Article: Types of Truck Tool Boxes: Crossover, Chest, Side Mount & More (2026 Guide)
Types of Truck Tool Boxes: Crossover, Chest, Side Mount & More (2026 Guide)
Truck tool boxes come in six main styles: crossover, chest, side mount, wheel well, step and sliding drawer. Each one sits in a different place and suits a different job.
Pick the wrong one and it blocks your tonneau cover, eats your bed floor or does not fit your rails. This guide explains each type in plain words: what it is, who it suits, what to watch out for and what it costs. At the end there is a short checklist to match a box to your truck.
- Most storage, floor free below: crossover box
- Works with a tonneau cover or topper: chest (utility) box
- Keep the whole bed open: side mount box
- Semi truck or flatbed: step box
- Heavy gear, easy reach: sliding bed organizer
Truck tool box types at a glance
| Type | Where it sits | Bed space used | Tonneau cover | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crossover | On the bed rails, behind the cab | Low (floor usable under it) | Usually no. Low-profile ones may fit | Daily tools, most capacity |
| Chest (utility) | On the bed floor, behind the cab | High | Often yes | Deep or bulky gear |
| Side mount | Along one or both bed rails | Very low | Depends on height | Long cargo, side access |
| Wheel well | Over the wheel well | Low | Often yes | Small tools, unused corners |
| Step box | Side of a semi or flatbed | None | Not applicable | Semi trucks, flatbeds |
| Sliding organizer | Bed floor, slides out | High | Check height | Heavy cargo, tailgate access |
01Crossover truck tool boxes
A crossover box spans the width of the bed and rests on both bed rails, right behind the cab. It is the most common style on work trucks. You may also see it called a saddle or cross-bed box.
- Large capacity in one lockable box
- Bed floor stays free under it
- Easy to reach from either side
- Standard boxes usually clash with tonneau covers
- Can block your view of a gooseneck or fifth wheel hitch
- Width must match your bed
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02Chest (utility) truck tool boxes
A chest box sits on the bed floor, usually against the front of the bed. It stays below the rail line. Because of that it often works with tonneau covers and toppers. It is also easier to move from one truck to another.
- Deep space for power tools and bulky gear
- Low profile keeps rear visibility clear
- Easier to remove than a crossover
- Uses bed floor you could use for cargo
- Less secure unless bolted down
- Less rail-to-rail capacity
03Side mount truck tool boxes
A side mount box fits along the side of the bed, against the wall or rail. It keeps the middle of the bed open. You reach your tools from the ground, so you do not need to climb into the bed.
- Whole bed floor stays open
- Tools reachable from outside the truck
- Fit one on each side
- Smaller capacity per box
- Some installs need drilling
- Check height against your cover
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04Wheel well and other special boxes
Wheel well boxes fit over the wheel arch, in space you cannot use for cargo anyway. Underbody boxes hang beneath the truck. Tailgate boxes swing down with the tailgate.
They hold less than a crossover or chest, but they cost you almost no bed room. Treat them as a second box, not your only storage.
05Step tool boxes for semi trucks
Step boxes are built for semi trucks, flatbeds and crane trucks, not pickup beds. Some mount on the side like a saddle. Others sit at the cab entry and double as a step. They are heavy, so check the mounting plan before you order.
06Sliding truck bed organizers
A sliding organizer is a drawer that sits on the bed floor and rolls out toward the tailgate. It is not a classic tool box, but many owners use it as one.
It suits heavy loads and gear you would otherwise crawl in to reach. It is also the most expensive option in this guide.
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Aluminum or steel?
| Aluminum | Steel | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Lighter, easier to install alone | Heavier |
| Rust | Resists rust | Can rust if paint is damaged |
| Impact and prying | Dents more easily | Tougher, harder to pry open |
| Price | Often higher for the same size | Often lower |
Every box in this guide is aluminum. Need steel? Contact us before you order.
How to measure your truck bed
- Bed width at the rails. Measure the inside width at the top of the rails. A crossover box must match it.
- Rail height. Measure from the bed floor to the top of the rail. This is your space under a crossover.
- Bed length. Decide how much floor you can give up for a chest box.
- Wheel wells. A chest box must fit between or around them.
- Cover or topper. Note its exact model, then compare its height with the box height.
Which tool box fits your truck?
- Run a tonneau cover or topper? Look at chest or low side mount boxes.
- Need the most storage in one place? Take a crossover.
- Haul long boards or pipe? A side mount keeps the floor open.
- Tow a gooseneck or fifth wheel? Check box height against your rear sight line.
- Short bed? A chest may take too much floor. Compare it with a side mount.
- Drive a semi or flatbed? Go straight to step boxes.
- Carry heavy gear you cannot lift? Look at a sliding organizer.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ordering without measuring. Width is the number most buyers get wrong.
- Forgetting the tonneau cover. Many standard crossovers do not clear one.
- Buying only on price. Check the lock, the lid seal and the material.
- Skipping the bolts. An unbolted chest box can be lifted out in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What are the different types of truck tool boxes?
The main types are crossover, chest (utility), side mount, wheel well, step and sliding drawer organizers. Underbody and tailgate boxes also exist for extra storage.
What is a crossover truck tool box?
A crossover box spans the width of the bed and rests on both rails behind the cab. It is also called a saddle box. It gives the most storage and leaves the floor free beneath it.
What is the difference between a tool box and a tool chest?
People use the words in different ways. For trucks, a "tool box" often means a crossover or side mount on the rails. A "tool chest" is usually a lower, deeper box on the bed floor.
Can I use a tool box with a tonneau cover?
Often yes with chest boxes and low side mount boxes. Standard crossover boxes usually do not fit under a cover. Always compare heights before you order.
Is aluminum or steel better for a pickup?
Aluminum is lighter and does not rust. Steel is tougher and usually cheaper. Choose aluminum for easy installation and weather, steel when impact resistance matters most.
How much does a truck tool box cost?
In our store, chest boxes run about $130 to $450, crossovers about $450 to $720, side and step boxes about $250 to $650, and sliding organizers about $990 to $1,210. Prices can change, so check the product page.
Browse every size and style in one place.
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Prices checked on October 13, 2026 and may change.