Pick up w/ topper set ups

[Basswood]

I have a 2018 Toyota Tundra with a cap and I’ve been thinking about building some storage boxes. Curious to see other people’s set ups if they’ve done something similar. Mostly want to keep things secure and organized.

I was considering something along these lines:

Currently situation, and this is tame:

 

[Reach]

If you only use the truck for tool storage, look into a custom built contractor cap, with a pull out drawer for the bed floor, you can put much of your gear in the side boxes and the larger things can go on the drawer where you can pull it out to access them easily. Something like this, maybe: http://www.cargoglide.com/

 

[27RMT0N]

There was a thread a while back where people talked about tool storage, although not specifically on pickup tops. Mine isn't done using a commercial bed top, but you could build (or have made for you) something similar to what I did here: https://www.treebuzz.com/forum/threads/vehicle-gear-transport-pic-thread.43302/#post-655685

Another option is there are truck bed tops/slide-ins that are made for contractors. They are taller, and have big side doors so you can access tools from the sides of the truck as well as the back. Harder to find, but my old boss had one and it worked well. Needing to access everything from the back is a pain, and makes gear towards the cab end of the truck almost impossible to reach without out some huge and potentially expensive slider.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Bit of view of the Bed Slide here by August H.

 

[southsoundtree]

Some translucent contact paper gives privacy!

 

[Jonny]

This thing is for sale on my local Craigslist.

 

[southsoundtree]

I built a bed-slide for my old pickup. 8' bed was too heavily loaded and cumbersome.
In my rig, I have about everything I could need for an emergency call with a big tree, practically...some pack lighter.

I think it would be better in a shorter bed, with less rain-soaked gear.

Quick googling

10 Free DIY Truck Bed Slide Plans

Looking to get your truck bed organized in a cost-effective way? Our 10 free DIY truck bed slide plans offer a brilliant solution for enhancing storage and accessibility. Not only do they provide a more organized space, but building one yourself allows for customization to fit your specific...

www.itsoverflowing.com

 

[Tom Dunlap]

I skim Facebook Marketplace regularly and Craigslist off and on. There are some real deals if you have the luxury of time

Something I’ve seen in the RV pickup camper realm is that the Aussies abandoned pickup boxes and start right out with flatbeds. This makes so much sense!

Go Ute!

Truth be told I’m a van guy though. Topic fir another thread

 

[Basswood]

Some great suggestions thus far. I do need to haul brush back there occasionally (such a pain in the ass) but I’m trying to do less of that. I’m trying to stick with a DIY option to save some coin, otherwise the prebuilt stuff would be in my radar.

I do plan on eventually swapping caps to a style that retains ability for bed to be open with a pop up camper on top. But that shouldn’t change things too much.

 

[Jonny]

A 1 ton work van with a nice security system would be sweet for me. Set the alarm, park it in the garage and just keep it loaded to go at anytime. At any given time there’s usually tons of them for sale at decent prices.
If it can handle pulling a 12’ dump trailer with wood, that’s be a great setup for someone just getting started.
My rusty old short bed extended cab F250 works well for me. Ropes, climbing, and rigging gear go in the backseat, fuel/oil, saws, poles, rakes and whatever else goes in the bed. I got a steel chain I need to attach to the tie downs to secure my saws better. It’s got a nice toolbox right now that came with it, but I’m thinking about getting rid of it. It’s nice and secure and dry, but takes up so much bed space and I often load the bed with wood.

 

[Basswood]

Some pretty nice van set up’s out there. If there were more available with 4x4 I’d give them more thought.

 

[27RMT0N]

Just out of curiosity checked Commercial Truck Trader and found the type of canopy I mentioned in my first post for $600. Stronger and more secure than a fiberglass 'consumer' top, good side access, etc:

https://www.commercialtrucktrader.com/listing/-Workhorse-8%27+Service+Topper+Shell-5011494450

Service trucks seem to be a dime a dozen, I've always felt like something like these would be a good ready-made setup for a 'one vehicle to haul all the rigging gear and saws' setup, while keeping all the tools dry, out of sight and secure. And you can occasionally find F350, 450, etc in 4x4.

 

[southsoundtree]

Barn door are wonderful, unless you like leaning over a tail gate for everything.