Learn Me Truck Tool Storage

I always thougth these were an awesome idea.....makes use of "unusable space".....Didn't the Nissan Titan do that for a while too?

Tom Suddard said:

In reply to Stefan :

I would, but that would make the height under the topper too short to fit my Grom. And I'm trying not to ditch my awesome $200 topper for a $1000 fancy one that's taller.

What about put your toolbox system in the bed and carry the Grom thusly:

In reply to Tom Suddard :

Honestly, I think you're asking for too much considering the space confinements you're working with.

Either the topper has to get taller, the Grom has to be mounted externally somehow, or the storage has to be made more flexible to change between the different needs.

I have a 200 piece or so socket and wrench set, screwdrivers, knife, pliers all in a canvass tool bag under a seat.  I also have jumper cables, ratcheting straps a big mag lite and a first aid kit in the underseat storage of a Colorado.

I also just installed a locking bed cover and may get a bit more in the bed.

I might also be armed, but I’m a Texan.

Part of being a man is being prepared as far as I’m concerned.

Ian F said:

Perhaps a home built "half Decked" set-up where on one side you have a long drawer for tools that could also be the sleeping platform, but leaving one side of the bed floor open from Grom transport.

This ^

They make 48" long units that are varying widths too, for the not home built (weather proof, too) style

If you need to carry 6 people and have a place to sleep, you could ditch the truck, buy 5 more Groms and a tent. Doesn't help you carry tools though.

There's a lot of wasted space inside a truck bed fore and aft of the wheel wells. Use metal to make the inside of the bed rectangular and then cut holes for exterior doors and drawers to get back into those spaces. 

Like a half height utility bed.

Sell the truck and keep the van.  Or sell both and buy a better van.  I've had both.  Trucks suck.  Doubly so for what you want to do.  A full size van can fit a full rolling tool chest inside (add etrack to tie it down) and the From AND you can build a bed that folds down.  Just add a second room of seats to a cargo van or yank the last row out of a passenger van.

I've tried to do what you're doing with a pick up.  It's a terrible, expensive compromise.  Vans are EXACTLY what you want.

I was in a very similar situation. I wanted a truck I could camp/sleep in from time to time, so a 6+ foot bed with a  topper was a must. But that ruled out typical behind-the cab boxes that sit above the bed, along with anything that took up bed length. Like you, I bought a 10th-gen F-150 short bed. So pretty similar requirements, except mine is a regular cab, so I have even less storage space than you do.

I bought two of the Swing Cases and I really like them.

The swing out feature is neat, and I like that they don't take up usable space. The top of each case has molded cupholders, which could be handy if you're hanging out/sleeping back there.

The only thing I don't like is that due to the shape, you can't fit a normal-sized hand tool set in them unless you take the tools out of the case. 

So I keep my tools behind the passenger seat and the cases filled with fluids, AC/DC air compressor, spare belt, jumper cables, etc.

So far, so good. How much weight are you planning on putting in each one that leaves you concerned about them being flimsy?

T

This style has worked well for me

I had one similar to this ->

Link

I installed it in my last two trucks.  I haven't settled on tool storage for my new to me truck yet but I'm leaning towards a pair of the same thing.  They fit under the tonneau cover and I'll be able to slide 4x8 sheet goods in between them.  Before I bought my enclosed trailer I had a pair of RubberMaid tubs that I had additional track tools and supplies in.  When I went to the track I'd through the extra wheels and tires in the truck along with the two tubs and be ready to go.

I find it kinda odd... I'm selling my truck so I can buy a van for this exact reason.  I can never store all the junk I want in a truck without leaving it exposed or otherwise occupying valuable cargo space.

For a given wheelbase/size/length, a truck has 5' of hood, 5' of cab, and 8' of cargo area.  The same van has 2' of hood, 4' of cab, and 12' of cargo space.  Kinda hard to get around that.

If I were to keep my truck, I would probably put a flatbed on it with toolboxes that hang underneath.

I've been using my Pelican 0450 Toolbox for a few months now, and I've gotta say it's perfect. 10/10 would recommend.

Will said:

I was in a very similar situation. I wanted a truck I could camp/sleep in from time to time, so a 6+ foot bed with a  topper was a must. But that ruled out typical behind-the cab boxes that sit above the bed, along with anything that took up bed length. Like you, I bought a 10th-gen F-150 short bed. So pretty similar requirements, except mine is a regular cab, so I have even less storage space than you do.

I bought two of the Swing Cases and I really like them.

The swing out feature is neat, and I like that they don't take up usable space. The top of each case has molded cupholders, which could be handy if you're hanging out/sleeping back there.

The only thing I don't like is that due to the shape, you can't fit a normal-sized hand tool set in them unless you take the tools out of the case. 

So I keep my tools behind the passenger seat and the cases filled with fluids, AC/DC air compressor, spare belt, jumper cables, etc.

So far, so good. How much weight are you planning on putting in each one that leaves you concerned about them being flimsy?

This looks like a good solution for my needs.  A few questions for you:

- Does it work well with a bed liner?  I have a BedRug.

- Reasonably durable?  I see some Amazon reviews talking about either the plastic bin or the metal hinges cracking.

- Reasonably weather-tight?  I also have a tonneau cover but it lets some moisture into the bed in a rain storm.  I'd like to keep some light power tools inside (inflator, etc) and standing water would be a problem.

- Easy to put in/out if you need to use the whole bed for something?

Thanks in advance.

I'm late seeing this thread, and I'm glad the pelican case is working out. From that thread, you've got me wanting one. If anyone knows of one for the 200 range, I'm in. But i'm not sure I'll find that deal.

I do have to point out my first thought... short beds are for folks that want to look like they are driving a truck, but don't have anything to haul!

Doesn't help you situation without a taller cap, but just had ta point that out!

I like vans better than trucks, for the most part, but finding used vans (not cars with tall bodies) that are affordable, and not beat to death, can be tough, though.

What about mounting a set of bedside utility boxes, and then mounting the topper to the boxes? Combine that with the drawer setup from the van and you'll have plenty of storage and not lose height. 

It may take some work to seal off the gap at the front of the bed and improve the aerodynamics of the topper where it meets the truck cap. 
 

I'm in the same situation. 6.5' bed and with a topper that I sleep in when I camp. Curious to see what you end up with. This looks like a viable option, but the review aren't great. 
 

ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) said:

Will said:

I was in a very similar situation. I wanted a truck I could camp/sleep in from time to time, so a 6+ foot bed with a  topper was a must. But that ruled out typical behind-the cab boxes that sit above the bed, along with anything that took up bed length. Like you, I bought a 10th-gen F-150 short bed. So pretty similar requirements, except mine is a regular cab, so I have even less storage space than you do.

I bought two of the Swing Cases and I really like them.

The swing out feature is neat, and I like that they don't take up usable space. The top of each case has molded cupholders, which could be handy if you're hanging out/sleeping back there.

The only thing I don't like is that due to the shape, you can't fit a normal-sized hand tool set in them unless you take the tools out of the case. 

So I keep my tools behind the passenger seat and the cases filled with fluids, AC/DC air compressor, spare belt, jumper cables, etc.

So far, so good. How much weight are you planning on putting in each one that leaves you concerned about them being flimsy?

This looks like a good solution for my needs.  A few questions for you:

- Does it work well with a bed liner?  I have a BedRug. Works great with a spray in liner. I think you'd have to carve up a drop-in liner. Not sure about a bedrug.

- Reasonably durable?  I see some Amazon reviews talking about either the plastic bin or the metal hinges cracking. So far so good.

- Reasonably weather-tight?  I also have a tonneau cover but it lets some moisture into the bed in a rain storm.  I'd like to keep some light power tools inside (inflator, etc) and standing water would be a problem. Yes, but I have a topper on the truck that keeps out most of the water.

- Easy to put in/out if you need to use the whole bed for something? Definitely. Pull the swing handle, then lift up.

Thanks in advance.

Responses to your questions in bold.

Sounds like a topper and side boxes or some custom built ins are the best combo. I would not buy a topper if it didn't have opening side windows. That way you would have some access without climbing in the back. 
 

my personal choice for tools in the truck has settled into a plastic tote and small bag system. Daily I keep a pretty good array of tools in a couple tanker bags, an small air compressor, and a couple basic recovery straps in a tote in the bed under a hard tonneau. The tool collection evolved when I had the ZJ to be the smallest set I can do 95% of all repairs with. Ratchet set, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers etc and a bunch of small spares and specialty tools.  I can throw in other totes with tools that are mission specific as needed. The tonneau keeps it all out of site. With a 5.5' bed it also makes it easy to pull the tote out quickly if I need the whole bed for firewood, furniture, plywood and lumber, etc. it keeps my space as flexible as possible. 
min the cab I keep a selection of light duty ratchet straps and jumper cables under the rear seat. First aid kit, bug repellent, sun block, and emergency ponchos in the door pockets. 
My approach was to have a well stocked adventure vehicle that doesn't sacrifice daily usability and comfort, and doesn't stand out to the casual observer.