Garvee 36 Inch Black Steel Truck Bed Tool Box, Trailer Tongue Box, Truck Storage Organizer Tool Chest For Truck Bed, RV, Trailer

Why I chose a steel box over aluminum

I’ve cycled through my share of trailer and truck-bed storage options—plastic totes, budget aluminum boxes, even a DIY plywood chest. Each had a breaking point: sun-baked plastic cracks, lightweight aluminum dents and warps, and wood swells and sheds splinters. I wanted a compact, durable, weather-sealed box I could mount on a trailer tongue or toss in the truck bed without fuss. That led me to the Garvee 36-inch steel box, a simple, stout, powder-coated chest with an open (no-latch) design and a gas strut to hold the lid at full open.

After a few weeks of installs, road miles, and rain-lashed weekends, here’s how it actually performs.

Build quality and design

The Garvee is made from 12-gauge steel, and you can feel it the moment you lift it. It’s hefty in a reassuring way—no flex in the panels, tight seams, and a textured black powder-coat that shrugs off minor scuffs. The finish isn’t glossy show-truck stuff; it’s a practical texture that grips grime less and hides fingerprints well.

The design is straightforward:
- 36 x 15 x 15 inches
- Weather-sealed lid with a raised lip and gasket
- A single gas strut that snaps the lid open to about 110 degrees and cushions the close
- A welded tab on the lid that slots into a front cutout for a padlock or carabiner
- No internal trays, dividers, or integrated lock

It’s a minimalist approach that trades frills for durability. The welds on my unit were clean with no pinholes at the corners. The hinge operates smoothly and shows no wobble. Inside, it’s a big, open cavity—great for flexibility, not so great for organization without add-ons.

Installation notes (truck bed, trailer tongue, and cargo rack)

The box is designed to mount almost anywhere flat and strong enough to carry it plus your gear. I tested it in three spots: a half-ton pickup bed, an A-frame trailer tongue, and a steel cargo basket on the back of a motorhome.

• Truck bed: Easiest install. I centered it against the cab, marked hole positions through the base, and drilled. I strongly recommend large fender washers or a backing plate underneath the bed to spread load, especially if you carry heavy tools or a bottle jack. Stainless hardware is worth the extra few bucks.
• Trailer tongue: Measure twice. The lid needs clearance to arc to full open at 110 degrees. On an A-frame tongue, I set it slightly forward and checked for interference with the jack handle. Again, use backing plates or angle iron underneath to prevent flex.
• Cargo rack: This box is heavy when loaded; confirm your rack’s rating. I used U-bolts and backing plates through the slats, then added a threadlocker. Keep the weight centered over the rack supports.

Tip: After drilling the box base, hit the bare metal with primer and a dab of black touch-up paint to prevent rust at the hole edges.

Everyday use

The open design is the star here. No finicky latch, no linkage to go out of adjustment. Drop the lid, slide a padlock (or a carabiner) through the tab, done. On job days that simplicity is gold—gloves on, in and out, zero fiddling.

The gas strut is assertive. Crack the lid and it wants to run up to full-open quickly. That’s great in wind and when your hands are full, but be ready the first time—hold onto the lid and don’t let it pop into a low awning or a raised tonneau cover. Closing is smooth with a gentle cushion at the end; no slam, and fingers feel safe along the gasket line.

Capacity is solid for the footprint. I routinely carry:
- A 20-foot chain, two recovery straps, hitch pins, and D-rings
- A bottle jack and breaker bar
- Small organizer bins for bits and blades
- Gloves, shop rags, a quart of oil, and a small tarp

Because there’s no built-in organization, I added a rubber drawer liner to the floor and a few labeled bins. That keeps things from sliding and prevents paint wear inside.

Weatherproofing and dust control

I hose-tested the box after installation and later drove 40 miles on washboard dirt roads. The lid’s raised lip compresses the gasket evenly, and I didn’t see water ingress or more than a trace of dust at the corners. In steady rain, the interior stayed dry. As with any steel box, keep the gasket clean so it can compress uniformly; wipe it down once in a while.

I recommend not storing cloth bags soaked in mud or wet straps for long; the interior will hold moisture. If you do, crack the lid when parked to air things out.

Security

There’s no integrated lock cylinder or T-handle latch—security relies on your padlock through the welded tab. The upside is reliability; there are no springs or rods to bind or break. The downside is the obvious one: it won’t stop a determined thief with tools. For opportunistic theft, a decent shrouded padlock and a security cable around the box frame add useful deterrence. If you need maximum security, look to a locking latch design with reinforced hasps. For most truck/trailer applications, I’m comfortable with the Garvee’s approach because it’s simple and robust.

A small bonus: the tab eliminates latch rattle. With a carabiner or lock in place, I got no lid chatter over rough roads.

Durability and finish

The textured powder coat is thick and even. It resists abrasions better than glossy paint, though steel is still steel—deep gouges will show. I had one corner scuff during shipping that exposed bare metal; a quick touch-up prevented rust. If your use is hard and dirty (trailers, gravel roads, tossed chains), plan on periodic touch-ups. That’s the trade-off for steel’s rigidity over aluminum.

The 12-gauge panels have kept their shape. The lid sits square and seals consistently, which tells me the hinge line and lid reinforcement are doing their jobs. No creaks, no popping noises, and the strut hasn’t softened.

What I’d change

• Include mounting hardware and small backing plates. Most users will need them, and it streamlines installation.
• Offer an optional organizer tray or MOLLE panel kit. The open interior is versatile, but a drop-in system would help.
• Temper the gas strut slightly or add a soft-open valve. The brisk opening is fine once you know it, but a gentler first inch would be friendlier.
• Pre-painted touch-up vial in the box. Steel users will appreciate it.

Who it’s for

• Contractors and DIYers who prioritize fast access and durability over built-in organization
• Trailer owners who want a compact, tongue-mountable box that won’t flex or rattle
• RV and overland users needing a weather-sealed, hard-mount storage option on racks or baskets
• Anyone frustrated by flimsy aluminum lids and finicky latches

Who should look elsewhere:
- Those who need a keyed, integrated latch with high security
- Weight-sensitive setups (small racks or ultralight trailers)
- Users who want internal drawers, dividers, or custom compartments out of the box

Practical tips

• Use stainless hardware with large fender washers or backing plates.
• Check lid swing before drilling—ensure the 110-degree arc clears jacks, spare tires, or tonneau covers.
• Add a rubber mat inside to reduce sliding and paint wear.
• Keep a small carabiner on the tab when a padlock isn’t needed; it prevents lid chatter and keeps the tab aligned.
• Touch up any chips promptly to prevent rust creep under the powder coat.

Final thoughts and recommendation

The Garvee 36-inch steel box is a refreshingly straightforward piece of kit: thick-gauge steel, proper weather sealing, a simple padlock tab, and a gas strut that holds the lid open wide. It’s heavier than aluminum alternatives, yes, but it’s also more rigid and less prone to lid and latch issues. The lack of built-in organization means you’ll want to add bins or a mat, and the open/strap-instead-of-latch design favors users who value simplicity over integrated security hardware.

I recommend it. If your priorities are durability, weather protection, and fast access with minimal points of failure, this box hits the mark. It stands up to real use, installs easily with basic hardware, and shrugs off rain and dust. Just plan for its weight, have a padlock ready, and give the lid a steady hand the first time you open it.