Ok Vendors, Fabricators, etc. I'll give you this idea for free!!!

How about somebody come up with a better storage solution for the guys with factory tonneau covers on their trucks. I'm talking about a box that you can leave in the bed (permanently if you wish) or take out when you need more room. This would be like a truck box but have better features. Ideally, it should have the ability to be accessed from the top or the rear from either side of the truck and/or roll out from the front section of the folded tonneau (this is inconvenient to bolt and unbolt frequently). Perhaps mount to the railing system, but have the ability to handle some weight. Some of this weight could be supported by the existing inner fender wells, but the box itself shouldn't be heavier than a single person can handle. It should be big enough for recovery gear, jumper cables, fold up shovels, some tools, and the kind of things one keeps in a truck box. It should be water tight to some degree i.e., not drip on cargo below it. That's the other thing; keep the area below the wheel wells totally open for those long items one needs to carry such as paddles, long shovel, axe, small children (you are paying attention!), what ever else, etc. There is one company out there that has something similar, but not even close to as many features as I've described here, plus not sure if it would work with the factory tonneau anyway. I couldn't get a clear answer from the rep I spoke with.

Here is a real rough ghetto illustration that I whipped up, cuz I had nothing better to do at work today.


Obviously, the yellow lines are the border.
The red areas are compartment lid and door or drawer.
The blue area would be the latches.
The green area for possible rail mounts.
The lighter blue area is for the bottom of the tonneau.
The pink area is under the box and also protecting the innocent.
The black also is to protect the innocent. Haha!

This should get lots of laughs but it's a damn good idea!

 

Like Nissan utili-track?

 

Yeah, sort of like this but better.
Nissan utili-track

 

@KB Voodoo

 

I must be dumb today, I couldn't find anything on their website resembling a cargo box.

 

That is a bitchin' bed rack tho!

 

We don't have anything like this.

But, I started this design last year. I even bought the latch for the lid and the hinges, and the pistons. I just never got around to finishing it.

If this thread gets enough heat, I'll finish it up.

It was going to be black texture powder coated steel, and the lid was going to be aluminum.

Now, I have a new material cutter (all laser), so he's much better with aluminum. So if I complete it, it will be all aluminum. Easier on shipping cost.

 

Ha! If this thread gets enough heat, I'll be hopefully on the short list of peeps to try it out! I'll give you all the feedback you can handle.

 

That would be pretty sweet, a rail mounted drawer system that fits underneath the tonneau cover. Id be interested in one.

 

Where do you guys want the lid? On top, or on the back?

 

Oh, btw, I just decided that I'm making this.

 

Yeah me too! My curse is that I'm so picky about the products that I want for my vehicles, that I'm just too busy with my biz to venture into uncharted territory. I used to build some kickass bumpers for SAS Toyotas but just don't have the time anymore.

 

That's the key! It would be universal with both!! I mean why not, it's just money, right?

 

You'll be my BFF if you do! Any discount for the idea?

 

I think we can work something out.

 

What lid? I'm thinking of a drawer system like you see in the back of SUVs cause if it's at the front of the bed with the tonneau cover on it, even if it's folded up you won't be able to access it if you have you have a lid on it. At least this is my thought on it.

 

Yeah that's one idea I don't mind, but what if the whole box was a rollout, that way you could still access the top lid with the tri-fold factory tonneau still bolted to the truck. This could be incorporated into the factory rail system.

Want me to really throw you a curve? Make it modular and have the ability to use 3 of them front to back under the tonneau. You might need an oddball one to fit the long beds but I bet you could actually lock them together and also lock them individually.

 

Ah yes, so it rolls out from under the tonneau then you can access the lid. Both would be nice options I think.

 

I think so too, that way it gives you the option to access it however practical for the other gear you are hauling or not.

 

I have a Leer cap, so I don't really need the storage box. But I think it is a great idea, and I would consider it if I did not have the topper.

That said, I am keeping an eye on decked.com because rumor has it they want to make one of these for Tacomas.