What have you guys used or built for organization in the bed? I'm losing my mind with all the gear that I carry on a daily basis... big fan of the have and not need than need and not have sorta thing.

Spoolin,

Well I am on the same mission as you. I ordered the Tuffy Bedside box. Unfortunately they do make a full length long one as seen on their site. So I am taking the long one and short one and going to open the ends on them and weld them together. I am trying to get away from the tool box at the cab area as it takes up 19-20" of length of the bed and I haul a Eiger 4 x 4 ATV and hate leaving the tailgate open. I also want to buy a Bed tent and with a Cab type box you cannot use them. I am not sure how much gear you keep with you, But I have a medium size Craftsman tool kit, Small 12V compressor, Bed Straps, bed cover, Tow straps, Chains, Truck supplies, full size aluminum floor jack, Army shovel, Chain Saw along with a roll of shrinkwrap just for the emergency of needing to cover something up.

I have seen some AWESOME beds with built in storage areas on the outside of bed but they do not make them for Dually's. I will post some pics when I am done, The boxes should be here in a week or so. Tuffy was back ordered

Let's see the stuff I carry:

5 20' 5/8" chain
1x 20' 1/4" chain
1x 20' tow strap
2x toolkit, one socket set one general tools, 2x12x24" each
1x bottle jack
lotsa ratchet straps
1 gallon of oil
1 gallon of ATF
1 bottle of brake fluid
5 gallons of fuel

that's off the top of my head... right now all I have is tupperware bins and that stuff ain't cutting it. My stuff I keep in the back is getting damaged, frozen, etc and I'm getting a case of the a$$ bout it.

That's what I use my toolbox for. You could get one of the kind that sits on the floor of the truck since you have that topper on there.

When time permits, I'll be building boxes that fit over, infront and behind the wheel wells on both sides of the bed. That way I'll still have room for a sheet of plywood in the bed (with the tailgate down anyway).

"Army shovel, Chain Saw along with a roll of shrinkwrap just for the emergency of needing to cover something up." :eek: Like what? Dead bodies.):h

thats the best thing about alaska... there's a square mile of land per person living up here... that means there's a whole lot of area to bury a mofo if they piss you off.

Anyone use that Tuffy side box and have Retrax? Does it close ok?

Try TruckVault.com, Cargobat.com, 4are.com MX Series, and Kargomaster.com.

Everything is out of sight. When you look inside the canopy all you see is two protective german sheperd dogs waiting to "Play" with you.

I have a Tuffy side box on each side, and love them. you still have the full length of your bed, and 4' between the boxes for plywood, sheetrock,etc. I have wondered if there is a retractable bed cover that would work with these boxes, but have not seen any yet. have also thought about a canopy with hinged side windows, so that you could access the boxes.

WanaDmxSub,

:muahaha: Thats pretty funny...Never thought of those items as things people might use for burying dead bodies..I guess the question is back to you now....:lol: Why and what made you think of it...?

Well the army shovel if for the snow, The chain saw is for the down trees that fall across the road. The shrink wrap is for the crap my wife always buys in winter when it is raining and I am the guy who has to figure out how to get it home without getting it wet...:lol: . However...being 100% Sicilian, we have our ways...Did I mention I carry 3 bags of ready mix concrete at all times.....


BULL SHOOTER: On your tuffy side boxes, Did you add just the over the well units or did you also purchase the 24" unit? I have a long bed and when speaking with Tuffy, they do not make the full length one due to shipping constraints. So I will take those 2, weld them together and take out the wall inbetween them so it will be one long unit and can hold the floor jack. I will do the other side if this works.

Dually, They are 5' long, works great in my shortbed, but probably alittle short for you.

Anyone have one of those cargobat's? I have been looking at truckvault but that's a big outlay... Big issue with the truckvault is that if we end up buying a trailer then I am limited to bumper pull.. and I don't REALLY want to do the alcan with a bumper pull again, just because it's a pain. Think a 5er would be a better solution overall.

However...being 100% Sicilian, we have our ways...Did I mention I carry 3 bags of ready mix concrete at all times.....:eek: :eek:

Spoolin,

I have seen them, but like you, do not want to lose the options. I plan on a Northstar or Starcraft pop up camper soon. I need my bed available. 5er not in plans for us. We try not to take to much stuff camping...Just more to clean up. My daughters really enjoy tent camping.

Now I'm kicking myself, because If I had a longbed, I could trade out the bed for one of the stock looking service bodies and I'd have my cake and eat it too.

What about taking a piece of 1/8" aluminum plate the length of your bed by whatever height you want, box it at the tailgate end and attach it with angle iron?

Ox

That might work, but the main thing is the chains I keep in the truck.. I primarily only carry them when out 4x4'ing or driving in the winter for both weight and recovery purposes.. I pulled out about 10 cars this winter that went offroad.. I'm one of the few people that actually obeys the LAW up here and stops to assist people.. but then again I am an EMT among other things so I can render aid until EMS arrives.

I keep my rachet straps and stuff in ammo cans...works good.

Spoolinturbo,

What type of chains do you use for recovery?? Are the chains better than a 30,000 LBS strap??? I was able to use the strap to pull out a friends truck that was stuck in sand.

I need to buy some chains or a second strap and I am want to hear you thoughts on that. How long are the chains you have???

Thanks,
Marco Polo

We use tank chains. If they can pull tanks, they can pull anything.

5 20' 5/8" chain
1x 20' 1/4" chain
1x 20' tow strap

The big chains weight ~80 pounds each, the smaller one is from a Warn recovery kit.

What's the word I'mm looking for here....hmmmm....oh yeah, OVERKILL!! :grd:


Better that than broke chains though.....

Ever hear of "88" chains? These are the chains used to recover Abrams tanks when they're stuck... good nuff for me. Besides, can't beat free bud, that 30k strap still ain't 100' long either... some pulls need distance, and if you are using something else as a fulcrum then you are gonna need more length. Once I have the winch I'll be keeping the chains as a spare recovery tool.

Spoolin,
I just received my Tuffy Bedside boxes yesterday. I have to say, my first impression is a good one. Well packaged and nice finish. These are very well made units. The lock is stout and will offer solid security. Installation seems quite simple. My modification is going to be the engineering exercise, if it is possible now that I have received them and had opportunity to look. The latch mechanism is right in line with the deepest part of the box on either end. This really hurts dropping tool box's down in it. I forsee some hand scrapping going in and coming out. Tuffy states opening of 7" and it measures just that, but they did not state that along the opening you only have 4" where this latch mechanism sits. Spoolin: These Box's will not work for your application.