Updated on Jul. 29, 2024
Use this list of the best truck tool boxes to upgrade your vehicle's storage capability. They're strong, secure and come in a variety of types.
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The best truck tool boxes provide secure, stable storage for your tools and equipment when you’re on the road or at a remote site. By mounting directly to your truck bed, a truck tool box is a much more secure space for your tools than a portable toolbox that can slip and slide as you drive. Their locking lids and heavy-duty construction make them difficult for would-be thieves to break into as well.
A truck tool box allows users to store and access their equipment quickly and easily. With a variety of types and sizes to choose from, it’s easier than you might think to find the best one that works for your tools and truck.
A single-lid crossover is the classic truck tool box, and this 70-inch Tractor Supply Aluminum Crossover Truck Tool Box delivers on all fronts. The self-rising lid makes it easy to access contents one-handed, and the low-profile shape results in minimal obstruction to the rear view.
The handrail-style lid topper really helped cement this model as one of the best truck tool boxes out there, providing plenty of spaces to latch on a tie-down and squeeze a little extra storage from the top of the box. This low-profile truck tool box comes with a five-year warranty.
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This Craftsman Full Slim Box boasts an impressive amount of features, and costs significantly less than most crossover options. A rubber weather seal keeps your tools and gear dry during inclement weather. Two auto-lift springs allow you to quickly and comfortably open the lid without much effort.
This best truck tool box is simple to install, and doesn’t require any extra tools or drilling into your truck bed. This small truck tool box probably won’t be durable enough for heavy-duty use by a professional tradesperson, but if you’re looking for a basic option that won’t break the bank, this is a solid choice.
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Just because a tool box has two lids doesn’t necessarily guarantee easy access. The gull-wing design of this 72-inch UWS Crossover Truck Tool Box prioritizes both accessibility and convenience, allowing access from the driver or passenger side. The wings self-close with a simple tug, so there’s no slamming them closed as you unload equipment. Available in black powder-coated diamond tread or bright aluminum, this box also has two built-in small parts trays. It’s covered by a one-year warranty.
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The Decked Crossover Tool Box has one of the most interesting features we’ve seen: an optional integrated ladder that folds out from the box over the side of your truck. This makes it easy to climb up and access the contents, which is especially useful when you’ve got a bed of materials blocking the tailgate.
This model also comes with a “snack tray” for small parts and one of Decked’s D-Boxes, a container for smaller tools that fits inside larger Decked truck boxes and truck bed drawer systems. Molded with impact-resistant, resin-encapsulating steel plates, this sturdy box resists denting. The drivers side-facing lock makes securing and opening the box simple. When closed, a synthetic rubber gasket seals it against the elements.
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The UnderCover SwingCase Truck Box, installed on a hinge, sits over your wheel well and swings out 180 degrees toward the tailgate. This provides quick access to the best tools and equipment inside, requiring less climbing and reaching than other types. This small truck tool box is also easy to remove, a nice feature if you need the full bed width to haul material, like drywall or plywood.
This best truck tool box’s design means it holds less weight (it maxes out at 75 pounds), but the convenience is worth it for many truck owners. It’s also useful when tailgating—it’s the only box on this list with cup holders on the lid. Since it sits completely below the sides of the bed, it eliminates any visual obstructions while driving. This USA.-made tool box locks with a key, and ships with an organizational tray and moisture seal.
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The Tractor Supply Side Mount Truck Tool Box runs vertically along the side of your truck bed, allowing for easy access to the length of the box at all times. Its 48-inch length is well-suited for long, narrow items, like bubble levels or light tripods, and the rust-resistant aluminum body keeps valuable tools protected no matter the weather. This low-profile truck tool box won’t obstruct your view as much as other options.
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If you prefer to keep as much space available in your truck bed as possible, the UWS Topside Truck Tool Box is a strong choice. Built with heavy-gauge alloy aluminum, the 60-inch box rides on the bed rail and opens to the outside of the vehicle.
Stainless steel aircraft cables support the lid when open, and the 90-degree lid position acts as an impromptu work surface that can support up to 1,000 pounds. It’s available in bright aluminum or powder-coat black diamond tread, and comes with a one-year warranty.
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It should be snug. You want the sides of the tool box to sit atop your truck’s bed rails, but you don’t want it to be able to shift back and forth too far and come off. You also need to ensure it’s not too snug, as a too-tight fit could damage your truck or cause the tool box to pop out of place during transit—both of which are bad options. A good rule of thumb is having about 1.5″ of the tool box sitting atop the bed rails.
Stainless steel is among the best materials for truck tool boxes, as it is extremely durable and easy to maintain—it won’t ding quite as easily as aluminum and won’t rust like standard steel. However, some brands use composites that are also extremely durable and benefit from being a lot more lightweight. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preferences, needs and budget,
If you’re constantly transporting your tools from place to place, I’d say it’s absolutely worth it, as it makes frequent traveling a lot simpler, more secure, better organized and more—all without the need for modifications to your existing vehicle.
