Ever since my son entered the world, the under-seat storage in the rear of my Tacoma cabin has rarely seen the light of day. As long as I have child car seats back there, I think it will be years before I ever use that as storage again. It’s such a hassle removing the car seats in order to get under those bench seats.
Therefore, I needed a storage solution that was easily accessible and kept my property secure. I think the idea of front truck bed tool boxes are great but I prefer something less bulky and can access without climbing the bed of my truck. Besides, my 5 foot truck bed is small enough as it is!
Luckily, I came upon the UnderCover Swing Case on Amazon. This storage box is big enough for my needs, easily accessible from the rear of the truck, durable, securable, and very affordable.
Video Review
This is a short review on the Swing Case:
Features
- Tonneau Cover Compatible– Unlike most front bed tool boxes, the Swing Case will not interrupt or prevent tonneau cover functionality. The height of the box will not surpass the height of the bedrail.
- Removable– If you need to remove the case to provide extra room in the bed or just to relocate it, you can do so by simply lifting the case from the hinge as it’s swung out.
- Anti-Theft Features– The case itself has a lockable cover that can be secured via a key. You can also attach a padlock near the case hinge in order to prevent anyone from lifting the case out of your truck bed.
- Weather-Resistant– You can rest assured that your items will remain protected from the elements since the case is made from high impact, ABS plastic.
- 75 lb Weight Capacity– Although it can’t hold as much weight as a traditional toolbox, it can still hold a fairly decent amount. Plus, if you need more secured storage space, you can buy another Swing Case for the other side of the truck bed.
What I Don’t Like About The Swing Case
- Weak Brackets– If the items in your case weigh close to max capacity and tend to bounce around, it may weaken the brackets holding up the case over time. This is a problem experienced more by people who drive off road regularly, as it will cause the case items to bounce around inside. If you drive mostly on flat surface, you likely will not experience this issue.
- Plastic Material– The plastic material that the case is made of is questionably sturdy. I understand that the case can’t be made of metal or else it would weaken the bracket faster, but anything plastic, especially when exposed to the elements, may have a tendency to weaken. To be sure, I would line the inside with duct tape or sealant to promote case longevity.
- Permanent New Holes– This may not be a deal breaker for most folks, but I cringe at the idea of putting holes into the truck bed myself. I also cringe when I have to cut into the drywall in my house. I’m always afraid of messing something up. Either way, as long as you take the proper measurements and seal the new holes up properly, you should be able to install the Swing Case just fine.
Final Thoughts
Let’s be honest. The Swing Case isn’t going to replace a legitimate, full-sized metal toolbox. It’s not going to match in durability, security, or storage space. It is, however, better when it comes to convenience, space-saving, and price.
For myself, I don’t carry big heavy tools around in my truck, nor do I regularly need to. I do, however, need space for ratchet straps, bungee cords, ponchos, tire gauges, a first aid kit, flashlights, and some bug spray. I typically take my truck camping and hunting, so there are a lot of small items I can keep in the case during these trips.
Overall, the UnderCover Swing Case (click on Amazon link to see current price) is a great alternative to a full-sized tool box and perfectly fits the lifestyle of the average guy such as myself.