Choosing the Right Truck Tool Box for Your Business

Looking for a practical solution to manage and organize your small business's most important equipment and tools from the back of your truck or fleet of vehicles? Truck tool boxes offer a systematic approach to storage and organization, streamlining your everyday job while protecting your gear from the elements as well as from the risk of theft. With easy access to essential tools, truck tool boxes allow you to work more efficiently, reduce downtime, prolong the lifespan of your equipment, and help you make the most of your resources. 

If you're shopping for your next truck tool box, here are a few factors you may want to consider.

One of the first steps you'll need to take when choosing the right truck tool box for your business is to carefully and accurately measure your truck bed to ensure that you can track down the right product to fit its dimensions. Having proper measurements on hand will take much of the guesswork out of the buying process.

Start by measuring the width of your truck bed, taking two sets of measurements from the inside of the bed rails as well as the outside of the rails. Next, measure the depth of the truck bed—and don't forget to take the wheel well into account, too. With both inside and outside width as well as depth measurements, you'll be able to find a tool box that is designed to fit your truck.

Size: The exact dimensions of your truck tool box will depend on the measurements you've taken of your truck bed (see above). But you'll also want to consider whether the size of your truck tool box meets your needs and the demands of your job. Are you choosing a truck tool box that can fit your most essential tools and equipment on the go? Do you need to have everything with you at all times, or can you select a few important pieces of equipment to have on hand?

Material: Durability will likely be your top concern for a truck tool box. Look for truck tool boxes made of aluminum or stainless steel, which are known for their strong, long-lasting properties. These materials are also rust-resistant, ensuring that your tools are kept safe and protected from moisture. Consider diamond-plated aluminum or polished finishes for an added layer of durability and style.

Security: While no one wants to imagine losing their expensive tools and equipment to theft, it's important to prepare for every possibility. Having a truck tool box is already an investment into security compared to keeping your tools loose in the truck bed, but you'll need to consider whether features like locks and latches or added security mechanisms are worth it for your business, too.

Crossover Tool Boxes

Crossover tool boxes sit on top of the bed rails and span the width of the truck bed. They are ideal for workers and businesses who want to maximize their storage space and prefer quick and easy access to their tools. Crossover tool boxes are available in a variety of sizes and materials, such as aluminum or steel. When purchasing a crossover tool box, it's especially important to make sure you have an accurate measurement of your truck bed's width to fit the box.

Side-Mount Tool Boxes

Side-mount tool boxes attach to the bed of the truck, just behind the cab. These tool boxes are perfect for those who need additional storage space but don't want to sacrifice the room in the truck bed and are ideal for electricians, contractors, and plumbers who primarily work out of their trucks.

Underbody Tool Boxes

Underbody tool boxes fit under the truck bed and are designed for larger tools or equipment. They are perfect for those who want to make use of unused space underneath their truck and anyone whose work requires especially large tools and equipment to be transported to the jobsite on a regular basis.

Chest Tool Boxes

Available in many different shapes and sizes, chest tool boxes aren't designed to be mounted to a particular spot in your truck bed. Instead, you can configure these lockable boxes in different ways depending on your space.

Storage Drawers

These weatherproof metal storage drawers offer handy slide-out storage that keeps your equipment protected on the go. You can make them even better for organizing your gear with options like bins and dividers. Drawers may be used in both trucks and vans to store tools and more.

Hi-Side Tool Boxes

Designed for use in commercial trucks, hi-side boxes typically mount to the truck bed's side rails and offer secure, accessible storage with doors that you can flip open for easy access at the jobsite.

Lo-Side Tool Boxes

Though similar to hi-side boxes, these lo-side boxes offer another (usually weatherproof and secured) option for storage that takes up less space in the truck bed, while still offering easy access to tools and parts on the job.

 

 

Whether you're running a small business or operating as a company of one, having the right tools and equipment on hand is a crucial element of the job. Proper storage that is both weatherproof and secure makes it easy to respond to calls and travel to jobsites as needed—all without having to worry about losing your gear or loading and unloading every time you leave the shop. For anyone operating a pickup truck or van, these truck tool boxes offer the potential for well-organized systems that put the supplies you need right where you need them.

Shopping for a new truck tool box for your business? Find everything you need at Zoro.com.

Product Compliance and Suitability

The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness, or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand, and follow all manufacturer instructions.