Truck Bed Utility Storage Boxes

What these boxes are for

A bed box gives secure, weather-resistant storage that stays with the truck. Contractors, hunters and overlanders use them for tools, tie-downs, tow straps, fluids and spare parts. The listings here include several styles, and the right one depends on how your bed is used and how much of the bed you want left free for cargo.

Types of box

• Chest boxes: A single lid box that sits against the bulkhead or across the bed, with a simple, versatile layout.
• Saddle boxes: Straddle the wheel wells and keep the center of the bed open, with narrow versions for dual or single shocks to help lift the lid.
• Wheel well boxes: Fit between the wheel wells, and some have drawers.
• Gull-wing and double-door boxes: Open from both sides of the truck for easier reach.
• Under-bed boxes: Mount beneath the bed floor or below the rail, saving bed space.

How to choose

Measure your bed width, length and wheel well spacing before shopping. A box listed as 69 or 71 inches will not fit every truck, since short beds and long beds vary, and box width must clear the wheel wells and any bed rails or liners. Consider how you load the bed: if you haul full sheets of plywood, a saddle or low-side box may suit better than a tall chest. Think about reach too, since a deep box can be hard to access over the side of a lifted truck.

Specs to compare

Check the listed length, height and depth, the finish (brite aluminum, gloss black or textured matte black) and the lock type. Look for features like rail systems, drawers, gas struts or shocks for the lid, and weather sealing. A low-profile design helps rear visibility and keeps better aerodynamics, while a taller box holds more. Aluminum resists corrosion and keeps weight down, but check whether the box is tread plate or smooth.

Installation and use notes

Most boxes mount by clamping to the bed rails, so no drilling is typically needed, but confirm this for your model. Keep the load balanced and mind the payload rating of your truck, as tools and gear add up. Do not use the box as a place for loose heavy items that could shift during hard braking.

Confirm fitment for your truck's exact year, make, model, bed length and bed liner, and read the manufacturer's specifications. Check mounting points after the first drive, and keep locks lubricated for winter conditions.

Maintenance and common mistakes

A bed box takes weather, vibration and the occasional scrape, so look after it. Rinse off dirt, and clean with mild soap. Polish bright aluminum occasionally to restore its shine, and wax painted or black boxes to resist fading. Lubricate locks and hinges once or twice a year, and use a graphite or dry lube for locks in cold climates, so water does not freeze inside.

Check the weather seal around the lid, and replace it if it flattens or tears. Drill a drain hole only if the maker allows it, and keep the box off of standing water by leaving room for air to flow. Place heavier items low and close to the cab to keep weight distribution safe, and keep gear from sliding by using dividers or trays.

Common mistakes include ordering a box that is too wide for the wheel wells, forgetting about a bed liner or rail caps that change the clamp position, and overloading the box beyond what the truck's payload allows. Another is leaving valuables inside, since lockable boxes are a deterrent, not a vault. Review the mounting hardware after the first week of driving.