Pickup Crossbed or Saddle Toolboxes......

hobbyfarm · Nov 16, 2004

Hey MossRoad,
I managed to get by TSC yesterday and look first hand at the little Delta box.
Not bad for a "plastic" box. That seemed pretty sturdy. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Man, I'll tell you what, plastic has come a long way. Not bad for the price either. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I appreciate the input, MossRoad.
phil

hobbyfarm · Nov 16, 2004

( ...and you never know when you'll see a 318 along the road with a free sign on it. )
Hello bontai_Joe,
I guess I got to move to a better slum area.
Seriously though, I live too close to Mexico /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif for there to be loose, unattended "free" stuff around here. You can't even find loose cardboard boxes here! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Yeah, Knaack is one of the brands that's cool. They look pretty well made.

( I do agree in getting as good a box as you can afford for the security of your tools. Around my neck of the woods, most contractors use Knaap (sp?) and they are built like a safe almost, but they also cost some serious money. )

I like to purchase my tools only once, so the lock really needs to be sturdy. That's another thing, you get what you pay for. 
Thanks for your input.
phil

DKinWA · Nov 16, 2004

I've also got the weatherguard aluminum saddle box and it's been a really good toolbox. Even though it's been a good box, the next one will be from ProTech . Protech is top of the line and most of the contractors around here use protech first and weatherguard second. Protech is spendy, but you get what you pay for. If I remember correctly, the protech saddle box runs around $600.

RobertN · Nov 16, 2004

I have a "Challenger" brand cross box. It has the features you mention. It has never leaked, the latches work well, and are tied together inside. Mine is a deep box, and holds all the tools I need. I have had it for a couple years now, and am very satisfied. It is fully welded. It has a faom filled top to minimize vibration and noise.

I got mine from Central 4WD, but they do not list is on thier website. I found it on the following web site though.
www.truckstuffusa.com/chalstorboxb.html
I think I paid about $225 for mine, but can't remember for sure. I did get a discount though. It was on thier display shelf, and had a little ding that is pretty hidden when it is installed. They knocked $50 or $75 off the price.

They have a black one too /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
www.truckstuffusa.com/chalblaccros.html

It appears to be much sturdier than the ones I have seen at Kragen/Checker, Autozone, or Home Depot.

My only issue, is with the deep box it is hard to get stuff out from under it, especially dirt and rock.

bgott · Nov 16, 2004

http://www.rki-us.com/storage_crossboxes.shtml

These are some of the best boxes available. I have the single lid in 14 gauge steel, they also come in aluminum. However, they ain't cheap! I gave a little under $400 for mine 6 years ago.

Egon · Nov 17, 2004

Can't give any recomendations about make of tool box but prefer the saddle type [ runs along the side of the truck box ] The crossbed gets difficult to reach stuff that somehow always gets to the center. It also limits the effective lenght of the truck box.

For expensive tools I'd consider aluminum or steel.

Egon

hobbyfarm · Nov 17, 2004

Hey DKinWA,
Thanks for the link. No, I'd never heard of Pro-Tech Industries.
I have seen those cab racks on the big trucks around here though.
Thanks again.
phil

hobbyfarm · Nov 17, 2004

Howdy RobertN,
I appreciate the information.
I have not found a dealer for that brand down here. It sounds promising though.
Thanks.
phil

hobbyfarm · Nov 17, 2004

Hello bgott,
Yeah I've seen the R-K boxes. It is the other brand my dealer says sells really well. I also have a brother-in-law upstate that's got one. What annoyed me about it was the cheesy cable arrangement for the latch-to-latch connection. Other than that, it looked pretty solid. though. Dollar for dollar comparison to the WG, I liked the WG a lot better.
Thanks.
phil

hobbyfarm · Nov 17, 2004

Thanks Egon,
Yes, around here I would definitely go with aluminum. Steel's too heavy [I may have to move this thing once in a while.] and will need painting every year or two.
Thanks again.
phil