After some years of belt-tightening (austerity) and diligent saving, Wifey and I were finally able to trade in our old sedan and purchase our dream car-an SUV!
The only problem, though, was when we drove it home, the kids weren’t as excited as we thought they would be. Why? “The ride isn’t pimped enough dad!” came the chorus answer.
As I was puzzled, Wifey explained to me what the kids meant in layman’s terms, “Honey, what the kids mean is we gotta have the car accessorized.” So “pimp” or accessorize our new “ride”- the SUV I did.
Whatever your reason for choosing an SUV, whether it’s the space, height, road presence, or even ease of access offered by this type of car, you always want the best experience.
That usually involves getting your SUV kitted out with the latest must-have accessories. And since the world of affordable car accessories has gone crazy over the past decade, from spinning rims to high-tech head-up displays, there is a lot to consider.
Luckily for you, however, after accessorizing/pimping my family’s SUV, I’m now more than best placed to take you through some of the best and most useful accessories out there for your SUV.
1. Smart Vehicle Health Monitor
For me, a car’s engine-like the human heart is to the body, is the most important part. As such, a Smart Vehicle Health Monitor is a must-have.
This gizmo actively assesses your SUV’s engine and internal systems and gives real-time warnings in simplified terms.
It can be paired with your smartphone and gathers data as you drive for future analysis, diagnosis and prognosis as to how to fix a problem. Easy to install, your SUV must, however, have a compatible OBD-II port.
2. Rooftop Cargo box
If you own an SUV, chances are you are always up for an adventure. One thing adventurers need is space.
The rooftop cargo box has a quick and easy mount system that can provide up to 16 additional cubic feet of packing space. For easy access, this accessory has dual-side openings. It fits items that are up to 175cm long.
3. Portable Refrigerator
![ICECO VL75 ProD Portable Refrigerator, Multi-directional Lid, Dual USB & DC 12/24V, AC 110-240V, 75L Dual Zone Steel Compact Refrigerator Powered by SECOP, 0℉ to 50℉, Home & Car Use [Upgrade, 79 Quarts]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51I6XXbvQ+L._SL500_.jpg "ICECO VL75 ProD Portable Refrigerator, Multi-directional Lid, Dual USB & DC 12/24V, AC 110-240V, 75L Dual Zone Steel Compact Refrigerator Powered by SECOP, 0℉ to 50℉, Home & Car Use [Upgrade, 79 Quarts]")
Keep your drinks cool on the road and your family’s phones fully charged with a portable refrigerator for your SUV. Coming with multidirectional lids, this accessory can be easily and conveniently opened in the back of your SUV.
The dual USB and DC ports are invaluable for both pre-cooling your fridge and changing multiple mobile devices when out camping with the boys or family.
Above all, installing a portable refrigerator in your SUV guarantees you keep both your beers cold and catch fresh when you go on those long fishing trips or transport fresh farm produce. The possibilities are endless.
4. Cargo Liners
Now, if you are going to be accessorizing your SUV with a portable refrigerator, you will definitely need cargo liners.
Made of durable, hardened, but flexible rubberised plastic material, cargo liners protect the cargo area of your SUV. Prevent and contain the likelihood of your SUV’s cargo holding area being messed with cargo liners.
Coming with nibbed undersides, the resultant traction keeps them in place. Cleaning the back of your SUV after a muddy weekend away off-road has never been made easier.
5. Floor mats
Do, for the front as for the rear cargo area, by accessorizing with deep dish heavy duty rubberised floor mats that are tough and durable.
They don’t split, crack or deform easily and most importantly, protect your SUV’s floors from stains, spills, debris, mud and motor oil. Their nibbed undersides give grip and cleaning them is super quick and easy.
6. Side View Cameras
Missing blind spots often lead to accidents and other misfortunes. These small and portable side view cameras can be installed on multiple parts of your SUV’s exterior, allowing you to view and adjust how you want to view your blind spots.
Rainproof and coming with night vision assistance, side view cameras allow you to set up side screens for your doors and can store footage in cases of insurance fraud or potential accidents.
7. Digital Screen Headrest DVD Player
If you have kids and want to take your music with you as I do, then this is a definite must- have, especially for that long road trip.
Get rid of boredom for your rear-seat passengers and have some groovy music at your fingertips with a Digital Screen Headrest DVD player. Have it installed on the headrests of your SUV.
It comes with two HD screens for the rear and has a multitude of options, be it DVD, phone synchronization, or gaming. Its removable design makes it in-car and home user-friendly.
8. Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Changing the tire of your SUV or getting stuck on the side of the road waiting for roadside assistance because of an avoidable flat tire or damage is very frustrating. One clear-cut solution to this is to know how your tires are doing.
I have found this tire pressure monitoring system is the way to go. Simply attach the sensors onto each of your tires and through the receiver display, you will get information on how much pressure your tires are withstanding every step of the way.
Drive safely knowing your tire pressure, wear out, air leakage and fuel consumption are being monitored.
9. Alloy/Mag Wheels
Speaking of wheels, to my kids, your SUV isn’t accessorized or “pimped” enough until it has some blinged alloy or mag wheels.
Found in diverse elements such as aluminium and magnesium, mags or alloy wheels are more than just for aesthetics, nor just showing off.
Unknown to most, I recently discovered that their lightweight design improves the performance and handling of your SUV by, for instance, reducing stopping distance and minimizing strain on the vehicle’s suspension.
10. Vehicle Cell Signal Booster Kit
As the owner of an SUV, it’s most likely you will be taking off-road trips to places where signals are likely to be weak. We’ve all seen horror films that begin with the loss of cellphone signals in the middle of nowhere.
With this Vehicle Cell Signal Booster kit, you will be able to boost cellular connectivity in most remote places.
Compatible with 5G and 4G Lite, it comes complete with a magnetic antenna that is mounted on the roof, the actual booster that amplifies the signal, and the inside antenna that distributes the signal to your onboard devices. Most importantly, it can boost all U.S. network carriers.
11. Power/Manual Step Running Boards
Getting into your SUV if you are a certain height, weight or age can be a tiring problem. To solve any challenges you might be facing, I recommend either electric or manual step running boards installed or fitted to the sides.
Available in durable stainless steel, they can be customized to run the full length of your SUV, they can be automatic and electric-powered. Running boards solve any height problems entering your SUV.
Their rugged anti-slip surfaces provide stability and safety when embarking on the vehicle. Sometimes made from aircraft-grade aluminium, running boards are lightweight yet strong and wide enough for you to step on.
12. SUV Car Cover
Protect your SUV from the elements with a hail protective cover. Made from durable high-density and breathable polyester, this lightweight SUV car cover is easily fitted and removed.
Available with an anti-theft lock and easy-of-access zipper, this car cover is windproof, dustproof and, above all, waterproof. With a shield and aerodynamic design, the cover has been tested to withstand hail of any size and wind speeds of up to 80mph.
Some models come with a companion app that helps you monitor the weather and sends you precise alerts if a storm is nearby so that you can prepare well in advance.
13. Snow Tracks
If you are in parts where snow and ice are a hazard to driving in, then no fear, snow tracks are here.
Low temperature and equipped with wear-resistant no-slip nails that are tire friendly, these snow tracks also come with snow chains that will turn your SUV into a skier.
Just clamp the wheels onto the tracks via ramps and you are ready to go within 15 minutes. When you start moving, the tires make the tracks turn, which enables your SUV to move forward as well as reverse just as you would in normal conditions.
14. The Wireless Magnetic Trailer Hitch Camera
Do you just hate the long annoying process of trying to hitch your trailer to your SUV? Get this wireless magnetic trailer hitch camera and it will be your eyes and helping hand.
Equipped with an LCD color monitor, this essential can be mounted anywhere on your SUV without the need for hardware or wiring.
Ideal for connecting your vehicle to a trailer or boat, it allows you to hitch your trailer within seconds by transmitting footage from the rear of your SUV so you, can as accurately as possible, hitch it.
15. Roof racks
Akin to a rooftop cargo box, roof racks are a must if you have any plans for carrying your bikes on an adventure outdoors in your SUV.
With aluminium channels as their main feature, these racks use either vacuum cups or a release trigger system that permits easy tool-free installation to attach to the roof of your SUV.
To protect both the surface and the roof cargo of your vehicle, rubber slips assist to cushion the load and provide slip resistance.
Carry bikes and snowboards securely. Every rack is capable of supporting up to two hundred pounds of vertical or lateral grip.
16. SUV Trunk Organizer
Still on the topic of your SUV’s cargo, with an SUV trunk organizer, your car’s capacity is markedly increased. Made from durable nylon, besides holding all your stuff, this organizer is also able to keep it safe even when you are on bumpy roads.
It has non-slip strips to prevent it from sliding and adjustable metal straps with metal hooks to secure it.
The organizer itself is very lightweight and compact, you can keep it folded or turn it into a full-size heavy-duty bag with two separate compartments for all your essentials.
Rigid base plates make the bottom steady and the securing strap with anchors helps to keep it in place.
17. SUV Air Mattress
Get an SUV air mattress for those date nights when you and the missus just want to be alone.
If not some alone time in the back of your SUV is not your thing, then should you ever get stuck in the middle of nowhere, at least you have somewhere to comfortably spend the night until help comes.
Made from polyvinyl chloride material, this inflatable car mattress is extra thick, making it cold-resistant, puncture and leakage proof.
It can be inflated or deflated in a few minutes and, best of all, can bear a weight of up to 260 kilograms. Conveniently functional, it sure comes in handy as a sleeping bed, car backseat, hitch bed, at the beach and when camping.
18. SUV Tent
Speaking of camping, gone are the days when you left your SUV parked somewhere while pitching a tent some distance away. With the SUV tent, your car can remain an intimate part of your camping experience.
Coming with built-in storm flaps and a door for ventilation, this spacious SUV tent can effortlessly and faultlessly be attached to your vehicle’s cargo area to create added sleeping space or storage.
It comfortably accommodates up to five people. Talk about sleeping with your car!
19. SUV Tailgating Canopy
If it’s not sleeping with your SUV you want to do, but rather just hang out, then the SUV is for you. Made from water-resistant fabric with tape sealed seams, this accessory is sized to fit standard parking spaces.
It can be connected to the rear door of your SUV without damaging the vehicle’s finish. It comes with a canopy, poles and stuff sack for your stuff. Great for sun protection, camping and the beach.
20. Smart GPS Sope Meter Speedometer
If you are like me and unconsciously sometimes just floor the accelerator, then this little baby is for you…and currently, me. Information at a glance, especially when driving off-road, is vital.
Aside from putting traditional dashboard stuff in front of you, this heads-up display shows a ton of other data that is helpful in an off-road situation.
Meant to be installed right in front of you the driver, its LCD digital screen displays your driving direction, altitude, and latitude, even in the middle of a desert.
It also takes care of your safety by sending you speed alarms and reminding the driver to take a break. It comes handy with a fatigue driving icon that starts flashing after you have been driving for more than four straight hours.
