Everyone that needs a toolbox for their truck starts their search by browsing the Internet. This is when they discovered that there are various options to choose from, mostly because there are toolboxes made from various materials including aluminum and stainless steel, all of which have diverse features.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and confused by the number of options you can choose from, you’re probably wondering – are there some tips that’ll help me purchase a suitable toolbox for my truck? Luckily, there are, and those tips are exactly what we’ll discuss in this article today. So, let’s take a look:
1. Before Anything Else, Measure Your Truck Bed
In order for you to choose a suitable toolbox, the very first thing that you must do is to measure the truck bed. This won’t only ensure that you choose something suitable, but it’ll also make the entire process easier, mostly because it’ll help you quickly narrow down your list of potential options.
Start by measuring the internal dimension of the bed since this will ensure that you don’t purchase a toolbox that’ll hang off the sides. Additionally, you need to means the height of the walls, the distance between them, the distance between the outside rails, as well as the distance between the wheels and bulkhead.
Keep in mind, you’ll want to double-check the measurements just to be sure that you correctly and precisely measured everything. Trust me, you don’t want to spend your money on an option that is either too small or too large for your truck, and don’t forget to write down the measurements.
2. Make a List of Potential Options
Once you’re done with measuring everything, your next step is to make a list of potential toolboxes. Why should you do this? Well, by doing so, you’ll be capable of comparing the options easily and quickly, and more importantly, once you narrow down your list, you’ll be left with only the best options on the market.
Hence, do some digging online, and write down the brand and model of the toolbox you might want to purchase. Keep in mind, you already have the measurements for it, so, ensure that you only write down the toolboxes that fit the size of your truck bed. You can use different online stores such as ozytoolbox.com.au to find a list of options available.
3. Think About The Capacity You Require
Besides the size of the truck bed, another important factor that you must consider is the capacity you’ll require. If you usually take large cargo and big power tools with you on a job, you’ll surely need to opt for a larger box. On the other hand, if you take smaller tools with you, you could choose a box that is narrower.
4. Consider How it Can Be Accessed
You should know, there are various options that you can choose from, which is why it’s important to consider how the toolboxes can be accessed. This is especially true if your truck bed is often occupied with materials or other items, so, the different options that you can choose from including the following:
– Mounted on The Top – which will be located behind the cab and it’ll have different compartments for storing items,
– Mounted on The Side – which comes in various sizes and is fixed on the inner rail,
– Tongue – can pull a trailer and it’ll provide you with additional space for your tools,
– Hitch – which is fixed on the post in the back, meaning that it won’t occupy any space on the bed,
– Crossbred – which will be fixed between the sides of the bed.
5. Think About How Safe it is
If you determined what type is most suitable for you, you’ll also have to ensure that you’re investing your money into something that is safe. Now, we aren’t only talking safe for the tools you have, we’re talking about safe for your truck and you too. After all, when you head somewhere with a box full of tools, it’s easy to forget that these items can be dangerous.
For instance, even a minor collision can cause your equipment and tools to fly in the air, which means that you could cause damage to the items surrounding you, as well as people or vehicles that are passing by. This is why you must guarantee that the toolbox has a lock that is strong and durable, and you should also check if the drawers don’t move and slide whenever they want to.
6. Durable And Strong Materials
Besides ensuring that you can mount it securely and safely, you’ll also need to ensure that it’s made from high-quality, durable materials. Depending on the options you’re looking at, they could be manufactured for bent sheet aluminum, steel, and of course, stainless steel.
Aluminum is, perhaps, the most popular option out there, mostly because it is sturdy while being cheap. The containers are light and they’re also resistant to rusting. Steel options are also popular because of the durability of the material, however, they’re heavier, meaning that they might not be suitable for smaller trucks and they’re also prone to rust – something that’ll take a lot of time to clean up and maintain.
The last option is stainless steel, which is the most sturdy and durable option, however, it is more expensive than the aforementioned materials. It basically combines the rust-proof features of aluminum boxes and the sturdiness of steel boxes, hence, consider this option if you want something that’ll last for a longer time.
Conclusion
It can be difficult and complex to choose a suitable toolbox for your truck, mostly because there are so many things to consider. But, if you choose to follow some or all of the useful tips we mentioned above, you’ll surely make the entire process easier, less time-consuming, and more importantly, you can guarantee that you choose something suitable.
Hence, now that you’ve learned what important factors you’ll need to consider, you really shouldn’t waste any more of your free time. Instead, you should return to the beginning of our list, and start with the first and most important task we mentioned – which is measuring the size of your truck bed.
