How we made this guide: picks and specs come from our catalog and fitment data, owner quotes come from verified reviews and the guide was drafted with AI help, then checked and edited by Trevor Hall.
The best truck tool box for a full-size pickup is the Weather Guard 127 crossover, from $1,340; the 117 Extra-Wide holds the most and the 154 slim crossover fits mid-size trucks. The seven Weather Guard boxes we carry run from $885 to $1,340. The 127 holds 11.0 cu ft and mounts across the top bed rails with no drilling; 252 of its 272 owner ratings are five stars.
The rest of our truck tool boxes suit narrower jobs: a Lo-Side, a chest, a wheel well box, the 548 for flatbeds and service bodies (not inside a pickup bed) and the small UnderCover SwingCase, from $219.99.
| Pick | Type | Capacity | Lock | Bed space it uses | From | Warranty | Owner rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best crossover: 127 | Crossover, full-size | 11.0 cu ft | 1Key UltraLock push-button | Front of the bed across both rails, 20 in deep | $1,340 | Limited lifetime | 4.9 (272) |
| Best value crossover: 117 | Crossover, extra-wide | 14.4 cu ft | One Key push-button | Front of the bed across both rails, 27-1/2 in deep | $1,189 | Limited lifetime | 4.9 (221) |
| Best mid-size: 154 | Crossover, mid-size | 7.0 cu ft | 1Key UltraLock push-button | Front of a mid-size bed across both rails | $1,293 | Limited lifetime | 5.0 (3) |
| Best low-profile: 174 | Lo-Side, one rail | 4.0 cu ft | 1Key UltraLock push-button | Top of one side rail | $981 | Limited lifetime | 4.8 (16) |
| Best chest: 614 | Chest, below the rail | 7.0 cu ft | Automotive-grade, 1Key compatible | Bed floor against the front wall | $885 | Limited lifetime | 5.0 (1) |
| Best wheel well: 172 | Wheel well, driver side | 3.4 cu ft | Rotary latch, 1Key compatible | Over the driver-side wheel well | $935 | Limited lifetime | No ratings yet |
| Best underbody: 548 | Underbed, frame mount | 9.1 cu ft | Stainless compression latch, drill-resistant core | None: under a flatbed or service body | $930 | Limited lifetime | 5.0 (7) |
| Best swing-out: UnderCover SwingCase | Swing-out case | 1.5 cu ft | Key-lockable rotary handle | One wheel well area | $219.99 | 1-year limited | 4.8 (141) |
Owner rating is the average out of 5 with the number of ratings in parentheses. Outside sizes for every box are in our truck tool box dimensions guide.
How truck tool boxes mount, and what each type gives up
Every truck bed tool box trades bed space for locked storage. A crossover (saddle) box rides across the top of both bed rails, and the 127, 117, 154 and 174 ship with under-rail clamps and hardware, with no drilling required. A Lo-Side box sits on one rail instead, a chest sits below the rail and a wheel well box mounts over the rear wheel well. The SwingCase swings out from the bed side and the 548 bolts to the frame under a flatbed or service body.
A crossover covers the front 20 in (127, 154) or 27-1/2 in (117) of the bed at rail height, though flat loads can slide under it: one 117 owner with an F-350 fits 4x8 sheets under the box. A Lo-Side takes one rail and holds 4.0 cu ft. A chest sits on the bed floor against the front wall, so it takes floor space. The wheel well box holds 3.4 cu ft and we carry the driver side only. The SwingCase holds 1.5 cu ft. The 548 takes no bed space but needs clear frame rail and its own mounting hardware.
Weather Guard's own hardware video shows the clamp and bolt kit that holds its boxes to the bed rails.
To organize the whole bed floor instead, a Weather Guard Pack Rat drawer unit is the other route, from $1,335 in our range: see truck bed drawer systems.
How we picked these boxes
We carry seven Weather Guard truck tool boxes and one UnderCover case, so each pick is the best truck bed storage box for its job among those eight, not across the whole market. Specs come from the listings and quotes from featured owner reviews, not the newest.
Best crossover: Weather Guard 127
Best crossover
Weather Guard 127 Aluminum Crossover Truck Tool Box, Full-Size Standard, Bright Aluminum (127-0-04)
From $1,340 · For full-size pickups, 11.0 cu ft.
The 127 is where most full-size owners should start. It beats the 117 for most beds on two listed points: its body is 20 in deep against 27-1/2 in, so it takes 7-1/2 in less of the bed behind the cab, and it has the tamper-resistant 1Key UltraLock, where the 117 we carry uses the One Key push-button lock. The lid rides on gas struts and seals with a D-shaped weather strip. More of the type is in the crossover truck tool boxes collection.
Owners rate it 4.9 from 272 ratings. One short-bed owner had to adjust the box to fit and wished it were 1 to 2 inches shorter in depth. All four ratings at three stars or lower are on file: two say the lid does not sit level or close fully, two dislike the newer lock (one says it no longer sits flush and part of it broke or fell off within a month, the other calls it less well made, with a huge key) and two say the box is not built like older Weather Guard boxes. One 3-star owner on the lid:
“An issue I’m having is the front part box lid sits about a half inch higher than the rear of the lid and the latches are not adjustable.”
Weather Guard 127 Aluminum Crossover Truck Tool Box, Full-Size Standard, Bright Aluminum (127-0-04) owner · 3 out of 5 stars
Pros
- 11.0 cu ft in welded 15-gauge aluminum
- Tamper-resistant 1Key UltraLock, keyed alike
Cons
- Costs more than the 117 and holds 3.4 cu ft less
- Two of its four low ratings dislike the newer lock
- Listed for full-size trucks only
Skip it if you drive a mid-size truck (the 154 is the fit) or want more than 11.0 cu ft (the 117 holds 14.4).
Best value crossover: Weather Guard 117 Extra-Wide
Best value crossover
From $1,189 · More room than the 127 at a lower price.
The 117 matches the 127 on gas struts, seal and clamp mounting, then adds room: 14.4 cu ft against 11.0, in a body 27-1/2 in deep against 20 in. It costs less than the 127, which makes it the best value crossover in our range.
Owners rate it 4.9 from 221 ratings; just one is below four stars. An F-350 owner says 4x8 sheets fit under it:
“Easy to install, I have a F350 and I can fit 4x8’s under this which is critical for me and work.”
Weather Guard 117 Aluminum Crossover Truck Tool Box, Full-Size Extra-Wide, Bright Aluminum (117-0-03) owner · 5 out of 5 stars
The one low rating is 2 stars, about the latch:
“As other reviews have said you have to get into the bed and push this lid from the center to get this box to positively latch on both sides.”
Weather Guard 117 Aluminum Crossover Truck Tool Box, Full-Size Extra-Wide, Bright Aluminum (117-0-03) owner · 2 out of 5 stars
Pros
- 14.4 cu ft, the most of any box we carry
- Costs less than the 127
Cons
- 27-1/2 in deep: one review says it was too big to fit over the wheel well
- Listed for full-size trucks only
Skip it if you drive a mid-size truck or need a box less than 27-1/2 in deep.
Best mid-size truck box: Weather Guard 154 slim crossover
Best mid-size
Weather Guard 154 Aluminum Crossover Truck Tool Box, Mid-Size Slim, Bright Aluminum (154-0-04)
From $1,293 · Slim crossover for mid-size beds.
The 154 is the crossover we carry for mid-size trucks. It is the first stop among mid-size truck tool boxes, with the same lid, struts, seal, lock and clamps as the 127 in a shorter, lower body. Its page lists the Colorado, Canyon, Ranger, Frontier and Tacoma. Its three ratings are all five stars, one from a Tacoma owner:
“Durable and well built. Size fits my 04 Tacoma perfectly!”
Weather Guard 154 Aluminum Crossover Truck Tool Box, Mid-Size Slim, Bright Aluminum (154-0-04) owner · 5 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Sized for mid-size beds, 13 in high
- Same keyed-alike lock and seal as the 127
Cons
- Priced close to the 127 for 4.0 cu ft less
- Only three owner ratings so far
Skip it if you drive a full-size truck or want a box below the bed rail.
Best low-profile box: Weather Guard 174 Lo-Side
Best low-profile
Weather Guard 174 Lo-Side Truck Tool Box, 56" Bright Aluminum Diamond Plate (174-0-04)
From $981 · Sits on one bed rail.
The 174 is the Lo-Side we carry, so it is the pick among Lo-Side truck tool boxes. It sits on top of one bed side rail, the lid opens to about 90 degrees on a gas strut and the seal runs the full perimeter. It is listed for full-size trucks.
Owners rate it 4.8 from 16 ratings, 12 of them five stars; one four-star review reports a dented box and one box without keys.
“Perfect! Fits exactly right.”
Weather Guard 174 Lo-Side Truck Tool Box, 56" Bright Aluminum Diamond Plate (174-0-04) owner · 5 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Lower profile, about 13 in high
- Tamper-resistant 1Key UltraLock, keyed alike
Cons
- Holds 4.0 cu ft, under half of the 127
- Sits on one rail, so a standard tonneau cover cannot go over it
Skip it if you carry long or bulky tools: the 127 or 117 hold far more.
Best chest: Weather Guard 614 Compact
Best chest
Weather Guard 614 Aluminum All-Purpose Chest Truck Tool Box, Compact 7.0 cu ft, Clear (614-0-04)
From $885 · Sits below the bed rail.
The 614 is the only chest we carry and the least expensive Weather Guard box here. Its listing calls it a below-bed-rail box, set in place and secured with straps or bolt-down hardware. The listing also shows a full-perimeter weather seal and a 12V access port.
It is listed for 16 truck lines, from the Maverick and Tacoma to the F-150 and Ram. See the chest truck tool boxes for the type. It has one owner rating, five stars, so it is a pick on specs more than reputation.
Pros
- Sits below the bed rail
- Listed for compact, mid-size and full-size trucks
Cons
- Sits in the bed and takes floor space
- One owner rating so far
Skip it if you haul sheet goods or long loads flat on the bed floor.
Best for wheel wells: Weather Guard 172
Best wheel well
Weather Guard 172 Wheel Well Truck Tool Box, Driver Side Gloss Black Aluminum (172-5-04)
From $935 · Driver side, over the wheel well.
This listing is the driver-side box in gloss black aluminum diamond plate. It holds 3.4 cu ft, mounts over the rear wheel well with hardware included and has an EXTREME PROTECTION rotary latch and a 12V access port. It is listed for full-size trucks and has no owner ratings yet, so choose it on fit and specs. See the wheel well truck tool boxes for the type.
Pros
- Uses the space over the wheel well
- Rotary latch and a 12V access port
Cons
- 3.4 cu ft, the least of the Weather Guard boxes here
- We carry the driver side only, and it has no ratings yet
Skip it if you want a box that spans the bed or holds more than 3.4 cu ft.
Best underbody box: Weather Guard 548
Best underbody
Weather Guard 548 Underbed Truck Tool Box, 48 in Black Steel, 9.1 cu ft (548-5-02)
From $930 · Frame mount, for flatbeds and service bodies.
The 548 is the one box here that does not go in a pickup bed. It is a 9.1 cu ft frame-mount steel box that bolts to the frame rail under a flatbed, platform, service or dump body. The single drop-down door opens 90 to 180 degrees on two support chains, and a rain gutter and full-perimeter weather seal help keep water out.
Fit depends on clear frame-rail space rather than year and model, so measure the rail run and the room below for the door. Mounting hardware is not included, so plan on brackets rated for the box plus its contents. All 7 owner ratings are five stars.
Pros
- 9.1 cu ft of welded steel
- Three-point latching and a drill-resistant lock core
Cons
- Not a box for inside a pickup bed
- Fit is by frame-rail measurement
- Mounting hardware sold separately
Skip it if you want the box inside your pickup bed: choose a crossover, Lo-Side or chest instead.
Best swing-out box: UnderCover SwingCase
Best swing-out
UnderCover SwingCase Swing-Out Truck Bed Toolbox
From $219.99 · Small lockable case for the bed side.
The SwingCase is the least expensive box we carry, from $219.99 per case. It is a black case of ABS composite with a listed load capacity of up to 75 lb. The listing gives the case as 29 in long at the top and 15 in at the bottom, 8 in wide. Each part fits one truck generation and one side, so choose your truck in the garage on the product page.
Owners rate it 4.8 from 141 ratings; 122 are five stars and 4 are three stars or lower.
“Was easy to install, fits nicely under the tonneau cover, and swings out easily with the pull of the lever.”
UnderCover SwingCase Swing-Out Truck Bed Toolbox owner · 5 out of 5 stars
Two of the four ratings at three stars or lower call the case soft or flimsy plastic; the other two are about delivery and customer service. One of the plastic complaints also questions the lock:
“These boxes are plastic and not a very hard plastic. Although it has a lock on it someone could very easily break into it.”
UnderCover SwingCase Swing-Out Truck Bed Toolbox owner · 3 out of 5 stars
Four owners on file had latch trouble: three had to adjust the bracket or lift the case to make it latch, and one says the latch bracket blocks the access door. Another found the handles of a soft-folding cover sit right where the case mounts, so check your cover's latch points first.
Pros
- Takes little bed space
- Owners report it fits under many tonneau covers
Cons
- 1.5 cu ft suits small items only
- ABS composite, not metal
Skip it if you carry full-size tools or leave valuable gear in the bed overnight.
How to choose a truck tool box
Measure first
Measure the spot each box mounts in (the table above lists them) and the space behind the cab before you order. The dimensions guide linked above has the size ranges by type and the measuring steps.
Tonneau covers
A crossover (127, 117 or 154) and the 174 Lo-Side sit on the bed rails, so a standard tonneau cover cannot go over them; a crossover pairs with a toolbox-edition cover instead, as in which covers work with a toolbox. The 614 chest, the 172 wheel well box and the SwingCase can sit under a standard cover if the lid clears, and the 548 mounts under a flatbed or service body. Our guide to boxes that fit under a tonneau cover has the fit checks.
Security
Every box here locks with a key. The 127, 154 and 174 use the tamper-resistant 1Key UltraLock, which can be coded so several Weather Guard boxes open with one key; the 614 and 172 are 1Key UltraLock compatible and the 117 we carry uses the One Key push-button lock. The 548 adds three-point latching and a drill-resistant lock core. The SwingCase is ABS composite with a key-lockable handle, so keep it for straps and cables rather than valuables.
Weather Guard's own video shows how the 1Key UltraLock cylinder accepts a new code.
Mid-size or full-size
Pick the truck class first: the 154 is the one crossover listed for mid-size trucks, the 614 spans both classes and the 127, 117, 174 and 172 are listed for full-size trucks only.
Hitches and caps
If you tow a fifth wheel or gooseneck, measure the room between the trailer's front and a crossover box on a full turn before you order; the 614 chest and the 548 stay below the rails. With a cap or topper, a box below the rails is the simpler route, and one SwingCase owner says it still swings out with a topper on:
“Very handy to pull the lever and the tool box swings out for easy access even with a bed topper.”
UnderCover SwingCase Swing-Out Truck Bed Toolbox owner · 5 out of 5 stars
Care and lifespan
All seven Weather Guard boxes here have an ARMOR TUF powder-coat finish. Weather Guard's truck FAQ says its truck boxes carry a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects, with full terms in the manual. The 117, 614 and 172 listings show it too. The SwingCase listing shows a 1-year limited warranty.
One 117 owner who has used the box commercially for years says it never leaks, and the 174 has a drain plug. Weather Guard publishes guides to replacing a saddle box lid and a box door, so a damaged part can be swapped without replacing the box. One 548 owner put plastic tubes on the door support chains to keep them quiet on the road.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best truck tool box?
For a full-size pickup it is the Weather Guard 127 crossover, from $1,340. The 117 Extra-Wide holds more and the 154 suits mid-size trucks. For a lower profile, look at the 174 Lo-Side or the 614 chest.
What is the best tool box for a Ram 1500?
A Ram 1500 is full-size, so start with the 127 and move to the 117 for more room. The 174, 172 and 614 list the Ram 1500 too. A driver-side SwingCase fits the 2019 to 2026 Ram 1500: check that part's fitment table for RamBox and other factory options it does not fit.
What is the best tool box for a Tacoma?
The Tacoma is a mid-size truck, so start with the 154 slim crossover; the 614 chest lists it too. The SwingCase has a passenger-side part for the 2005 to 2023 Tacoma, and we do not list one for the 2024 to 2026 Tacoma. The full-size crossovers are not listed for it.
Do I need to drill to install a truck tool box?
Not for the 127, 117, 154 or 174: their listings include under-rail clamps and hardware, with no drilling required. The 614 chest sits on the bed floor and is secured with straps or bolt-down hardware, and the 172 mounts over the wheel well with hardware included. The 548 needs mounting hardware bought separately. The SwingCase listing says some trucks need drilling: five owners on file mention drilling and five say a plastic or drop-in bed liner had to be cut or trimmed.
Are truck tool boxes waterproof?
The listings describe weather seals and give no waterproof rating, so treat the boxes as weather-resistant. The crossovers, the Lo-Side, the chest and the 548 list a full-perimeter seal.
How much does a truck tool box cost?
The seven Weather Guard boxes run from $885 to $1,340, with four under $1,000 and three over it. The SwingCase starts at $219.99 per case.
Find a tool box that fits your bed