When you purchase truck toolboxes such as tool totes or trailer tongue utility boxes, the material they’re made of should be an important consideration. You’ve probably seen many a pickup truck over the years with a painted steel toolbox that’s become scarred with scratches and striped with rust. Or maybe you’ve tried to keep your own steel toolbox nice and new with lots of sanding, priming, painting and other time-consuming maintenance.

 

Some people might argue that steel is stronger than aluminum, and while this may be an important factor if you’re building a bridge or similar type structure, it hardly matters when it comes to your truck toolbox. Aluminum diamond plate is preferred by professionals for truck toolboxes because it’s thick and highly-durable. Compared to the thin, painted steel sheet metal sometimes used for truck toolboxes, aluminum diamond plate is much more sturdy to withstand scratches, rust and other damage from years of use.

 

Aluminum diamond plate comes in a sharp, sleek finish, and can also come in a black or white powder coat finish, usually at an additional cost. Be sure to choose an aluminum diamond plate toolbox that’s fully welded instead of just riveted, and comes with a warranty to ensure it’s free of defects.