5 TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT TOOL BOX

For those who need to keep their tools secure in their truck, a quality truck toolbox is a great investment. Here's how to find the best one to fit your needs.

Name a better duo than your truck and your truck toolbox.

Can't do it? That's because there aren't any.

Still, like any good pairing, you want to do what you can to make sure it works before you get started.

Join us, today, as we look at five surefire tips for choosing the right toolbox to match your truck.

Truck Toolbox Styles For Specific Needs

Every truck is different, and every trucker uses his truck differently.

That was a mouthful.

Still, it should be stated that the most important factor to start with when choosing a truck tool box is making sure it fits the bill, so to speak.

Give some thought to what you'll be using your truck and its toolbox for. Some common varieties include:

• Top-Mounted, behind the cab and features a combination of different storage compartments
• Side-Mounted, designed in different sizes, to be fitted onto the inner rail of your truck bed, either alone or in pairs
• Crossbed tool boxes are much closer to being one-size-fits-all, these boxes rest between the sides of the bed, like a bridge
• Hitch Mounts lock onto the trailer post in the back of your truck and take up no extra room
• Trailer Tongue boxes work wonders for pulling a trailer, obviously, and add to your overall storage space, as well

Safety Features

Once you've figured out what you'll be using your toolbox for, it's time to make sure you're investing in something safe.

Safe for your tools? Sure. But safe for you and your truck, as well.

When you set out with a box full of your tools and equipment, it might be tempting to forget these are dangerous items.

A car accident at high speed could send any of your tools hurtling through the air and causing unintended damage, to your truck or another persons vehicle or property.

You want to make sure you have a box with a lid that locks tightly, and whose drawers don't slide or detach too easily.

Sturdy Materials

On top of being safe, a good truck toolbox should be well constructed.

This comes down to the materials used to create the box during construction. These are typically either bent sheet aluminum, steel, or stainless steel.

Aluminum is the most popular material used in these boxes. Tough and budget-friendly, these containers are a lightweight, sturdy solution that is also rust proof.

Steel tool boxes are the second most popular choice because of the toughness of the material. But, they are also heavier and more prone to rusting, in moments where heavy scratches compromise the surface integrity of the material itself.

Stainless steel is another material used for truck toolboxes that is not as popular as the first two, mostly because of it added cost.

Stainless Steel toolboxes represent a midpoint between the structural toughness of a steel box and the rust resistance of an aluminum one. They avoid rust, without needing additional coating. It's not entirely corrosion resistant and needs to be maintained in environments like coastal areas or areas with a high salt content in the air.

Whichever option you decide to go with, you'll want to make sure your storage box is kept in good condition. Clean it, oil it up, fasten it securely and try avoid denting and damage.

Don't Neglect Security

We mentioned safety in our previous point, but there's another side to this safety that's crucial to any toolbox buy.

These are boxes you leave attached to the back of your open truck bed. Your vehicle, which is going to be parked and, conceivably, left unattended for periods of time while you're out.

You need a box that locks.

This locking mechanism needs to actually be quite sophisticated, in many cases, because a simple hasp system could be broken. Without being too alarmist, trucks with attached toolboxes make for easy and attractive targets for burglars and other thieves.

Heavy duty latches should be inset into the box itself, to help them stand up against crowbars and screwdrivers. Boxes should be firmly attached to the truck itself, so that thieves don't just unscrew them and remove the entire box, along with its contents.

A high-quality box will not only keep your belongings from sliding around and damaging each other and your truck but keep them safe from theft.

One Size Doesn't Fit All

No matter the style, layout, materials or security of your box, the entire affair is a lesson in pointlessness if you bring home a toolbox that doesn't fit.

An old saying comes to mind: "Measure twice, cut once".

Before committing to a truck toolbox, make sure you get your measurements right.

Looking into a top-mounted case? It's going to be less than useful if it doesn't fit into your truck bed.

Got a new cross bed? They might be easy to get in, but you could still get one that doesn't fit your bed perfectly.

In your quest to find a box that fits, you'll find down-sized and full-sized varieties. These will work for small, mid-sized and larger beds, and it's important to find the range that fits your layout best.

Check the box measurements, length and breadth, of the bed and make sure you have a box that fits. Figure out the depth of your box as well, and see if that aligns with your needs.

And remember -- asymmetrical boxes may look great, but require even more measurements to make sure they'll fit.

Find The Right Truck Toolbox For Your Needs

Finding a toolbox for your truck, much like finding the truck itself, requires a bit of forethought. You've got to be aware of what your measurements are, and what the truck's likely to be used for. You've also got to find something that keeps your tools safe and secure and, honestly, looks halfway decent as well.

Interested in learning more about these and other truck toolbox products? Get in touch with us today, and install a quality product in your truck.