Keep Your Tools Secure With These Editor-Approved Truck Toolboxes

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

For mechanics, construction workers, and homeowners, your tool collection is much more than a combo kit that gathers dust in the garage. Without the proper tools handy, most jobs simply can’t get done. And, if you regularly have a project or job in progress, transporting tools from a worksite or the hardware store likely requires extra storage on your truck.

That’s where truck toolboxes come into play: These locking boxes mount inside your truck bed and are designed to hold your valuable power tools so they’re accessible, protected from the elements, and secure. A good truck toolbox also saves its contents from sliding around the open bed during turns and getting dinged.

Because there are several styles, materials, and extra features to weigh, we handpicked the best truck toolboxes to buy based on personal use and other experiences.

The Best Truck Toolboxes

• Best Overall: Craftsman Aluminum Crossover Truck Tool Box

• Best Value: Craftsman Full Slim Truck Bed Toolbox

• Most Lightweight: Buyers Products All-Purpose Lockbox

• Most Portable: Arksan Diamond Plate Tool Box

• Best Swing Box: SwingCase Truck Bed Storage Box
  

What to Consider

In assessing a variety of truck toolboxes, we focused on four high-priority criteria: type, storage space, material, and installation. Keep in mind that since these items are heavy and large, they’re sometimes damaged in shipping, so make sure to inspect your truck toolbox before you install it.

Style

Truck boxes are categorized by style. Crossover toolboxes, also known as saddle boxes, sit on opposite edges of the truck bed flush with the back of the cab, leaving a small space underneath for long items like lumber. Side-mounted toolboxes sit on one side or edge of the truck bed, sometimes with a curved design to fit over the wheel well. Some options are heavy-duty tool chests you can remove for jobs.

The model type that’s best for you is partly a matter of personal preference, but also depends on what else you need to fit in your truck bed. We generally prefer crossover boxes, but if you need to move tools and supplies from one vehicle or workspace to another frequently, chest toolboxes offer greater portability. Also, it’s worth noting that all of the truck toolboxes below include an integrated lock, except for our budget pick which is designed for a padlock.

Material

As a contractor in the Northeast, I often worked in challenging weather conditions and needed equipment designed to withstand all types of weather without putting our tools at risk. I recommend aluminum, steel, or heavy-duty plastic for a truck bed box.

Aluminum is lighter than steel, doesn’t rust, and tends to have a relatively long lifespan, but some boxes use a thin-gauge metal that dents easily. Steel is stronger, but significantly heavier and vulnerable to rust, although many steel boxes, especially the higher-end ones, have rust-resistant coatings. Plastic boxes are lightweight and easy to clean but are generally not as durable as metal boxes.

Size

To determine how much space you need in your truck bed toolbox, compare your available bed space with the tools or gear you need to transport. Check for truck style, size, and compatibility, and make sure to read the dimensions carefully. Many retailers offer a fit checker tool on the product listings for these boxes that helps you determine if they’ll fit your vehicle.

How We Selected

To find the best truck toolboxes, I used my experience as a contractor to ensure we only recommend the best toolboxes for your truck for durability, weatherproofing, security, and ease of use. Below, I cover models in a range of styles, materials, and sizes, taking into account the quality of materials, style, weight, capacity, and ease of installation, with a Craftsman truck toolbox as our top pick. I also made sure to select options across a range of price points, including one for best value and best budget.

Below, you’ll find advice on a range of considerations, along with our recommendations to help you find the right model to suit your needs.

Aluminum Crossover Truck Tool Box

This option features Craftsman’s signature black, powder-coated aluminum finish, and it’s made for all the industry-leading full-size trucks, featuring nine cubic feet of storage capacity.

It also has a keyed locking mechanism, which is only accessible from the driver’s side of the truck, and an included no-drill installation kit. The gas springs make operation easy, even from odd angles, and it’s watertight to protect your tools. The only slight drawback is that it only unlocks from one side—likely not a deal breaker for most.

Full Slim Truck Bed Toolbox

This black aluminum crossover box comes in a low-profile form factor with impressive storage capacity. It’s a perfect fit for short bed pickups and comes with a full mounting kit, so you don’t have to drill holes in your truck.

It also has sturdy rubber weather-sealing and gas pistons to lift the top without a struggle. Craftsman boxes also come with a five-year manufacturer’s warranty, and the price for this one is reasonable considering what’s included in the package.

All-Purpose Chest

Made from lightweight, dent-resistant polyethylene, this tool chest may not win any awards for glamour, but it gets the job done and is sturdy enough to keep your tools safe and protected from the elements.

This is the smallest—and most budget-friendly—option in the Buyers Products line. It has a double-layered lid for strength and a stainless-steel clasp, but the lock isn’t included. Still, if you’re looking for a truck toolbox around $100, this is an excellent choice.

Diamond Plate Tool Box

This is a smaller model, and not as heavy-duty as some other options—but it’s designed to easily move between your truck cab and your job site with integrated fold-out handles.

The side doors also fold down, making it very easy to access anything you need quickly. It features a built-in lock that comes with two keys. Plus, the heavy-duty polished diamond-plate aluminum is ultra-durable and resists corrosion.

SwingCase Truck Bed Storage Box

What this clever model may lack in size, it makes up for in convenience and cool factor. Designed to fit under any style of truck bed cover (or none at all), it fits snugly along the inside wall of the bed, taking up that impossible-to-use space between the tailgate and wheel well.

The clever hinge mount lets the case swing out at an almost 180-degree angle from the truck for easy access. While the hinge bracket must be bolted to the truck bed, the case itself attaches tools-free for easy removal—there’s even a lock and a waterproof seal.

TonneauMate Toolbox for Truck Bed

This toolbox offers flexibility to accommodate your truck setup. It fits most full-size truck beds and is designed to fit underneath most bed covers. Moreover, it’s incredibly spacious at 10 cubic feet.

The elevated mounting design means you can use virtually the entire span of floor space under the box. You can also position it anywhere across the truck bed—not just flush with the cab.

The TruXedo box is almost entirely plastic, which is sturdy but may discolor and warp after years of sunlight and weather. This box is made in the U.S. and comes with a two-year warranty on purchase.

You Might Also Like

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Painter’s Tape

• The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere

• Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?