Propickup Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/150744
at build quality and material. Inspect how well the paint or powder-coating is done in the corners and around the latches, which is where rust will rear its ugly head in a couple years. Latching styles include paddle, push button, pull and "T"-handles, and many use dual-cam locking mechanisms for greater theft prevention. Nearly all of the higher-end, professional-grade storage systems feature keyed locks, and some are also equipped with a secondary padlock option for even greater security. Again, look closely at the handle mechanisms and how they are installed. If they look cheap, they probably are and will give you problems in a year or two. (One option to consider is having the locks/latches replaced with a set of one-key-fits-all latches from BoltLock. These toolbox latches are keyed to your truck's ignition key. This means fewer chances of lost toolbox keys and much greater convenience and security.) Side-storage and pork chop boxes are designed to protect their contents and survive inclement weather, so good ones are equipped with integrated sealing systems and, depending upon size and access, even rain channels or gutters. Foam or "D"-shaped rubber bulb seals lock out moisture, and some low or wheelwell boxes sit on a raised platform to prevent rust and corrosion. Most top- and side-opening box lids are also equipped with hydraulic or gas prop lifts. When you are looking at boxes and pork-chops with slide-out drawers, look closely at the slide rails to see how they are mounted to the box sides and the quality of the rollers: Are they solidly attached? Are the tracks easily lubricated? Is there a lot of slop in the way the drawer slides out? Are the rollers ball-bearing style or just riding on a small shaft? Doors should have strong gas struts and those that drop-down should also have a good chain that takes the load off the struts when the door/lid is open. You can tell quality by both look and feel. INSTALLATION TIPS BED STORAGE: MISC.TOOL BOXES fect dside Manners Attaching systems vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but most use simply installed self-tapping screws, J-hooks or bolts as well as brackets or mounting plates that are fastened to either the bedrail or the propickupmag.com PROPICKUP 21 ProPickup_2013BB_Bed Storage Misc.indd 21 8/6/13 9:38 AM