Now that I have a truck cap on my pickup, I need to rethink my toolbox situation. A regular truck toolbox obviously won't work anymore. Does anyone have any suggestions for a large toolbox that I can set in the bed? It could either be mounted or removable. I was thinking maybe a plastic tool chest?
I'm pretty happy with my DECKED drawers under my cap.
... but they are a bit pricey.
They make "inside the rails" toolboxes, or you can pick any of your favorite knaack/jobox varieties if you are unloading lots of stuff infrequently, IE you post up for a week somewhere to work and there is a forklift available OR you want essentially a permanent box.
The Milwaukee Packout series is super awesome if you need portability and unload a few tools every day but they suck for air travel or heavy stuff. Even if you are not on Team Red, I would still buy a packout over the other brands offerings.
I use Pelican cases because half the time I take my tools I am flying somewhere and Pelicans are basically engineered for that use case. They cost a little more than a Packout but are really really durable.
Tough to advise without knowing the use case.
What are you actually trying to keep in that toolbox? Depending on what you want to use it for changes the answer dramatically
When I hear tool box I think tools, and the only option I like there is the Montezuma.It is a clever layout
But if you are talking one of the big aluminum storage bins for tossing straps and stuff into then.... I don't know. Rubbermaid tubs?
In reply to Trent :
That looks like a perfect solution for a Trackside toolbox that gets loaded in and out of a truck for track days. Have any information on those and clones that are more budget oriented? I did a quick Google search it to stop light and my eyes watered a little bit at the prices and variety of the Montezuma offerings
In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :
Nope. I have only admired them from afar. I did open the lid on the one at the farm store nearby and was like.....Yep, neat, well thought out design .
I have no need for one but I still want one.
Trent said:When I hear tool box I think tools, and the only option I like there is the Montezuma.It is a clever layout
But if you are talking one of the big aluminum storage bins for tossing straps and stuff into then.... I don't know. Rubbermaid tubs?
Just looking at the pic, that's ... a lot of ratchets for the number sockets, no?
(I didn't know about those, but I dig 'em)
In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :
Northern Tool sells a version that is a couple bills cheaper than the Montezuma versions.
But I agree with the "it really depends on what you want to bring with you" question. Tool rolls and bags can also be a good option.
Last time I did this, I found a small job box that had hollow 2x4 steel tubing (HSS) welded to the bottom and was less tall than the bed side. There was a handle on each side to move it (I think it was rated at 300 or 350 pounds. It had a full width hinge along the back and a padlock setup on the front. I drilled & bolted through the bed and bottom of the HSS to secure it to the truck. I think I used 5/8" diameter grade 8 bolts, fender washers and lock washers. If I needed it out of the bed it was 2 bolts and one other person to lift it out of the truck when loaded with tools. I'd have to remove some tools to lift it by myself. I then added a soft tonneau cover to hide the box from casual observers. It worked pretty well and never got broken into.
If you've got a cap and don't need the extra sturdiness of a metal box, the plastic boxes work fine for corralling all the crap that ends up in a truck. They're a lot cheaper, and you can still bolt them down. Mine was Tractor Supply branded, but here's one from HD.
In reply to Rodan :
That looks pretty much like what I had in mind! Thanks for the lead. I was thinking about getting one of the modular tool boxes (like one of the cheaper Pack Out clones) and strapping it down so I could add other specialized boxes on top for junkyard runs and track days, but I don't think they have enough room for my HF aluminum jack and it's more expensive. This is an elegantly simple solution.
In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :
My use case is mostly keeping truck stuff - ratchet straps, etc - as well as a few larger tools like a small HF jack, and maybe some hand tools as well. I'm away from the garage a lot these days so keeping tools in the truck is becoming more important.
I have two i use for track dayls like what rodan linked i bought at habitat. They work good, and i use a ratcheting cargo bar to hold them in place.
For smaller day to day stuff like the trailer ball, tarp, ratchet strapts, etc i use plastic tool cases with the fitted innards cut out that hold the stuff in a tidy package and fit behind and under the seat. Bed has a milk crate or two by the tailgate with the ratcheting load bar to hold groceries and parts and crap under the cap and easy to access.
AMiataCalledSteve said:Now that I have a truck cap on my pickup, I need to rethink my toolbox situation. A regular truck toolbox obviously won't work anymore. Does anyone have any suggestions for a large toolbox that I can set in the bed? It could either be mounted or removable. I was thinking maybe a plastic tool chest?
I think what you are saying is....
Now that I have one of these (truck cap):
I can no longer use one of these (truck tool box):
So how and where are you guys storing your stuff ?
If you can spare the width, I'd recommend looking into these pivoting corner boxes which provide easier access from the ground.
Sold many places and brands, sample
Boxes like this from Contico are nice and big but if you're going to mount it that will then be forward at the bulkhead. This then requires that you get on hands/knees and crawl the truck bed (under the topper) to get anything out. If you don't secure it to the truck then it will be sliding all over the bed.
That Montezuma looks nice, but my own personal philosophy on tool boxes in truck beds/trailers is that if it's not hard installed, it's better to have several smaller boxes, since you're constantly lifting them in and out of the truck. The Milwaukee pack-out or similar system makes a ton of sense to me, because you can click it together on the wheeled base on the ground, but take it apart to load it in. I have the Rigid system and it's not as nice as the Milwaukee, but nice enough. The top layer is suitcase sized and contains the basics- ratcheting box wrenches, allen keys, pliers, box cutter, zip ties, etc. 90% of the time, it's the only thing I need to grab for trackside fix-its.
I know you wanna save a few McPesos on a non-Packout branded solution, i strongly urge reconsideration.
Its been my experience that "The Other Guys" change their locking, latching, and sizing so their older gen stuff doesn't work nice with newer stuff. So in 3 years when you want the new 5 drawer ZOMG Gotta Have It box, if its from Horrible Freight or Dewalt or Makita, it may not play nice with your existing stuff.
Of course, if you are already a Milwaukee tool guy, there is no better theft deterrent than putting your Milwaukee tools in a DeWalt or Makita box.
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