A Buyer's Guide to Semi Truck Tool Box Storage

If there's one thing that a truck driver needs it's more storage space. Buying the right heavy-duty commercial truck storage boxes is one of the most useful purchases you can make.

Here are some of the best aftermarket semi truck toolboxes to improve your storage capacity while adding style to your big rig. 

In this guide, we'll cover the different brands, materials, and design options you can choose from. 

Why Every Driver Needs a Semi Truck Toolbox

• Organization and accessibility on the road.
• Protecting tools from theft and weather.
• Maximizing storage space for professional drivers.
• Long-term durability and ROI.

Mounting Options for Your Toolbox

Zero-Drill Options (E-Z Mount Kits)

If you don’t want to worry about drilling extra holes into your truck frame, get the Merritt no-drill easy mount kit that fits all Merritt side mounted toolboxes. You just need some normal hand tools to get it securely set to your frame. 

Popular Toolbox Size: 24x24x18

Alternative Best Seller: Sturdy-Lite Step Box

Aditionally, Merritt offers all-in-one toolbox kits that come with the L-brackets and no-drill mounts (clamps). 

Cradle Style Brackets 

L-Shape Brackets

Horizontal Drill-in Brackets

Common Types of Commercial Truck toolboxes

toolbox styles are determined by two things: A.) the mounting location, B.) the style design.

Some drivers choose to mount the boxes on the side of the frame while others like inserting them flushed or smooth onto the deckplate.

The Mounting Location Determines the "Type" of Toolbox.

Behind the Cab Toolbox

Also called a cross  box or B-pack, this storage spans the width of the frame behind your cab with side-swing doors on both sides for convenient, easy access to your tools.

It can also be nested right underneath/in-between your cab rack.

It's the perfect choice if you're looking for maximum capacity, ground-level access from the driver's side or passenger's side of your truck. These are organized with interior pull-out drawers and shelves.

Catwalk Toolbox

A low-profile box that integrates into your deckplate or catwalk.

In-Frame Toolbox

Similar to a catwalk toolbox, this storage box is drilled in between the frame rails behihnd the fuel/DEF/battery boxes or near the transmission. This maximizes your storage utility.

However, access might be a little less convenient. But everything is closeby, the battery box, tools, and tank.

Underbody Toolbox

mounted under the frame for easy access when walking along the side of your rig. 

High Side Toolbox

Taller side-mounted boxes that run alongside the bed/flat deck make for easy ground-level reach. These are often used on class-3 trucks, not class 8. High-side toolboxes can often come with a top-hinged or gull wing lid.

The Style and Shape of the Toolbox

Low Profile Toolboxes

Standard, low-profile toolboxes offer a sleek fit, and slightly better aerodynamics due to reduced weight (or lower height/depth for better aero fairing clearance). 

Chest Style Box

The top opens like a regular storage "chest" that sits on the deck or trailer bed, or is mounted to the frame plate.

It's a good chocie for bulky items (tire chains, tarps, triangles) where the top-down access is convenient.

Gullwing Box

Gullwing style boxes are primarily used for class-3 trucks (heavy duty trucks) and feature a dual-opening design for convenience. 

Barn Door Toolbox (Single & Double-Door)

Swing-out doors are used for easy access. 

Extra Wide Loggerbox

Built for deeper storage capacity for things like chains, binders, chokers, and rugged work gear. It can withstand the elements and heavy off-road use that involves wet, muddy, or salty road spray.

A logger box has reinforced corners/hinges that make for a beefier, heavier mount.

It's the not the lightest weight storage box you can get, but it's incredibly durable. 

The Best Materials and Finishes for Toolboxes

You can go with two primary choices: a lightweight aluminum option, or a heavier, more durable stainless steel option. 

Aluminum is a great option since you can paint it to match the color of your semi truck. It’s also very lightweight and ergonomic. 

Stainless steel is the more common choice. Why? Drivers love having a polished, crisp look to their truck exterior. 

A custom toolbox can be made at our fab shop in Joplin, Missouri. It really depends on the storage configuration and where you want to mount your boxes. Bawer is one of the most popular. It’s made in Italy and has an incredible lifetime value. Kubby Buddy is another heavy-hitter brand. 

Aluminum Toolboxes

• Lightweight, fuel-efficient, corrosion-resistant.
  

Stainless Steel Toolboxes

• Heavy-duty strength, long-lasting durability.
  
• Galvanized steel for added rust protection.
  

Chrome Toolboxes

• Stylish upgrade for drivers who value appearance and shine.
  

Diamond Plate Toolboxes

Diamond plate finish gives a classic polished look, but with some added ruggedness.

Security and Locking Systems for Toolboxes

Cam Lock Toolboxes

These use a cam-action latch- a T-handle or "whale-tail" handle that turns to activate an internal cam and lock rods to pull the door snugly into the frame.

It's design makes for easy-use even while wearing, thick cold-weather work gloves.

Core Features: 

• Multi-point locking: 1-3 rods (top/bottom/side) get driven by a single cam, making it harder to pry open.
• Weather-resistant: most toolboxes have a rubber seal strip for moisture protection
• Anti-pry design: recessed handles, strengthened strike plates, and door flanges make it harder for thieves to get the door open.
• Serviceable hardware: you can easily replace T-handles, rods, bearings/bushings, and stirker plates if you need to. 

Lock Cylinder Toolboxes

Need something cost-effective, low-profile, and great for multiple trucks (fleet use)? This is your go-to theft deterring toobox.

Lock cylinders offer advanced anti-theft protection because they rely on a keyed lock cylinder that is embedded inside of the paddle, slam, or T-handle.

The key turns the cylinder and opens the latch. Sometimes it's single-point and othertimes it's multi-point (has lock rod kits).

Core Features: 

• Low-profile, flush mount hardware avoids snagging tarps/straps
• Basic security latch for a single-point setup and top-bottom lock rods for the multi-point setup (upgraded models) 
• Foam or rubber seal strips are used to keep water and moisture away from your tools. 

Key Features to Compare Before Buying a Toolbox

• Size & Fitment – measure space and consider clearance.
  
• Mounting Brackets – proper installation for stability.
  
• Weather Resistance – seals, coatings, and rust protection.
  
• Weight & Material Choice – aluminum vs. steel tradeoffs.
  
• Accessibility – door style and opening mechanism.

How to Choose the Right Semi Truck Toolbox for Your Rig

1. Consider your daily use needs and what your routes are like. 

2. A smaller toolbox might be the better option if you don't need that much space and you’ll be saving room for other frame-mounted accessories. 

3. On the other hand, you may need a taller, wider, and deeper storage box for your vocational tools.

4. Sometimes larger truck fleets need to order multiple toolboxes in bulk to fit their trucks. In these cases, it’s good to consider bulk-purchase deals and dent/ding used toolbox sales. 

Popular Semi Truck Toolbox Brands

Popular Aftermarket Toolbox Brands Include: Bawer, Minimizer, Sturdy Lite, Iconic, and Brunner.

Sturdy Lite Toolboxes 

Study-lite is a premium aluminum semi truck accessories manufacturer with plenty of years under its belt. 

Known for lightweight, durable designs of toolboxes, cab racks, ramps, and more, they have a lot of ergonomic toolbox designs on offer.

Best Features: 

• Polished or diamond-plated doors
• Lightweight aluminum to minimize dead weight on the semi
• Welded seams for a durable, leak-proof seal.
• Some step-box designs have a gaiter door/air shocks for automatic raising/lowering

Sturdy Lite Double Door Toolbox 

Typically this product weighs about 40 lbs. Smaller, single-door boxes (18x18x30) are also around 40 lbs in total weight. 

Dimensions: 24 × 24 × 60 inches

Sturdy Lite Logger Box/ Between-Rail Toolbox

Dimensions: 14.5 × 24 × 24 in logger box; 8 × 24 × 24 in between-rail box; various widths.

Sturdy Lite Step Box

Dimensions: 12-, 18-, 24-inch width options (height = 24 inches)

Minimizer Toolboxes 

Famous for their poly toolboxes, Minimizer offers lightweight underbody, chest-style, and in-frame tool storage solutions. 

Poly Underbody Box

• SKU #: T24UBMIN = 09-02010015

Single-door, ergonomic, small toolbox that can blend in with your existing exterior aesthetic. 

• SKU #: T36UBBMIN = 09-020100549

Chest-Style Toolbox 

It's a versatile, standard-sized toolbox for light storage capacity. 

Iconic Toolboxes 

Iconic MetalGear offers exceptional options for heavy-duty storage on class-8 tractor-trailer setups. Iconic is well-known for thor cam-lock/underbody toolboxes, Big Mouth step boxes, and cross boxes.

Many drivers go for an 18-inch depth for tight mounting areas or a 24-inch depth for more storage capacity. 

Size: 24-inch height, 29.13-inch depth, width options vary from 48/60/70-inch (for standard models)

Features:

• Automotive bulb-seal and rain gutter profile to block off water from entering the toolbox. 
• Stainless steel cam-lock latch 
• Anti-pry flanges

Iconic - In-Frame Toolbox with Diamond Plate Lid

If you're looking for Iconic's version of an in-frame diamond-plate finish toolbox, this model has a lot to offer. Built to be durable and lightweight with a 1/8-inch thick aluminum base, it comes in either a 13-inch or 9-inch size. 

Best Features: 

• Checkerplate, easy-grip lid
• Mounts inside the frame rails so it's not in your way 
• Easily stores DEF, tire chains, small and mid-sized tools.
• Takes 30 mintutes to install with a no-drill frame mounting kit (included)

Iconic - Cross Boxes (A.K.A. “The Ultimate” Behind-Cab Storage) 

Cross boxes span behind the cab and across the frame rails; this toolbox design offers ground-level access from both the driver and passenger side of the truck.

Most of Iconic’s cross boxes are made with reinforced aluminum, but premium options come with mirror-polish stainless steel doors and covers. 

Design: smooth or diamond checker finish, 

Size: 16-36 inches tall and 24 inches deep. You can also get an 18 inch depth and 24-inch height to include enough clearance for side fairings on your truck. 

It’s also customizable! 

You can configure the interior to have pull-out drawers (200 - 250 lb carrying capacity), removable trays, shelves/dividers, and locker-style sections. And yes. Like any aftermarket truck accessory, you can add LED strip lighting to make it “pop” with visual appeal on the road. 

Iconic - Big Mouth Step Boxes

 

This is a frame-mounted step/toolbox combo that features 50% larger opening compared to traditional toolboxes. The lid/step lifts up and out for better accessibility. It’s constructed from galvanized aluminum with an automotive bulb-seal that stops water from entering and a treaded, non-slip surface tread. 

Merritt Toolboxes

Interested in something relatively low weight, weather-resistant, customizable, and anti-theft features pre-installed? Merritt’s toolboxes are known for offering all of this and more - especially their no-drill mounting solutions. 

Bawer Toolboxes

Bawer specializes in polished stainless steel, matte stainless steel, and aluminum toolboxes. Their innovative designs make for an ergonomic, well-rounded storage solution for your tools. 

Best Design Features: 

• Advanced welding techniques to ensure long-term stability on the road
• Embossed, non-welded lid corners
• Integrated aerators and gas springs (on select models only) 

E4 Series - Aluminum or Stainless Steel Toolboxes

This model is wildly popular on Peterbilt, Kenworth, and Freightliner trucks. It’s filled with features like gas springs, aerator vents, pull-out draws, and non-slip internal mats/lining. You also have Basic, Plus, Premium, and Smart configurations, depending on what you buy. 

Sizes: 

• 500 × 350 × 400 mm
• 600 × 400 × 500 mm
• 800 × 500 × 500 mm
• 1000 × 500 × 500 mm

Weights: 13 - 41.8 lbs (depends on the box size) 

Load Capacities: 132 - 198 lbs

E8 Series - Polished Stainless Steel Toolboxes

The E8 Series is perfect for owner-operators looking for a custom truck build. 

It contains premium features like gas springs, internal mats, pull-out drawers, and a fast-mounting system integration

Sizes: 

• 500 × 350 × 400 mm
• 600 × 400 × 500 mm
• 800 × 500 × 500 mm
• 1000 × 500 × 500 mm

Weights: 17 - 59.5 lbs

Load Capacities: 132 - 198 lbs

E2 Series - Black Powder-Coated Steel Toolboxes

These offer a rugged industrial appearance with anti-corrosion finish. That’s why it’s the perfect choice for fleet trucks that deal with salted winter roads. 

Sizes:  

• 500, 600, 800, 1000 mm lengths
• 400–500 mm heights.

Weight: 17 - 59 lbs.

Load Capacities: 132 - 198 lbs.

Plastic (Polymer) Toolboxes

These are really lightweight, rust-resistant, and budget-friendly if you’re dealing with a large-scale fleet. 

Sizes come in: 

• 500 × 365 × 300 mm
• 600 × 425 × 460 mm
• 800 × 500 × 460 mm
• 1000 × 500 × 460 mm

Weights: 4.4 - 28 lbs

Load Capacities: 88 - 121 lbs

Advantages: Lightweight material, rust-proof, and budget-conscious fleet builds.

Bawer Toolbox Mounting Systems

• Fast-Mounting System (Patent-Pending Bawer Mounting System)
• Adjustable Mounting Kits. These include short-medium, and long tubes with anti-corrosive coating.
• Internal Options. Some come with lanyards, stop lid chains, pull-out drawers, and mats.
• Brackets: stainless steel, galvanized aluminum, or black powder-coated finishes.
  

Shop Semi Truck Toolboxes Online

Browse our extensive selection of commercial truck tool boxes and filter by price point, finish type, brand, and size. 

If you’re dealing with worn-out mounting brackets, bolts, or washers, you can easily replace them with our tool box mounting accessories. You can even find replacement floor plates to keep your box interior from getting scuffed. 

Consider stylizing the exterior portion with a tool box cover or a classic step battery box cover. You can also secure your box from sliding around the rear of your cab with a plastic floor mat kit. 

Maximize Your Fuel Truck’s Storage Capacity Today

Semi truck tool boxes are a must-have accessory for any serious driver out there. As you can tell, there are plenty of style options to choose from depending on how you want to set up your storage. If you have questions about our product availability, call our team.