Rear Tool Storage (Milwaukee Packout) - Tundra vs Fold Flat Seats

I have a Tacoma now that I really like but looking for something bigger. I really like the Tundra but I own a property maintance compant so need a decent amount of tools. I was looking for something I could put Dewalt Tstak or Milwaukee Packout boxes in the back. With the Tundra's built in storage I dont see how these would fit but wanted to see there was way a way to put tool boxes in back that I was missing

 

Yes they fit . I have both the 3 and 2 drawers under the tonneau cover .

 

Think he wants them in the back SEAT. The crew max will absolutely accommodate the packout. It's ginormous back there, fold flat or not. You could also build a simple wooden shelf that makes the entire back seat area flat. Fold up the seats, cut a piece of plywood to fit the space. Wrap in carpet color of choice for non slip and non marring of interior surfaces. Add some short legs to support the part that reaches the footwell. You can store smaller items under the shelf, packouts on top. A locking tonneau would be better and preserve the interior space.

 

We use the Packout boxes for kitchen supplies when we go camping. We have a pop-up camper atop our Ram 2500 with fold flat panels in the rear seat area, and it accommodates the boxes very well. No reason this set up couldn't work for your tools. Note: I realize this is a Tundra forum but, unfortunately, had to switch to a 3/4 ton truck for the more generous payload.

 

Sorry I mean the back seat. Is this what they all look like? In this video he shows a nice built in storage that I think would block me from putting tool boxes back there? Or his this built in storage an option or something I can rip out?

 

Doesn’t look easily removable. Could still
Build a platform easy

 

I was thinking that but it looks like the seat drops right on to the this storage unit with no space. So if I build a platform now the seats might not drop down. I know there are some nice companies that make platforms but they are all rear seat delete options.

 

I went to an atlas 46 tool roll for my hand tools. And meter. Amazing the amount of stuff that packs in there. Downside is loss of quick access vs a box or tool bag, upside compact and light tool transport with great organization.

 

I have a hybrid so under seat storage is taken by the hybrid battery.

Behind the rear seats there's enough space to stuff my portable battery jumper, tire inflator, and some straps/rope.

Lifting the seat up, I did see this solution from @Paul Moll .



https://www.tundras.com/threads/3rd-gen-accessory-thread.99672/page-68#post-3031438

 

Which model of Tundra are you looking at? Pretty sure that picture is a double cab and not a crewmax. I was under the impression you needed to use the space for work primarily. If you need to switch back and forth between carrying tools and hauling people often, you probably want to invest in secure bed storage options. Like a decked system, a tool box, a tonneau or a camper shell.

 

What I dont love about that solution is I assume I need to pull it out to fold the seat back down? I can likely leave it that way 90% of the time but once in a while I might pick my kid up from school and he has two friends that want a ride home. So that could be a bit annoying or more likely I will bang it in to the door panel

 

What would you be doing with your tools that are back there in that scenario?

 

I would put them in the bed of the truck. Plus not every time I am out I run with all my tools in the cab. Mostly I want to be able to put tools in cab when I run with a lot of lumber in bed. So I guess what we are saying is the storage is functional to truck, no way to get it flat-ish? Reason I am really focused on this issue is really like my Tacoma and on paper the Tundra would be a great upgrade vs going to GMC or Ford. But main reason I want to upgrade Tacoma is more functional tool stroage so want to make sure I really solve that problem. If I neever had kids in there I would get a goose or similar rear seat delete panel (basically linex covered plywood)

 

You ever consider a Decked drawer system for the bed?

 

I was considering that. I have been down that rabbit hole - For the decked I found three nagatives/concerns - 1) I know in the F150 version the packouts just bairly fit at best so woudl need to see a decked Tundra in person to see how the drawers are sized. 2)Likely need to add a camper top for when I get supplies due to the loss of height betwen bed and cover. 3)90% of the properies I manage are in the in the city where I parallel park. Not sure if the deck system would clear the hood of the car behind me all the time. Some times I can bairly fold down tailgate and stand behind it - which is part of the reason I like to put my tool boxes in cab.

between the deck setup and the camper top I would be in for maybe $4000-5000. That is a lot of money to spend when my primary issues is being able to stack 3-4 packout boxes inside the cab when I buy lumber. I guess from where this thread is going there is no way to make seat-area flat without adding some sort of platform that means I cant fold the seat down.

 

You need a van

 

A van or a service truck with a tray style back and side open drawers.

Is this a side job or how you make a living?

 

Or I could just buy a F150 or a GMC Sierra with flat rear seat. But I really like everything else about the Tundra so was hoping maybe someone would say you could order it without the rear storage and then
without too much effort make it flat enough for a few Mllwaukee packouts. All I am trying to do is put 3 or 4 boxes inside the cab if I have a full bed. These guys make a mounting plate for the Tacoma so was wondering if anyone had seem a floor plate for the Tundra. Guess not..

I hae a full time IT job but we also buy and renovate rental property including a 'shore house rental' that is about an hour and a half from main home which is also where I keep a boat. So a van is out. I had considered Really I just want to store 3 boxes like this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O77RZJBrJa4

 

Or buy a 21 or earlier. Plenty of room for packouts

 

That is what I was missing, I did see a free videos where storage was two levels but generally flat. Didn't realize that was earlier generation. That setup is much better (at least for me)

 

The 14-21 has two levels, the upper level that is exposed when you fold the seat bottoms up is big. Big enough for packouts for sure. You could also rethink your tool storage to fit your truck as well. Don’t let the packouts hold you back.

 

Ah, OK. Side business, doesn’t make sense to buy a vehicle specifically for that. I guess you best bet is an older Tundra or a different brand of truck that actually suits your needs.

 

You got kids and you want packouts under the seat? LOL! Ain’t happening buddy. Get a decked system or a topper.

 

I know I am in the minority, and such things are market driven, however I feel it is unfortunate and frustrating that we are forced to have a back seat in a pickup truck. I did manage to avoid it for 35 years.

 

Ford and GM still make single cabs

 

I showed an example wine where they mounted then in a Tacoma to the seat back with an adapter plate. So looking to put a few boxes in the rear se lat of larger truck isn't a stretch but I guess no one makes a plate .for tundra

 

Check out..

https://instagram.com/krugerconstruction?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ=

He built out his f150 backseat packout system pretty nicely. It may give you some ideas

 

Yes. I had those. However I wanted a new Tundra. I like my Tundra, however that doesn't change the fact that I was forced to sacrifice a foot and a half of bed space for a worthless rear seat I will never use. I like the truck enough that it was not a deal breaker. Just a simple observation of fact, and my subjective opinion.

 

I am a general contractor and run packouts. I made a simple bed slide that uses the grooves in the box. Plywood , strips and I use stealth mount cleat&feet to hold them down. Works awesome with no holes drilled. Weight of the rear boxes hold it from tipping. Within reason

 

Do you have pictures of the build out?