plate assembly and the second plate assembly within tailgate latch openings. Once the plate assemblies are locked within the latch openings, the accessory tool is also locked relative to the tailgate.

Abstract: A truck box cable assembly including a first standard interface plate (“SIP”), a reel assembly, and a second SIP is provided. The reel assembly includes a base for securing to the first SIP, a first lock portion, and a cable wound about a spool for extending and retracting. The second SIP is located on a truck box wall opposite a location of the first SIP and has a second lock portion to receive the first lock portion to selectively secure the cable. The base may include two components slidably mounted to one another to translate between a first position and a second position. Each of the two components may include a hook portion for grasping the first SIP in the first position for securing the base thereto.

Abstract: A vehicle truck box assembly including a tailgate, a hinge-on-box bracket, a puck component, a hinge post, and a plastic shim is provided. The tailgate is pivotally mounted to a truck bed. The hinge-on-box bracket includes a cup extension. The puck component is secured to the cup extension. The hinge post is for securing to the puck component and to a hinge-on-gate bracket and the hinge post defines a cavity. The plastic shim is received in the cavity for contacting the cup extension. The plastic shim may include an upper angle portion extending from a base portion. The upper angle portion may extend between the cup extension and the puck component that are arranged to snugly receive the hinge post. The upper angle portion may extend from the base portion at an angle value between five and fifteen degrees.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a bed and a tailgate. The bed has first and second side panels. The tailgate is rotatably secured to the bed along a horizontal axis and has a plurality of extruded sections that are arranged in a longitudinally extending chain. Each section extends laterally between the first and second side panels. Adjacent sections are secured to each other via hinges that rotate about axes that are substantially parallel to the horizontal axis.

Abstract: An article rack includes a base mountable to a top rail of a truck box, a carrier, and a linkage pivotally connected to the base and the carrier. A drive mechanism of the rack has a first wheel fixed to the base, a second wheel fixed to the carrier, and an endless loop trained around the wheels such that pivoting of the linkage about the base pivots the carrier about the linkage.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate includes a laterally extending internal panel, laterally extending external panel, laterally extending support beam, and patches of anti-flutter adhesive. The laterally extending internal and external panels are spaced apart relative to each other. The laterally extending support beam is disposed between the internal and external panels, is secured to the internal panel, and has a plurality of spaced apart embossments that extend toward the external panel. The patches of anti-flutter adhesive are disposed between adjacent embossments and are secured to each of the support beam and external panel.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a truck bed, tailgate, and cover. The tailgate is rotatably secured to the bed. The tailgate has internal and external panels secured to each other via a sidewall extending therebetween. The external panel defines an outer periphery. The sidewall and internal panel collectively form a first radius extending adjacent and internal to a corner of the periphery. The cover is secured to the tailgate and over the first radius.

Abstract: A winch is disclosed for a pick-up bed having a floor, and a front wall. The winch includes a winch motor and spool assembled to the truck body below the floor. An upper pulley is assembled to the front wall with a cable wound around the spool that is extendable and retractable from the spool. The cable is routed over the upper pulley through an opening defined by the front wall. The opening is spaced from the floor to facilitate loading articles into and unloading articles from the truck bed.

Abstract: A pick-up truck bed includes a plurality of plates longer in a longitudinal direction than in a transverse direction that are assembled together along longitudinally extending edges to a laterally adjacent one of the plates. The plates each include a plurality of supporting structures longitudinally extending along a length of the plates that support the plates on transversely extending cross-members. A left-side plate defines a left wheel housing cutout, a longitudinally extending central plate includes first and second complementary interlocking features on opposite longitudinally extending sides, and a longitudinally extending right-side plate defines a right wheel housing cutout. The left-side plate includes a first interlocking feature and the right-side plate includes a second interlocking feature that each receive one of the complementary interlocking features of the central plate.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a truck bed and an extruded tailgate that is rotatably secured to the bed. The extruded tailgate forms laterally extending internal, external, upper, and lower panels. The exterior surfaces of each of the internal, upper, and lower panels define T-slots that are configured to receive accessory components.

Abstract: An entertainment support system is attached to a pickup truck having a plurality of receptacles in sidewalls of a truck box spaced above a truck bed. The entertainment support system includes a first mount having a first horizontal arm extending between opposing sidewalls of the truck box, and a vertical arm extending orthogonal to the first horizontal arm. The entertainment support system further includes a second mount including a second horizontal arm extending between the opposing sidewalls parallel to and spaced from the first horizontal arm.

Abstract: An entertainment support system is attached to a pickup truck having a plurality of receptacles in sidewalls of a truck box spaced above a truck bed. The entertainment support system includes a first mount having a first horizontal arm extending between opposing sidewalls of the truck box, and a vertical arm extending orthogonal to the first horizontal arm. The entertainment support system further includes a second mount including a second horizontal arm extending between the opposing sidewalls parallel to and spaced from the first horizontal arm.