Weather Guard Truck Tool Box Review: See My Honest Thoughts

By Glenda Taylor

Posted on Oct 31, 2024 1:45 PM EDT

Reviewed By Stephanie Cronk

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Over the years, I’ve had many truck tool boxes, some good, some not so good, but until recently, I’d never had a Weather Guard model because I questioned whether they were worth the premium price. Now, I’m kicking myself for not buying one sooner. A couple of weeks ago, I bought the Weather Guard Tool Box, model 121-52-01 and installed it in my truck bed.

Since then, it’s been through a strong rainstorm and the inevitable bumps that come with loading lumber and construction materials in the truck bed on a daily basis. It’s holding up admirably, and the locking mechanism keeps my tools from wandering off. Keep reading to find out more about this truck bed tool box and my favorite features.

Testing this truck tool box was straightforward. My main concerns were its build quality, how well it fit my truck, and the locking mechanisms. I measured my truck bed’s dimensions before purchasing the tool box to make sure it would fit. Don’t skip this step, even if your truck is on a list of acceptable models, because bed liners and aftermarket accessories can alter the actual fit.

After mounting it on my truck, I went about my daily routine, which involved transporting several tools in the Weather Guard box. I paid close attention to the quality of the lid hinges because the lids on many metal pickup tool boxes tend to slam shut, but I was impressed with this one’s soft-close feature. I opened and closed it multiple times per day, and locked and unlocked the box periodically.

The tool box features no-drill installation, which is much better than drilling holes in your truck’s rail bed as is necessary with some other truck tool boxes.

I positioned the tool box so its shoulders were on the top of my truck’s bed rail and checked to ensure that it was centered. On the inside of the box’s shoulders, there are four holes—two on each side. The holes sit on the inside of the rail bed, not directly over it, so there’s no need to drill. The Weather Guard box comes with four U-clamps, carriage bolts, and lock nuts.

It was simple to position the U-clamps under the corresponding holes in the box and insert carriage bolts through the clamps and the holes in the box. From inside the box, I attached lock nuts to the carriage bolts and tightened them down with a wrench.

Because the lock nuts are inside the tool box—not under the truck’s rail bed—they aren’t accessible from outside the box, making it more difficult for a thief to remove the box from the truck when the box is locked.

Although I’ve only had the Weather Guard box for a few weeks, I’m very impressed with its quality and durability. The lid’s rim overlaps the top of the box, and after a rainstorm with strong winds, I checked to see if any water had gotten into it. It was bone-dry.

The heavy-duty aluminum the box is made from is also tough. When construction is your job, you don’t have time to pamper a tool box. I’ve inadvertently banged into the box while loading equipment in the back of my truck, but so far, no dents. Plus, the box is welded, not riveted, as some cheaper boxes are, so it’s solid and built to last. The lid features industrial-strength hinges with a spring system that keeps the lid from slamming shut—a feature I really appreciate.

It’s the most secure truck tool box I’ve owned, but if left unlocked, a thief can still open the top and grab your tools. So, the best way to protect pricey power tools is to lock the box when you’re not using your tools.

The Weather Guard tool box features the 1Key Ultralock system. I was able to key my lock using a code I chose. This is an added safety factor because it keeps someone who has keys to similar Weather Guard boxes from being able to use them to open mine. Some cheaper tool boxes have universal keys that fit virtually all boxes of the same style and brand. On the downside, the key can only be coded once, and it’s crucial to register the code with Weather Guard if you ever need a replacement key.

The lock is also tamper-resistant. When I lock it with my key, the button that opens the lid retracts into the box. The tool box also has high-strength latch strikers that resist tampering and prying.

Another perk is that the box comes with two anchor points on the front that can be used with straps to secure portable tool boxes, equipment, or other items in the back of the truck.

For me, the tool box, which currently sells for $999.99 at Tractor Supply Co. and $1,129 at Lowe’s and Northern Tool + Equipment, is justified. While it’s easily double the price of lower-quality truck tool boxes, I haul a lot of power tools, and I’ve lost some over the years to thieves who were able to pry up the lids on cheaper boxes. I’ve also had tools damaged beyond repair from water that leaked in through riveted seams.

I also like that this Weather Guard tool box is saddle style. This allows me to slide ladders and lumber beneath the box, giving me room to transport long items that wouldn’t fit if the bottom of the box sat on the truck bed. Ultimately, if you don’t need a high level of security or durability, a less-expensive box might be a better pick for you.

Buy the Weather Guard Saddle Tool Box on:

This truck tool box is ideal for professionals or DIYers who need a durable and secure solution for storing and transporting their tools. Its heavy-duty construction and tamper-resistant locking mechanism makes it well suited for use in busy or high-crime areas. And, being pretty much weatherproof (maybe that’s how it got the name Weather Guard), it protects against the elements.

But, if you need a tool box for occasional use, and you don’t require a high level of security, there are plenty of more affordable options that would work. Still, for someone looking for a high level of tool protection, this Weather Guard truck tool box doesn’t disappoint.

Buy the Weather Guard Saddle Tool Box on:

Glenda Taylor is a contractor, product tester, and writer focusing primarily on construction, DIY tools, and home appliances.

Staff Writer

Glenda Taylor is a BobVila.com staff writer with a background in the residential remodeling, home building, and home improvement industries. She started writing for BobVila.com in 2016 and covers a range of topics, including construction methods, code compliance, tool use, and the latest news in the housing and real estate industries.

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