Yeah, you do! Your truck does so much for you each day, and a tool box will boost your carrying capacity and keep your tools safe. Let’s talk about the benefits of a waterproof truck tool box, the types, and how to choose the right one for your needs.
Benefits of a Waterproof Truck Tool Box
Here are the advantages of adding a tool box to your truck:
- Organization: Keep your tools sorted and ready to go to complete tasks.
- Protection: Your truck bed is open to the elements so a tool box safeguards your equipment from dirt, weather, and theft.
- Space-saver: A tool box allows you to carry more cargo in a dedicated space.
- Appearance: A sleek tool box makes your truck look professional, especially when you pull up to a job!
Types of Waterproof Truck Tool Boxes
Some popular truck tool boxes include:
Crossover
This box sits behind your truck’s cab, attached to the sides of the bed. It offers significant storage but doesn’t block visibility through your rear windshield. It has a hinged lid opening upwards, offering easy access to your tools. This box also has a lock for security and is available in various sizes and configurations to suit your truck.
Crossbody Wedge
The crossbody wedge is suitable for flatbed trucks. It’s a large box that fits across your truck bed with dual handles allowing you to open it from either side. You can also install locks on both sides. The crossbody wedge features a one-piece gasket that secures its doors to its frame when closed, keeping dust and moisture away from your tools.
Underbody
The underbody tool box works best with flatbeds and sits underneath your truck bed. It offers organized storage that’s out of the way and maximizes your haulage capacity. Underbody boxes are uniform but may have a swing-down or a barn door.
Top Mount
A top mount box rests atop your truck bed’s rails, leaving the bed free for storage. They are also a great fit for service trucks and have a drop-down or a swing-up door. The good news is that you can mix and match these boxes to create the right storage solution for your needs.
Side Mount
Side mount tool boxes attach to the wall of your truck bed, resting along the side rails. They may also have legs to support bulkier items. Since these boxes rest on the side rails, you can install two on both sides of your truck and still have storage space on the bed.
Utility Chest
A utility chest offers multi-purpose storage as you can use it in your truck, shop, or garage. You can get these chests in various sizes and styles such as compact box, angled, notched, wedge box, and under tonneau.
Wheel Well
This box sits on your truck’s bed and over the wheel well. It has a hinge mount allowing you to swing the box out for better access. These boxes have two varieties: a passenger-side model and a driver-side model. So, like the side mount box, you can mount two at a time.
Bed Organizers
These organizers are drawer units that fit your truck bed and keep your tools safe. Yet, they leave room on top of them for larger items. When purchasing a bed organizer, consider the number and depth of your drawers and if you need storage that expands.
Other truck tool boxes include backpack, tunnel, truck step, and trailer tongue boxes. Whatever your rig, we have a tool box that’s the perfect fit!
Understanding Your Needs
What should you consider when buying a tool box for your truck? These factors include:
- Tools and Equipment: What tools and equipment will you regularly carry? Catalog the items that you will transport daily in your truck.
- Climate and Weather: Your truck tool box will be exposed to the elements. So consider durability and weather resistance if you’re in a snowy or rainy region.
- Size: Carefully measure your truck bed’s width, height, and depth to get the right size tool box.
- Space Planning: Ensure that your tool box will still leave space in your truck bed to haul other cargo.
- Materials: Aluminum and stainless steel are the best waterproof materials. They are lightweight, rust-resistant, and durable. The low weight also yields a higher fuel efficiency. Ensure its seals are rubber or neoprene to keep water out and it has rust-resistant latches and hinges. A strong, seamless construction is also essential.
What Size Truck Tool Box Fits My Truck?
Here’s what you should consider when selecting your truck tool box:
Long Bed Trucks
These trucks are perfect for a large waterproof tool box such as a bed organizer. Since you have more space with a long bed truck, you have a wider selection from which to choose to fit your preferences.
Short Bed Trucks
You should choose a low-profile, crossover tool box for a short-bed truck. It offers sufficient storage and its compact design is ideal. Also, since it fits across the truck bed and between the wheel wells, this tool box saves on bed space usage.
Need to find the right tool box for your truck?
Check out our pickup truck bed tool boxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about truck tool boxes:
Why put a tool box on my truck?
A truck tool box gives you more storage space to carry and organize your tools and equipment. Not only does this box protect your tools, but it also allows easy access to them as you complete tasks.
Will the tool box be secure?
Most tool boxes have some locking mechanism so your tools will be secure. You could use a keyed or combination lock for a small tool box carrying basic tools. However, cylinder or biometric locks are more secure and suitable for a box containing expensive tools.
Are all truck tool boxes waterproof?
Not all tool boxes are waterproof; some are water-resistant while others lack water protection. So, when purchasing your truck tool box, check the label to ensure it's waterproof.
Get the Right Waterproof Tool Box for Your Truck
A waterproof truck tool box is the perfect accessory for your work truck. Chandler Truck Accessories is your source for premium tool boxes and other truck essentials. Contact us today to transform your rig for maximum performance.