Recommendation on truck bed toolbox - Montana Owners Club

RCMP03 · 03-20-2022, 02:27 PM

With a RAM 3500 8-foot bed, I am looking for recommendations on a good quality (likely low profile) tool box. Ideas? 2021 Montana 3120

dieselguy · 03-20-2022, 05:45 PM

I have a Weather Guard and like it. It sits low enough for a bed cover if I had one. I used to have a Dee Zee, but the Weather Guard push button locking handles is way better, I think. You might expand your search to a fuel tank / tool box combo so you can pick and choose where you buy fuel better. RDS has one that has a near full sized tool box as opposed to other brands that have a tiny tool box that is about 9" deep.

PhilandRudee · 03-20-2022, 07:31 PM

I have a below the rails model from Tractor supply. The lid is a single lid with handles on both ends that operate the single lid latch. I went that route so I could keep my roll up touneau cover installed and cover the bed when not towing.

MandK · 03-20-2022, 07:53 PM

I have a folding tonneau cover so I went with an under tonneau box from UWS.

Champ · 03-20-2022, 08:42 PM

I have the same as PhilandRudee for the same reason.

RMcNeal · 03-21-2022, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MandK

I have a folding tonneau cover so I went with an under tonneau box from UWS.

Is that the BackFlip cover? I have a Retrax Pro cover on mine, but it has always leaked. Now it leaks like a sieve. If it is the back flip, do you have any trouble seeing your hitch from inside the truck to hook up?

MandK · 03-21-2022, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

Is that the BackFlip cover? I have a Retrax Pro cover on mine, but it has always leaked. Now it leaks like a sieve. If it is the back flip, do you have any trouble seeing your hitch from inside the truck to hook up?

Yes, it’s the F1, and I can not see the hitch to hook up because of it, but it has not been a problem.
If I’m alone, I just have to get out of the truck and take a look to double check once I’m close. I’d do it again, ymmv.

RMcNeal · 03-21-2022, 07:16 AM

I really like the look of it and it appears that it would be more waterproof than the retrax. Over $2,000 and might as well be a screen door when it rains.

MandK · 03-21-2022, 07:25 AM

Almost completely waterproof. A little water gets in near the tailgate when I go through a Tommy’s Express wash, probably because of those giant blowers.

RMcNeal · 03-21-2022, 07:45 AM

Good to know. I don't care for the roll up ones as they are hard to work with in the winter and don't really provide any security that a pocket knife couldn't defeat. I truly liked the retrax concept. Had a roll n lock on my last truck. Half the price and more waterproof but it tended to freeze to my tailgate during hunting season. Not good when you can't get to your bow or gun.

MandK · 03-21-2022, 08:06 AM

Robert, I misspoke on the model, it’s the F1, not the MX4. I was going back and forth between the two before I bought it and guess I got mixed up as to which one I bought. Damn CRS. Sorry. I’ll change my post above.

DutchmenSport · 03-21-2022, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

... If it is the back flip, do you have any trouble seeing your hitch from inside the truck to hook up?

I have a Bak Flip on my truck, and no I cannot see the hitch from inside the cab. First, mine is a full crew cab. Even without the cover, I could not see inside the bed of the truck because of the depth of the back seat. I can see the bed in the rear view mirror (some). But when I added the Bak Flip, I can't see inside the bed now.

My solution was very simple though, kind of what I did with all my bumper pull trailers. I placed a small piece of tape in my back window vertical near the top of the window directly in the center. I then painted a white line directly on the king pin hitch (the top flat part), I then painted a white line on the bed of my truck, directly in the center.

When backing up, I can see the top of the Bak Flip cover. There is a rubber part in the middle when it's folded over that sticks up. When looking in my rear view mirror, it's exactly the same size as the flat top of the king pin on the trailer. If these two are aligned, I'm heading straight to the king pin. Next, the tape on the rear window, the paint on the hitch, the paint on truck bed are also aligned in the rear view mirror (3 points of reference), when they form a straight line, I know I'm dead-on. When that rubber on the Bak Flip and the width of the king pin are aligned, I know I'm dead on.

The final step is to back up and hitch. I used the mirror on the trailer cap. It angles down just right to see the white line on the bed of the truck, and when I get closer the white line I painted on the Fifth Wheel hitch itself. When these 3 are in alignment, as seen from that mirror, I know I have about 1 foot more to back up. I can still see the hitch in the trailer mirror on the front cap, and then --- click!

I've got no problems hitching. I usually do stop right before the king pin touches the half moon shaped plate on the hitch, get out, and double check the height of the trailer. If all ok, one foot backwards and "click!"

As far as tool boxes go, I don't use them. I carry two of those plastic simulated steamer trunks I picked up from Wall Mart. They are low enough there is no problem with the truck bed cover, and I can easily remove them. I do not carry tools in them, I carry all my sewer hoses and connections in them.

RMcNeal · 03-21-2022, 08:11 AM

No worries. I was hoping to get something that doesn't obstruct the view, but haven't found anything that is also waterproof.

DutchmenSport · 03-21-2022, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

... waterproof.

Now, here's a good one for you. I've never figured this out why it happens.

My Bak Flip keeps the bed of my truck dry when its closed. It's never leaked that I know of. I've never seen water in the bed of the truck unless I've left the cover open.

But, it still baffles me how those black plastic simulated steamer trunks, with the lid closed, under the cover, often has a half inch of water standing in the bottom of them after a rain. But the bed of the truck is completely dry?

This has been going on for over 3 years now. Oh well, it gives those sewer hoses and extra rinse!

Still, has me completely baffled. I just know, after a heavy rain, I've got to dump those trunks. Go figure?

We also have a Bak Flip on our (much smaller) Colorado. It's got 3 panels, not 4. It does not leak either in the rain. But when I take it through the car wash, a little water will get bed wet at the tail gate. As stated above, I think that's because of the high pressure water blasting at ever crack. They are not air tight you know.

Stix · 03-21-2022, 09:09 AM

You may want to look into the side tool boxes which fit in between your tailgate and the wheel wells. The tool boxes can swing out on hinges so you can access right from your tailgate.

RMcNeal · 03-22-2022, 05:02 AM

[QUOTE=DutchmenSport;1247046]Now, here's a good one for you. I've never figured this out why it happens.

My Bak Flip keeps the bed of my truck dry when its closed. It's never leaked that I know of. I've never seen water in the bed of the truck unless I've left the cover open.

But, it still baffles me how those black plastic simulated steamer trunks, with the lid closed, under the cover, often has a half inch of water standing in the bottom of them after a rain. But the bed of the truck is completely dry?

This has been going on for over 3 years now. Oh well, it gives those sewer hoses and extra rinse!

Still, has me completely baffled. I just know, after a heavy rain, I've got to dump those trunks. Go figure?

We also have a Bak Flip on our (much smaller) Colorado. It's got 3 panels, not 4. It does not leak either in the rain. But when I take it through the car wash, a little water will get bed wet at the tail gate. As stated above, I think that's because of the high pressure water blasting at ever crack. They are not air tight you know.
__________________________________________________ _______
I could understand the car wash causing water to intrude. I can't fit my F350 in a car wash anyway. Could the water in your plastic bins be from condensation as the temperature changes during the rain?

MandK · 03-22-2022, 06:41 AM

One of the reasons besides security that I wanted the bed cover was the ability to take the truck through the car washes without worrying about what’s in the bed. FWIW, I also saw a dually going through a Tommy’s Express. They have moving tracks that take you through the wash. Once on the tracks, the wheels don’t turn, they just sit on the tracks.
The wash down the street from the Sun Outdoors in St Augustine had the same type of mechanism, can’t remember the name of that one.
Check before using, the one I use in western NY can’t handle DRW, but it’s older style that I have to line up and drive the driver side wheels between the rails.

Wisconsin Retiree · 03-22-2022, 09:41 AM

I also did Tractor Supply lower profile box but because I have a slider hitch in a short box I set it down on 4x4's to raise it above slider frame edges & then rachet strap it in. I do this for simplicity if I need my box to haul wood or whatever both hitch and box come out in minutes.Box has way more than enough clearances from trailer and is very functional.

team bradfield · 03-22-2022, 09:47 AM

I have a switchblade cover, it does not block my view or leak, great product and you can stand on it if needed

twindman · 03-22-2022, 09:48 AM

I have a weathertech and I think it is some sort of low profile. Fits just even with or slightly under the side rails. Only problem is it gets wet inside at times, but I could never figure out how. Finally figured out it was condensation when the humidity is high (like rain) and then it is sunny outside. Still don't know how to stop this tho.

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