The Best Truck Tool Boxes (Review & Buying Guide) in 2021
| Best Choice |
|
UnderCover SwingCase Truck Storage Box | CHECK LATEST PRICE | |
| Premium Pick |
|
Weather Guard Aluminum All-Purpose Chest | CHECK LATEST PRICE | |
| Best Value |
|
Vault Cargo Management Hitch Cargo Carrier Bag | CHECK LATEST PRICE |
- 1. UnderCover SwingCase Truck Storage Box
- 2. Giantex Tool Box Tote Storage for Truck Pickup Bed
- 3. Vault Cargo Management Hitch Cargo Carrier Bag
- 4. UWS ATV Tool Box
- 5. Trinity Job Site Box
- 6. Yaheetech Aluminum Tool Box
- 7. Lund Challenger Series ATV Front Storage Box
- 8. Brait Aluminum Tool Box for ATV Truck, Pickup, RV
- 9. Weather Guard Aluminum All-Purpose Chest
Without a doubt, truck tool boxes are some of the most useful accessories for truck owners. They protect tools from the elements, prevent them from rattling around the truck bed and – perhaps most importantly – they keep them away from thieving eyes. A quality tool box will act as a weatherproof stationary for all your tools and gear while keeping your truck bed neatly organized.
The only problem is that there are hundreds, if not thousands of tool boxes out there, from aluminum to plastic, side mounted to crossovers. The choices are many, and it can be difficult to find the toolbox that is just right for your vehicle. But that’s why we’re here. We’ve compiled a list of what we believe are some of the best truck tool boxes on the market. We’ve also prepared a handy little buying guide that covers everything you need to know when looking to purchase a truck toolbox.
The Best Truck Tool Box
Innovative, convenient, weatherproof and supremely secure are the right words to describe the UnderCover SwingCase truck bed tool box. This highly popular toolbox is undoubtedly one of the best ones out there as it checks all the right boxes: it’s incredibly easy to use, it holds up to 75 pounds of tools or cargo, it’s sturdy, durable and secure, and yes, it’s easy to install.
As the name implies, the UnderCover SwingCase is a swinging portable utility case for trucks. No more climbing into your truck bed to reach the box because it installs to the side of the truck bed. All you have to do is pull the release lever and the box will swing out towards you, saving you time and effort. The case is made of high-impact ABS plastic, so although it’s weatherproof and sturdy, it’s also lightweight and easy to transport. It comes with a lockable lid and a convenient little sliding tray for easy organization. Importantly, the installation is easy, taking around 10 minutes total.
- ABS plastic, durable and weatherproof
- 16 x 8.5 x 34” side box
- Quick-release latch swings out the box
- Holds up to 75 pounds of cargo
- Lockable lid
- Brand UnderCover
- Model SC201D
- Weight 20 pounds
Affordable, spacey and convenient, this tool box by Giantex is a perfect solution for truck owners who prefer simple and old-school-looking tool boxes. With a basic rectangle design, large storage space and a lockable lid, this no-fuss box can keep all of your tools and gear safe and secure, no matter the weather. Although it’s not 100% water-tight, the lid wraps down on the sides of the box, keeping things safe from snow and rain.
The Giantex is made of heavy-duty aluminum, so it’s sturdy and durable, guaranteed to last a long time. It comes with two handles on each side, making it easy to carry around if necessary. Another plus is that it has a lock and comes with 2 keys so you can safely put away all your tools and expensive gear inside without worrying about those thieving eyes. All in all, it’s a solid budget tool box that can be used for trucks, pickups, RVs and even ATVs.
- Heavy-duty aluminum, sturdy and durable
- 49 x 15 x 15” truck rear/trailer tounge box
- Large storage space (large size)
- Lockable lid
- Brand Giantex
- Model AT4331
If you’re on a tight budget but need a large waterproof tool box, check out the hitch carrier bag by VCM. This durable black truck tool box is incredibly versatile as can hold large amounts of things, tools and gear, plus it can fit most standard hitch carrier racks with no issues. It’s a perfect bag whether you’re just looking for a cheap but secure tool box for your pickup or a large versatile bag that can fit all your camping gear.
The VCM’s cargo carrier bag is made of a durable, waterproof material that is reinforced with zippers and water flaps. It comes with 6 fully adjustable lashing straps, so it’s easy to install, use and carry. Besides being weatherproof, the material is also super-easy to clean which is a huge plus considering we’re all driving on dirty and grimy roads most of the time. With 15 cubic feet of storage space, this thing can hold not only your regular tools, but other bags, luggage, hiking gear and even dog kennels when necessary.
- Waterproof, easy-to-clean, sturdy material
- 59" x 20" x 20"
- 15 cubic ft storage
- 6 adjustable straps
- Highly versatile and easy to use
- Brand Vault Cargo Management
- Model VCM-HCCB-15
- Weight 7.58 pounds
Four-wheeler adventures are incredibly thrilling but can also easily become dangerous if you don’t have any tools or equipment with you in the middle of nowhere. A convenient low profile truck tool box specifically made for ATVs such as this one from UWS can easily and safely transport and keep cargo on hand in the field. Sturdy but lightweight, this toolbox will keep all of your essential items safe and secure no matter where you’re going.
Made of corrosion-resistant aluminum with patented RigidCore foam-filled lid and stainless steel lock handles, this is the ultimate ATV toolbox. Fully lockable, the box will keep all of your tools and gear safe and sound, offering even good rain protection thanks to its MicroSeal gasket. Although a bit thin, the box is super-sturdy and durable and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
- Corrosion-resistant aluminum, sturdy and durable
- 32 x 12 x 12” ATV box
- Patented RigidCore foam + stainless steel handles
- MicroSeal gasket offers good weather protection
- Lockable
- Brand UWS
- Model ATV
- Weight 13.4 pounds
If you need a simple, sturdy and budget-friendly toolbox for your job or just frequent transport of tools and gear, the Trinity Job Site Box may be the ideal product for you. This rugged tool box can fit various items and keep them safe and secure even in rain and snow thanks to its rust-resistant finish. It’s a great toolbox option for all workers as it can be mounted to a truck bed or carried to a job site, plus it’s even forklift and crane accessible.
Made of reinforced steel, with a matte corrosion-resistant powder coated finish, the Trinity box can handle a lot. It can be mounted to a pickup, kept inside a garage, bolted down at a job site – basically, it’s highly versatile as well as convenient to carry around as it has recessed carrying handles. The only minus? To actually lock the box, you need to purchase a padlock separately from the toolbox. Luckily, the padlocks are generally cheap, so it’s not much of a problem.
- Reinforced steel + rust-resistant finish
- 36 x 16 x 18.5” job site box
- Versatile, forklift and crane accessible
- Lockable but padlocks not included
- Brand Trinity
- Model TXKPGR-0502
- Weight 67.8 pounds
Lightweight but sturdy and durable, the Yaheetech tool box is one of the best budget-friendly toolboxes on the market. Highly versatile, the box can safely hold various items, nails, screws and guns included wherever you find it convenient. Sure, it is a truck bed storage box first and foremost, but thanks its convenient handles, it’s portable and can be kept inside a garage, carried to a job site or even kept inside a house.
Made of aluminum (1.3mm thick), with a chrome finish and solid construction, this tool box is not only spacious and good for storing tools and gear, it actually looks nice too. Its weather-resistant over-lapping lid design prevents any undesired leakage and ensures your items are safely stored even if you’re driving in the rain or snow. Thanks to the two durable side handles, the box is portable and can easily be moved around or carried with you. As for security, the built-in lock with two keys ensures safe and secure storage.
- Aluminum + chrome finish
- 29.92 x 13.19 x 9.84” truck bed storage
- Weather-resistant design
- Lockable
- Brand Yaheetech
- Model YT-00036711
- Weight 11.4 pounds
Looking for a durable, secure and good-looking ATV storage box? Take a look at this ATV front storage unit by Lund. Designed to keep your tools and equipment safe and secure, this tool box is a lifesaver for ATV adventurers as it doesn’t take up much space yet manages to hold all the essentials you may need in the field.
The box is made of a high-quality aluminum, with a black powdered finish which resists rain, snow and sun, and as an extension, fading and cracking. The laches are made of stainless steel, ensuring durability, while the double post hooks provide much-needed security. Of course, the lid can also be locked, so your items will always be stored securely inside. Although the product is lightweight, sturdiness and durability are guaranteed as the box has a solid construction and excellent design.
- Sturdy aluminum + powdered finish
- 34.4 x 12.6 x 6.7” front storage box
- Resists fading and cracking
- Lockable
- Brand Lund
- Model 288272
- Weight 9.8 pounds
If you need a small and convenient space to store your tools and other equipment either in your pickup, RV, truck or any other vehicle, the Brait aluminum tool box is a good option. Pretty lightweight but sturdy and durable nonetheless, this box will keep all of your important items neatly and safely stored in one place.
Made of aluminum, the toolbox is rust-free with some weather-protective abilities. This is thanks to its 1-piece design and rubber seal strip which helps seal out not only moisture, but dirt and dust as well. It’s also portable and easy to move because of the heavy-duty handles on the sides of the box. Importantly, there is a stainless steel T-handle lock as well, ensuring safe and secure transport and storage no matter where you’re going. Because it’s quite compact and lightweight, it can be mounted on pretty much any vehicle and even carried around if needed. Perfect for outdoorsmen!
- Aluminum + rubber seal strip for weather protection
- 30" x 13" x 13" box
- Lockable
- Brand Brait
- Model BR302
- Weight 16 pounds
Weather Guard is well known for its quality vehicle boxes and equipment, and this all-purpose chest is no exception. Durable, weather resistant and supremely secure, this tool box is a fantastic choice for most trucks, pickups and other vehicles.
Constructed of high-quality aluminum, with ARMOR-TUF Powder Coat finish and a full weather seal, this all-purpose chest will safely store all your tools and gear, no matter the weather. This is truly a well-designed and solidly built toolbox with a 90-degree cover opening for easy access as well as a super-secure, tamper-resistant locking system. The only downside of this tool chest? It’s much more expensive than the rest of the products featured on our list. However, if you’re looking for unparalleled quality and don’t mind spending a little extra, the box is most definitely worth it.
- High-quality aluminum + ARMOR-TUF® Powder Coat finish
- 47 x 20.25 x 19.25” all-purpose chest
- Weather-resistant
- Tamper-resistant locking system
- Brand Weather Guard
- Model 674-5-01
- Weight 54 pounds
Best Truck Tool Box Buying Guide & FAQ
Not many trucks have a canopy or a box where you can safely store your tools and gear. And if you’re a part-time contractor, a full-time handyman or someone who works with his tools most of the time, you need a convenient way to protect your equipment at all times. By using a quality truck tool box, you’ll protect your valuable possessions against rain and snow, dirt and grime as well as physical damage from rattling around the truck bed. With a lockable toolbox, you’ll also discourage thieves from trying to steal from you. But how to choose the best truck tool box for your vehicle? Nowadays, there are steel and plastic pickup truck tool boxes available, aluminum tool boxes, truck side tool boxes, boxes specifically designed for ATVs and many, many more. It’s no wonder people have a hard time finding the product that is right for them!
If you need information on how to choose a quality tool and gear box for your needs, we talk about the things you should consider when purchasing a toolbox as well as the differences between different types of boxes and chests. Make sure you read it all and also check out our FAQ section to find out all the insider info about quality tool boxes.
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Things to Consider When Buying a Truck Tool Box
To purchase the best truck tool box, you need to consider your needs and preferences first and foremost. So before you even start checking out the prices, ask yourself the following question: “Why do I need a truck tool box?”
If the answer to the question has something to do with your job, you want to focus on really good-quality materials and construction. Such tool boxes may cost a bit more, but if you already own and work with expensive and valuable tools, it only makes sense to invest in a tool chest that will keep them safe and secure for years to come. If, on the other hand, you only need a truck tool box to keep your otherwise scattered tools neatly organized in one place, you can definitely afford to buy less expensive boxes and chests.
Whatever the answer to that question though, there are a few things to consider before making any purchasing decisions.
- Security
What’s the point of getting a toolbox if it’s not going to keep your tools, guns and gear safe and secure? To protect your tools, a toolbox must provide some form of security – if you keep valuables inside a box, choose a product with strong latches, padlocks and reinforced lids. Waterproof design is also important. If you only need to protect your gear from the elements, you have more choices, however, it’s still better to choose a box that can be locked.
- Durability
No matter how cheap or expensive, a tool box should be able to last you at least a good year (preferably much longer). Whether or not a tool chest will last you a long time though depends on several factors, one of which is the material of the box:
Stainless steel is excellent if you’re looking for ultimate sturdiness and durability, but these boxes can be very heavy and therefore inconvenient to carry around;
Aluminum boxes are also of great quality and are rust-resistant, plus are lightweight and easy to transport, however, some can be a bit flimsy;
Plastic toolboxes can also be a fantastic option, as long as the plastic in question is durable ABS plastic. Depending on the construction, they can be weatherproof, super-sturdy and durable, plus are lightweight.
Ultimately, you want a tool box that is secure enough, durable, sturdy and preferably weatherproof, so as long as the box satisfies those criteria, the material doesn’t matter that much.
- Convenience
Finally, let’s talk about another important factor you should consider before purchasing a toolbox – its convenience. Any old box or chest can hold your tools and gear. But what separates great tools boxes from mediocre ones is the ease of opening, closing and transporting. A quality tool box should be easy to:
Open and close: if you’re using your tools regularly, you need a box that is easy to operate. If you have to use extra force to open or close the lid, the box is not worth your money. Choose only the products that operate smoothly.
Transport and/or carry around: no matter the toolbox type, it should be easy to transport or carry around. For instance, if you’re looking for a truck side tool box, it should fit perfectly plus be lightweight so it doesn’t overload your vehicle and damage its parts. And if you’re looking for a box easily carry to your job site, pick one that is not only lightweight but has comfortable handles on the side.
Benefits of Using a Truck Bed Storage
To keep your gear, tools, guns and other essentials safely stored, a quality toolbox is needed. Here are just some of the benefits you’ll be enjoying if you start using a proper box for all your tools.
- Protection and Security
Most tools are not cheap, so why would you leave them in your truck bed where they’re exposed to the elements and sticky fingers? Sunlight, rain, snow, extreme temperatures and grime can all wreak havoc on your valuable possessions and destroy otherwise perfectly good tools. A quality toolbox will not only protect your gear from the elements, but theft too (if lockable, of course).
- Organization
If you use your tools for work, it only makes sense to keep them neatly organized in one place – it saves time and effort and increases productivity. With a good tool box, you can organize your tools however you see fit, making it much easier to find the right tools when you need them. Plus, leaving your tools scattered around makes them easier to lose.
- Better Style
Let’s be real – who would want to hire (or date, for that matter!) a person who leaves their valuable possessions scattered around their truck bed? If it takes you longer to find the right tool in your truck bed than it does to fix a broken thing, it’s high time to start using a proper toolbox.
Different Types of Truck Bed Tool Boxes
There are many types of truck bed tool boxes; in fact, we could divide them as per the material they’re made of, their manner of installation, and their configuration. There also other variable features, but we’ll stick to the most basic types here. Considering we’ve already talked a bit about the materials used (in Things to Consider When Buying a Truck Tool Box), we’ll skip that part here and instead focus on the manner of installation and configuration.
- Side mounted: these toolboxes are designed to be attached to a side rail and opened from the top. They take up very little space and are easily accessible.
- Crossover: should be mounted right behind the cab. They span across the entire width of the truck but don’t extend to the floor. Also highly convenient, space-saving boxes.
- Hitch: these boxes should be attached to the trailer post. They take up no room in the truck bed itself so are highly convenient if the vehicle has the trailer post.
- Chest: regular tool boxes that sit on the floor of the truck bed. Convenient but depending on the size, can limit the floor space considerably.
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Best Truck Tool Box FAQ:
Q: What size do I need?
What toolbox size should you get depends on at least two factors: your vehicle and the number of tools you plan to store inside the box. Generally speaking, if you don’t own too many tools, smaller boxes are better as they take up less space and are easier to operate. If you have and use many different tools, definitely go for larger, maybe even largest possible toolboxes as they will keep everything you put inside neatly organized. Of course, the size of your truck bed also maters.
Q: How should I measure my truck bed?
If you plan to buy a mountable (attachable) toolbox, it’s necessary to measure your truck bed. Before purchasing any mountable truck tool box, measure your bed’s internal dimensions, including the: <ul style=”text-align: justify;”> <li>Bed wall height</li> <li>Distance between outside of truck bed rails</li> <li>Distance between inside of truck bed rails</li> <li>Distance between the base of wheel wells and bulkhead.</li> </ul>
Q: How do I install a truck tool box?
Installing a truck tool box is typically an easy, 10-minute job, but the exact steps depend on the type of the toolbox you purchase. Most truck bed tool boxes can be attached to the truck by using J-bolts, although some may require you to drill holes in the truck. In any case, before you embark on your installation journey, make sure you read the instructions that come with your specific toolbox.
Our Top Pick
Because we’ve rounded up some of the best truck tool boxes on the market, it was hard to pick the best one. Still, when we considered the features of each toolbox, as well as their prices, it was clear that the UnderCover SwingCase truck storage box offers the most value for money. This innovative truck tool box is perfectly secure, sturdy and durable, plus it offers great protection against the elements. Considering it holds up to 75 pounds of tools and equipment, it’s perfect for both full-time handymen and folks who just need a convenient place to store their equipment. And the best part? Thanks to its Quick-release latch that allows the case to swing out to 180-degrees towards the user, it’s incredibly easy to use and operate. All in all, if you’re looking for a solid budget truck toolbox, this is it.
Sources:
- Ranch Truck Accessories – HowStuffWorks
