Portable and Mounted Truck Toolboxes: What You Need to Know Before You Buy
Truck owners use their vehicles for a variety of reasons such as business, farming, hunting, fishing, and camping, to name a few. But no matter how you use your truck, you can’t keep tools and accessories organized and safe without a good quality toolbox.
When you’re buying a truck toolbox, there are many considerations: plastic, aluminum or steel, side mounted, high or low-side, rust and weather resistant. The list is practically endless.
But when it comes to design, you basically have two choices, portable or mounted. Both of these designs have their pros and cons. Let’s take a look at each of them.
Mounted Truck Bed Toolboxes
This type of truck toolbox sometimes requires installation from a certified dealership because it requires minor drilling. Once installed, consider it a keeper because it can’t be easily removed.
Mounted truck bed toolboxes also have a locking mechanism which is installed in the bed most of the time. They are also larger units than their portable counterparts.
Because mounted truck bed toolboxes are essentially permanent, you have to give serious consideration as to where you want to install it. Generally, there are five options:
Chest toolboxes—These are installed behind the cab between the right and left bed wall, touching the truck floor.
Crossover boxes—Similar to a chest toolbox, the crossover does not touch the truck floor.
Wheel well boxes—Installed over the wheel wells and in the bed, the wheel box has both passenger and driver side toolbox designs.
Top mounted boxes—Mounted on the top of the bedside rails, top mounted boxes don’t take up much space in the truck bed.
An issue with mounted truck toolboxes can be visibility. Choose a low profile design that doesn’t limit rear visibility, but allows seeing through the back window without obstructing the view.
Portable Bed Toolboxes
These units are generally smaller in size than their mounted counterpart and can be removed from the bed, allowing you to take them to your worksite. The main disadvantage with a portable toolbox is security.
While portable units have locks, they can be easily stolen if your truck doesn’t have a bed cover. One plus is the truck make and model aren’t necessary for portable units because there is no installation.
Truck Bed Toolbox Materials
Toolboxes are exposed to all kinds of weather conditions, extreme heat, snow, and freezing rain, to name a few. To resist the corrosive power of Mother Nature, most truck bed toolboxes are made from aluminum. However, there are others that are made from steel and plastic.
Here’s a breakdown of all three.
Aluminum Truck Toolboxes
This is a truck owner favorite. Lightweight and extremely durable, it won’t jeopardize payload capacity. And it looks great! Plus, for better bad weather protection, aluminum truck toolboxes are generally covered with powder coat.
However, not all aluminum is created equal. Choose manufacturers that use the 5052 diamond plate aluminum. This aluminum is military grade and is made in combination with chrome and steel.
The price is a little higher but well worth it when you consider the quality you’re getting. Aluminum truck toolboxes also have a limited lifetime warranty.
Plastic Truck Toolboxes
Not just any plastic, mind you. This is high quality resilient poly material. Rigid, lightweight, and waterproof, it’s also incredibly sturdy. Made from high-impact ABS plastic, rigid poly truck toolboxes are almost impossible to dent.
Easier to install than either steel or aluminum truck boxes, they also generally have a limited lifetime warranty.
Steel Truck Toolboxes
Steel truck toolboxes will fit all bed sizes, including powder coated finishes. However, this choice is the least popular among truck owners due to weight. So you won’t want to carry it around on the job site.
Additionally, you may have to take your vehicle to a dealer and let a professional install it. That said, with stainless or reinforced finish steel truck toolboxes, you get ultimate weather protection.
There are so many uses for truck toolboxes, including using them for emergency supplies. Whether for business or pleasure, these little jewels will keep all your tools and accessories safe and organized!
When you’re ready to buy a new truck or a quality used truck, turn to the pros and Joe Bowman Auto Plaza. We’ll help you find the right vehicle for you and your lifestyle needs!
When you’re buying a truck toolbox, there are many considerations: plastic, aluminum or steel, side mounted, high or low-side, rust and weather resistant. The list is practically endless.
But when it comes to design, you basically have two choices, portable or mounted. Both of these designs have their pros and cons. Let’s take a look at each of them.
Mounted Truck Bed Toolboxes
This type of truck toolbox sometimes requires installation from a certified dealership because it requires minor drilling. Once installed, consider it a keeper because it can’t be easily removed.
Mounted truck bed toolboxes also have a locking mechanism which is installed in the bed most of the time. They are also larger units than their portable counterparts.
Because mounted truck bed toolboxes are essentially permanent, you have to give serious consideration as to where you want to install it. Generally, there are five options:
Chest toolboxes—These are installed behind the cab between the right and left bed wall, touching the truck floor.
Crossover boxes—Similar to a chest toolbox, the crossover does not touch the truck floor.
Wheel well boxes—Installed over the wheel wells and in the bed, the wheel box has both passenger and driver side toolbox designs.
Top mounted boxes—Mounted on the top of the bedside rails, top mounted boxes don’t take up much space in the truck bed.
An issue with mounted truck toolboxes can be visibility. Choose a low profile design that doesn’t limit rear visibility, but allows seeing through the back window without obstructing the view.
Portable Bed Toolboxes
These units are generally smaller in size than their mounted counterpart and can be removed from the bed, allowing you to take them to your worksite. The main disadvantage with a portable toolbox is security.
While portable units have locks, they can be easily stolen if your truck doesn’t have a bed cover. One plus is the truck make and model aren’t necessary for portable units because there is no installation.
Truck Bed Toolbox Materials
Toolboxes are exposed to all kinds of weather conditions, extreme heat, snow, and freezing rain, to name a few. To resist the corrosive power of Mother Nature, most truck bed toolboxes are made from aluminum. However, there are others that are made from steel and plastic.
Here’s a breakdown of all three.
Aluminum Truck Toolboxes
This is a truck owner favorite. Lightweight and extremely durable, it won’t jeopardize payload capacity. And it looks great! Plus, for better bad weather protection, aluminum truck toolboxes are generally covered with powder coat.
However, not all aluminum is created equal. Choose manufacturers that use the 5052 diamond plate aluminum. This aluminum is military grade and is made in combination with chrome and steel.
The price is a little higher but well worth it when you consider the quality you’re getting. Aluminum truck toolboxes also have a limited lifetime warranty.
Plastic Truck Toolboxes
Not just any plastic, mind you. This is high quality resilient poly material. Rigid, lightweight, and waterproof, it’s also incredibly sturdy. Made from high-impact ABS plastic, rigid poly truck toolboxes are almost impossible to dent.
Easier to install than either steel or aluminum truck boxes, they also generally have a limited lifetime warranty.
Steel Truck Toolboxes
Steel truck toolboxes will fit all bed sizes, including powder coated finishes. However, this choice is the least popular among truck owners due to weight. So you won’t want to carry it around on the job site.
Additionally, you may have to take your vehicle to a dealer and let a professional install it. That said, with stainless or reinforced finish steel truck toolboxes, you get ultimate weather protection.
There are so many uses for truck toolboxes, including using them for emergency supplies. Whether for business or pleasure, these little jewels will keep all your tools and accessories safe and organized!
When you’re ready to buy a new truck or a quality used truck, turn to the pros and Joe Bowman Auto Plaza. We’ll help you find the right vehicle for you and your lifestyle needs!
