The Different Types of Truck Tool Boxes

If you actually use your pickup for work - or you're always hauling around tools for your latest project - you need somewhere safe to stash your gear. Truck tool boxes are kind of a no-brainer for this; they give you real space to lock up all your stuff. Of course, the market is flooded with options. That's why it helps to have a handle on the types of truck tool boxes out there. Once you know what's what, picking the right box for your truck actually becomes straightforward. No more guesswork.

Crossover Tool Boxes

Crossover tool boxes are everywhere - just about every pickup you see has one sitting right behind the cab, stretching across the bed. They're built to fit snug inside the cargo area, which means you can still use the rest of your bed (more or less) without wrestling with a massive toolbox in the way. Extra storage, just like that.

The big selling point? Convenience. The lids open from the side, so you can just swing by the truck, pop it open, and grab whatever you need - no climbing or crawling across the bed like some kind of raccoon at a picnic. For anyone who's constantly reaching for tools, this detail actually matters. Plus, the box locks. It's not a cinch for anyone to run off with it (or the stuff inside), simply because of its bulk and where it sits.

But yeah, they aren't perfect. The box does eat up a chunk of your bed. If you're the kind of person hauling long lumber or awkward stuff all the time, you might find yourself blocked. And then there's the rear view - some models are chunky enough to mess with visibility, which isn't exactly comforting on the road.

Side-Mount Tool Boxes

Side-mount tool boxes are a go-to for truck owners who want extra storage without sacrificing too much bed space. You'll usually find them bolted to the sides of the bed, sitting just above the wheel wells, out of the way.

Here's the real draw: they use up that dead space along the upper bed rails - space that would otherwise just sit there catching dust. You get a secure spot for your tools, but still keep most of the bed open for hauling. Plus, you can just reach over the side for your gear-no need to crawl up into the bed whenever you want a screwdriver. It sounds minor, but your knees get it.

Of course, there's a tradeoff. Those side boxes can eat into the width in the back, which means big, bulky cargo might not fit the way it used to. And they can't really compete with the sheer storage volume of a crossover box or a big chest. If you mostly need quick access to smaller tools and hate giving up usable space, though, side mounts are hard to beat.

Chest-Style Tool Boxes

Chest-style tool boxes are the big, no-nonsense cousins of the classic toolbox - just scaled up for a pickup truck. You'll find them parked right behind the cab. Tons of room inside, which is probably why people who haul a mountain of tools keep going back to these.

The real draw? Storage. These things are deep - big enough for the awkward, bulky stuff, not just hammers and screwdrivers. Most have those extra little trays, too, so you don't end up losing all your small gear at the bottom. And they're tough-as in, built out of thick metal, meant to take a beating without blinking.

The tradeoff, though, is space. Chest boxes hog a good chunk of the bed, so if you need that full open area all the time, they might just get in the way. And getting to your stuff isn't always simple. Sometimes you have to climb up or awkwardly lean in just to pop it open. It's storage, but you have to work for it.

Underbody Tool Boxes

Underbody tool boxes give truck owners some extra space to stash stuff without sacrificing any room on the truck bed itself. You'll usually spot these installed below the body - right behind the cab, before you get to the rear wheels. They're sometimes called truck toolboxes, but you're not tossing one of these up top; it stays tucked out of sight under the truck.

The obvious win: you get your whole bed back. No bulky box eating up room where you could haul lumber or whatever else you want thrown back there. Plus, since they're pretty well hidden, thieves are less likely to notice them - if you're even a little paranoid about gear walking away, it's a nice bonus. Most people use these boxes for things they don't need all the time - spare hardware, road flares, the sort of stuff that's only useful in a pinch.

Still, it's not a perfect setup. The boxes themselves aren't that big - a lot less room than some of the beefier toolboxes you see mounted up top. And you're going to have to crouch down (or crawl under) to get your stuff, so forget convenient access. Plus, if you care about ground clearance because you go off-road, these boxes can hang down and get in the way. Basically, you gain tucked-away storage, but you give up a bit of space and hassle-free access.

Wheel Well Tool Boxes

Truck storage compartments - yeah, the ones shaped to fit over the wheel wells - are a clever workaround if you need somewhere to stash tools without eating up your entire truck bed. These metal tool boxes basically hug the wheel wells, so you end up with extra storage but still have most of your bed open. And because they sit right over the wheels, you can usually reach into them from the side of the truck without having to crawl around or climb in. Handy when you've only got one free hand and just need that one wrench.

But it's not all upside. You're not getting a ton of storage. And depending on your setup, these boxes can mess with the space you have left for hauling bigger stuff - sometimes the shape just won't play nice with whatever you're trying to move. Still, if you're a truck owner who can live with losing a little bit of loading room in exchange for organized tools and easier access, wheel well boxes just make sense.

Tailgate Tool Boxes

Tailgate tool boxes are kind of the new kid on the block when it comes to truck storage. Instead of sitting in the bed or on the sides, they slot right into the tailgate itself - taking advantage of space you didn't even realize was there.

The best part? You can't see them. Seriously, close the tailgate and there's no sign that any tools are stashed in there. So if you've got gear you care about - or just don't want wandering eyes lingering - they're a lot more secure than something out in the open. Plus, your entire truck bed stays clear. No bulky boxes eating up room meant for lumber, bags of concrete, or...whatever ends up in the back of a truck on a weekend.

Downsides? Well, there's not much real estate inside. Tailgate boxes just don't have the space of those bigger chests or side-mounted boxes. And sometimes, getting them installed takes tweaks to the tailgate itself - a dealbreaker for anybody who hates drilling or modifying their ride. Still, if what you really want is subtle, out-of-sight storage - even if you have to give up a little space - those trade-offs start to feel pretty minor.

Material Considerations

If you're shopping for a tool box for your truck, the first thing that's going to shape your decision is what it's made out of. Most of them fall into three camps: aluminum, steel, or plastic.

People tend to go for aluminum. It's light, doesn't rust, and it can handle daily abuse without tacking on a bunch of extra pounds to your truck's frame. Steel is the heavyweight. These are basically tanks - heavy, yes, but solid. If you need a toolbox that can shrug off rough treatment or straight-up abuse, steel's the way to go. You just have to be okay with the extra weight.

Now, plastic is the featherweight in this group. No chance of rust, and it won't corrode - but it's not exactly bulletproof. If you load it up or push it past what it's built for, it's probably going to crack or break, especially if it gets too hot or too cold. Still, if you want something light and don't need brute strength, plastic isn't the worst option.

Conclusion

Picking out the right truck toolbox isn't just about what looks tough parked in your driveway. You've got to think about how much junk you actually haul around, how big your truck bed really is, whether you trust your parking spot, and, of course, how much cash you're willing to burn. There's a whole lineup: crossovers, side-mounts, chests, underbody boxes, those odd wheel well bins, even tailgate boxes. Each one's got its quirks. Some eat up less space, others practically bolt Fort Knox onto your truck. Honestly, it just depends on what you're after and how you use your tools. Knowing what's out there makes it way less likely you'll end up with something that rattles around or leaves your gear exposed to sticky fingers and pouring rain.