DeWalt 28 in. W 12 Gal. Polypropylene Rolling Tool Box

I picked up the DeWalt rolling box as a grab‑and‑go hauler for bigger tools that don’t fit tidy organizers—think bandsaws, long pry bars, SDS hammers, and awkward jigs. After months of jobsite use, truck-bed rides, and weekend projects, it’s become a dependable mobile trunk with a few quirks worth knowing.

Build and design

The shell is DeWalt’s structural foam (polypropylene), which strikes a nice balance between toughness and weight. Empty, the box is under 10 pounds, so it’s easy to wrestle into a truck or up a few steps before you’ve loaded it. The latches are large, rust‑resistant metal and snap shut with a confident bite; I’ve had no bend or spring fatigue so far. The rear hinge is molded and reinforced—the lid tracks straight and doesn’t skew under load.

DeWalt seals the lid with a full‑perimeter gasket. On paper, the box is rated IP54, and in practice the gasket does its job as long as you respect what that rating means (more on weather below). There’s a V‑groove molded into the lid for holding pipe or lumber if you’re cutting in the field; it’s not something I use daily, but it’s sturdy and genuinely useful when you need it.

The interior is one large compartment with a shallow removable tray that nests on the rim. Useful volume is just shy of 12 gallons (DeWalt lists 4,275 cubic inches), and the interior measures roughly 27 x 12 x 11 inches. That’s enough to lay longer tools diagonally, stack cases, or bundle a drill/driver combo with batteries and boxes of fasteners. If you prefer a compartmentalized system, this cavernous single cavity will either feel liberating or messy; for me, it’s great for “big awkward stuff,” but I still carry a small organizer for tiny consumables.

On the outside, two carry points matter: a big molded top handle for dead‑lifting and a telescoping pull handle. The telescoping handle is metal, slides smoothly, and locks positively. It only adds about seven inches of reach when extended. I’m 5'10" and it tows fine at my stride; taller users may wish for more extension to avoid clipping their heels.

Mobility

Two large plastic wheels carry the load. For a box in this price and weight class, they’re better than average. On hard surfaces they roll quietly and track straight. Over gravel, pavers, and tall grass they’re surprisingly capable—the diameter clears small ruts and cords without a fight. It’s not a stair climber and I wouldn’t drag it up a rough jobsite staircase fully loaded, but curb heights are manageable if you tip and lift. The balance point is well judged: even near its 80‑pound load rating, it doesn’t feel tippy, and the handle angle gives decent leverage without scraping the tail.

Capacity and layout in real use

I’ve used the box as a one‑trip solution on service calls and rough‑in days. A typical loadout: 1" SDS‑Plus rotary hammer, 7‑1/4" circ saw, drill/impact pair with four batteries, a hand saw, pry bar set, two bit kits, gloves, and fasteners. Everything fits with room for a jacket and kneepads on top. Longer pieces like 4' levels don’t fit, but 36" levels will with an angle.

The removable tray is genuinely handy for tape measures, knives, markers, and loose drivers. It’s not divided into micro compartments, so small parts will wander; I store fasteners in their own cases and keep the tray for frequently grabbed hand tools and consumables. Because the interior is one big cavity, packing it like a trunk matters—put heavier tools low and forward so it tows without nosediving.

Weather resistance

IP54 is often misunderstood. It means dust protected and resistant to splashing water from any direction; it does not mean submersible, and it’s not a guarantee against driven rain at highway speeds. With that in mind, the DeWalt seal has kept my tools dry in light to moderate rain and on dewy mornings when the box sits upright. I performed a quick hose test—gentle spray from all sides for a minute—and the interior stayed dry.

Two caveats from real use:
- Orientation matters. Left on its back or lid‑up in a truck bed during a storm, I found light moisture at the handle attachment area. The screws that secure the handle assembly are potential ingress points under sustained water. Upright positioning prevents this. If you plan to leave the box outside regularly, a bead of silicone around the interior screw bosses or adding rubber washers helps.
- Don’t expect it to protect paper or electronics during a downpour by itself. For sensitive items, I still bag or case them inside the box.

Overall, I’d call it water resistant as advertised, not waterproof, and entirely adequate for normal jobsite exposure when used upright and latched.

Durability

The structural foam body shrugs off the kind of abuse that scuffs steel and cracks brittle plastic. Mine has fallen off a tailgate onto asphalt and picked up only cosmetic rash. The lid is stiff enough that I occasionally use it as a step to reach the last course on a wall; at 200 pounds, I’ve had no flex that worried me. DeWalt rates the load capacity at 80 pounds, and the latches and hinge feel up to that—no spreading or odd creaks fully loaded.

One weak point is the telescoping handle. After months of regular towing, I noticed a bit of play in the extension and one side’s detent became less crisp. It still locks, but the slop is there. If you drag this thing daily over rough surfaces at full load, that handle will be the first part to show wear. The wheels, by contrast, have held up well: axles are straight and the hubs haven’t ovalized.

The metal latches show no rust so far, even after a wet season, and their springs still snap. I wipe the gasket now and then to keep grit from compromising the seal; it’s a simple maintenance step that pays off.

Security and locks

There are padlock eyes on the front. They accept a relatively slim shackle; many beefy jobsite locks won’t fit through both holes simultaneously. I’ve been using a compact brass shrouded lock through one eye, which is enough to discourage casual tampering, but this is not a high‑security chest. If theft resistance is critical, look to steel‑reinforced chests or cable the handle to structure.

What it’s not

This isn’t a modular stacking system, and it doesn’t clip to ToughSystem or TSTAK towers. It’s a standalone rolling chest. If you want drawers, dividers, or weatherproof micro‑organizers, pair this with dedicated organizers. Also, if you regularly transport in open truck beds through storms, a true IP65+ box or a tonneau cover is a better fix than relying on any gasketed plastic chest.

What I’d change

• More handle extension. An extra 3–5 inches would improve ergonomics for taller users and reduce heel strikes.
• Better sealing at handle fasteners. A redesigned internal boss or factory‑applied sealant would mitigate the rare water ingress point.
• Friendlier lock interface. Larger, shielded lock eyes that accept common 1/4" shackles (or include a metal hasp) would broaden security options.
• Optional interior dividers. Even a simple set of molded baffles would help users who want some structure without adding boxes.

Value

Price‑to‑volume is excellent here. For roughly the cost of a mid‑range organizer, you get a 12‑gallon rolling chassis with a gasketed lid and metal latches. The limited lifetime warranty is reassuring; these boxes take a beating, and DeWalt has a long track record with structural foam cases.

Who it’s for

• Tradespeople who need a tough, mobile trunk for long or bulky tools and don’t need modular stacking.
• Service techs who want a one‑trip hauler that fits in a small SUV or trunk.
• DIYers who want to consolidate larger tools and tow them around the driveway or jobsite without breaking the bank.

If you’re a heavy commercial user who drags gear across rough sites all day, I’d still consider it—but budget for the handle being a wear item over time. If your priority is waterproof storage or high security, look elsewhere.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt rolling box as a durable, no‑nonsense hauler that prioritizes usable space, simple organization, and easy rolling over bells and whistles. It’s tough for its weight, the gasketed lid is legitimately water resistant when used upright, and the wheels and balance make moving 50–80 pounds of gear a manageable task. The weak spot is the telescoping handle’s long‑term tightness, and the lock eyes and handle fasteners could be more refined. For most users who need a big, mobile bin that takes abuse and keeps tools dry through everyday weather, it’s a smart, cost‑effective pick. If you need modular stacking, higher ingress protection, or serious lockability, choose a different platform; otherwise, this rolling box earns its keep.