How do you hide tools in a truck?

Why Would You Want to Hide Tools in a Truck?

There are a few reasons why someone may want to hide tools in their truck:

• To deter theft – Tools are valuable items that can easily be stolen if left out in the open. Hiding them makes it harder for potential thieves to spot them.
• To free up bed space – If you use your truck bed frequently, you may not want tools taking up room back there. Stashing them out of sight clears space for hauling other items.
• To keep them out of sight – Some people simply don’t like the look of tools lying around and want to keep their truck looking tidy.
• To have emergency tools on hand – Having some basic tools hidden on your vehicle can be useful in case you ever break down or get stuck somewhere.

Overall, the main motivation is to securely store tools while keeping them easily accessible when needed.

Good Places to Hide Tools in a Truck

When looking to conceal tools in your truck, there are a number of good spots to utilize:

• Under seats – The space under front seats often goes unused and can fit thin tools like wrenches and screwdrivers.
• Behind panels – Many interior panels in trucks can be removed to access hidden compartments perfect for stashing tools.
• In the lining – Tool rolls or small toolboxes can slide nicely into spaces between the bed liner and bed walls.
• Under floor mats – Lifting up floor mats reveals an out-of-sight area to place flat tools.
• Inside tailgate – The interior walls of a tailgate provide a narrow but usable space for long tools like breaker bars.
• Under storage bins – Small tools can fit nicely underneath in-bed storage bins that lift up.
• In the wheel well – Zipped tool pouches secured in the wheel well keep tools handy but concealed.
• Inside bumper – Bumpers can sometimes be accessed to provide cover for a few small items.

The key is finding areas that are obscured from view but can be accessed when the tools are needed.

Secure Methods for Concealing Tools

Simply throwing tools under a seat or behind a panel typically won’t cut it. For proper concealment, you need to take measures to firmly secure them:

• Use tool bags or boxes – Pack tools in organization systems like tool rolls, bags or plastic cases to keep them together.
• Fasten pouches and bags – Use straps, Velcro, magnets or other means to firmly affix tool storage to hidden areas.
• Install slide-out trays – Custom slide-out trays can be installed to provide easy access to tools stashed under seats.
• Use cargo nets – Nets keep items from shifting around and also obscure them from view.
• Attach with adhesive – Foam pads with adhesive backing grip tools and adhere them in out-of-sight spots.
• Employ hooks – Hooks, bungies and other ties firmly anchor tool bags in concealed areas.
• Build custom boxes – For the ultimate hidden storage, build custom wood or metal toolboxes that integrate into the truck.

Taking steps to properly fasten your tools ensures they stay stowed away when driving and don’t get lost in the vehicle.

Helpful Products for Hidden Truck Tool Storage

Certain products on the market make it much easier to covertly store tools in a truck:

• Underseat toolboxes that mount tools under front seats.
• In-bed tool chests that sit flush with bed walls.
• Magnetic tool holders that affix tools behind metal panels.
• Pouches with Velcro straps that fasten in wheel wells.
• Foam inserts that grip tools and fit into crevices.
• Retractable tool racks that can extend out from beds.
• Suction cup mounts to hang tools behind trim panels.
• Stowable tool tray systems for the backs of seats.

Investing in one or more of these convenient products can save a lot of time versus trying to cobble together makeshift DIY tool storage. They provide quick access to your tools while keeping them concealed and secure.

Tips for Hiding Tools Effectively

To maximize hidden tool storage in your truck, keep these tips in mind:

• Look for unused spaces – Scan for gaps and voids around the vehicle that could hold tools.
• Only store thin items – Bulky tools won’t fit in most concealed areas, so stick to wrenches, pliers, etc.
• Avoid moisture – Prevent rust by keeping tools away from wet areas like the wheel wells.
• Distribute weight evenly – Balance tool weight around the truck to avoid imbalances.
• Pad tools – Use foam or cloth to prevent rattles and noise while driving.
• Make a “map” – Document where you’ve stashed tools to avoid forgetting their locations.
• Check fit – Test access periodically to ensure you can remove tools when needed.
• Secure lightly – Tie or fasten tools loosely enough for easy removal.

By being selective about which tools to hide and taking the time to store them methodically, you can develop an organized system that maximizes usable space and keeps valuables concealed.

Conclusion

With clever use of the many built-in compartments and crevices in pickup trucks, you can keep a full set of tools stored onboard while keeping the interiors looking clean and free of clutter. The key is using secure mounting methods to firmly position the tools for safe keeping during driving without impeding access when you need to put them to work. Investing in some affordable storage products opens up even more possibilities. Just be methodical in where and how you conceal the tools, and you can maintain quick access to them when necessary while preventing costly tool theft.