Great Truck & Car Toys For Big Girls & Boys

When girls and boys reach a certain age, their idea of great toys turns from scooters and Matchbox replicas to something bigger. Their dreams of toys under the tree still revolve around wheels and vehicles, but the object of their attention has migrated from the toy box to the driveway. Their Christmas Eve visions now include such sugarplums as truck-bed covers, fog lights, aftermarket running boards, and SUV accessories.

My son is not one for adding accessories to his vehicles. He tends to add whatever he wants the first time around, and that's that - except for the great stereo system he installed in one particular vehicle. This time around, he opted for Sirius satellite and some nifty Bose speakers.

His wife, however, loves aftermarket accessories. She adores her Candy Apple Red Dodge Ram pick-up, and has adorned it with running boards, a matching set of seat and steering wheel covers, and custom floor mats, to name but a few.

One of the many decorative, but incredibly useful aftermarket toys you can add to the well-dressed truck.

Cold-forged for superior strength, its one wrench tightening system makes installing this chrome finished beauty a snap. It easily replaces the standard issue and sends the message that this is one serious truck.

These aluminum trailer hitch covers are machined from high-sec material, and polished to a high luster. They all have a two-hole adapter, which will fit most applications.

Celebrate your Hawaiian holiday, past or planned, with one of these hitch covers, fashioned in a Hawaiian theme...and you can protect your new toy with a Snap-on Receiver Hitch lock.

In addition to the styles shown, this series includes FlipFlops, a Meria blossom, and a beautifully detailed Tiki.

The first time I saw a set of truck balls, I was laughing so hard at the cheeky audacity of whoever perpetrated the joke, I nearly fell off my seat.

The pair I saw were not nearly so anatomically correct. It was a simple set of round orbs, connected by a silver chain that suspended the orbs, one on each side of the truck hitch.

This set would have done that fellow proud. Say what you like about a truck being an extension of its owner's personality, this is a fun toy.

These exceptional seat covers come in a wide variety of styles, and colors. Available in regular sizes and fits, these quality seat covers can also be purchased in a heated style.

Trust me, living in a northern climate teaches the value of heated seats very quickly. There are few comforts as appreciated as snuggling back in a toasty warm seat for your winter morning's commute.

This vinyl steering wheel cover fits most vehicles with 14.5 inch to 15.5 inch steering wheels.

Easy to install, stylish and comfortable, this steering wheel cover will help protect your wheel from wear and tear while helping to protect your hands from the extremes of summer heat and winter's cold.

For those who prefer a fabric steering wheel cover, this nifty animal print is a jazzy alternative. Available in a variety of colors, it provides a non-slip grip for a comfortable driving experience.

The matching shoulder belt pads are constructed from the same soft, color-fast velour.

Matching bucket seat covers, fabric floor mats, and license plate frames are also available.

I love these brakelight covers.

Available in a variety of brand names, they are such a fun way to proclaim your pride in your vehicle, and your confidence in its manufacturer.

My son did once threaten to put a Dodge set on his failing GMC vehicle - he facetiously suggested it might spur the old car to greater efforts.

These tiny dash lights can brighten up your cockpitb without affecting your night-driving vision.

Easy to install, the bright blue lights plug into any 12V DC outlet (your cigarette lighter). Position the lights with the included double-stick tape, on your dash, foot area, or rear deck.

Here are but a few of the many great fog and utility light kits available for your vehicle. Some drivers from acreage country seem to think they are meant as an additional light source, and the effect can be a little blinding.

There are some savvy drivers who use them for added visibility during the daytime, rather than their headlights. We do get some fog in the Spring and Fall, especially in the low-lying areas. Depending on the moisture in the air and the ambient temperature, you may be facing anything from a light ground mist to a blank swirling wall.

The fog reflects the light of your headlights so all you can see at times is a blinding white glare. Fog lights do not reflect back off the fog in the same way because they are aimed low, at the roadway, allowing you to see the road ahead with much greater clarity.

These great Westin running boards do require drilling during installation, but are well worth it. Many of the wide variety of available styles come with a five year warranty.

The finish is able to withstand harsh conditions. Some styles also have optional light kits for increased visibility in low light conditions.

The Lund running boards feature w deep step for sure footing. The molded end-caps are designed to adapt for a custom fit.

The DeeZee running boards also feature powder coated aluminum, but have a raised tread design for no-slip access to your vehicle in the toughest conditions. Steel bolts and braces support the horizontal surface for added security and durability.

Tire gauges come in all shapes and sizes these days. My sister has a beautiful gauge in its own metal case.

It looks like an amazingly accurate, perfectly machined car-tool - a far cry from the funny looking stick-thingy my dad would whip out of the glove box to check the tire pressure.

Touted as the most accurate tire gauges available, these claim to read tire pressures from 0-60PSI in 01 increments. Many have an easy-to-read, back-lit dial, something that comes in very handy on a grey day or a poorly lit service station.

Many styles feature quick disconnect, and a bleed valve to release tire pressure to the desired pressure.

The truck bed and tonneau covers featured are but a few of the vast array of available styles.

Whether you are searching for a pocket cover, a hinged tonneau cover, bed liner, soft bed cover, or an electronic truck bed locker, there is something to fill your needs, in a range of styles and prices to suit your taste and your budget.

© 2009, Text by Elle Fredine, All rights reserved