Best Tool Chests For A Van

A work van comes in handy if you are a handyman or simple like DIY projects.

It’s good to keep a toolbox or a tool chest there for tool storage or tool organization.

A tool chest or tool cabinet can store all the tools you need, while a portable toolbox is more convenient on the go. If you leave a tool chest in your van, it’s ideal because you can keep all your tools there.

So if you’re looking for the best tool chest for a van, you’re in the right place. In this post, we give you some advice on how to best store your tools in a truck, from portable toolboxes to rolling tool chests or tool cabinets.

Let’s get right into the subject so you can find the best storage system for you, your van, and to keep your tools safe. The good news is that you can find all of the below storage options on amazon and buy them in a click!

Best Toolbox Models Reviewed

Here are the 10 best toolbox models reviewed, which you can all find on amazon.

From portable toolboxes to rolling tool chests or to tool cabinets, you can find everything you need on this extensive list.

Editor’s Choice: BLACK+DECKER Stackable Storage System

This Decker stackable storage system is our top choice. Not only can you store this in your van, but you can also take it with you to your job site, as it comes with a rolling tote.

This storage system also comes with a small toolbox and a deep toolbox, which you can simply stack on top of each other. You can then attach these boxes to the rolling tote with a telescoping handle. 

Thanks to their resistant auto-latches, the boxes are sturdy and easy to connect. It’s also very easy to detach them whenever you want. You simply have to use the quick-release on the locking latch. The practicality of this is what makes this product our favorite one on this list. 

There are also toggle latches that close and lock the lids of both toolboxes to keep your tools safe and organized.

However, there’s no carrying handle on the toolboxes. This means you have to be careful when opening the deep box or the smaller one, as otherwise, your tools can fall and get disorganized, which defeats the purpose of a toolbox.

Pros

• Stackable
• Sturdy
• Portable
• Very practical

Cons

• No carrying handle on the individual boxes

Runner-up: STANLEY Tool Box

The Stanley toolbox is our runner-up, as it’s great to keep in your van. The box is steel construction, specifically alloy steel, so it’s resistant to time, rust, and other external conditions.

You can either leave it in your van or take it with you as it has a large steel handle, which you can simply pull out when you need to. So it’s once again a portable toolbox, and it has a deep tote tray.

It’s a rolling toolbox, as it has wheels, which facilitates the transport of your tools, especially if you have heavy-duty ones. The wheels are specifically designed for heavy-duty, so you can put all your tools in without having to worry about them. This box also has a large storage capacity.

However, it’s not waterproof, so you have to be careful not to leave it in the rain.

Pros

• Portable and rolling
• Steel construction
• Designed for heavy-duty tools

Cons

• Not waterproof

Best Value for Money: DEWALT Tool Box with Wheels

This Dewalt toolbox is the best value for money on this list. It has anti-rust metal latches to keep your tools safe and organized and stackable boxes. All of them are large, so you can fit a lot of tools in them.

Once again, this Dewalt toolbox is on wheels and easily transportable. It has a plastic-metal handle so you can easily carry your boxes around.

The Dewalt toolbox even has a push button to easily close and open the boxes.

However, this toolbox is made out of plastic, making it less resistant than steel construction.

Pros

• Best value for money
• Portable
• Stackable with metal latches

Cons

• Made of plastic

Alternative 1: Stalwart 3-in-1 Rolling Tool Box with Wheels

Let’s move on to the first alternative if the first three didn’t fit your needs. This is yet another rolling toolbox. As the name suggests, this Stalwart rolling toolbox with wheels is portable. It also has a handle with a comfort grip, which you can fold when you don’t need it.

The boxes are rigid and sturdy, so you don’t need to worry about potentially damaging them. They’re made from stainless steel, so you can keep your hand and power tools there. They’ll be safe, even if you carry this rolling toolbox everywhere with you, even in harsher job sites.

This toolbox has three separate compartments to store all the tools you need, from heavy-duty tools to hand tools.  You can lock each of the compartments with a lock.

This item is very versatile. You can, for example, store hammers, pliers, screwdrivers, and small parts. 

However, you can’t carry this rolling toolbox up the stairs. You can if you lift it, but otherwise, it won’t work. Also, there are no built-in latches. You have to add them yourself if you want them.

Pros

• Rolling toolbox
• Sturdy and durable
• Versatile

Cons

• Not suited for stairs
• No built-in latches

Alternative 2: Buyers Products Diamond Tread Aluminum Underbody Truck Box

This is our second alternative and is specifically meant as a truck box. This is made from a thick diamond tread aluminum, which means it’s sturdy, durable, can resist corrosion, and resist all types of weather conditions. 

We specifically recommend this truck box for electricians, as it’s ideal for storing cables and other bits. It has a latch system that locks and compresses your tools, keeping them safe and protected against all external conditions.

However, it’s more expensive to buy this type of box, but that’s also because it’s high-quality and made of a resistant and expensive material. 

Pros

• Sturdy
• Durable
• Safe locking system
• Resists tough weather conditions

Cons

• Expensive

Alternative 3: Ironton Toolbox Storage System

The Ironton toolbox storage system is our third alternative. You can separate it into three parts for the best storage options. This is a heavy-duty box, as it’s also a steel construction. So it’s durable and sturdy. It even has drawers made out of steel. 

The top box has an easy-grip handle and an extra compartment on the lid. The middle one also has an easy-grip handle with two drawers with ball-bearing slides. The bottom box also has ball-bearing slides, one deep drawer, and another easy-grip handle. This means you can quickly grab each box on the go.

In total, this toolbox storage system has 15 compartments, which means it’s very versatile, and you can store a lot of tools in them and keep them organized.

Unfortunately, the handle is made of plastic, which means it’s less resistant than the rest of the box and can easily break.

Pros

• Durable
• Sturdy
• Lots of compartments and storage facility

Cons

• Plastic handle 

Alternative 4: Milwaukee Packout Modular Tool Box Storage System

The Milwaukee packout modular toolbox storage system is a very versatile box. You can easily access your tools, and this box protects them. It’s easy to carry with you to your job site, or you could simply choose to leave it in your truck. 

It’s easy to assemble and disassemble. The Milwaukee packout toolbox storage is also sturdy and resists tough weather conditions or rough job sites. 

However, the Milwaukee packout storage solution can quickly get heavy if you store too many tools in it. You could detach the boxes and only bring one, for example. It depends on which tools you need for the job.

Pros

• Sturdy
• Resistant
• Easy to carry

Cons

• Heavy if too much stuff in it

Alternative 5: Montezuma Portable TRIANGLE Toolbox

This is a more unusual portable toolbox, as it’s a triangle-shaped one. It’s made of alloy steel, has a multi-tiered design and keeps your tools safe and organized.

It’s even weather-resistant and has built-in gas springs for easy access.

However, it doesn’t have much storage.

Pros

• Weather-resistant
• Nice design
• Resistant

Cons

• Not much room

Alternative 6: Sherman Stalwart Deluxe Mobile Workshop and Toolbox

This wheeled toolbox is easy to move around and with loads of storage space, with small containers to keep your tools organized. It’s also water-resistant.

However, it’s made out of plastic, and it’s not for a professional.

Pros

• Transportable
• Loads of storage space
• Water-resistant

Cons

• Plastic
• Not for pros

Alternative 7: Powerbuilt Portable Slant Front Toolbox

This is our last alternative. The Powerbuilt portable slant front toolbox can hold up to 154 tools. It’s made from heavy-duty polymer, so it will last a long time.

It also has a weather-resistant sealed lid and has a removable socket tray so you can bring your tools with you.

However, the socket holders aren’t of good quality.

Pros

• Storage
• Removable tray
• Resistant

Cons

• Socket holders aren’t resistant

Best Van Tool Chests FAQ

Now that you have an idea of which tool chest is the best for you, let’s dive into this quick FAQ. If you still have some doubts about storing your tools in a box in a van, you’re in the right place.

How Do You Store Tools In A Van?

First, you might wonder how you store tools in a van. As you can see in our extensive amazon list, you can choose to store them in a toolbox, a tool chest, or a tool cabinet.

The first step is to choose the right storage solution for your van space. This will depend on what kind of stools you store, how much storage space you need, what type of organization system you use if you’re a DIYer or a pro. 

Think about how you use your tools. Do you use them in tough weather conditions? Or do you tend to stay in your garage when you do a DIY project? Do you need to carry your tools with you? If so, do you need to carry all your tools? 

Then, think of the material and what would be best for your tools and working conditions. 

Once you have the answers to these questions, you can pick the best storage solution for you in our list above. This way, you don’t have to build any storage system. You can just pick something that will fit your van. Don’t forget to take measurements as well.

How Do I Secure My Van Toolbox?

How to secure your van toolbox

Next, you might wonder how to secure your van toolbox. This is pretty straightforward. Ideally, choose lockable toolboxes, so your tools are kept safe from external conditions and so no one can steal them.

Otherwise, you can buy a lock made out of steel and add them to your toolbox. Deadlocks or slam docks also come highly recommended.

How to secure your van

To secure your van, you can get van insurance. You can also install some kind of security system if you have heavy-duty tools and they’re valuable. 

Ideally, don’t leave anything in the van and take it with you to your job site, thanks to a portable toolbox. Keep a record of what you leave in your van. And, finally, don’t forget to lock your van!

Conclusion

You can easily store all your tools in a van, and tools chests are the ideal solution to keep them organized. 

Whether you want one that stays in your van or a portable one, we’ve got all of the suitable options for you. You just need to pick which one works best for you and your tools!