Truck Toolbox Dimensions: A Comprehensive Guide
Truck toolboxes are an essential component for anyone who uses their pickup truck for work or outdoor activities where tools are required. These handy storage units allow you to keep your tools organized and secure, protecting them from damage and theft.
However, choosing the right toolbox can be overwhelming, with various sizes, types, and brands available in the market. This guide will help you navigate the busyness and make an informed decision when shopping for a truck toolbox.
Standard Dimensions
Before you start shopping for a toolbox, you need to know your truck’s bed’s standard dimensions, which determines the size of the toolbox that can fit. Most full-size pickup trucks have a bed length of 6 to 8 feet, with a width of around 5 to 6.5 feet.
Mid-sized pickups are typically smaller, with bed length ranging from 4 to 6 feet and a width of around four to 5.5 feet. Once you know your truck’s dimensions, you can determine the size of toolbox that will fit comfortably without interfering with the tailgate or the side bed walls.
Toolbox Types
Truck toolboxes come in various types, each with its distinctive design and features. These include:
Chest Toolbox – This type sits on the truck bed floor and is perfect for heavy and bulky tools.
It provides a large storage space and is ideal for people who need to carry larger tools such as power drills, wrenches, and saws.
Cross Bed Toolbox – This type sits across the truck bed’s width, just behind the cab and offers both full-length and saddle-box designs. Full-length boxes usually feature a single lid that opens towards the bed’s back and is ideal for longer tools like shovels and rakes.
Saddle-boxes split into two lids and are designed to maximize bed rail space by sitting atop the wheel well.
Side Bin – These toolboxes sit on the sides of the pickup bed, right behind the cab. They are perfect for people who frequently transport small items such as nails, screws, and hand tools.
They are also compact and don’t take up much bed space.
Pork Chop – A pork chop toolbox sits on the truck bed’s side, partially over the wheel well. It is perfect for users who require an all-in-one storage and tool solution, as it features both compartments for tool storage and a pullout drawer for smaller items like sockets, wrenches, and pliers.
Trailer Toolbox – This type sits behind the truck bed on a trailer tongue. It provides easy access to tools and is ideal for people who require additional storage space for other equipment like generators, water pumps, and hoses.
Top-Side Toolbox – This type sits on the truck bed’s top rail, right behind the cab. It is perfect for people who need quick and easy access to their tools, as it features a lid that opens towards the truck cab.
Size Variations
Toolboxes come in various sizes, making it easy to find one that fits your needs. The standard dimensions of full-size truck toolboxes are around 60 inches or 5 feet wide, 20 inches deep, and 19 inches tall.
However, depending on the manufacturer and tool type, these measurements can vary between 48 to 72 inches in width, 12 to 18 inches deep, and 14 to 22 inches high. Mid-size truck toolboxes are typically around 48 inches wide, 20 inches deep, and 18 inches tall, with variations of around 36 to 60 inches in width, 12 to 18 inches deep, and 14 to 22 inches high.
Choosing the Right Toolbox
When choosing a toolbox, there are multiple factors to consider, such as the tool size, truck bed design, and budget. Here is a list of some of the essential factors that you need to consider:
Size – You need to select a toolbox that fits your truck bed without compromising space and functionality.
The tool size also determines the type of toolbox you choose, whether you need a chest, a cross-bed, or a side bin. Fit – You want a toolbox that closely fits your truck bed, with no unnecessary gaps that can collect debris or water.
Price – Toolboxes vary in price and quality, and you want a solution that fits your budget range while providing adequate storage and durability. Construction – The construction of the toolbox is critical, as this affects its durability and resale value.
A high-quality toolbox should be constructed from sturdy materials like aluminum, steel, or plastic. You also want to consider the locking mechanism, as this helps to keep your tools secure and protected.
Manufacturer Options
When shopping for a toolbox, it’s essential to consider the maker of the toolbox and whether they offer compatible models for your truck model. Some popular manufacturers include Weather Guard, Dee Zee, UWS, and Better Built.
These companies offer a range of toolbox options, from the basic to the sophisticated, ensuring that you get a toolbox that addresses your storage needs.
Custom-Made Options
Suppose you can’t find a toolbox that suits your exact dimensions or truck bed design. In that case, you can opt for custom-made toolboxes that are specifically designed to meet your needs.
These custom toolboxes are designed with your truck’s exact dimensions and feature specialized locks, lids, and interior layouts.
Conclusion
Truck toolboxes are a necessity for anyone who works or plays outdoors and needs to transport tools. Choosing the right toolbox requires careful consideration of several factors, such as size, fit, construction, and price.
Additionally, understanding the various toolbox types such as chest toolboxes, side bins, and top-side toolboxes will help you make an informed decision. Whether you opt for a standard size toolbox or go custom-made, the critical point is to ensure that it fits your truck’s dimensions and storage needs.
Truck toolboxes offer an ideal solution for people who use their pickups for both work and play, and who require a secure and organized storage space for their tools. The numerous types of truck toolboxes available on the market ensures that there is a toolbox that can cater to every need.
This article will provide an in-depth analysis of some of the most popular types of truck toolboxes, their unique features, and what they are best used for.
Standard Chest Toolbox
The standard chest toolbox is one of the most common and widely used types of truck toolboxes. It features a flush-mounted design, sloped bottom, and a swinging door that opens from the top.
The chest toolbox design is ideal for people who need to store a range of small to medium-sized tools. They are spacious enough to accommodate power drills, saws, and hammers while still being compact enough to fit comfortably on the truck bed.
The chest toolbox’s design ensures that there is full utilization of the available space and no wasted compartment. Chest toolboxes are perfect for anyone who needs to store a wide range of small tools in an organized manner and offers maximum security and convenience.
Jumbo Chest Toolbox
The jumbo chest toolbox is a larger version of the traditional chest box and is intended for larger pickups such as F-250s, Silverados, and Rams. The jumbo chest has a deeper compartment than the standard chest, allowing for more storage space.
It features compartments that can easily accommodate tools such as chainsaws and larger power tools that are difficult to store in the standard chest. The jumbo chest toolbox is widely used by contractors and outdoor enthusiasts who need to carry a wide range of equipment, making it one of the best-suited types of toolboxes for those who need to transport large items in their truck beds.
Cross Bed Toolbox
Cross bed toolboxes are a popular type of truck toolbox that is designed to span the width of the truck bed and rest on the bed rails. The cross bed toolbox is specifically designed for maximum storage space, with deep compartments that offer ample room for storing large tools.
The toolbox’s lid opens towards the back of the truck, making it easy for the user to access their tools from either side. Cross bed toolboxes are ideal for construction workers, carpenters, and anyone who uses their truck bed to transport long items as it keeps the majority of the bed space free.
Side Bin
Side bin toolboxes are an alternative to the chest toolbox and rest on the inner wall of the truck bed, which is unused space. They have an L-shaped design that maximizes the available space in the truck bed’s sidewalls while keeping the bed floor and tailgate free.
They are perfect for storing small to medium-sized tools, making them ideal for people who work in electrical or plumbing environments. Side bin toolboxes offer an advantage in that they provide easy access to the tools on a daily basis, as they are always within reach of the user.
Pork Chop
The pork chop toolbox is a variation of the side bin toolbox and fully utilizes awkward spots in the truck bed, like the area over the wheel well. The pork chop toolbox has a sloped base that fits snugly into the available space, maximizing storage space.
They feature compartments for tools storage and a pullout drawer designed for smaller items like wrenches and pliers. The pork chop toolbox is ideal for people who need both tool storage and an all-in-one solution that utilizes the awkward spots in the truck bed, especially for those transporting more significant items.
Trailer and Tongue Toolbox
The trailer and tongue toolbox are specially designed and usually feature a trapezoidal prism design. They are perfect for people who own a trailer that they haul behind the truck bed or have the spare tire mounted underneath their truck bed.
The trailer and tongue toolbox are small, lightweight, and fit into awkward spots. They have specialized compartments for storing other tools, equipment, or supplies and are perfect for people who need easy access to their tools without having to dig through their trailer or truck bed.
Top Side Toolbox
Top side toolboxes have a similar design to the standard chest toolbox but are mounted to the truck bed’s top rail. They offer a trapezoidal shape that gives them the ideal dimensions for the truck bed’s narrow space.
The top side toolbox has side panels and top access, making it easy to keep tools organized and within reach. They are perfect for people who work in construction sites or need constant access to their tools as they offer maximum convenience.
Conclusion
Truck toolboxes are an essential addition to your pickup if you require a secure and organized storage space for tools. There are a variety of types to choose from, including chest toolboxes, jumbo chest toolboxes, cross-bed toolboxes, side bin toolboxes, pork chop toolboxes, trailer and tongue toolboxes, and top side toolboxes.
Each type of toolbox has its characteristics, making it ideal for specific types of work or needs, so it’s important to carefully consider what you will use them for before settling on one. In conclusion, truck toolboxes are an essential investment for anyone who uses their truck for work or recreational activities that require carrying tools.
With various types of toolboxes available, each uniquely designed to meet specific needs, choosing the right toolbox can be overwhelming. However, with a clear understanding of the available types and the factors to consider when choosing one, you can find the perfect toolbox that caters to your storage needs.
By investing in a quality toolbox, you can have peace of mind knowing that your valuable tools are secure and easily accessible. FAQs:
1.
What are some of the best materials for constructing a high-quality truck toolbox?
Answer: Sturdy materials like aluminum, steel, or plastic are ideal for toolbox construction.
2. Which truck models are compatible with jumbo chest toolboxes?
Answer: Jumbo chest toolboxes are typically for larger trucks such as F-250s, Silverados, and Rams. 3.
What areas of the truck bed do side bin and pork chop toolboxes utilize?
Answer: They utilize the inner wall of the truck bed and awkward spots like over the wheel well.
4. What is the standard dimension for a full-size truck chest toolbox?
Answer: The standard dimensions are around 60 inches in width, 20 inches in depth, and 19 inches in height. 5.
What is the advantage of the top side toolbox design?
Answer: It has side panels and top access, making it easy to keep tools organized and within reach.