Cross bed tool box with 5th wheel - RV-Dreams Community Forum

mem · RV-Dreams Community Member

Cross bed tool box with 5th wheel

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

I don't think there is any problem. We see many long bed trucks with cross bed tool boxes.

One of the things you might consider though, is that those boxes preclude the use of a bed cover. Many people use the truck bed to store all kinds of things and it's nice to be able to cover it all up when you're not towing for security and weather protection.

Just a thought,

mem · RV-Dreams Community Member

Luvglass wrote:
I don't think there is any problem. We see many long bed trucks with cross bed tool boxes.

One of the things you might consider though, is that those boxes preclude the use of a bed cover. Many people use the truck bed to store all kinds of things and it's nice to be able to cover it all up when you're not towing for security and weather protection.

Just a thought,

Yes, at some point we'd like to have a bed cover, but for this initial trip we'd really like to utilize the storage available in a "tall" tool box.

How much clearance is there between the top of the truck rails and the trailer? I just want to make sure that an above-the-rails toolbox will not impede/get whacked by the trailer when turning.

Thanks,

Margaret

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Margaret,

A lot of folks will recommend that you have anywhere from 5" to 6" of clearance to allow for tipping and turning on uneven ground. If one were only pulling straight forward on level ground all the time, it wouldn't be so critical.

While these may not be of value to you, I found them intriguing because it put one's tools at the rear of the pickup instead of in the front. At the link below, you will see two different styles with the rear facing doors more accessible if one should still be hooked up to the fifth wheel.

Rear pickup bed cross box tool boxes.

Terry

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have a cross bed tool box that is flush with the top of the bed rails. It's made by DEEZEE. It mounts to the bottom of the pickup bed.

I got one that is about a foot narrower than my bed is wide so I have enough room between the bed rails and tool box to store my wood blocks or wheel chocks.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

mem wrote:
We have a 2011 GMC dually with an 8' bed and a Reese Elite hitch; will be towing a Montana 3400 fifth-wheel.
Although we've towed trailers for many years, this is our first experience with a fifth-wheel. Is it possible to use a cross bed tool box behind the cab that extends above the rails while towing a fifth-wheel?
Thanks,
Margaret

It shouldn’t be a problem with an 8 foot bed. However, the best way to know is just to use the rig to measure ahead of time.

Hookup and turn the rig 45 degrees off center with the truck. On most rigs this will be the worst case condition. The corner of the fiver that is at 45 degrees would set the furthest point “forward” the trailer would occupy. If the box is in front of this point, it shouldn’t be a problem. However, as I always say, YMMV, so go check to be sure.

An equally important thing to check with the new Chevy is bed rail clearance. The new truck’s bed rails are higher as measured from the bed deck than the older ones thus potentially reducing bed rail to 5’er clearance. Remember, when the truck and trailer get out of level the rear, or front, of those bed rails rises and can really tear both the truck and the 5’er up pretty bad. Some say you only need 5 or so inches. I disagree. I have 8 inches, plus. I’ve need 7 and ½ inches and that was not an off road experience. ‘Just a thought for your consideration.

Safe travels

Bill

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Each GM Truck (5 ea) I have owned and towed a 5th wheel have had a cross over tool box. I have owned several different tool boxes made by several different companys. The best is made by USW, its a low pro type and very strong much stronger made that the others. Just a comment about backing a 5th wheel its much better on the suspension when backing not to twist the suspension, much better to pull forward and it will put much less pressure on the suspension. And you want have a clearance problem.

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have an 8 foot bed and a tool box that is flush with the bed rails. No problems at all with that. Like someone else said, it mounts to the bottom of the truck bed. I think I would stick with a box that is flush with the rails rather than risk a problem. Plus it would allow for the potential addition of a bed cover in the future.