The Best Truck Tool Boxes (Review & Buying Guide) in 2020

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:

• Bed wall height
• Distance between outside of truck bed rails
• Distance between inside of truck bed rails
• Distance between the base of wheel wells and bulkhead.

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:

1. Ranch Truck Accessories - HowStuffWorks