Bed Rail Storage for Roadside Kit

I'm looking for some advice/recommendations on a system to store items in my bed. I would like something that attaches to the bed rail, that can hopefully be easily moved or removed if I need to use the full dimensions of the bed. I am storing a few things:

Jumper Cables
LED Road Flares
Roadside Toolkit
A few Moving Blankets
Ratchet Straps and Bungee Cords

Something like a linemans toolbag woudl work very probably everything but the blankets. Just looking for some ideas, and don't want to spend a fortune or need one of the complex bed storage systems.

 

There's the swing case

https://undercoverinfo.com/undercover-swingcase/2017/toyota/tundra

There's also the Trail edition cooler/box storage, which a member here is selling off his truck, I just bought a pair off another member here as well to use them for that purpose.

 

+1 for the swing case. If not I would look at one of the Molle road gear systems if you are running a Tonneau; you basically strap all your gear on to it.

 

Yes I have seen the swing case, and it looks like the best solution, but its a bit more than I was hoping to spend, and once installed not as easy to re-configure if I need to wedge something in that space that needs the full width of the bed. I have seen the Trail edition Cargo boxes and love them in Theory but for what I have I really don't need that much volume of storage and it is even more difficult to remove than the swing case if I need to use the full size of the bed.

 

What about something like this
https://www.tundras.com/threads/diy-ammo-can-storage.1609/

 

This is a great question. I have been looking for similar storage that is out of the way, removable, and can also hold a spare gas can. The swingcase looks good, minus the gas can...

 

I have a swing case on both sides. They lift right out when you need the room. I usually throw them in the back of the cab. They are mostly a hassle when hauling 4x8 sheets.

 

I'm planning to do something like this at some point. Lots of options out there for handy bins - cabinet mount trash cans and compost bins seem ready made for this application.

 

I just bought this Tractor Supply tool box for this exact purpose. Needed something to fit under the tonneau and also easy to remove.

Keeps all my misc. tools, straps, ropes, etc. in one spot.

I’ve got it sinched down with some straps using the factory tie down hooks so it can be moved, removed, etc. in seconds.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...-in-texture-black-tool-box-chest?cm_vc=-10005

 

You have to drill the bedside to install,right?

 

Yes.

 

I have 2 of these strapped to the front wall of the bed. They have a seal on them as well for watertightness. https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-22-in-Pro-Organizer-Black-222571/205440492

 

And you also unfortunately lose your tie-down loops.

 

I've got similar requirements to the OP and have yet to find one worthy of clicking Add to Cart. My temporary solution is a plastic box that I put weather stripping on the lid and have affixed via bungees to the tie downs... it's not ideal.

That Tractor Supply box looks nice and has an offset lid, which many chest style boxes amazingly seem to lack (I would argue that is an absolute must-have feature on any chest style box). But at 20" depth, for me, that's too much bed space to give up even if I can remove it fairly quickly.

The link below is for one of the goofiest toolboxes I found. At 8" deep, it is arguably too narrow. But you could imagine this mounted up flat against your bulkhead. The 24" tall one would likely bolt directly to the bed rail system (using generic T-slot nuts off Amazon, IIRC those rails are right around 22" from the bed floor) and make for a clean look. The price is high, IMO.

https://www.protoolboxes.com/Chest-Slim-Design

Here's another idea that I've not ruled out yet. Now, it's a little goofy to put a tongue box in your pickup bed, but I, for one, hate the no man's land that 48" boxes create on either side -- that six or so inches of dead space between the box and the bed walls tends to fill up with leaves, pine needles, snow, etc. This one is still a bit deep for me at 18", but the price is right, has the notched lid, and quality looks OK:

$210 ARKSEN 33" Heavy Duty Diamond Plate Aluminum Trailer Tongue Box Pickup Truck Tool Box Storage Organizer with Weather Resistant Seal, Lock & Keys - Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z55Y3F...olid=2XM4RGU7WM3FK&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Here is the same idea and only 14.5" deep. This one is too expensive for me:

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Tool-Box/RC-Manufacturing/350980.html

Here's a plastic box that is maybe good enough:

$65 Plano Sportsman Trunk with Wheels, Black, 108-Quart, Lockable Storage Box, Rolling Sportsman Trunk, Hunting Gear and Ammunition Bin, Heavy-Duty Containers for Camping, Large

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HVCPT4...olid=3UEEUOYRPHYDE&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

To achieve a drill-free installation, I also thought about piggybacking off of this accessory. You could imagine a simple, short toolbox (12-14" tall or so) bolting to the bottom third of this and then mounting some tools above it.

https://www.victory4x4.com/product/VTU23BAM-PC.html

Their Molle system could also be paired with an inexpensive box or boxes that you bolt directly to it:

https://www.victory4x4.com/product/VTU23FMP-PC.html

Last but not least are bed rail boxes. I like these, would be easy to access, does not take up much space. They could mount directly to the rail system, too. At 60", this particular one would interfere with my rack system, and I have not found a shorty version. Of course, double the price if you want the sides to match.

https://www.amazon.com/Lund-9760-60...words=bed+rail+tool+box&qid=1609425035&sr=8-7

Good luck; let us know what you find.

 

Just held in with ratchet straps, or did you mount them to the tie down rail?

 

I like that -- inexpensive, can access from the sides, ultra-compact, and it looks like you have at least two points of attachment to the OEM rails.

 

Just ratchet straps.

 

OK so I got inspired by @NewImprovedRon's inexpensive solution above, this is an 81mm mortar ammo can ($19.95 at my local military surplus store) mounted to the rail system with two T-slot nuts off Amazon. I will give this a week or two before I commit to painting it, and will probably add a second while I'm at it. It's a bit narrow (5") but I like that it does not take up much bed space and seems fine for straps, etc.

 

You gave me an idea with this install. Now I am thinking to use this mortar box and mounting it horizontally underneath the bed using some preexisting holes from the frame across from the gas tank or something. I need to go take a look under the truck later, I'm curious. Location would be inconvenient but would not need to access often and it wouldn't take up any bed space and nobody would get curious since nobody would know its there.

 

I kinda think I will put a few tools and things in waterproof storage then hide them out of sight and out of mind inside the spare rim well. Much unused real estate in that spot. Won't go unused on my truck!

 

What hardware did you use to attach?

 

I like this idea. Please update with under the bed mounting pics. Great idea.

 

Will do. I just ordered the 81mm and 120mm mortar boxes. The 120 will probably be too long but I can always use it around the house.

Hopefully I can at least attempt this next weekend or 2.

 

Thanks for the list!

 

Amazon says it cannot deliver Seymour Truck Bed coating to central Oregon (due to it being a hazardous material), however, it seems to have no problem with other addresses that are not too terribly far away. Hmmm. Looks like good stuff, thanks for that recomendation.

 

I just ordered the locking kits and will pick up the cans and other hardware locally. I like the clean look you created and plan to do the same along with a kit for my brother in law.

 

Never knew those types of ammo cans existed. I'll have to look into this. Great thinking