Trucks have long been known for their sturdy demeanor, for their singular sense of strength, and for their ability to weather any storm with remarkable toughness. Today’s modern consumer, though, doesn’t just need pure power alone; in much the way that people would have to renovate a castle to get a little more modern closet space, sometimes a truck needs extra storage space in the back that can be kept free from the elements. Whether it is a full set of tools, cement mix, valuables, or just your lunch, truck owners need storage space that is as tough and adaptable as they are. Three of the most popular types of truck tool boxes offer storage and security, each with their own style.

The low profile truck tool box typically looks like a Tetris piece; it has a larger top, to fit over the edges of a truck, and then a cavernous compartment that fits into the truck bed. They come in different widths and materials, and one of their unique qualities is that, because they fit snugly against the truck bed walls, they don’t touch the truck bed itself. This means you’ll never experience scratching or wear and tear on your truck bed from this tool box. It’s called a low profile because most won’t impede your rear view vision at all (some do compromise it ever so slightly); they slide right up against the cab so that the field of vision is never impeded. Some brands boast intense protection, like resisting up to 1,000 pounds of force (which is great reassurance for the construction site). If you’re worried about bulk or have difficulty seeing out of your rear view, this is definitely the option for you and your truck.

Side truck tool boxes are probably the most customizable of the bunch. If you need only a little box to keep a few things locked up in while you’re out on a job, there’s a side tool box for that. If you need a full sized tool box and don’t want to use up any of the length of your truck bed (particularly if you’re carting a lot of lengthy items like wood or piping around often) then a side tool box is excellent because, as the name suggests, it just sits along one side, taking up width rather than length. “Side” refers to the fact that they are mounted to the side, and depending on the model of your truck, can be molded over the wheel wells. They come in narrow, full length, and a variety of sizes that are pretty much guaranteed to fit your needs, and they have some pretty nice “comfort” features as well, like cup holders and drain valves; there are even side truck tool boxes with built in outdoor grade stereo systems, the ultimate in tailgate luxury! There seem to be no limit on finishes or materials, so rest assured that you can get something to match your truck AND its needs (with a little something for yourself thrown in!).

A third option are truck bed tool boxes that are typically not too deep and stretch the width of the truck bed, lying along the floor (and typically mounted in place; no tool box should be capable of sliding around in the truck bed). If you really need every inch of space that your truck bed has to offer protected and usable, this is probably the best option for you. You can purchase low lying ones or ones that literally “fill” the truck bed with top opening mechanisms. Alternatively, you can purchase smaller truck tool boxes that just take up a small amount of space in the bed and stay out of the way. This is a particularly good option for drivers who don’t want any of their rear vision compromised; the tool boxes typically lie so low that they are essentially hidden from sight in the rear view.

Between these three options of tool boxes, you’re sure to find something that suits your needs so that you’ll never have loose items rolling around and scratching your truck bed again. Remember, there’s no reason your truck shouldn’t be working as hard as you are!