The Great Truck Storage Debate

[GMguy99]

Ok, my truck is an extended cab short bed that I use daily for personal use, plowing, and play. I carry with me most times, a hydraulic Craftsmen floor jack, 1- 19 inch tool box packed with lots of tools. 1 Husky tool bag packed with lubricants, plug kits, electircal connections, tie downs etc, etc, etc. Jumper cables, and two six inch pieces of 4x4. Under my rear seat is a blanket, first aid kit, spare plow hose & solenoid, CD Case, "emergency bag" with tow straps - water - contractor bags - gloves - flash light - 3lb BFH (Big Friggin Hammer), a sweat shirt, a fleece, and a rain coat.

 

I hate hearing things rattle around under my rear seat so I usually just toss everything under the tonneu cover but this is begining to irk me as well becasue there's just too many boxes banging around under there and when I use the bed I usually have to move them around to fit whatever it is I'm hauling around. I was thinking of getting a flush mount truck box to sit under my bed cover but then I'd loose that bed space for when I throw plywood, ATV's and such in the bed. I'd also have to undo the cover to gain access. Then I was thinking of getting one big tool box and putting everything in that and leaving it strapped to the head wall of the bed, but then I kind of lose the security of having a larger locking box. I'm not a fan of those wheel well boxes because most of the ones I have see actually come past the wheel well and my 4 wheeler would not fit past them. I saw some black Husky 26 inch tool boxes which look cool but they are steel and I'm concerned about eventual corrosion. What the hell do I do?

 

What do you guys use and what are some of the down falls of using what you use?

[ZZebes]

GM Makes a locking underseat storage box for the extended cab trucks.

[chris_kucia]

I have the same quandry.

 

I mostly use the truck as a commuter vehicle, but then haul plywood/drywall/etc on the weekends (I'm remodelling my house) and, in Ohio, I really need 4wd for the winter.

 

I carry a bunch of tools, winter emergency stuff, etc.

 

Most of the stuff I put in cheapo overnight bags I get at discount stores, then I stuff everything under the back seat. The bags keep things mostly quiet, but whenever I haul my g/f's dog I have to flip up the back seat, and toss everything onto the driver side rear floor so the dog has room to lay down on the passenger-side rear floor.

 

I've thought about those underseat storage compartments, but they're pretty pricey and not easy to lift out if I need the floor space or have to get to the factory jack.

 

I've toyed with the idea of building a two-piece under seat storage box. If I could build one where I could unlatch one side and either stack it on the other with the seat up, or toss it in the bed temporarily, that would help me a lot. Never seen one for sale, and I expect they wouldn't be cheap either.

 

It would also be cool if there was a way to lock the back seat down when using a storage box - then you wouldn't need a lid on it necessarily.

 

(Speaking of wishing for things, it would be nice if the seat belts didn't fall into the seat fold when you fold the back seat up. )

[torx]

this is what you need.

 

http://www.diamondbackcovers.com/promain.asp

 

They are aluminum/steel and will hold up to 1200lbs. They are expensive but work great.

 

it's lockable storage for the bed. You can drive your 4wheeler on top of the top to carry it and not have to move everything you store underneath. You can load your plywood or other building materials on top too.

 

I have one and it's the best truck topper or tonneau cover I've ever had.

[pm26]

this is what you need. 

 

http://www.diamondbackcovers.com/promain.asp

 

They are aluminum/steel and will hold up to 1200lbs.  They are expensive but work great.

 

it's lockable storage for the bed.  You can drive your 4wheeler on top of the top to carry it and not have to move everything you store underneath.  You can load your plywood or other building materials on top too.

 

I have one and it's the best truck topper or tonneau cover I've ever had.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

What is the price? Does it work with the factory side bed caps and the tailgate cap?

[ZZebes]

Those things look pricey and i wish they came in black powder coat.

 

On the storage box, the GM one allows access to the jack without moving the box. and it weighs like 35lbs

[torx]

about 1500.00 for the reg cab long bed one 8' bed, I would assume it would work with the side bed caps. The only problem I would see is that it uses the stake holes to lock the topper down but those are adjustible so it should worl. The rear is fine. It has a large rubber seal that makes it water tight. They do come in black. It costs more and is liable to chip so I didn't get it.

[sonjaab]

GUYS.........I have the GM underseat box. They are pretty spendy

now at around $400? bucks..............

I also need the bed empty and ready at all times............

 

There are a few other underseat boxes avail. for under $200.

But they have no cover.

Don't have the wed addys handy but will post if interested.

[donaldbc]

GUYS.........I have the GM underseat box.  They are pretty spendy

now at around $400? bucks..............

I also need the bed empty and ready at all times............

 

There are a few other underseat boxes avail. for under $200.

But they have no cover.

Don't have the wed addys handy but will post if interested.

 

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[Tucson_02Silverado]

Tuffy Products quarter bed box

 

Northern Tool quarter bed box Also have diamond plate version $100 more

 

Tuffy Products full length side bed box

[torx]

Ok, my truck is an extended cab short bed that I use daily for personal use, plowing, and play. I carry with me most times, a hydraulic Craftsmen floor jack, 1- 19 inch tool box packed with lots of tools. 1 Husky tool bag packed with lubricants, plug kits, electircal connections, tie downs etc, etc, etc. Jumper cables, and two six inch pieces of 4x4. Under my rear seat is a blanket, first aid kit, spare plow hose & solenoid, CD Case, "emergency bag" with tow straps - water - contractor bags - gloves - flash light - 3lb BFH (Big Friggin Hammer), a sweat shirt, a fleece, and a rain coat.

 

I hate hearing things rattle around under my rear seat so I usually just toss everything under the tonneu cover but this is begining to irk me as well becasue there's just too many boxes banging around under there and when I use the bed I usually have to move them around to fit whatever it is I'm hauling around. I was thinking of getting a flush mount truck box to sit under my bed cover but then I'd loose that bed space for when I throw plywood, ATV's and such in the bed. I'd also have to undo the cover to gain access. Then I was thinking of getting one big tool box and putting everything in that and leaving it strapped to the head wall of the bed, but then I kind of lose the security of having a larger locking box. I'm not a fan of those wheel well boxes because most of the ones I have see actually come past the wheel well and my 4 wheeler would not fit past them. I saw some black Husky 26 inch tool boxes which look cool but they are steel and I'm concerned about eventual corrosion. What the hell do I do? 

 

What do you guys use and what are some of the down falls of using what you use?

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

here's a couple more ideas

 

 

http://www.jpcustoms.com/store/customer/pr...&cat=264&page=1

http://www.jpcustoms.com/store/customer/pr...&cat=264&page=1

[nitro882]

I have one of the DU-HA storage units under the seat of my 06 ext cab. It works great. Plenty of room and super easy to install and remove should i ever need to. I got mine from truckaddons.com for around 160 and had it in two days.

 

 

Du-HA webpage

[redbugdave]

Hello GMguy99 and the gang,

I carry about the same bunch of tools as you do, also. I spend a good deal of time out in the woods and have to carry them out of necessity. I also have always used a bed cap with wheel well boxes. I use the wheel well tool boxes which open on the top and towards the shell...side hinge type. But some can be bought with end hinges, where the top opens up longways and not sideways. These wheel well tool boxes are narrow enough where you can lay a 4'X8' piece of plywood flat between them in the bed with room to spare. I also pop riveted some dividers inside to organize better. These wheel well boxes are lockable, but I would beef up the locks with heavier hasps and rigid metal under the lids...so the tops cannot be pried up without a topper over them.

[chevyguy_72]

Ok, my truck is an extended cab short bed that I use daily for personal use, plowing, and play. I carry with me most times, a hydraulic Craftsmen floor jack, 1- 19 inch tool box packed with lots of tools. 1 Husky tool bag packed with lubricants, plug kits, electircal connections, tie downs etc, etc, etc. Jumper cables, and two six inch pieces of 4x4. Under my rear seat is a blanket, first aid kit, spare plow hose & solenoid, CD Case, "emergency bag" with tow straps - water - contractor bags - gloves - flash light - 3lb BFH (Big Friggin Hammer), a sweat shirt, a fleece, and a rain coat.

 

I hate hearing things rattle around under my rear seat so I usually just toss everything under the tonneu cover but this is begining to irk me as well becasue there's just too many boxes banging around under there and when I use the bed I usually have to move them around to fit whatever it is I'm hauling around. I was thinking of getting a flush mount truck box to sit under my bed cover but then I'd loose that bed space for when I throw plywood, ATV's and such in the bed. I'd also have to undo the cover to gain access. Then I was thinking of getting one big tool box and putting everything in that and leaving it strapped to the head wall of the bed, but then I kind of lose the security of having a larger locking box. I'm not a fan of those wheel well boxes because most of the ones I have see actually come past the wheel well and my 4 wheeler would not fit past them. I saw some black Husky 26 inch tool boxes which look cool but they are steel and I'm concerned about eventual corrosion. What the hell do I do?  

 

What do you guys use and what are some of the down falls of using what you use?

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

here's a couple more ideas

 

 

http://www.jpcustoms.com/store/customer/pr...&cat=264&page=1

http://www.jpcustoms.com/store/customer/pr...&cat=264&page=1

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I like the first option here but what happens to you jack and stuff?

[torx]

here's a couple more ideas

 

 

http://www.jpcustoms.com/store/customer/pr...&cat=264&page=1

http://www.jpcustoms.com/store/customer/pr...&cat=264&page=1

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I like the first option here but what happens to you jack and stuff?

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

 

it goes in the box?