Storage box in pickup bed

[moll672]

Anyone built a box for between 5th wheel hitch and front of pickup bed to store bits and pieces. Looking for ideas. Seen plenty of ready made plastic and aluminum ones but price tag is pretty hefty.I know one end of a screwdriver from the other so was thinking to build my own. Looking for input or pics of ones already made and suggestions.

[Cummins12V98]

lat471 wrote:
I just bought the same aluminum box as in the picture from TSC. On sale for $250.00 weighs less than 50 lbs empty. Your not going to do that with a homemade. One thing the big box now holds so much stuff I can't see the use for the rear box except it looks neat.:S

The big box in the pic is $1,000. Much heavier construction than what TSC has.

[Winged_One]

I didn't need to go all fancy. So I found a plastic truck box for a S10 on Craigslist for $20. It locked and worked and best of all it fit down in the truck so I could still use my Truxedo.

Unfortunately, when I got my generator, it had to take the same space, and I ended up selling the box for $20 and got a smaller box with a flip top and clasp, that works fine for small items.

Never used the bigger box to its full potential anyway.

[fred42]

avvidclif1 wrote:
Look at these, different.

http://www.cargocatch.com/v-style-3-lid-5th-wheel-rv-box-w-front-side-doors.html

I have this one:



I have had two problems with it:

1. I have one place I go (wife's family farm) where I have to go up a steep hill and turn at the same time. You can probably see the dent where the pinbox hits the toolbox. Has not broke through yet.

2. Unless you are real creative with zip ties, the RV power cord will lay in that valley and can get caught up on the center lid rim during turns. This ripped out my RV junction box in the pinbox one time.

[lat471]

I just bought the same aluminum box as in the picture from TSC. On sale for $250.00 weighs less than 50 lbs empty. Your not going to do that with a homemade. One thing the big box now holds so much stuff I can't see the use for the rear box except it looks neat.:S

[avvidclif1]

Look at these, different.

http://www.cargocatch.com/v-style-3-lid-5th-wheel-rv-box-w-front-side-doors.html

[Cummins12V98]

RoyB wrote:
I have always thought that something like this GOOGLE IMAGES PHOTO covered with the locking FOLD-A-COVER hard plastic folding panels and tailgate would really be the way to go... When unhooked it would completed hide everything that was in your truck bed...



Roy Ken

Tool boxes in pics are the best out there. Highway Products top quality. I lucked out and found one for $300 on CL like the big one in the pic. Bed height 30" front to back.

[moll672]

Thanks you have talked me out of work. Good points made. Hadn't considered wt of plywood compared to aluminum. I'll just add the box to my Santa list!! Love that set up in the red truck.

[valhalla360]

I doubt you could buy plywood, hardware and properly seal it for much less than a prebuilt unit. If you buy cheap plywood and don't seal it well, it will fall apart in a year or two. If you buy high quality marine plywood, the materials will cost more than a premade box.

Another vote for craigslist. When the truck we bought last year had a latch that wouldn't work we bought a notched V-gate for $40 which was cheaper than the parts to fix the old tailgate. (Ironically, we never came close to hitting the tailgate on the old truck but first time out we hit the v-gate. Luckily it just popped off the hinge with no damage.)

[powderman426]

Just keep an eye on Craig's list. I'll bet you find one the first week. If you have a long bed it doesn't need to be a below the rail type.

[rhagfo]

Have a Husky that sits flush with the top of the bed rails.

[shadows4]

Veebyes wrote:
Sometimes you spend more in an effort to save a few dollars. What is your time worth compared to the retail price of a nice factory box?

I have a nice plastic storage box. Right around $100. Works for me.

[RoyB]

I have always thought that something like this GOOGLE IMAGES PHOTO covered with the locking FOLD-A-COVER hard plastic folding panels and tailgate would really be the way to go... When unhooked it would completed hide everything that was in your truck bed...



Roy Ken

[Veebyes]

Sometimes you spend more in an effort to save a few dollars. What is your time worth compared to the retail price of a nice factory box?

Got one in the back. It is a combo tank & storage box. Love having the tank. On long trips I can play the 'who has the best fuel price?' game & fill right up when I find a good price.

[mike3939]

I think a homemade one would add lots of weight. Give that its easy to go over GVW I'd stick with an aluminum one.