Under truck boxes (aluminum or steel, sources and sizes)

[Jfet]

Now that we have our camper on our truck it is time to think about under the truck storage. I made measurements and have found that in most areas we have 28 to 29 inches from the edge of the flatbed to the frame member of the 2006 Isuzu NRR on both sides of the truck.

The muffler and some other bits are 20 inches below the underside of the flatbed, so this has me thinking 18 inches for height of the under truck boxes would not hinder our rutted road clearance ability by too much. This isn't supposed to be a rock crawler anyway.

20# propane tanks are exactly 18 inches tall and as such will not fit in a standard 18 inch high box. We may end up building a cage to hold 4 tanks (maybe welded steel frame with a expanded metal sides and embossed aluminum front.

I have found a company that sells 36 inch, 48 inch, 60 inch and 96 inch long aluminum truck boxes that are 24 inches deep and 18 inches high. Most companies had 18 x 18 but if you search for semi trailer boxes you can find the 24 inch depths. This company is protoolboxes and a example of a 0.100 embossed aluminum box that is 18h x 24d x 48l for $605 US is here :

http://www.protoolboxes.com/ATRG5-18-Height-x-24-Depth-x-48-Width-Aluminum-Semi-Truck-Trailer-Box-Toolbox-Super-Heavy-Duty-Drop-Open-Door-Smooth-Finish-Box-with-Tread-Plate-Door-and-Double-T-Handle-Locking-System-P2517.aspx


Opinions? Would you rather have aluminum over steel?

Here is a view of our truck with our camper on it. We would be putting about $3,000 worth of boxes based on that website's prices.

 

[dlh62c]

I'd go with whatever has the best seal against the weather.

Where do you plan to mount the spare tire or do you plan to use a service?

 

[EarthCruiser]

hard to beat alloy for not rusting. Find how they fit the seal to the box - is it stick on?

 

[fluffyprinceton]

I used Buyers aluminum boxes, I wouldn't consider steel because of weight. They are OK - I got a good deal on them from Northerntool. 6 years, they've held up fine, latches need regular greasing, sealing is just OK I get some water in one of my 4. Drilled holes in the bottom so water runs out & put ribbed liners in so steel tool boxes don't rust. When your gear shifts & jams the lock you find out how hard it is to break in to one...not that hard but the good news is you don't have to damage the door to break in. So security is just OK, steel might be better but all it would take is a crow bar anyway...Nice thing about aluminum is it's easy to fit hold downs & bungie attachment points so you gear doesn't shift & jam the latch. Did I mention gear tends to shift & jam the latches???? Moe

http://www.buyersproducts.com/toolboxes-mounting-brackets/aluminum-underbody-toolboxes/recessed-door-t-handle-latch/

http://www.grainger.com/product/BUYERS-PRODUCTS-Underbed-Truck-Box-WP32814/_/N-1z0h2u8/Ntt-Aluminum+Truck+Boxes?_=1405555207673&gclid=CP-lza_qyr8CFQqIfgodv1gA-A&sst=subset&s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/6RHL3_AS01?$smthumb$

 

[pugslyyy]

I use Fleet Metal Box - http://www.fmbtruckoutfitters.com/brands/FMB.html

They sell pretty much everything and also are a fabricator so can do custom work.

I agree on Alu being the choice for weight. If you should go steel, make sure to specify stainless piano hinges or they will rust.

 

[quickfarms]

I like protech boxes. They will custom make them to the size that you want so you are not stuck using off the shelf boxes.

http://www.protech.net

My passenger side box is a custom size so that the spare tire would still fit.

My drivers side box is not really a box but a set of doors and panels that enclose my generator.

 

[Jfet]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I think we will definitely go with aluminum and I am checking the various manufacturers mentioned.

 

[Buckstopper]

Jfet - The boxes on my truck are all ProTech. They are made in Vancouver, Washington and they will make whatever size you want. They delivered in Portland in about a week. They also keyed all of my boxes the same which is really handy. I have sure been happy with mine and have had no leaks in our pacific northwest rain and snow.

Buckstopper

 

[Jfet]

Buckstopper,

Thanks! That is three votes for Protech (jhrodd also uses them) and Protech is local for me. I am going to contact them and see what they can do.

 

[Jfet]

This is what I am thinking about going with. Two 24" depth, 20" tall, 48" long boxes on one side between the front/rear wheels and one long 24"x20"x96" double door box on the other side (fishing rods, long items), then a 24" depth 18" tall 48" long on one side aft of the rear tires and a 24"x18" x 36" tall on the other side (fuel filler hose/spout makes it not possible for a matching 48" box). The ground clearance in the middle of the truck would be about 17.5" and the departure angle a bit over 14 degrees. With no boxes on the rear I could get a departure angle of 21 degrees but I need that storage and the weight on the rear. Could go a bit shorter height on those boxes though....14" high or something but at some point the opening is going to be really small (like 9 inches high).

 

[DzlToy]

Check out Faucher Industries, they make really nice boxes. Not exactly cheap though.

 

[Jfet]

I already placed an order with ProTech, but thanks.