Question about off-roading with cross rail tool boxes…

[yoda13]

All of my off-roading history with any kind of serious off-roading has been in a Wrangler of some type, starting in 1990. I have done some very mild wheeling in the JT, but nothing serious. However, I am thinking of heading out west to meet family this summer to do some wheeling. Some of the trails I do will be difficult and involve flex. Is there any reason why, that anyone can think of, that might cause an issue with flexing and cross rail tool boxes. With myself, my brother, and my pup inside, there isn’t much room for recovery gear and tools. I am thinking this is the easiest solution, if it won’t cause issue on the trails. What do y’all think?

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[Escape.idiocracy]

I can’t say for certain (do not have a truck bed tool box) But I don’t think that the tool box is that tight. But as long as it’s secured to the rails, it should be fine.

 

[Mad Mac]

My old toolbox in my Toyota was fairly tightly packed
and things did not slide around.
This new toolbox has very little in it
and ordinary turns throw stuff around.
So I recommend packing it full.

My new Craftsman toolbox from Tractor Supply
came with only one pair of skinny J-hooks.
I bought two pairs of thicker J-hooks
and placed them near the corners for peace of mind.

We have used cross-rail toolboxes on work trucks for years.
Everything is a compromise.
I think a cross-rail toolbox is one of the better ones.

 

[yoda13]

My old toolbox in my Toyota was fairly tightly packed
and things did not slide around.
This new toolbox has very little in it
and ordinary turns throw stuff around.
So I recommend packing it full.

My new Craftsman toolbox from Tractor Supply
came with only one pair of skinny J-hooks.
I bought two pairs of thicker J-hooks
and placed them near the corners for peace of mind.

We have used cross-rail toolboxes on work trucks for years.
Everything is a compromise.
I think a cross-rail toolbox is one of the better ones.

You thinks it’s up to the rigors of rock crawling? I think it will be packed, though not necessarily with heavy gear, when I am out on the trails. It will have things like tow straps, portable air compressors, a couple of tool rolls, but it won’t be full of nothing but tools, that’s what I am trying to say.

 

[starrskream]

You thinks it’s up to the rigors of rock crawling? I think it will be packed, though not necessarily with heavy gear, when I am out on the trails. It will have things like tow straps, portable air compressors, a couple of tool rolls, but it won’t be full of nothing but tools, that’s what I am trying to say.

I honestly don’t know your answer. So here’s me thinking it through.
Does the bed flex when rock crawling? Any stiffness preventing flex could twist the bed. Then again, I see people in videos crawling with bed racks installed.
This would be my biggest concern.

knowing that, what the guy above said about adding J hooks could prove useful. Also, perhaps some bottom support as well?

is the tool box aluminum? Or is it one of the ultra beefy weather guard ones?
That may make a difference if it flexes hard.

maybe to prevent things sliding inside install some 2x4 dividers? Or pressure bars that ratchet in place.

for the money spent on a tool box, you could easily get a set of rough country molle panels on all 3 sides of the bed and mount all sorts of stuff in there. Then you wouldn’t have to worry about bed flex.

 

[jeepers29]

As long as the box is secure, you will be fine.

 

[yoda13]

I honestly don’t know your answer. So here’s me thinking it through.
Does the bed flex when rock crawling? Any stiffness preventing flex could twist the bed. Then again, I see people in videos crawling with bed racks installed.
This would be my biggest concern.

that’s what I am concerned about as well. Your point about racks is well made though. I will think on the Molle racks a bit longer. I haven’t bought anything yet.

 

[Mad Mac]

You thinks it’s up to the rigors of rock crawling? I think it will be packed, though not necessarily with heavy gear, when I am out on the trails. It will have things like tow straps, portable air compressors, a couple of tool rolls, but it won’t be full of nothing but tools, that’s what I am trying to say.

I do not rock crawl so really not qualified to answer.
But it seems like it would hold up better
and the contents would be safer
than containers and gear
jouncing, bucking and sliding around in the bed
like happens sometimes here on the property.

It would probably be good for mission critical equipment
like you mentioned that always travels with you
that you can't afford to lose or have stolen.
That is how I plan to use mine.
The daily utility is the value I see in it.

The only drawback is the "redneck" style of it.
Like there should be a shotgun mounted in the back window.
It lacks the elite overlanding adventure look.
It would be out of place parked at a Starbucks.
But I'm in Texas, so I get a pass.

Don't leave home without it.

 

[Rusty PW]

Have a few friends that have the cross rail tool boxes. It will work long as it's bolted down. I have a box that's mounted in the front of my bed. It's held in place with turn-buckets. Hasn't moved yet.

 

[starrskream]

that’s what I am concerned about as well. Your point about racks is well made though. I will think on the Molle racks a bit longer. I haven’t bought anything yet.

I only have two panels and i can fit tons of stuff. Goijng to take a bit to get it all sorted as I want.

If you need ideas, check this thread www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/molle-bed-panels-whats-on-yours.77708

 

[yoda13]

I do not rock crawl so really not qualified to answer.
But it seems like it would hold up better
and the contents would be safer
than containers and gear
jouncing, bucking and sliding around in the bed
like happens sometimes here on the property.

It would probably be good for mission critical equipment
like you mentioned that always travels with you
that you can't afford to lose or have stolen.
That is how I plan to use mine.
The daily utility is the value I see in it.

The only drawback is the "redneck" style of it.
Like there should be a shotgun mounted in the back window.
It lacks the elite overlanding adventure look.
It would be out of place parked at a Starbucks.
But I'm in Texas, so I get a pass.

Don't leave home without it.

I am in Texas too, so that would be fine

 

[yoda13]

Have a few friends that have the cross rail tool boxes. It will work long as it's bolted down. I have a box that's mounted in the front of my bed. It's held in place with turn-buckets. Hasn't moved yet.

That’s the kind of box I may have to look into.

 

[yoda13]

I only have two panels and i can fit tons of stuff. Goijng to take a bit to get it all sorted as I want.

If you need ideas, check this thread www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/molle-bed-panels-whats-on-yours.77708

thank you, I will check out that thread. The Molle panels might be enough, but I’m not sure.

 

[yoda13]

Have a few friends that have the cross rail tool boxes. It will work long as it's bolted down. I have a box that's mounted in the front of my bed. It's held in place with turn-buckets. Hasn't moved yet.

do you have the turn buckles mounted to the front two bed hooks?

 

[Rusty PW]

That’s the kind of box I may have to look into.

I got it from Amazon. I wanted a box that would fit under the tonneau cover. For the lid to completely open. I bolted a 2x4 behind it. The 2x4 is a spacer between the box and the front of the bed.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VU98HK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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