Tips for Choosing the Right Truck Toolbox

Use the proper criteria to find the best-fitting toolbox for every truck.

Looking way back to SEMA 2018, the Deberti Designs Transformer F-250 was arguably one of the most exciting reveals. Powered by a modified 6.7-liter PowerStroke V8 diesel and sporting a top-notch suspension, 37-inch tires wrapped around 17-inch beadlock wheels, and a host of other performance goodies, what REALLY knocked everyone dead were the hidden toolboxes built into the fenders, rear bumper, and bed. And while such a project-ready beast might be a stretch for DIYers, eyeing up this beauty sure does spark inspiration to upgrade one’s truck toolbox.

Let’s come back down to Earth for a minute though, and turn our attention to the more traditional form of toolboxes. Because, despite being a little less exciting than what Deberti was serving up, there’s still A LOT to choose from. And sure, toolboxes are probably one of the most basic aftermarket products. But just because they’re a less-flashy product doesn’t mean they don’t offer a world of benefits for all types of truck owners. Plus, despite what they might appear like on the outside, toolboxes aren’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all product.

So, let’s take a look at the benefits of purchasing a high-quality toolbox and how to choose the right one.

Deberti Designs Transformer F-250 at SEMA 2018, featuring hidden toolboxes built into rear bumper, fenders, and bed floor.

The Benefits of Truck Toolboxes

Adding a truck toolbox to a vehicle gives drivers some significant advantages over simply throwing gear loose in the bed or behind the seats in the cab. Regardless of whether that rig is a work truck, daily driver, or a more light-duty errand horse, the sheer variety of toolboxes on the market means there are boxes for all lifestyles and fitments.

Here are a few key advantages of buying a truck toolbox:

Style Upgrade

Looks aren’t everything, but if it’s a commercial truck that makes house calls or services other businesses, a truck toolbox can take things up a notch. Having a clean, organized truck helps commercial owners maintain a more professional image and helps them stand out from the competition who might have their tools scattered around the truck bed.

Even if a truck isn’t used for commercial purposes, most drivers would probably argue that having a good-looking exterior is just as important as having a clean interior — even if they’re just driving that ride to the hardware store or garden center.

Better Security

Having a vehicle broken into is a miserable and, unfortunately, common experience. Plenty of drivers have been down that road—coming out of the store or the house first thing in the morning to find a window smashed or gear missing from the truck bed. Truck toolboxes add an extra layer of security and reinforce an “out of sight, out of mind” strategy. Whether it’s power tools, lights, cables, or even small electronics you don’t want to leave in plain view inside the cab, a reliable toolbox is a lockable, safe place to store valuables and cut down on those dreaded calls to the insurance company.

TrailFX truck toolbox protects against all seasons

Protection from the elements

Wide-open truck beds aren’t just a target for thieves. Mother nature can also wreak havoc with rain, snow, and mud, or some unwelcome presents from an incoming bird or two. Truck toolboxes keep gear covered up for all these scenarios.

Improved organization and space

Above all else, a truck toolbox keeps everything a driver needs organized, so there’s less time rummaging around looking for things. And when a truck’s better organized, that means more room in the cab and bed.

Finding the Best Style Truck Toolbox

Before even getting into measurements (more on that later), finding the right category of truck toolbox is important in narrowing down the search. This largely hinges on the truck’s intended use, what the most essential features are, and what the driver wants to stash in the box.

Here are some popular categories of truck toolboxes:

All-Purpose Toolbox

This will generally be the most basic type of toolbox available. Depending on the company, some all-purpose boxes are made from polyethylene or aluminum. Most all-purpose toolboxes also have a spot to slide in a padlock for extra security if they aren’t included with the box.

Hi-Side Toolbox

Typically aimed at commercial trucks, hi-side truck toolboxes are perfect for securing tools and equipment. They are usually made from drill-resistant material for extra theft protection, and generally offer built-in protection against the elements with features like gutters to push out water and a weather seal that keeps the inside of the box dry. Hi-side boxes also work great for the jobsite since their doors easily flip open for quick access when retrieving or stashing tools.
TrailFX truck toolbox advertisement

Crossover Toolbox

Crossover toolboxes let drivers access the box from either side of the bed and sit flush with the bulkhead. This style varies and can be anything from a box that fits tightly with a corresponding tonneau cover or a standalone box with dividers and pushbutton locks for more security.

Lo-Side Toolbox

Another favorite for the work truck world, lo-side truck boxes offer many of the same security and weather-resistant features seen on hi-side boxes. The biggest difference is that lo-side boxes have a lower profile, so drivers who don’t want to have to reach up can reach downward instead to easily pull out tools or gear. Most popular versions also have storage compartments for organizing goods too.

Saddle Box Toolbox

Saddle Boxes combine some of the core features from the Crossover and All-purpose boxes. Accessibility is the name of the game with a saddle box since it gives drivers easy access from the sides and the truck bed. Most models are made from extra heavy-duty materials like powder-coated steel or aluminum with drill-resistant locks. It’s generally a roomier box, but that also means drivers will lose a bit of bed space.

Pork Chop Toolbox

Generally smaller than all the other categories, a Pork Chop is an ideal solution for drivers who don’t have a lot of extra space to spare in the bed but still need secure, weather-resistant storage. Pork Chops mount on top of the wheel hub instead of the back of the bed, giving drivers the entire bed to haul more oversized items like lumber. The Pork Chop also works well for campers or off-roaders who need the bed space for bigger toys like ATVs but need some storage for smaller gear.

Storage requirements are a vital factor worth considering in all these categories. Each type of toolbox offers its own unique storage benefits, so it’s helpful for drivers to figure out what they’ll actually be storing to narrow down which box type is suitable.

Measuring the Truck Bed for a Perfect Fit

Along with seeking out the best fit category-wise, drivers want to ensure that whichever product they choose will fit in their truck bed. Shopping around can be overwhelming when comparing truck bed dimensions with a truck toolbox size, but taking a few key measurements makes the process a bit easier.

First, measure the width of the bed from both the inside of the bed rails and the outside of the bed rails. Be sure to determine how deep the bed is and how far from the bulkhead the wheel wells sit, too.

While most toolboxes are designed to work with industry-set standards of mid-size or full-size beds, it’s still a good idea to know what the measurements are. Especially if there are plans to add multiple boxes to the bed.

Determine the Most Important Features

Truck toolboxes can get expensive quickly. Structural integrity, lock types, integrated trays, and other features bump the price up as more features are added. So, it’s a good idea to determine what truck toolbox elements are essential and which are more of a “nice-to-have.”

From there, buyers can match up that list against what’s within their budget. For example, work truck owners need to invest in extra security like drill-resistant locks, rust-resistant steel construction, and weather-resistant latches. Meanwhile, drivers who just use their truck for the occasional trip to the big box stores or family picnic can usually get away with a more budget-friendly box with attachment points for padlocks and ABS plastic construction.

Speaking of construction, a truck toolbox construction will also filter back into the security factor discussed earlier. If that box stows low-cost items like tow ropes, spare fluids, and a few odds and ends, then a sturdy plastic box is suitable. But if it’s a toolbox hauling precious cargo, then aluminum or steel-constructed toolboxes are a better choice. They’ll hold up better to attempted break-ins, and they’ll better resist weather, road debris, and general wear-and-tear.

TrailFX Toolboxes

When it comes to truck toolbox manufacturers, TrailFX carries options for all types of truck owners. The manufacturer’s focus on heavy-duty products for trucks, and Jeeps runs the gamut from tonneau covers and bumpers to bed mats and drop-down steps. And, its truck toolbox selection shares the same characteristics of high-quality construction and top-notch functionality as all other TrailFX products. The company’s widest selection of toolboxes are aluminum, and it also makes steel variations.

TrailFX reinforces the lids of aluminum toolboxes with two layers of aluminum and high-density foam, making them one of the strongest and flexible on the market. The body features fully TIG-welded seams and a patented built-in small parts storage bin for extra strength and convenience. To top it off, a high-quality stainless-steel latch makes opening, closing, and locking a breeze.

For steel boxes, TrailFX constructs its units with heavy-duty, 22-gauge steel coated in an electrostatically applied paint to maximize resistance to abrasion and corrosion. A domed lid helps make the box more aerodynamic and cuts down on drag. The easy-grip, double-latch lockable paddle handles to keep the contents secure, while weatherproof, pliable gaskets seal tightly around the box edges, locking out dirt and moisture.

Shopping for a truck toolbox requires preparing yourself with the correct information and measurements for a truck bed. Having a list of needs and a budget in mind will differentiate between a solid purchase or an irritating return. When rugged, reliable truck storage is a necessity, TrailFX toolboxes offer one of the best selections around!

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