How to Measure Your Truck for a Toolbox

When you start shopping for a truck bed toolbox, there are a few pieces of information you’ll want in hand. Before you decide on style, size, or construction, you need to measure your truck bed to make sure you get the right box to fit your rig. Follow these three simple steps for measuring your truck bed to get all the numbers you’ll need.

Steps to Measuring for a Truck Toolbox

1. Measure the Distance Between your Bed Rails

   This distance determines the maximum width your toolbox can stretch. Measure the distance from the outside of one bed rail to the outside of the other rail. When you’re shopping for toolboxes, you’ll see two measurements for length: the wider top that sits on the bed rails, and the narrower base that fits between the rails.

2. Determine the Height of your Bed Walls

   For this number, measure how tall your truck bed is from the floor to the top of the rail. This measurement will let you know the maximum height of your toolbox. Most standard boxes won’t extend all the way to the floor, but some oversized tool chests might be taller than your bed and won’t fit properly.

3. Find the Distance Between the Base of your Wheel Wells and the Bulkhead

   Know how much clearance your box will have from the bulkhead to the base of the wheel wells on each side. Full-size truck beds, both long and short, shouldn’t have clearance issues. Shorter mid-size pickup beds might.

Buy the Right Size: Because many truck bed sizes are similar across makes and models, most truck toolboxes come in semi-custom sizes that fit trucks of the same class. Here are the two typical sizes you’ll see when shopping for a truck bed tool box – mid-size and full-size.

Mid-size boxes: as the name indicates, are meant for the beds of mid-size and compact pickups including Colorados, Tacomas, Frontiers and more.

Full-size boxes: are designed for the big boys like Silverados, F-150s, Sierras, Tundras, Titans and Rams.

Pro Tip: If you have a flairside/stepside truck, you’ll need a narrower toolbox.

Conclusion

Measuring your truck bed is a crucial step in finding the perfect toolbox for your needs. By following these simple steps and considering the size and type of your truck, you'll be well-prepared to choose the right toolbox that fits your rig like a glove. So, get those measurements, shop for the ideal toolbox, and keep your tools organized and easily accessible on your next adventure!