My truck is a rolling tool box and supply house. I have a utility body on a 2003 Silverado 2500HD. I've never had the right tool box because I'm limited to size that can fit in the compartment. I've used some canvas tool bags in the past but I don't like how it folds on it's self because it's not solid. I just picked up a Milwaukee packout compact tool box that I'm going to try out and it will fit in one the compartments. I use a packout tray for my propress fittings but it doesn't fit in my truck compartment because it's too big. The compact packout trays fit which got some to sort the endless boxes of fasteners that I have. I have some cheap organizer trays but they haven't held up well. What do you use?

My last truck seemed to have more space under the rear seat. I had one soft bag with my cordless tools and another bag on the other side with my everyday supplies. Spare WH element, tools I use a lot, caulk, locksets, etc.

New truck doesn't allow as much under there so I got a truck box. I have more stuff in there but those things just beg someone to pop them.

That being said I keep my more expensive stuff in the back seat, so I have a full sized two seat truck nearly all the time.

I did stop carrying as much as I used to, even with the tool box in the bed. Things I never seemed to need in a hurry got put back into storage.

If I had a utility box I would be getting single digit mileage for sure.

Soft-side bags, mostly? If a tool comes with a nice hard case, I'll buy that, as those tend to stack more nicely.

use a Toyota SUV, and one thing I am still trying to work out is some plywood shelves that go from top of back seat to top of front seat. I haven't fastened them in in any way, though I am thinking of drilling holes for zipties to go around the headrest posts. The plywood shelves tend to fall as I go over bumps, around turns. The purpose of these shelves ( one on each side,) is to be a platform for when I am digging through my collection of tools to get the less-often used tools at the bottom. Also, my Little Giant three-step ladder rides on one. And sometimes large parts, like a double-hung window, can ride flat up there. Or, my great big ladder that folds all kind of ways. Probably should screw some velcro straps to secure those large items during transit.

I had tried attaching command hooks for my safety equipment ( dust masks, hearing protection, knee pads, et cetera) to the plastic insides of the back of the SUV, but the banging and clanging drove me bonkers. I saw that Fleet Farm ( or is my closest a Farm'n Fleet ? Dunno..) had some velcro contraptions meant to be screwed into surfaces to hold things. Might give those a try, see if they can hold things firmly.

My electrician just got an upgraded custom truck from his company; fitted out with many, many boxes of Milwaukee tool cases He was pretty pleased. But his is a extra tall van that they kitted out just for him.

Thing that I have found to be most important- a place for everything, and everything in its place. Do I always do this? Nope. But, when I don't I'll make a point of getting things back in their home spot soon. (Uh-huh... its been well below freezing for sometime... Soon might be relative to the weather. Spring sounds soon, heehee!,)

I started at 18 using a 4 door car with a large flat trunk. I'd keep my tools and general supplies in open carboard boxes in the trunk. People couldn't see into the trunk. My back seat was to carry daily materials and supplies.

Soon I needed something to help me transport appliances, plywood, drywall, materials, so I purchased 36 years ago a Harbor Freight 4'x8' trailer. Used it to dispose of tenants junk left behind. The best $300 I ever spent.

Then when I graduated from college and had more property and the need for something better, I purchased a full sized truck with a 8 food bed. I put a sliding window in the back of my truck, a full sized toolbox from side to side and side tool boxes on both the drivers and passengers side. These boxes left space underneath so I still cold carry full sheets of drywall or plywood. These boxes had secondary locks that couldn't be cut or picked. Then when I needed more storage space, I got 4 toolboxes and slid them under my rear truck toolbox and ran a chain from side to side so the 4 tool boxes couldn't be slid out from under the truck box.

Then when I went into being a full contractor, I had to get vans with shelves to carry all of the tools and parts needed for anything that came up so I wouldn't have to make stops for parts during a work day.

I have become more dependent upon totes of late for what I will call specialty tools.

Have totes for electrical, plumbing, flooring, painting, etc. Have them marked so when I know I am headed to a rehab I can grab what I need and toss in the back of the truck.

That has saved me more time and money than anything. When I knew I had white switch plate covers but couldn't find them so I go buy another pack it was annoying. Especially when it is a 39 cent item but takes me an hour back and forth to buy it.

Now when I use items from the tote I put it on my buy list for the next time I head to the store.

my tacoma access cab came w a tool box on the back. I used it for a while, but it took up bed space and I was reluctant to leave my tools in it because of theft. I still have it but I should just sell it. Behind my seat can get to be a mess. I keep a set of hand tools and measuring tape in the glove box.

I carried a lot more stuff when I had a passenger van w/ two rows of seats removed.

I organize things I need in 5 gal buckets, easy to load and haul up stairs. I am not a fan of the stackable rolling organizers. You will wind up pushing around an overweight block. Also don't use soft bags for the reason you stated.

Small Potatoes,

How did I forget about the litter pails? I use those a lot for specific items.

Have some set up with locks. One for deadbolts, one for locksets, one for the non-rekeyable junk locks used on repos. They work great for non-heavy or bulky items.

Small potatoes,

I use an SUV instead of a truck. I like the inside, secure storage. And I use LOTS of tote bins with specialized tools and supplies. I load various ones from my garage depending on which tasks I will be performing.

Lynn, this morning I put a couple of empty nail/ screw containers in the back of your truck.

Steve,

Thanks for leaving those containers. I use one similar to hold my 18V Makita batteries. I'll send you a picture of one the packouts once I get it configured.

Ray,