Easy Truck Bed Storage

Here's a quick and cheap way to add some extra storage compartments to your Pickup Truck. This design uses materials readily available from the local hardware store and is very easy to put in and take out of your truck as needed. They are great for storing luggage, groceries, trash, etc. And only take about 2-3 minutes to add or remove from the truck once initially set up. I've run these thru the car wash with no problems too.

• Two large plastic containers - I got these at Lowes and a 2 for 1 deal for $20
• Industrial strength Velcro
• 4 Mini stretch cords
• 2 "S" hooks
• 6 large zip ties
• 4 adhesive backed hook plates
• Drill, 1/2" or 1/4" drill bit

1. Cut 8 pieces (4 for each container) of Velcro for the truck bed and attach (see picture #1)

2. Cut 8 pieces of opposite side Velcro (4 for each container) for add attach (see picture #2)

3. Take care when placing Velcro on the truck bed that it will match up to your containers Velcro pieces

Do the next 6 steps for each container:

4. Place the bottom of the container onto the truck bed matching up Velcro strips until it's placed well, ideally little to no wiggle or slip. This might take a little trial and error. You should be able to get it to hold pretty well.

5. Drill 4 1/2 inch diameter holes in the top lid of the container (see pictures #3 and #5 & #6)

• Two of the holes are on the back of the top lid to allow for later tie straps to fit thru for the "hinge" (picture #3)
• The other two holes on the front of the top lid to allow for later mini stretch cord to be hooked on (picture #5)

6. Drill 3 1/2 inch diameter holes in the bottom half of the container (see pictures #3 and #5 & #6)

• On the bottom piece of each container drill two of the holes in the back top area so that you can loop two tie straps thru the two other similar holes you drilled in the top lid - the four holes and two ties straps then form a "hinge" for the overall container (see picture #3).
• On the bottom piece of each container, drill one hole about 4 inches down from the top in the center of the bottom piece. Put an "S" hook in the hole. On the inside of the container, I've found it helpful to put a tie strap on the back side of the "S" hook to help keep it in place (see pictures #5 & #6).

7. Flip down the top lid onto the bottom of the container

8. Take one of the mini stretchy cords and put one of the hook ends into each of the two holes you drilled in the top lid. Pinch the hooks tight onto the holes so they don't slip out. Stretch the middle of the stretchy cord to hook onto the "S" hook. See pictures #5 and #6 above for placement.

9. Optional, but good for safety (i.e. "fly aways" during driving) - place one adhesive backed hook pad on the front of the bottom container piece and another adhesive backed hook plate at about the same height on the truck bed side wall. Take a mini stretchy cord and put hook ends into each pad for a safety catch. See picture #7 above for placement. I've had this setup on my truck for about 2 years now and have never had one of the bottom halves "fly off" while driving. I did have one of the top lids fly off once and it was because I only used one tie strap for the hinge (and it had broken). Which is why I strongly suggest use two tie straps for the lid hinge and check it semi-frequently to make sure they are not broken. Obviously if you are concerned more about safety, then just put a regular stretchy cord over the tops of the two containers, stretched side to side. Once in a while I have to replace the Velcro pieces depending on how much I take the containers off and put them back on.