Truck Bed Storage Ideas: Introduction
There are as many truck bed storage ideas as there are shapes and sizes of truck beds. Your line of work and organization habits will determine which truck bed storage system is best for you. The important thing is to realize that you don’t have to put up with the chaos that can result from an undoctored truck bed that’s trying to store too many items.
Let’s take a look at some common truck bed storage ideas; as we do, think about which would be most useful for your business, as well as which would simply make your work easier.
Why is Truck Bed Organization Important?
Truck bed storage and organization solutions can completely transform how you use your truck and what you get out of it. Below are some of the key benefits of truck bed organization:
– Expand your cargo options: Investing in truck bed storage and organization solutions make your truck more flexible and useful by allowing you to safely transport a much wider range of tools, cargo, and equipment. Over time, this will help increase your ROI!
– Gain efficiency: With an organized truck bed, you’ll be able to access what you need more quickly and conveniently, speeding up your daily operations.
– Improve safety: If your tools and equipment aren’t stored securely, it can lead to distractions and even accidents on the road.
– Minimize workplace hazards: Certain storage solutions, such as drop-down ladder racks or truck bed ramps, can make your job easier and reduce the physical strain required to load and unload cargo.
– Protect your equipment: Truck bed storage boxes and toppers can help keep your valuable tools and equipment secure and reduce the risk of theft. Furthermore, they can help protect your tools and equipment from the elements, thereby extending their lifespan.
– Protect your truck bed: Keeping your tools and equipment organized and secure will protect your truck bed from scratches, dents, dings, and other damage. Truck bed toppers and liners can also help prevent truck bed wear and tear.
– Maximize your productivity: With all the benefits above in mind, you can handle tougher jobs and get more work done in shorter periods of time!
– Save money in the long run: By improving your productivity and protecting your truck, tools, and equipment from normal wear and tear, truck bed storage solutions can also save you money over time.
As you can see, adding truck bed storage is a smart investment that will help you get the most out of your truck. In the sections below, we’ll highlight some of the best truck bed storage solutions and accessories, so keep reading to determine the best system for your fleet!
Slide Out Truck Bed Storage
Slide-out truck bed storage – is a wonderful invention. If you need to store supplies in consistent places but don’t need a whole van outfitted as a rolling workshop, slide-out truck bed storage is probably your answer. Just stand at the end of the bed and pull out a drawer like a filing cabinet back at the office. It’s a type of convenience that we often figure doesn’t have a place in the utility-driven world of professional trucks. Because slide-out truck bed storage is so convenient and accessible, this investment can significantly boost your efficiency and productivity!
Truck Bed Drawers
Truck bed drawers and slide-out truck bed storage solutions are essentially one and the same: storage compartments that roll out on wheels for easy access. Slide-out truck bed storage systems can include just one drawer or multiple drawers, and they come in many different drawer heights to fit your specific storage needs. They can be further customized with drawer dividers and special finishings.
Decked Truck Bed Storage
A decked truck bed storage system is similar to the slide-out variety; a decked truck bed storage system simply makes sure to leave the upper half of your truck bed available for normal use. That is, it’s sturdy enough to have heavy things that don’t fit in drawers placed on top of it. If you go for slide-out storage, definitely consider whether decked slide-out storage is right for you.
DIY Truck Bed Storage
Believe it or not, Pinterest is full of examples of DIY truck bed storage ideas. Lots of people have made their own slide-out truck bed storage, decked and otherwise, mostly out of wood.
It’s great if you’re confident that you can put together a truck bed storage system that will hold up after years of use in all weather conditions. But for real peace of mind, why not spend a little more for metal and a warranty? Aluminum and steel will hold up much better than wood over time and better protect your valuable tools.
You’re busy; even if you could make a DIY truck bed storage system, the question is will you take the time. The question is also, “If anything goes wrong with it, would I rather be able to get it fixed for free or have to fix it myself?”
Truck Bed Tool Storage
This is a classic truck bed storage idea. Outfit your truck bed with an aluminum box near the cab for all your hardware needs from nails to axes.
This simple solution can be helpful for lots of people driving a work truck or even a personal truck. Or both. But if you’re already considering a farther-reaching truck bed storage system, consider a whole sliding truck bed storage system that includes a toolbox.
Truck Bed Ladder Racks
A ladder rack is a simple upfit that can make a huge difference when it comes to truck storage.
Adding a ladder rack to your truck setup will help free up more space in your truck bed and make transporting, loading, and unloading large and heavy materials much easier and more efficient. In most cases, ladder racks will allow you to carry an additional 500 to 1,200 pounds of cargo! Ladder racks can also help minimize the risk of workplace injuries while loading and unloading.
To learn more and explore different ladder rack options, check out our complete guide to buying a ladder rack.
Truck Bed Covers
A truck bed cap – or tonneau cover– takes an open truck bed and transforms it into a covered storage area or enclosed workstation, depending on the type and height of the cap you choose. This is a more affordable solution than upgrading to a full-blown service body, yet provides similar benefits.
A truck bed cap can help keep your valuable tools and equipment more secure and prevent theft. It can also protect your tools from the elements and help them last longer. If you go with a tall truck bed cap, you can even use your truck bed as an enclosed work area! This is a great solution for people working in harsh climates that need space for prep work on job sites.
Read more about truck bed covers and their benefits in our guide to finding the right commercial truck caps.
Waterproof Truck Bed Storage
If you work in a wet climate, waterproof truck bed storage is a worthwhile investment that will hold up against the elements and keep your valuable tools and equipment dry. Aluminum truck bed storage is a popular choice, as it’s highly weather-resistant and corrosion-resistant– less likely to rust over time compared to other metals.
To prevent water from seeping in through the cracks, be sure to look for storage solutions with high-quality weather stripping and weather-tight seals, such as neoprene seals.
Truck Bed Organizer
Truck bed organizers come in many different shapes and sizes. They can either be super simple or bring together a multitude of different truck bed storage elements, including drawers, cases, toolboxes, bags, and nets. Rather than have to piece together a bunch of different storage boxes on your own, investing in a complete truck bed organizer will provide you with a tried and tested, ready-to-use system.
Saddlebag-style cargo organizers are a popular choice for storing smaller items in your truck bed because they tend to come with multiple compartments and pockets. Nets and bags tend to be cheaper options than cases, drawers, or toolboxes, but they provide less protection and security for valuable tools and equipment.
If you can’t find a truck bed organizer that meets all of your specific needs, you should consider investing in a custom truck bed storage system instead.
Truck Bed Tool Box Organizer
If you’re looking to secure your tools and keep them organized, a truck bed toolbox is a must. Although toolbox manufacturers now offer a wide range of solutions to fit every storage need and bed size, the classic 71-inch cross-bed toolbox remains one of the most popular options. If you’re looking for something on the smaller side, there are some great toolboxes designed to fit perfectly into the unused space between your truck’s rear wheel well and tailgate.
If security is a primary concern, be sure to carefully consider the lock mechanism as well as the visibility of the toolbox. Low-profile truck bed toolboxes are less visible, but slightly more difficult to access. Another option is to get a tonneau cover that has a built-in toolbox inside, hidden safely from view.
Flatbed Toolbox Ideas
Toolboxes for flatbeds can be mounted under the truck body between the dolly legs and front axle to maximize space. This is the perfect place for storing chains, straps, binders, wheel chocks, extra tools, and other roadside equipment. Another option for flatbed storage is a rail-mounted cross-frame toolbox, which can either be installed in the front of your flatbed headboard or on the flatbed itself.
More Truck Bed Storage Solutions & Accessories
The truck bed storage ideas highlighted in the sections above are just some of the most popular solutions we offer here at Pacific Truck Colors. A few other great truck bed storage accessories to consider include:
– Straps & Tie Down Tracks: Straps and tie-down tracks can help you secure more valuable or sensitive cargo in your truck bed, providing you with an added layer of protection.
– Truck Bed Cargo Nets: Cargo nets are strong, secure, and flexible, allowing you to easily secure a wide range of loads in your truck bed.
– Truck Bed Cargo Bars: Cargo bars can help keep cargo in place and prevent shifting. They are typically adjustable in order to fit various truck bed sizes.
– Truck Bed Organizer Boxes: There are many different types of truck bed organizer boxes to choose from, including more secure and heavy-duty toolboxes.
– Truck Bed Ramps: Truck bed ramps can help minimize the amount of time spent on loading and unloading cargo and make life easier for your employees.
– Truck Bed Liner: A truck bed liner can help protect your truck bed and keep your cargo in place. Check out our guide to truck bed liner paint to explore your options further.
Custom Truck Bed Storage Solutions
Imagine having a designated home for each and every item in your truck bed, including all your cargo, tools, equipment, and more. You’d never have to waste time looking for a specific tool again!
The best way to ensure all your storage needs are met is to go custom with your truck bed storage. With over 75 years of combined truck customization experience, our Custom Truck Equipment Sales and Installation Department here at Pacific Truck Colors will help you find the perfect truck bed storage solutions to meet the specific needs of your vehicles and business.
We’ll help you come up with a truck bed configuration that will maximize your productivity, efficiency, and safety and completely revolutionize your day-to-day duties!
Looking for Truck Bed Storage?
What kind of organization you need from your truck bed storage system depends on your work and your habits. If you contact us here at Pacific Truck Colors, we can talk shop until, between us, we figure out just what would make your job the easiest it can be.
