The Best Storage Options for Organizing your Truck Bed

The struggle to keep your truck bed organized is never ending. Sure, you can just throw everything you need in the bed of the truck, but I don't want to spend my day digging around looking for the one tool I need when I could be getting things done, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to either. This isn't even the worst of it. When you consider the potential damage to your gear, the wasted space, and just the general clutter keeping you from getting what you need when you need it–a solution seems less like a convenience and more like a project-saving necessity.

Today, we're going to take a look at the pros, cons, and features of a variety of truck bed storage and organization options. Making sure you have the right tools for the job is the first step to completing any project, but the second step is finding those tools. So let's take a look at some of our favorite ways to get the job done.

Truck Bed Tool Boxes

The first, and likely the most obvious method of truck bed storage is a tool box. They're a great catch-all for any tools or supplies you want to keep locked down and protected from the elements. While they don't always do the best job of remaining clutter-free, if protection and security are your concerns then a tool box is precisely what you're looking for.

Tool boxes can come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, so it's likely that you'll find one that fits your specific use case. But there are a few standardized designs to mention. Crossover tool boxes are the most common style, and they have "wings" that attach to the sides of your truck bed. A chest tool box is similar, but lacks the attachment points to the side walls. This allows it to move wherever it's needed, but it's not nearly as stable as one that's mounted to the bed itself (which is less of a problem if you have other organization methods in place, more on that shortly).

Other than the more traditional (i.e. cube-like) tool boxes on the market, there are some niche options that can expand your storage capability. Wheel well tool boxes sit over your wheel well and give you that little extra to organize small parts and tools–and side rail tool boxes serve that same purpose while mounting to the sides of your truck bed (shocking I know).

Note: Most side rail tool boxes will not be compatible with Ram Boxes. Although it is worth noting that the Ram Box serves a very similar function. Make sure to utilize our tool box fitguide for compatibility concerns.

Wheel well tool boxes are great for using space that's normally very difficult to utilize effectively

Side rail tool boxes are a great add-on when you want ease-of-access and security

This crossover tool box is anchored to the sides of the truck bed for stability and easy access

This chest tool box sits freely in the truck, giving it some versatility–but at the cost of stability

Truck Bed Tonneau Covers

Tonneau covers are less of a storage option in and of themselves, but they are able to support other storage options. Covering your truck bed not only allows for the things inside to be protected from the elements, but from the prying eyes of would-be thieves (generally a visual deterrent is enough to keep people from rummaging through your things). To learn more about the various types of tonneau covers click here to read our article about selecting a tonneau cover.

While soft tonneau covers are great for security, protection, and ease-of-use, hard tonneau covers or camper shells can turn your truck bed into a large, enclosed cargo area–perfect for utilizing other storage methods that may not be able to handle highway winds on their own (we will get to those shortly).

A soft tonneau cover is perfect if security is less of a factor than protection from the elements

Hard covers are more rigid, and can easily be used with other storage options, as seen here

Retractable tonneau covers are extremely easy to use, but the chamber for housing the cover can take up valuable storage space

A hatch-style cover or camper shell can turn your truck bed into an enclosed storage space, not unlike a trunk in an SUV

Tonneau covers are also highly vehicle specific, and your compatibility may vary wildly from setup to setup. Make sure to utilize our fitguide by clicking the link or the button below!

In-Bed Storage Options

We mentioned before how a tonneau cover (or other bed cover) can support other storage solutions–this is exactly what we meant. In-bed systems can be as simple as a cargo bar that partitions out part of your truck bed–or as complicated as a full custom truck bed slide-out system to give you extra access to all of your supplies. These systems are generally paired alongside a tonneau cover or camper shell for added security.
The biggest strength of these systems is flexibility, as many of them can be customized to specifically fit your needs, and can be easily adjusted as those needs change. If you find yourself needing different supplies day after day, a highly customizable system like these will be perfect.

A cargo bar is sometimes all that's needed to step up your organization game.

A custom slide-out truck bed system will help you find your supplies when you need them, and help them stay organized when you don't

This Tmat slide-out truck bed mat system allows you to organize your things in your truck bed and is fully customizable, but requires a tonneau cover or camper shell for security if you're hauling large or particularly tall items

Additional Accessories for Truck Organization

If the problem you're facing isn't organization but instead capacity then there are still options for you. A truck bed extender will give you the ability to haul cargo that is too large or unwieldy to normally fit in your truck bed. Ladder racks are also a very popular way to store supplies on your truck without needing to take up valuable real estate in the truck bed–they can only haul certain tools by design (they specialize in ladders believe it or not), but they can be configured to haul other things too. Side mount racks operate similarly to a ladder rack, but only attach to a single side, and despite not being as sturdy as a full ladder rack (due to fewer points of connection), they're great for freeing up some bed space if you always need to have your ladder with you while you're working and won't often be hauling other cumbersome items that require it.

This bed extender is perfect for hauling a single kayak down to the water, but don't forget to strap in!

A ladder rack is obviously great for ladders, but can be used to haul other large or unwieldy supplies like these kayaks

A side rack may struggle with heavy cargo (for example, this one has a 200 lb capacity) but it's perfect for supplies that aren't too heavy but are otherwise difficult to haul

Organizing your truck bed may seem like an "extra step" sometimes, but the time it saves you will make it all worth it. Not to mention saving your tools and supplies from the potential damage of travel and from the elements. We may not be able to keep your friends and family from asking you for favors all the time (who knew that everyone needed to move so many heavy things?), but we can at least help you make those favors a bit less time-consuming. So stop digging through your truck, get organized, and get back to it!

About Jacob J

To say that my path to etrailer was complicated would be an understatement. I have always had a passion for helping others, and throughout my education and career as a social worker or community liaison, I have loved writing as a hobby. When I found etrailer and was given the opportunity to turn something I enjoyed doing into a career that helped people access information and products they need to live the best life they possibly could, I was instantly interested.

I am a lover of the outdoors, I have been loading and unloading trailers since before I was old enough to drive them, and have spent my recent years working in and around the automotive industry. And I am excited to share all of the things I have learned (more often than not the hard way).

I consider myself a perpetual student, and etrailer gives me the opportunity to learn something new every day and share my findings with others. Which is something I am extremely grateful for. I look forward to continuing to help people find the answers they need to make memories for a lifetime.