Smart Truck Storage
Swing Case toolboxes save space by tucking into that wasted space behind the wheel well, and then swing out for easy access.
I store and transport most of my tools in a trailer, but I always keep hitches, gloves, straps, bungees, and a variety of hand tools in my truck at all times, and all that gear can really clutter up the cab. I’ve never been a fan of standard bed-mounted toolboxes because I don’t like giving up that valuable hauling space, and they get in the way of my retractable bed cover. One of the best storage solutions for the way I work is the UnderCover Swing Case Truck Bed Toolbox made by RealTruck.
Yes, these toolboxes do mount into the bed of my truck, but they sit lower than my cover—and because they mount in line with the wheel well, I lose very little hauling capacity. These lockable boxes are made of a durable composite material and have a gasketed top to keep the inside dry. But the feature that makes them really user-friendly is their ability to swing out (hence the name), so you don’t have to reach over the top edge or climb up into the bed to get at your gear.
While some trucks have wider beds, for my F-150, having a box installed on both sides makes the space in the bed just under 4 ft. wide, which means I can only slide in a couple 4×8 sheets of thin plywood in the bed under the boxes. When I do have to haul a bunch of sheet goods, I simply remove one box and set it in my back seat. And that’s easily done because these boxes can be removed in seconds by pulling the lever on the back, swinging them open, and simply lifting them up and off the mounting bracket, no tools required.
Each Swing Case toolbox is rated to handle 72 lb., and I installed mine in about 30 minutes. In addition to storing tools, these boxes can also be filled with ice and beverages for camping, tailgating, or handing out to a thirsty crew at the end of a swelteringly hot day. The boxes are made in different configurations to fit the specific model and year of your truck. You can buy them at realtruck.com for $240 each.
—Jeff Johnson, an electrical project manager in Minnesota. Photo courtesy of the manufacturer.
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