You need a truck tool box to withstand the harshest conditions and protect your tools. When selecting a truck tool box material, you need to know what you're storing. Let this guide help you make the right decision about the best truck tool box material for you.
What Materials Are Truck Tool Boxes Made Out of?
When it comes to truck box materials, there are two main types of tool boxes for trucks:
- Steel
- Aluminum
However, you can find some portable storage options with other truck box materials. Typically, these tool boxes aren’t installed on the truck itself. These truck tool boxes are made of:
- Polycarbonate
- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
- Wood
- Fiberglass
- Composites
Some DIY solutions focus on truck tool boxes made of wood to attach to a truck. However, these truck box materials are still far less durable than standard steel and aluminum.
Pros & Cons of Steel as a Truck Box Material
Using steel as your truck tool boxes material offers numerous advantages and disadvantages:
- Durability: A truck box material like steel excels in handling rough usage without compromising integrity. It can endure considerable wear and tear, impacts, and rough handling. This exceptional durability makes steel toolboxes the perfect choice for heavy-duty applications. This also makes it the best material to use under truck beds for tool boxes.
- Security: These tool boxes are not easily breakable. That makes this truck tool box material a reliable choice for keeping your valuable tools and equipment safe. It doesn’t matter if you're a professional tradesperson or an enthusiast. A steel toolbox ensures your tools are well-protected against theft and damage.
- Cost: Regular steel is a cost-effective choice compared to other truck tool box materials like aluminum. Its affordability makes it ideal for various applications, from construction projects to manufacturing processes.
- Resistance to Warping: Steel as a truck box material are superior in resisting dents and deformations compared to softer materials. This advantage is particularly pronounced when they are constructed using thicker steel sheets.
- Weight: The weight of steel can make it difficult to install. However, steel's heaviness can stabilize and reduce vibrations, especially when transporting heavy tools.
- Corrosion: When steel comes into contact with moisture and oxygen, it is highly susceptible to rusting. It needs a protective coating or paint. If steel becomes exposed, it can corrode, especially in environments with high salt or humidity levels.
- Maintenance: Steel toolboxes demand additional care to prevent rust. Regular checks, repainting, and rust-proofing treatments might be necessary to keep them in good condition and avoid potential issues.
Pros & Cons of Aluminum as a Truck Box Material
Aluminum is a popular choice for truck tool box materials. These are physical factors to consider:
- Durability: While aluminum is softer than steel, it's still quite durable and can withstand everyday wear and tear. Although aluminum is a strong truck tool box material, it’s not as strong as steel. When subjected to heavy loads, this truck box material is more likely to deform than steel.
- Security: Aluminum tool boxes can be susceptible to break-ins if someone cuts or pries open the box compared to steel.
- Cost: While aluminum as a truck box material boxes may cost more than standard steel options, they are still more affordable than stainless steel. However, it's important to note the price of high-quality aluminum toolboxes.
- Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum boasts a natural oxide layer that is a powerful barrier against corrosion. This makes it far more resistant to corrosion compared to ordinary steel.
- Weight: Choose aluminum for your truck tool box material as it is much lighter than steel. This helps to maintain fuel efficiency and maximize the payload capacity for your truck. It may be easier to install because of this.
- Maintenance: Given its rust resistance, aluminum tool boxes typically require less care for rust prevention.
- Appearance: Truck owners strongly appreciate the sleek and stylish look of aluminum as a truck box material, especially those that feature a diamond-tread pattern.
- Thermal Conductivity: Aluminum is an excellent choice for a truck tool box material because it doesn't retain heat like steel. Your tools won't get excessively hot when exposed to direct sunlight.
Summary of Truck Box Materials:
- Steel:
- Durable, ideal for heavy-duty use
- Secure and difficult to break into
- Cost-effective compared to aluminum
- Resists warping and dents
- Heavyweight helps stabilize tools
- Heavy, difficult to install
- Prone to rust without proper maintenance
- Requires regular care to prevent corrosion
- Aluminum:
- Lightweight, easier to install and improves fuel efficiency
- Resistant to corrosion
- Requires less maintenance than steel
- Sleek appearance, often with diamond-tread patterns
- Doesn’t keep heat
- Not as strong or durable as steel
- Easier to break into
- Generally more expensive than steel
Find the Best Truck Tool Box for Your Needs
Whatever your needs are, you can find a suitable truck tool box with Chandler Truck Accessories. Backed by careful craftsmanship and experience in the industry, we know you won’t be disappointed.