Truck Bed Storage Buyer’s Guide: Top Options For Your Gear

Adding storage capability maximizes a pickup's available bed space, no matter whether it's a heavy-duty long-bed truck, a midsizer with a short bed, or any other configuration. Containing cargo offers security and organization while also preventing your stuff from rolling around. How much payload the storage unit can handle depends on its setup (soft storage versus hard compound makes a difference, for example), so be sure to read the manufacturer's specs if you're anticipating hauling heavier items, or if adding significant weight to the truck is a consideration. You'll also want to check the product's dimensions related to the truck's maximum bed length.

Some truck bed storage offerings come with a built-in lock; others require a padlock. If a weatherproof/waterproof setup is something you need from your truck bed storage unit, be sure to check how well they seal out moisture and dust. As the price swells, so will the list of standard conveniences. The truck bed storage products listed here include prices that were approximate when this article was published, so keep that in mind when shopping as prices may have changed.

The Decked Drawer System is all about heavy-duty drawers—we're talking a roughly 200-pound capacity per drawer—custom fit to your make/model pickup. Urethane wheels and a handle? Yes. The rugged polyethylene drawers are weatherproof as well as resistant to UV rays and high temperatures. For added security, the system locks when the tailgate is locked. More info: decked.com

The Cargo Ease Base Locker can handle 600 pounds per drawer and can be purchased as a single- or dual-drawer setup. It comes in 24- to 48-inch widths and is 12 inches tall and 10 inches deep. The locker features an aluminum frame and a liner made of automotive-grade carpeting. It also comes with bracketry should you want to add a Cargo Ease slider, too. More info: realtruck.com

We didn't slip a tonneau into this story by accident. The aluminum-frame Stowe 2-in-1 unit is not only protection for whatever is in the truck bed, but the separate "toolbox" can store up to 400 pounds of stuff. Plus, the two compartments are secure and keep out water and dust. More info: stowecargo.com

Here's a solution for storing mountable cargo, such as flashlights, shovels, and tools: MOLLE Grip Clamps from Putco. Each grip has a MOLLE mount plate that attaches to the MOLLE panel. Transportation-grade rubber is at the heart of the heavy-duty quick fist clamp system, while the mount panel is made from fiber-reinforced polymer. The whole proposition is a bolt-on installation. Kits can handle 50 to 150 pounds. More info: putco.com

The SaddleBag from Truck Luggage has a lower compartment, outer pockets, and two storage compartments. Designed for an open-rail bed, the SaddleBag mounts behind the wheelwell, and it's weather-resistant and portable. More info: truck-hero.com

As the name suggests, Lund's Chest Flush Mount Boxes mount flush to ensure you don't lose any visibility. The secure paddle has a comfortable grip, and the boxes are made from aluminum diamond-plate or steel. Sizes range from 36 to 60 inches. More info: lundtruck.com

If you've been wishing that a combination foldaway tool and cargo box existed, consider your wish granted. The BAK BakBox 2 Toolboxes function as storage for tools and other items, then when the tonneau cover is closed (which needs to be a BAK tonneau), they're sealed and out of sight. The aluminum units are designed to be mounted at the front of the bed, and the box is collapsible when not in use. More info: summitracing.com

The Dee Zee Special Narrow Crossover Toolbox is particularly handy if space is an issue in your truck bed. It's made from non-rusting aluminum and includes lockable paddle handles, adjustable strikers, and dampened gas shocks for the lid, which also has a hidden hinge. More info: deezee.com

If you're looking for truck bed storage that's drawer-based, lockable, and weather-resistant, you'll want to consider the Tuffy Heavy-Duty Security Drawer. It has a slide system for smooth operation and a Pry-Guard II locking system with a quarter-inch-thick steel latch and anti-twist push-button lock. The drawer is constructed of steel and is available in 10- and 16-inch heights. More info: tuffyproducts.com

The UnderCover SwingCase makes storing—and grabbing what you've stored—convenient since it's installed at the tailgate and within arm's reach. It's also weather-resistant and lightweight, should you want to take it with you away from the truck. If you have an UnderCover tonneau cover, there's no fitment issue, even if you add a drawer on both sides of the bed. More info: undercoverinfo.com

The DU-HA Tote is four-wheel rolling storage that you can slide into the pickup bed and then take out and cart around when you're at your destination. It features organizers, dividers, and utility trays, has three latches for padlocks, and uses a seal-type lid to keep out dust and moisture. It's made from polyethylene and equals more than 5.1 cubic feet of storage. More info: du-ha.com

The Weather Guard Pack Rat Drawer is steel-made bed storage with a roll-out drawer, three compartments (and 12 dividers), and one-touch latch capability for one-handed operation. The storage compartments measure 8.5 inches tall, 9.75 inches wide, and 21 inches long. More info: 4wheelparts.com