The ideal way to keep that gear in your bed safe and secure.
We love our truck beds. Whether you are car camping, hauling furniture or getting your tools to the job site, the truck bed gives the ultimate freedom to be prepared. However you utilize the space, having some organization and protection for your gear is ideal. It is probably safe to say that all truck owners have had that questionable feeling of leaving their rig in a parking lot, hoping their stuff doesn’t get ripped off. And we all know it’s like nails on a chalkboard when you can hear your equipment sliding around in the back while taking a sharp turn. A truck bed toolbox can solve all of those problems.
- Best Overall Truck Bed Toolbox Weather Guard Full Size Crossbed Truck Tool Box $966 AT HOME DEPOT Read More $966 AT HOME DEPOT
- Best Upgrade Truck Bed Toolbox Decked Truck Bed Storage System $1,450 AT REALTRUCK.COM Read More $1,450 AT REALTRUCK.COM
- Best Budget Truck Bed Toolbox Plano Sportsman Storage Trunk $40 AT CABELAS.COM Read More $40 AT CABELAS.COM
- Most Accessible Truck Bed Toolbox UnderCover Swing Case Truck Bed Toolbox $199 AT REALTRUCK.COM Read More $199 AT REALTRUCK.COM
- Best Truck Bed Toolbox for Tonneau Covers TruXedo TonneauMate $490 AT REALTRUCK.COM Read More $490 AT REALTRUCK.COM
- Best Truck Bed Toolbox for Overlanding and Camping Pelican BX135 Cargo Case $370 AT PELICAN.COM Read More $370 AT PELICAN.COM
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What to Look For in a Truck Bed Toolbox
While most of the truck-owning population doesn’t need a full-on utility bed, having a secure spot to stash equipment is sought after. It is a necessity in many lines of work as well as more leisurely pursuits.
What Specs to Look For
Material: Plastic, aluminum and steel are the primary materials used for truck bed toolboxes. Each has its pros and cons, but for the most part, these materials have been manufactured to handle plenty of use and various weather conditions. Plastic used to get a bad rap, but chemical engineering has done us a favor with impressive durability these days. You will also find the plastics options easy to remove from your bed. Aluminum will cost more than steel, but by nature, it is lightweight and won’t rust. Steel is the heaviest option but also the toughest with high weight capacities.
Size: Many brands will have you select your specific vehicle to ensure a correct fit. For more generic boxes, you better get the measuring tape out for an accurate fit. The volume is often listed, typically measured in cubic feet or liters. Still, it is not terribly useful as we often measure our tools in linear units.
Organization
The configurations for these boxes are endless. Different compartments, drawers and dividers will make you think more specifically about what you are storing and the kind of space you need for each item. Some toolboxes tend to be a bit more modular, as you can add and remove dividers and trays as required. This is the best way to go if you don’t want to commit to the setup long-term.
Mounting Options
There are a few questions you should ask yourself when looking into how a box is mounted. Are you ok with drilling holes in your truck? Do you have a drop-in bed liner? Do you use a tonneau cover? These will all affect what toolbox will fit your rig best.
A drawer system will be a more permanent solution for someone needing regular storage. To fully utilize your bed with this option, getting a truck cap, soft topper or even a tall bed rack could be conducive to maximizing the protected space on top of the drawers.
Cross-bed boxes, also known as saddle boxes, are probably the most popular truck bed toolbox as they are easily mounted below the back window. They do not typically cause any damage to your truck if installed correctly, especially with the well-engineered installation methods developed to attach them to your bed rails. They are easily accessible from the side of the truck as they sit higher than the walls of the truck bed. The drawback is that if you plan on having a tonneau cover, it won’t fit over the top of the toolbox.
A wheel well box is a great low-profile option accessible from the tailgate. It hides well and efficiently uses the space between the tire and the tailgate. Remember that if a single box doesn’t give you all the space you need, you can always add a second on the other side of the truck.
Security
Half the battle with securing your gear is getting it out of sight. If thieves don’t know what is there, they are much less likely to pursue it. A truck toolbox keeps that mystery alive, and different lock options are another line of protection against a small tool heist. When considering locks, remember that some brands use universal keys, meaning anyone with the same toolbox as you could easily get to your stuff. Some have padlock latches that allow you to use your own lock.
Best Overall Truck Bed Toolbox Weather Guard Full Size Crossbed Truck Tool Box
- Utilizes the full width of the bed
- Rust resistant
- Heavy for the installation process
- No compatible with most truck bed covers
- Size: 72 x 18.5 x 20.5 inches
- Box Weight: 74 lbs
- Material: Aluminum with a powder coat finish
- Mounting type: Cross-bed
- Security: Push-button lock
When you think of a truck bed toolbox, you most likely picture a cross-bed-style container. This box is pretty straightforward storage with a secure locking system. Weather Guards have some clout in the industry in various sizes. In particular, this toolbox has a welded construction, and of course, it is weatherproof.
If you want to upgrade the experience, this box is compatible with Weather Guard’s PowerSync Technology, which allows you to hook up interior lighting and keyless entry to your toolbox.
Best Upgrade Truck Bed Toolbox Decked Truck Bed Storage System
- Extremely secure
- Organizing accessories included
- Easy access and visibility
- Extensive installation process
- Pricey
- Size: 72.1 x 18 x 8.5 inches (standard length system upper drawer measurements)
- Weight Capacity: 200 lbs per drawer and 2000 lbs on top
- Box Weight: 205-229 lbs
- Material: HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) in-molded to a galvanized steel frame
- Mounting type: Custom
- Security: Key locked drawers with reinforcement from a locked tailgate
If organization is key for you, the Decked drawer system is an incredible go-to. When the drawers are pulled out, you have complete visibility and accessibility to everything inside. With various dividers and organizers included, each tool can have its own space.
With an impressive 2000 lbs load capacity, you can stack heavy items on top, allowing you to still fully utilize your beloved bed. If that is your cup of tea, I have even seen some pretty creative setups with these drawers for truck bed camping.
The security here is unmatched as the drawers lock alone, but you can’t access the drawers when your tailgate is up and locked. With the toolbox built to your truck’s specs, the mounting process will be a bit more custom as it fits squarely into your bed.
Best Budget Truck Bed Toolbox Plano Sportsman Storage Trunk
- Inexpensive
- Easy to remove from bed
- Not as sturdy as other options on the list
- No organization dividers or trays for tools
- Size: 37.19 x 14 x18 inches
- Weight Capacity: 225 lbs
- Box Weight: 11 lbs
- Material: Polypropylene
- Mounting type: Tie down points
- Security: Padlock latch
These stackable containers give the same effect as a drawer system as they can slide in and out of the bed easily with their wheels. While the box is not waterproof in the case of submersion, your stuff will stay dry in the rain. And if the weather is a significant concern, adding weather stripping is no problem. There are a few spots for padlocks if you want some simple security.
The tie-down spots are on either end of the box, although as long as there is something in the box to weigh it down, you won’t catch it shifting around very easily. I use two of these in the back of my Jeep truck for overlanding trips, providing an excellent spot for off-road recovery tools, camping and fishing gear. Because the box can easily be removed, we bring it inside for longer-term storage, and it stays packed and ready to go for our next adventure.
Most Accessible Truck Bed Toolbox UnderCover Swing Case Truck Bed Toolbox
- Easy to remove from mounted hinges
- Organization divider and trays for smaller items
- Works with tonneau covers
- Drilling required
- Awkward shape for larger item storage
- Size: 29 x 8 x 15 inches
- Weight Capacity: 75 lbs
- Material: Composite plastic
- Mounting type: Wheel well swing-out
- Security: Twist and lock key
Accessing your tools could not get easier. This box mounts efficiently behind the wheel well on hinges to easily swing out for quick access. If you want to take your tools with you, you can unlock and lift the box off the mount. The positioning of the mount is also conducive to most truck bed covers.
When ordering, remember that you must commit to either the driver’s or passenger’s side of the car.
Best Truck Bed Toolbox for Tonneau Covers TruXedo TonneauMate
- Size: 55 x 22 x 15 inches
- Weight Capacity: 200 lbs
- Box Weight: 50 lbs
- Material: Composite plastic
- Mounting type: Bed rails with aluminum clamps
- Security: Twist and lock key
If you are a tonneau cover user, this toolbox is for you. It can be mounted anywhere on the rails with aluminum clamps. Specific truck models will need additional clamps and hardware for installation. You can also utilize space underneath the box once it is mounted so that you won’t lose space on the truck bed floor.
When the work week is over, this box can even be used as a cooler, which sounds like a sweet tailgating or camp-cooking setup.
Best Truck Bed Toolbox for Overlanding and Camping Pelican BX135 Cargo Case
- A variety of mounting options
- Can be easily removed from truck
- No drilling required
- Mounting kits sold seperately
- No organizing accessories
- Size: 41 x 17.25 x 16 inches
- Box Weight: 28.70 lbs
- Material: Polyethylene
- Mounting type: Different kits can be added to your box purchase
- Security: Steel padlock latch
Pelican is known for quality cases of all types, including their line of cargo boxes. These heavy-duty boxes are available in an assortment of sizes and shapes, making it easy to decide what will best fit your truck. Mounting it is not required, as it can sit pretty sturdy in the bed. But they offer various mounting kits, giving you plenty of options with no drilling required. This is great for overlanding gear as your stuff will stay on rocky terrain, but the boxes can be removed once you get to your campsite or back home for indoor storage.
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Keyword: The Best Truck Bed Toolboxes You Can Buy