Let’s talk about truck tool boxes. You know, the kinds that go in the bed of your pickup truck, underneath a service bed, or on a trailer. With so many types and configurations, there’s certainly no one-size-fits-all solution – and that’s a good thing!
Whether you’ve got an old-school single cab or a full-size crew, you never seem to have enough space for all your stuff, right? Then there are those things that you just don’t want to keep inside the truck like greasy, tools, or those things you lug around just in case you need them some day.
Every truck owner will have their own set of needs and we’re here to help you sort through all of the different styles and pick the right storage solution for your truck. We’ll cover things like styles and shapes, materials, and some pros and cons, along the way. Here we go!
While most pickup truck tool boxes are built from diamond-plate aluminum, these days, some are made from powder-coated steel or even plastic. Boxes can be basic, polished aluminum or may come factory powder coated in matte or gloss black or white, depending on the manufacturer.
When comparing truck tool boxes, it’s important to find the right balance of features, quality, and pricing. For example, some boxes, like the CamLocker, are built from heavier, .063 gauge aluminum, while others are made from lighter gauges. Heavier metal means higher cost, but also more strength and durability.
Crossover/Saddle Box
When people think of tool boxes for trucks, the first style that comes to mind would be the crossover tool box – sometimes called a saddle tool box. A crossover box is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a truck bed tool box that crosses over the bed and rests on the bed rails.
Believe it or not, crossover tool boxes are not all the same and there’s quite a bit to cover here. In most cases, though, they all install easily – usually with a single J-bolt on each side. The J-bolt tucks underneath the bed rail and goes up through the “wings” of the box and is fastened with a washer and nut. Super-simple, but safe and effective.
Pro Tip: Do not over-tighten J-bolts or you can bend your bed rails.
Pro Tip: Be sure to check and re-tighten J-bolts periodically, to ensure that the box stays secure.
Most crossover tool boxes are between 69” and 72” wide. While they are not technically vehicle-specific, you do want to make sure that you get the right width, so the box isn’t too narrow or too long and hanging way over the sides.
For full-size pickup trucks like the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, and Rams, a 69”-71” wide box fits the bill, while a 71”-73” works great on a Ford Super Duty. Mid-size trucks like the Chevy Colorado or Toyota Tacoma will take a much narrower 63” box. The Jeep Gladiator is unique in that it requires a 60” box with a notched bottom.
Wait, what’s this about a notched bottom? Some pickups, regardless of whether they are full-size or not, may have clearance issues with the wheel wells. This is usually in extra short beds or on smaller trucks like the GMC Sierra. The bottom of the box either has a notched/stepped bottom or an angled bottom which helps it fit around the wheel wells. The Jeep Gladiator requires this, due to the fuel filler neck.
Speaking of fitting inside the bed, that brings us to standard vs “king” or “deep” boxes. Most truck tool boxes leave room underneath for you to still load some long items underneath them, like lumber. In full-size trucks, some tool boxes are available with even more cargo space, but at the expense of space underneath the box. These would be considered “deep” boxes.
The area from the top of the bed rails to the top of the tool box lid also comes in a few configurations. Generally, there are standard and low-profile tops. Standard tops are usually about six inches tall.
While these offer plenty of space for your gear, the lids do tend to block some of the rear visibility through the back glass. These days, most customers tend to be interested in the low profile tops, which are about three inches tall.
No discussion of tool box lids would be complete without also mentioning a rails option. Some pickup truck tool boxes have optional welded-on rails around the top of the lid. These are great for when you strap down a cooler or extra luggage on top or even to help secure loose loads in the bed.
While this is a popular option, they will decrease rearward visibility, but not as much as a standard lid. In addition, boxes with rails usually have to sit back a couple of inches in the bed in order for the lids to open without contacting the window.
How you open a crossover tool box is also up for discussion. Some standard lids may have handles or paddles on the sides of the boxes, whereas most tool boxes and all low profile boxes have their mechanisms on the front of the box.
On some boxes, the two paddle latches or handles will function independently, while others, like the CamLocker tool boxes will work together. When you turn the T-handle on one side, the other side turns with it. This makes it very convenient and easy to use.
A few of our most popular crossover tool boxes are:
Side Mount Tool Boxes
Side mount boxes are most popular with people who work out of their trucks all day, like electricians, plumbers, and contractors. These typically sit on each side of the truck bed and work well with a crossover tool box in front. Side mount boxes rest on the bed rails and are notched so they extend downward into the truck bed, along the sides. Think of an inverted “L” shape from the side. The boxes are clamped to the bed rail and are supported by legs that connect to either the bed side or floor. Some boxes may also connect directly to crossover boxes.
This type of box is great for storing long tools, straps, and power tools.
Side mount boxes are available in various lengths ranging from 36” to as long as 88” and usually about 12” front to back at the top and 8” at the bottom and sit about 6” above the bed rails. Depending on the length, they may have single or double latches.
A few of our most popular side mount tool boxes are:
1) CamLocker SMB48MB (48” side mount matte black)
2) UWS 48”
Topsider Tool Boxes
Topside, top mount, or high-side boxes are also popular with builders and home repair workers and installers. Topsiders are similar to side mount tool boxes, but they only sit on top of the bed rails. Instead of a lid like a crossover tool box, the top mount boxes are more like cabinets that open downward for access.
Top mount tool boxes range in length from around 40” all the way up to 96” and are available with single or double doors. Boxes are typically 16-18” tall and range from 12-18” front to back. You can get a lot of stuff in these boxes, which leaves plenty of bed space for materials and equipment.
A few of our most popular top mount tool boxes are:
Wheel Well, Fender Well, Pork Chop (same thing different name)
If you’re the kind of person who looks at the inside of their truck bed and all you can see is that wasted space behind the wheel wells, we’ve got just the thing for you – a pork chop tool box! These odd-shaped boxes are tall in the back end and short up front, to fit over the wheel well. Hmmm From the sound of it, they may as well call them “mullet boxes!” We’re Trademarking that right now…
There are some interesting options for these boxes. Some pork chops are basically weird looking bins with lids on top, while others make clever use of the space, but having drawers in the bottom that open from the rear of the truck along with bin storage on top.
One outsider to this category is the UnderCover Swing Case. It’s a bin-style box, but instead of being made of aluminum or steel, it’s made of high-impact plastic. It’s also side-specific because it swings out toward the middle of the bed so you can easily access the contents from the rear.
A few of our most popular wheel well tool boxes are:
1) UnderCover Swing Case
3) Weather Guard Pork Chop Box
Storage Drawers
Storage drawers really fall into a couple of categories. Commercial utility drawers and DECKED. The former are basically metal enclosures with slide-out drawers. While these can certainly be fitted in pickup trucks, they are more commonly found in vans. However, if you need drawers that have a footprint similar to a shipping pallet, these fit the bill.
DECKED systems are almost in a class all by themselves. They are modularly designed to fit perfectly in application-specific pickup beds. In other words, they are formed to fit in the bed and the top section forms a platform rated to hold up to 2,000 pounds! Each unit has two sliding drawers that can carry up to 200 pounds each. Not only that, but the top can be upfitted with either T-slot tracks or core trax rails for accessories like racks or for load lock rings.
DECKED systems are weatherproof, so you can keep expensive stuff like camera equipment or surveying gear in there. Or, with the optional drain plugs, yes, you can use them as coolers! DECKED also offers other great accessories specifically made to fit the drawers like bins and dividers.
A couple of our most popular storage drawers are:
1) DECKED
2) WeatherGuard
Chest Tool Box
Chest tool boxes are in a sort of broad category. They come in various sizes and shapes, but, they are basically tool boxes that can sit anywhere they’ll fit. So, whether you need a box inside the bed to fit underneath a tonneau cover or a box for the job site or anywhere else you want a lockable box, the chest box may be right for you.
A few of our most popular chest tool boxes are:
1)CamLocker RV60MB 60” Matte Black
3) Better Built 79212437 Tool Chest
Trailer / Tongue Chest
As the name suggests, these boxes are trapezoidal-shaped to fit in front of trailers, where the frame comes together to form the tongue. While a standard chest tool box can fit inside the trailer or on the trailer floor, the tongue boxes are shaped specifically to fit up front, where a rectangular box would interfere with tight turning. Like all chest tool boxes, they are available in various sizes.
A few of our most popular trailer / tongue chests are:
1) UWS 34” Trailer Tongue Box Black
5th Wheel Tool Box
A 5th wheel tool box is specifically made to fit behindthe 5th wheel and can be used while towing. A great example of this style would be a 58” wide UWS box, which is about 19” front to back and 11” tall.
A few of our most popular 5th wheel tool boxes are:
1) UWS 58” 5th Wheel Box Black:
Underbed / Underbody
Underbody tool boxes are ideal for service bed and flatbeds. They regain storage space by mounting underneath. They range in size from 24-72 inches in length and have either one or two cabinets per box, depending on the length.
A few of our most popular underbed / underbody tool boxes are:
1) Better Built 48” Underbody Box Black
Foot Locker Tool Box
Think of foot lockers as small chest boxes with carry handles on the sides. You keep them mounted or loose, so they are portable (assuming you’re strong enough to carry a loaded one). A foot locker can be mounted to the front of a flatbed trailer, for example, for keeping things like ratchet straps, gloves, and other rigging supplies. A great example is the 36 x 13.25 x 19.25 foot locker box from UWS.
A few of our most popular foot locker tool boxes are:
Transfer Tank Tool Box Combo
For those who use their trucks out in the field and need to carry a fuel transfer tank but also want lockable storage for their gear, a combo will be a great choice. Usually, these are configured as an L-shaped transfer tank with a chest box attached on top. Common fuel volumes are 75-100 gallons of Class-3 combustible fluids, such as diesel.
A few of our most popular transfer tank tool box combos are:
Small Tool Box
Some companies make little tote boxes like the UWS TB-1 (21” x 12” x 7”) and TB-2 (21” x 12” x 11”). These are great for locking up and carrying smaller items to the job site or that you want to keep secured any time you’re away from your truck.
A few of our most popular small tool boxes are:
Conclusion
With so many different options for pickup truck tool boxes, you may feel a little overwhelmed. That’s ok! We’re here to help. Look through the options above and when you’re ready, visit one of our H&H Truck Accessories locations so you can put your hands on some different styles of tool boxes. Our specially trained sales staff will be happy to help you find the perfect storage solution for your truck.
