Storage suggestions

I’m looking for a storage container to put in the open bed of my truck. Something I can lock in place so it doesn’t slide around or walk off on its own. I’ve been using a metal milk crate that is bungeed in place but I always feel nervous if I actually have something of value in it - smaller power tools.

any suggestions?

 

Tonneau cover. Even a soft tonneau cover will prevent theft of things in your bed. If they can’t see it, they tend not to try.

you can get one for as low as $150 on Amazon

 

Get a hard bed cover. You lock the tailgate it’s safe. I leave my golf clubs in there and they are worth more than a few battery powered hand tools.

 

Thought of a cover but I’m trying to upgrade my milk crate that’s worked for years.

 

Defiantly a bed cover, thieves are much less likely to break in, if they don't know if there is a reward.
I think as long as you leave containers in plain site, you are going to gain unwanted attention,,,, and with cables and locks on them? even more unwanted attention.

 

Locks only keep an honest man honest.

obviously you are against a cover of any type, and personally that’s the way to go in my eyes.

if you spend money on any kind of case that looks secure and valuable, it peaks curiosity, even empty cases get stolen.

that said, Plano and pelican make some really nice cases that can be locked in with a cable, and pad locked.

I have this one that I rarely use, but it’s a beast. Water tight, lockable, and has cable pass through points to secure it to something.



The Milwaukee packout on top of it is the huge one, so that gives size reference. The Milwaukee one would be good too, but highly visible, so I’d avoid it.

 

I really like these. And you can buy mounting hardware/quick mounts.

https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/cases/cargo/bx135

 

Let me expand on this. You can buy mounts for that case specifically for the Tacoma. It uses the utility rails and it's pretty quick to remove it if needed. It's all lockable. Need at least three padlocks unfortunately, but it's secure. I had one in my Tacoma. It was spendy, but the best solution I could find at the time.

 

I'm continually bolting things to the rails as I try different mounts and such. My first question for you is whether it's a requirement to easy/quickly move the box in the bed, or if it can be bolted and left in place. Several vendors on here (myself included) offer things that would give you a point to mount a box to the bed if you're willing to drill a couple holes in the storage box. If you do this, make sure you space it off the mount enough to allow the lid to open while in place.

For the boxes themselves, there are more and more 'pelican' cases out there available from a variety of stores at a wide range of prices, and many of the big tool companies have awesome molded boxes that are tough and seal nicely. Pay attention to the seal part, because once you move from a milk crate that drains easily to anything else, water can be an issue. Usually the bottom holds water just fine even if the lid leaks, and then you end up with rusty/moldy/wet gear. I put silicone around any mounting holes in the boxes that I drill and mount. It never ceases to amaze me where water can and will go.

Pic just for reference, where I mounted an ammo can to the rail to hold my Leitner hose:

 

Du Ha makes some I think.

 

I want to thank everyone for their replies- it appears the next full step up from a milk crate gets you into the inexpensive full cover. Which is more than I think I want. I like to just toss things (boxes, luggage, kids, mother-in-law) in the back and go. If I need more security I’ll continue to lock tools in the cab.

anyone got a cover I could borrow to see if I can get use to it?

 

I have a cap, but in there I also have a contico suv bin.
https://www.afmo.com/Contico-SUV-Tuff-Bin-3514NLBK-p/365-00100.htm

I attached nylon boat cleats to each side and use a pair of SS turnbuckles with snap hooks to attach to each of the bedsides in the front in the floor. I also have a thick cable lock that locks it to the truck. Then I mounted some quick fists to it for carrying various things on top. I keep my EDC gear in there works great, good use of space.

also, just grabbed the link above. I think I bought mine at farm & fleet or tractor supply for like $30