First of all, Hi. We are the Rhodes family. My name is Chad. I am retired Army, and we are getting ready to uproot once again... and go into full time RVing. This is not a last minute decision at all. We have been discussing and preparing for several years, reading forums and blogs, and have decided this is the year. We made it official by purchasing a rig suitable for full timing. We have a couple buyers lined up for the house as of right now. If no one buys, we will rent!Now, a question... Those of you who carry tools. What kind of tool storage do you use? Since my tools (and I am not taking anywhere NEAR all of my tools) are a heavier item and I don't want to load them on the trailer, I am wanting to go with a decent, lockable, flush mount truck bed tool box. I have a 1TON Dodge longbed single wheel truck. I don't want to take up too much space, and I don't want to waste any space either. I will be pulling a 5'er, but there is plenty of space in front of the hitch. I pretty much know what I want, but want to know if I'm overlooking any options here. The tools are basic hand tools, drill/driver, sawzall, some miscellaneous maintenance tools. I figure for someone who is good at fixing things and building stuff, there is some money to be made (and some good deeds to be done) with a handy assortment of tools.Thank you-Chad Rhodes

I have always had a tool box in my PUs. The one that is level with the bed rails.

One thing to watch for with a bed-mounted tool box is if it sits too high you can't see the fifth wheel hitch. I bought one for my truck but took it out after my first trip.

Here is the one I have. I wouldn't travel without one, but I do have a regular cab.

Curious, why the across the rails? I had one a long time ago and hated when stuff would roll or slide into that black hole under the tool box! I went to a flush mount and never went back. I know there are the across the rails model with a single lid (which is what I like about the flush mount), but it just gets too close to the window. The gull wings are a pain to me (have a short memory and don't always remember what side of the box a particular tool is on).

I already told the wife there is no debating the issue. The flush mount sits below the bed rails and the truck has a camera mounted in the third brake light for the bed hitch... I know, I know... where's the fun in that? It's a crew cab, so not going to see it anyway without!

Truck tool boxes | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

NMDriver
Explorer
Feb 12, 2015
I have never needed a tool box when RVing. I carry most of my tools, compressor, sockets, jacks, grinders, etc, in the 5er outside storage, since the wife takes all the inside storage for her house stuff. I use to have a dog kennel next to the cab but now the dog rides in the back seat of the crew cab.

I use the truck bed for step ladders, spare fuel, shovel, chains, sewer hose box, water hose box, chocks, spare tire, and any long item that does not fit into side storage.
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Feb 12, 2015
psuce wrote:
Here is the one I have. I wouldn't travel without one, but I do have a regular cab.

Mine was a different brand but it did the job for 14 years or so. Be sure you can open it from either side, flipping just one latch. Enjoy your new adventure.
korbe
Explorer
Feb 12, 2015
I have a low profile box that is supported by the side rails and extend upward about 1.5" above the side rails. We use the area below - about 6" for fire wood and when not camping, longer items can still slide under to utilize the entire bed length. And this type of tool box makes it easy for me to access from outside the bed.
dalenoel
Explorer II
Feb 12, 2015
handye9 wrote:
Another benefit to under the rails, could be a tonneau cover, for when you're unhitched.

My tonneau is snap down, full cover and I have the above the rail box. They make one that is pretty tight to the box and covers all of the area. I agree you can't get a hard topped tonneau with the box above the rails.
handye9
Explorer II
Feb 12, 2015
Another benefit to under the rails, could be a tonneau cover, for when you're unhitched.
rhodesfam2003
Explorer
Feb 12, 2015
I already told the wife there is no debating the issue. The flush mount sits below the bed rails and the truck has a camera mounted in the third brake light for the bed hitch... I know, I know... where's the fun in that? It's a crew cab, so not going to see it anyway without!
rhodesfam2003
Explorer
Feb 12, 2015
Curious, why the across the rails? I had one a long time ago and hated when stuff would roll or slide into that black hole under the tool box! I went to a flush mount and never went back. I know there are the across the rails model with a single lid (which is what I like about the flush mount), but it just gets too close to the window. The gull wings are a pain to me (have a short memory and don't always remember what side of the box a particular tool is on).
psuce
Explorer
Feb 12, 2015
Here is the one I have. I wouldn't travel without one, but I do have a regular cab.
mabynack
Explorer II
Feb 12, 2015
One thing to watch for with a bed-mounted tool box is if it sits too high you can't see the fifth wheel hitch. I bought one for my truck but took it out after my first trip.
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Feb 12, 2015
I have always had a tool box in my PUs. The one that is level with the bed rails.

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Truck tool boxes

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