8 Best Truck Tool Boxes (2024)

Home Tool boxes

Updated: Jul. 24, 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.

Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.

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.

Pros

• Basic design is easy to use
• Has full-seal weather stripping
• Includes convenient locking pull handles

Cons

• Only available in matte black
  

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.

Pros

• Cheaper than similar crossover boxes
• Fits most full-size trucks
• Has push-button locks

Cons

• Probably not rugged enough for heavy-duty users

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.

Pros

• Self-opening and -closing struts
• Lid opens to 90 degrees
• Has an integrated screwdriver holder

Cons

• Not as convenient for storing longer items

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.

Pros

• Built-in ladder for easy access
• Includes tool organizer trays
• Has a spring-assisted lid

Cons

• Pricey
• May be overkill for the casual user

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.

Pros

• Designed to fit over the wheel well
• Takes up very little space
• Affordable price
• Easy to install and remove

Cons

• Less storage space than other box types

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.

Pros

• Designed to sit along the side of a truck bed
• Has built-in carrying handles
• Includes a lockable paddle handle
• Has self-rising shocks

Cons

• Can only be accessed from one side of the truck
• Relatively low 3.5 cubic feet storage capacity

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.

Pros

• One-piece design for maximum stability
• Microseal stripping keeps out moisture
• Has stainless steel handles

Cons

• Pricey

What to Consider When Buying a Truck Tool Box

The most important factor to consider when purchasing a truck tool box is whether or not it fits in your specific vehicle. Most models offer this information freely, so take the time to cross-check that your make and model is compatible with the truck tool box.

Make sure that your potential truck tool box has the space and shape to store your tools and equipment. Larger tools need bigger spaces, but a single small tool in a big box will be thrown around every time your truck takes a turn. For maximum flexibility, look for a box with adjustable compartments.

Keep security in mind as well. If you’ve got expensive power tools, it could be worth shelling out more money for a box specifically designed to withstand break-ins. If you’re mostly storing inexpensive hand tools or supplies, it might not be worth the investment.

Types of Truck Tool Boxes

Truck tool boxes come in several different types, with each having its own pros and cons.

• Crossover: This is the most common type of truck tool box, spanning the width of the bed (or “crossing over”) and supported by the bed rails. Crossover boxes provide a lot of space, but they can sometimes obscure your rear visibility.
• Topside: These boxes sit on rails parallel to the truck bed. They’re essentially large cabinets, and convenient for accessing tools quickly. These boxes do prevent you from accessing the bed itself on the side they’re mounted on, so keep that in mind.
• Side mount: Also called “inner-side” tool boxes, these sit on the side rail like topside versions, but have a lower profile.
• Wheel well: These are relatively small boxes that fit into the empty space next to the wheel wells. Some are stationary while others swing out for convenient access.

How We Found the Best Truck Tool Boxes

As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.

FAQ

How do you anchor a tool box to a truck bed?

Securing your truck tool box to your vehicle correctly is obviously very important, so make sure you read the installation instructions carefully. If your truck already has pre-drilled holes for tool box mounting (many newer models do), simply use the recommended nuts and bolts to secure it in place. If it doesn’t have holes, you’ll need to drill them yourself with a power drill and metal drill bit. Then, thread the bolts through the holes and tighten them in place.

What size tool box fits a full-sized truck?

Full-size trucks, like F-150s, Rams and Silverados, have larger beds than mid-size trucks, so you’ll need to make sure your truck tool box is wide enough to fit properly. The best truck tool boxes provide this information clearly, a useful way to ensure that you’re dealing with a reputable company. Use a tape measure to gather the distance between the bed rails, the wheel wells and the cab, as well as the height of the bed walls. Then, cross-check those measurements with the tool box you’re considering.

Originally Published: March 02, 2022