Full-size toolbox with 5th wheel

[KarnaughAtla]

Hi everyone,

I've got a 2007 Ram 3500 and a 2015 Heartland Big Country that I just picked up. I found a great deal on a WeatherTech tool box and I want it, but the box sticks up about 4" above the bed rails. I have about 6" of clearance all around currently.

Does anyone have any experience with a full size tool box? It's a great deal and I want to pull the trigger but I'd also prefer not to smash up the front of my trailer.

Picture attached - mostly because I want to show off my rig!

[Old-Biscuit]

Full size tool box would be in front of bed so only time it would be questionable is when making 'U' Turns and/or tight maneuverings when backing

Top of box sticking up 4" ABOVE bedrail and 6" of bedrail clearance you WILL make contact with top of box/5vr overhang underside with 'off angle' situations

I have 6" clearance and have come very close to to making contact with bedrail when 'off angle'

Attention/vigilance would be key....but still could be an issue.
That 2" between top of box and underside of 5vr overhang can 'disappear' in an instant when doing tight maneuvers

[KarnaughAtla]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Full size tool box would be in front of bed so only time it would be questionable is when making 'U' Turns and/or tight maneuverings when backing

Top of box sticking up 4" ABOVE bedrail and 6" of bedrail clearance you WILL make contact with top of box/5vr overhang underside with 'off angle' situations

I have 6" clearance and have come very close to to making contact with bedrail when 'off angle'

Attention/vigilance would be key....but still could be an issue.
That 2" between top of box and underside of 5vr overhang can 'disappear' in an instant when doing tight maneuvers

Thanks Old-Biscuit. I think that I know it's probably not a good idea, but I was hoping I'd get dozens of people chiming in to say that it's no problem.

Oh well. I think a chest that sits in the bed is probably a better idea!

[Old-Biscuit]

This is similar to my setup in my 2007 3500 Dodge SRW Quad Cap
Tool box is even with top of bedrail and then the 'partner' box sits right at rear of bed (can open with 5vr hitched up)
Similar----instead of forward tool box I have a 4KW Gen in an enclosed box




Highway Products.....not cheap but high quality, well built
https://www.highwayproducts.com/fifth-wheel-tool-boxes

[cruzbill]

My tool box in the Dually comes up flush with the bed rails, no chance it can interfere with the cab of the 5ver (since traded in on our MH). Worked flawlessly for the 17 years we had the 5ver.

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by KarnaughAtla

I found a great deal on a WeatherTech tool box and I want it, but the box sticks up about 4" above the bed rails. I have about 6" of clearance all around currently.

Then it's not a great deal. It's a lousy deal.

You want a full-size tool CHEST that does not stick up above the bed. I had a WeatherGuard tool chest in my pickup for 10 years when I towed a 5er all over the lower 48. Never any problem with trailer to tool chest contact.

Here's the WeatherGuard tool chest I had in my F-250 with 8' bed. That one will fit in an F-150 with an 8' bed:
Model 684-5-01 All-Purpose Chest, Aluminum, Full Extra Wide, 18.6 cu ft

If your F-150 has a 6.5' or shorty bed, then that one is too big, so you have to back off to this one:
Model 674-5-01 All-Purpose Chest, Aluminum, Full Compact, 10.0 cu ft

Of course, WeatherGuard is the cream of the crop, and therefore expensive. If you want a less expensive tool chest, then look at the brand sold by Tractor Supply. But don't expect WeatherGuard quality at a Tractor Supply price.

[dcarver]

Towed over 10k miles so far with an over the rail tool box with my 5er. Never crossed my mind it would even come close to hitting . I've got a 15 ram long bed dually. I don't think there's any difference in hitch setup with the 3rd gen ram. How about a direct side picture? Maybe the nose of your trailer is more forward than mine.

[tuffr2]

4" above the bed rail is imho cutting it too close.

[KarnaughAtla]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

This is similar to my setup in my 2007 3500 Dodge SRW Quad Cap
Tool box is even with top of bedrail and then the 'partner' box sits right at rear of bed (can open with 5vr hitched up)
Similar----instead of forward tool box I have a 4KW Gen in an enclosed box




Highway Products.....not cheap but high quality, well built
https://www.highwayproducts.com/fifth-wheel-tool-boxes

That's a nice setup - a little pricey for me right now, but definitely something to consider for the future.

Thanks everyone for your advice! I think we're going to go with a chest that sits in the bed, not on the rails.

[Wallaby Dan]

If you have the 8 foot bed it should be ok even with 4 inch above the bed. 6.5 forget it! It will hit the trailer in a tight turn. Mine is a long bed with a 4 inch top. Not even close to hit. Nice tool box. Too pricey for my blood though. I still have the old one i have had for years now. All steel. Wish i could afford one of those aluminum boxes...Maybe when i win the lottery....

[CARLnJANIS]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

This is similar to my setup in my 2007 3500 Dodge SRW Quad Cap
Tool box is even with top of bedrail and then the 'partner' box sits right at rear of bed (can open with 5vr hitched up)
Similar----instead of forward tool box I have a 4KW Gen in an enclosed box




Highway Products.....not cheap but high quality, well built
https://www.highwayproducts.com/fifth-wheel-tool-boxes

X2 on quality and price. The warranty on all their products is lifetime transferable. I have had a few problems with minor OEM parts they used. But they were quick, friendly, and professional to send me replacement parts without any questions.

I did have a major problem with the paint. There was a problem with either the paint or the body filler they used on the seams. The filler bled through the paint. When I called, they were aware of the problem. Seemed like the entire company mobilized to solve the issue. I talked with several managers. The gentleman who sold me the RV body for my truck contacted a local paint and body shop that worked with aluminum bodies. The problem was solved without any issues and it didn't cost me a penny, except a little time and fuel. A complete surface preparation and repaint was done with a little extra work. Looks like new and still does over four years later.

Can see the beige color at the seams.


Can see the beige color around and under decal.


Repainted with a little song verse added.


Repainted with the B&W decal replaced by airbrush art.