A Comprehensive Guide to Truck Tool Boxes
When you are looking to outfit your truck with a set of truck tool boxes, it can get overwhelming looking at all of the options available to you. From crossovers to wheel well boxes, each truck tool box provides its own benefits to you. Read on to learn more about which truck tool box is best for you.
Types of Truck Boxes
There are a lot of types of truck tool boxes available to help you keep your truck organized and tools secure and safe. The first thing you should do when looking for truck boxes to help you is decide on the type of truck tool box you need. These are the most common types of truck tool boxes:
Crossover Boxes
Crossover boxes sit behind the cab of trucks, attached to the truck on the sides of the bed. These give a great amount of storage space while maintaining visibility out the rear of your truck. Read more here to learn about the different variations of Crossover truck boxes & their benefits.
Top Mount Boxes
Top mount boxes sit on top of your truck bed rails, leaving your entire bed free for storing larger items. These boxes also can fit onto service trucks, unlike many other types of truck tool boxes. The two main variations of top mount tool boxes are a drop down door and a swing up door. A major benefit to top mount boxes is that you can mix and match them to create the perfect storage solution for your truck.
Underbody Boxes
Underbody boxes are made primarily for flatbeds and sit underneath the bed, giving you organized storage out of the way. The largest difference between underbody boxes is the type of door it uses. The two main variations of door are swing down and barn door style.
Side Mount Boxes
Side mount boxes are attached to the truck bed wall, sitting along the side rails of your bed. These boxes can come with legs for additional support for heavier and larger items. Since each box sits on the side rails, you can mount two side mount tool boxes onto your truck bed without them getting in the way of each other.
Utility Chest Boxes
Utility chest boxes are one of the most versatile truck tool boxes, able to be used in your truck bed as well as in a shop or garage. When looking to purchase a utility chest box, the most important thing to consider is the size. There are a few different styles of utility chest tool boxes available, such as a wedge box, under tonneau, compact box, notched and angled.
Bed Organizers
Bed organizers are similar to other truck tool boxes where they keep your tools safe and organized, but are vastly different in the fact that they are drawer units designed to fit in your entire bed. These truck boxes still leave room on top of them for large items. When deciding on a bed organizer, it is important to consider the number of drawers you want, how deep you need the drawers to be and if you need expandable storage.
Backpack Boxes
Backpack boxes were designed for flatbeds, stake bodies, dump bodies & utility bodies. While most backpack boxes look similar, they have key differences in the number of storage spaces & their fitment. Some boxes have an offset center, while others only have one compartment for your tools allowing for access from either side.
Tunnel Boxes
Similar to backpack boxes, tunnel truck boxes are made for flatbeds & utility bodies. These boxes are a straight compartment with access on both sides of the truck bed. Tunnel boxes are ideal for long tools and gear.
Truck Step Boxes
Truck step boxes give convenient storage options for semi trucks on the side of the truck. Along with additional storage space, truck step boxes provide a step for easier access to your entire truck.
Wheel Well Boxes
Wheel well boxes are a smaller truck storage option which sit in the bed of your truck over the wheel well. Some boxes have a hinge mount which allows you to swing the box out for easier access. Wheel well boxes come in two main varieties, a passenger side model and a driver side model allowing for two boxes mounted at the same time.
Trailer Tongue Boxes
Trailer tongue boxes sit on the trailer hitch, utilizing otherwise dead space. These boxes come for both straight-tongue and A-frame trailers with a low profile option for a hand winch or other obstruction.
In-Cab Storage
In-Cab storage options give you a place to organize your tools and gear inside of your truck cab, keeping them out of the elements. Most of these boxes are designed to go under the seats in the truck cab. When looking at in-cab storage units for your truck, decide if you need it covered or open.
Materials
After you have decided on the type of truck boxes you need to outfit your truck, you need to consider what the truck tool box is made out of. The most common materials are aluminum and steel. Read more on the benefits and drawbacks of each material type here.
Elevate Your Truck's Storage with the Right Truck Tool Box
Truck tool boxes can help elevate your truck to the next level, giving you superior organization and protection for your tools & gear. Whether you need a crossover box or a bed organizer to secure your equipment, our reps at Elite Truck can help you match up with the perfect truck tool box for your needs.