--- title: Truck With Tool Box: Types, Sizes and How to Choose | TruckBedShop url: https://truckbedshop.com/blog/truck-with-tool-box-guide/ description: Choosing a truck with tool box storage: compare crossover, side-mount, chest, saddle and drawer styles, sizes, tonneau cover clearance and security. updated: 2026-10-26 --- Toolbox Guides # Truck With Tool Box: Types, Sizes and How to Choose October 26, 2026 | Updated: October 26, 2026 | 11 min read **In this guide** - [Why owners put a tool box in the truck bed](#s1) - [Types of truck bed tool box](#s2) - [How to choose the right size](#s3) - [Tonneau cover clearance with a toolbox in the truck](#s4) - [Security: locks, seals and where to put valuables](#s5) - [Installing a toolbox in the truck](#s6) - [Weight, payload and fuel economy](#s7) - [Care and maintenance](#s8) - [Which box suits which owner](#s9) - [Product comparison](#compare) - [Frequently asked questions](#faq) ## Why owners put a tool box in the truck bed A truck with a tool box gives you one thing a bare bed cannot: a locked, weather-resistant place for tools that stays with the truck. The bed is the right place for it. Tools in the cab take up seat space and rattle, and tools in the open bed get wet, get stolen or slide into the tailgate on the first hard stop. A toolbox in the truck is not one product. It is six or seven styles, and each one trades space, access, security and cost in a different way. This guide explains each style, how to size it, how it works with a tonneau cover, and how to install and secure it. All the products named are in the TruckBedShop catalog, and each price and spec comes from the product page. Orders start at $300. Shipping to the US and Canada is free on orders of $1,000 or more and a flat $100 below that, added to the invoice. Most orders dispatch within 2 business days. Email [info@truckbedshop.com](mailto:info@truckbedshop.com) with your year, make, model and bed length and we confirm the fit before you pay. ## Types of truck bed tool box Start with the style, because style decides almost everything else. Browse the whole [toolboxes and storage category](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/) while you read this section. ### Crossover box A crossover box spans the bed from rail to rail behind the cab and rests on the bed rails. It is the classic truck bed tool box. It holds the most for the least money and leaves the floor under the lid free for lower cargo. The [TUFFIOM 36 in aluminum crossover box](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/tuffiom-36in-aluminum/) is $166.99. It is diamond plate aluminum with dual locks, one on each end, a waterproof rubber gasket and a gas-shock lid, and it is listed in 48 in and 60 in lengths as well. The [Dee Zee Blue Label](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/dee-zee-blue-label/) is $930.99, a commercial grade box in Brite-Tread aluminum with an Alumaguard channel, a v-pan lid stiffener and a T-handle with a stainless steel key. Our full [crossover truck bed tool box guide](https://truckbedshop.com/blog/crossover-truck-bed-tool-box-guide/) goes deeper on this style. ### Side-mount box A side-mount box, also called a side rail or wheel-well box, sits along one bed rail and leaves the center of the bed open. The [Weather Guard Lo-Side 56 in box](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/weather-guard-aluminum-lo-side-56-side-mount-tool-box/) is $961.99. It measures 56 in by 17 in by 13 in with 4 cu ft of capacity, uses ARMOR TUF powder-coated aluminum, a 1KEY ULTRALOCK push-button lock and a full weather seal, and the cover opens to 90 degrees. It also lists 12-volt access for electrical upfits. The [UnderCover SwingCase](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/undercover-swingcase/) is $215.99 and mounts to the stake pockets with no drilling. It swings 180 degrees outward, comes for the driver side, the passenger side or both, and is listed for the F-150, RAM 1500, Silverado 1500 and Maverick. See the [side-mount toolbox category](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/side-mount/) for both. ### Chest box A chest box sits against the front of the bed and works like a tall crossover that does not reach the rails. The [Weather Guard Compact All-Purpose Chest](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/weather-guard-aluminum-compact-chest-tool-box/) is $867.99 and measures 41.25 in by 20.5 in by 19.25 in with 7 cu ft of capacity. It has a low profile that sits below the bed rail, a rotary latch against a full weather seal and the same 1KEY ULTRALOCK lock. Browse the [truck chest tool box category](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/chest/). ### Saddle box A saddle box is a crossover that is cut away to clear the bed rails and the wheel wells, so the lid sits lower. The [Weather Guard Saddle Box](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/weather-guard-saddle/) is $1,312.99, low-profile heavy-duty aluminum with a push-button latch, no-drill bed rail clamps and a foam-padded interior. It is listed as tonneau compatible, which is the main reason to choose the saddle style. ### Underbody box An underbody box hangs from the frame below the bed and is common on work trucks and flatbeds. We do not stock underbody boxes right now. If you want one, check that it clears your spare tire and exhaust, and look for a mounting kit made for your truck. Our [heavy-duty toolbox category](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/heavy-duty/) is the nearest match for work use. ### Drawer systems and slides A drawer system fills the bed floor with a deck and two drawers. The [DECKED Drawer System](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/decked-drawer-system/) is $1,665.99, holds 200 lb per drawer and 2,000 lb on the deck, and locks with a single driver-side key. The [DECKED Truck Bed Tool Box](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/decked-truck-bed-tool-box/) is $1,077.99, waterproof, lockable and does not ding, dent or rust. The [BedSlide 2000](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/bedslide-2000/) at $2,111.99 is a cargo slide with 2,000 lb capacity and a full extension to the tailgate. Our [truck drawer system guide](https://truckbedshop.com/blog/truck-drawer-system-buying-guide/) explains how to pick between them. ## How to choose the right size Size is a three-part question: length, depth and height. Length is the rail-to-rail width of the bed for a crossover and the usable bed length for a side box. Depth and height decide how much a box holds and what it blocks. For a crossover box, measure the inside width of the bed at the point just behind the cab. Compare it with the listed length, and leave room so the lid does not touch the rails. Full-size trucks usually take a 48 to 60 in box, and a compact truck often takes 36 in. The TUFFIOM is available in 36, 48 and 60 in. For a side box, measure the free length along the rail and the distance from the rail to the wheel well. Height matters for sightlines. A tall box raises the line of sight behind the cab and can hide the rear window view. A low-profile design, such as the saddle or the compact chest, trades a little capacity for visibility and clearance. Capacity numbers are useful for comparison. The Weather Guard Lo-Side lists 4 cu ft, and the Weather Guard Compact Chest lists 7 cu ft. The tools you carry matter more than the number. Lay out your longest tool, your largest case and your tallest item before you decide. ## Tonneau cover clearance with a toolbox in the truck This is the number one source of returns. A tonneau cover rests on the bed rails, and a crossover box also sits on the bed rails, so the two can fight for the same space. Three combinations work. First, a low-profile box under a flat cover. The Weather Guard Saddle Box is listed as tonneau compatible because of its low profile, and the SwingCase is listed as tonneau compatible with most covers. Second, a cover built for a box. The [Extang Solid Fold ALX](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/covers/extang-solid-fold-alx/) at $1,175.99 is a hard tri-fold listed as toolbox compatible with most crossover toolboxes, and the [Lund Genesis Elite](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/accessories/lund-genesis-elite/) at $391.99 pairs a hard tri-fold with an integrated rail mount for most standard crossover boxes. Third, a retractable cover and a side box, where the cover rolls back into a canister behind the cab and the box sits low along the rail. Before you buy both, measure the height from the top of the rail to the top of the box. Compare it with the cover's profile. If you are not sure, email us your truck, the cover and the box and we check the combination. You can browse the [tonneau cover category](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/covers/) to compare cover styles, and read the [hard versus soft tonneau guide](https://truckbedshop.com/blog/hard-vs-soft-tonneau/) to see how each type sits on the bed. ## Security: locks, seals and where to put valuables No bed box is theft proof. The goal is to make it slow and noisy to open. A box with a hardened lock, a lid that overhangs the body and a latch that sits behind a lip is much harder to pry than one with an exposed hasp. Weather Guard's 1KEY ULTRALOCK push-button lock lets one key work across all of your Weather Guard boxes, which saves you from a key ring of locks. Dee Zee uses a T-handle with a stainless steel key. The TUFFIOM has dual locks, one at each end of the lid, which spreads the load on the lid and makes it harder to twist open. DECKED uses a single driver-side key lock on the drawer system. Weather sealing protects tools as much as locks do. Look for a rubber compression gasket around the lid. The Lo-Side lists a full weather seal and the Compact Chest uses a rotary latch against a full weather seal. No bed box is fully waterproof against a pressure washer, so keep small electronics in a zipped bag inside. Habits matter as much as hardware. Take your best tools home overnight. Do not leave the box visible and half empty at a job site. Park with the lock side away from the street if you can. If tailgate theft is a problem, add a tailgate lock. A locking tonneau cover over a low-profile box adds a second barrier. ## Installing a toolbox in the truck Most owners install a bed box in under an hour with hand tools. Mounting depends on the style. Crossover and saddle boxes usually clamp to the bed rails. The Weather Guard Saddle Box lists no-drill bed rail clamps, and Weather Guard lists mounting brackets for the Lo-Side series that do not require drilling into the rails. The SwingCase mounts to the stake pockets, also without drilling. Set the box against the cab end of the bed, center it, tighten the clamps evenly and re-tighten after a few trips, because vibration loosens hardware. Put a thin strip of rubber or weatherstrip tape where aluminum meets paint to prevent rubbing. If you have a drop-in liner, check that the box seats on the rail and not on the liner lip. Drawer systems take longer. They are vehicle specific and need the bed cleared. Plan for a few hours, and have a second person help lift the deck. The manufacturers publish instructions, and you can read more on the [Weather Guard site](https://www.weatherguard.com/) and the [DECKED site](https://www.decked.com/). ## Weight, payload and fuel economy A box adds weight before you load a single tool, and steel tools are heavy. A box filled with tools and hardware can be one of the heavier things in the bed. Your truck's payload rating is on the sticker in the driver door jamb and in the owner's manual, and the bed box, the tools and any passengers all count against it. Aluminum boxes save weight over steel, and polymer boxes such as the DECKED products do not rust. Extra weight and wind drag also change mileage. The [U.S. Department of Energy driving tips](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtml) explain how carrying extra weight affects fuel economy, so take out what you do not need each week. ## Care and maintenance A bed box lasts years with small habits. Wash the outside with mild soap and rinse, wipe the gasket and check it for flat spots, lubricate the lock cylinder with a dry graphite product instead of oil, and tighten the mounting hardware each season. Empty the box once a year to look for moisture, and put in a silica pack if you live somewhere humid. If the box is painted or powder-coated, touch up chips early so corrosion does not start. If the lid has gas struts, check that they hold the lid open and replace them when they sag. ## Which box suits which owner **Weekend DIY and light use.** The TUFFIOM 36 in crossover at $166.99 or the SwingCase at $215.99 gives you a lockable box at a low price. **Contractors and daily jobsite use.** The Dee Zee Blue Label at $930.99 is built for commercial use. The Weather Guard Lo-Side at $961.99 keeps the middle of the bed free for materials. **Trucks with a tonneau cover.** The Weather Guard Saddle at $1,312.99 is the low-profile choice, and the SwingCase also works with most covers. **Heavy tools and organized storage.** The DECKED Drawer System at $1,665.99 and the CargoGlide slides keep tools low and locked. See the [DECKED CargoGlide](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/accessories/decked-cargoglide-truck-bed-slide/) for slide options. If you need something portable that lifts out of the truck, the [DECKED Honcho 80 case](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/decked-honcho-80-storage-case/) at $294.99 holds 80 liters and has TSA-approved locking. Browse the [truck bed accessories](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/accessories/) for tie-downs and nets that go with a box. ## Product comparison These are real products in the TruckBedShop catalog, with the prices on their product pages. ProductPriceKey specs [TUFFIOM 36-Inch Aluminum Crossover Toolbox](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/tuffiom-36in-aluminum/)$166.99Crossover; dual locks; gas-shock lid; 48 in and 60 in also available [UnderCover SwingCase Truck Bed Storage Box](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/undercover-swingcase/)$215.99Side mount; stake pocket mount, no drilling; swings 180 degrees [Weather Guard Aluminum Compact All-Purpose Truck Chest Tool Box](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/weather-guard-aluminum-compact-chest-tool-box/)$867.99Chest; 41.25 x 20.5 x 19.25 in; 7 cu ft [Dee Zee Blue Label Crossover Toolbox](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/dee-zee-blue-label/)$930.99Crossover; Brite-Tread aluminum; v-pan lid stiffener [Weather Guard Aluminum Lo-Side 56 in Side-Mount Truck Tool Box](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/weather-guard-aluminum-lo-side-56-side-mount-tool-box/)$961.99Side mount; 56 x 17 x 13 in; 4 cu ft; 1KEY ULTRALOCK [DECKED Truck Bed Tool Box](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/decked-truck-bed-tool-box/)$1,077.99Waterproof; lockable; does not ding, dent or rust [Weather Guard Saddle Box Low-Profile Crossover Toolbox](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/weather-guard-saddle/)$1,312.99Saddle; tonneau compatible; no-drill clamps [DECKED Drawer System Truck Bed Storage](https://truckbedshop.com/shop/toolboxes/decked-drawer-system/)$1,665.99Drawer system; 200 lb per drawer; 2,000 lb deck ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the best truck with tool box storage for a daily driver? A low-profile box is the easiest to live with, because it keeps your rear view clear and works with a tonneau cover. The Weather Guard Saddle Box at $1,312.99 and the UnderCover SwingCase at $215.99 both suit a truck with tool box storage that you drive every day. ### Will a toolbox in the truck fit under my tonneau cover? A low-profile box usually does. The Weather Guard Saddle Box and the SwingCase are listed as tonneau compatible, and the Extang Solid Fold ALX is listed as compatible with most crossover toolboxes. Email us your cover and box and we check the pairing. ### How big should a truck bed tool box be? Measure the inside bed width rail to rail for a crossover box. Full-size trucks often take 48 to 60 in, and compact trucks take 36 in. For a side box, measure the free length along the rail and the gap to the wheel well. ### Do I need to drill holes to install a truck bed tool box? Often you do not. The Weather Guard Saddle Box uses no-drill bed rail clamps, the SwingCase mounts to the stake pockets, and Weather Guard lists no-drill brackets for the Lo-Side series. Confirm for your model before you order. ### Are truck bed tool boxes waterproof? They are weather resistant, not pressure-wash proof. Look for a rubber gasket or full weather seal, as on the Weather Guard Lo-Side. Keep small electronics in a zipped bag inside the box. ## Further reading - [Weather Guard: manufacturer site](https://www.weatherguard.com/) - [DECKED: manufacturer site](https://www.decked.com/) - [U.S. Department of Energy: driving more efficiently](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtml)