Access your tools directly from the truck side with this rail-mounted Lo-Sider truck box. The box mounts on your truck bed rails, keeping your tools easy to access and saving valuable storage space in the bed itself. These truck toolboxes are ideal for full-sized and compact pickups. Pair the Lo-Sider truck box with a Crossover, Saddle, or Gull Wing truck toolbox to maximize your truck bed storage. The durable and lightweight aluminum box is powder-coated gloss black for superior corrosion resistance and style. The stainless steel push-button locks help your tools stay secure and accessible, and a weather-resistant seal keeps moisture and dirt away from your equipment. Mounting hardware included.
Specifications
| Box Material | Aluminum |
|---|---|
| Box Thickness | Aluminum - 0.056" |
| Depth | 16 |
| Door Material | Aluminum |
| Door Style | Single Lid |
| Gasket Type | Weather Resistant Seal |
| Height | 13 |
| Hinge Style | Aluminum Continuous Hidden Hinge |
| Latch Style | Push Button |
| Pro Series | False |
| Rain Gutter | False |
| Shelf | False |
| Width | 87 |
Advanced Technical Overview: 13x16x87 Inch Gloss Black Diamond Tread Aluminum Lo-Sider Truck Box
This comprehensive technical analysis delves into the engineering, material science, and functional advantages of the 13x16x87 Inch Gloss Black Diamond Tread Aluminum Lo-Sider Truck Box. Designed for the discerning professional and serious enthusiast, this storage solution represents a strategic investment in organization, asset protection, and operational efficiency for a wide range of pickup truck applications.
Precision Engineering and Optimal Dimensions
The Lo-Sider truck box, with its precise dimensions of 13 inches in height, 16 inches in depth, and an expansive 87 inches in width, is meticulously engineered to optimize utility without compromising vehicle aesthetics or cargo capacity. The Lo-Sider designation refers to its innovative mounting position directly on the truck bed rails. This configuration provides several critical advantages. Firstly, it ensures direct, unobstructed access to tools and equipment from the side of the truck, eliminating the need to climb into the truck bed, thus enhancing user ergonomics and reducing potential for injury, particularly in demanding work environments. Secondly, by utilizing the bed rail space, the unit liberates the entire floor area of the truck bed for larger cargo, such as lumber, machinery, or recreational gear. This strategic placement ensures that the truck's primary cargo area remains fully available, maximizing the versatility of the vehicle.
The 87-inch width is specifically chosen to accommodate the vast majority of full-sized and many compact pickup truck beds, spanning the distance between the wheel wells and providing substantial linear storage. This allows for the organized containment of longer items such such as levels, pry bars, specialized plumbing or electrical conduits, and various construction materials that might not fit in shorter boxes. The 13-inch height is optimized to maintain a low profile above the bed rails, thereby minimizing aerodynamic drag and preserving rear visibility, both crucial considerations for vehicle safety and fuel efficiency. The 16-inch depth provides ample internal volume for a comprehensive assortment of hand tools, power tools, diagnostic equipment, and personal protective gear, ensuring that critical items are always within reach and securely stored.
Material Science: Diamond Tread Aluminum Construction
The primary structural material of this Lo-Sider truck box is high-grade aluminum, specifically engineered with a 0.056-inch (approximately 1.42 mm) thickness. This gauge strikes an optimal balance between lightweight construction and robust structural integrity. Aluminum is universally recognized for its superior strength-to-weight ratio compared to steel, resulting in a lighter overall unit that minimizes added vehicle weight, thereby preserving payload capacity and potentially improving fuel economy. The inherent metallurgical properties of aluminum provide exceptional resistance to corrosion, a critical factor for equipment exposed to diverse environmental conditions including moisture, road salts, chemicals, and UV radiation. Unlike steel, aluminum does not rust, ensuring long-term durability and maintaining its structural integrity over decades of service.
The exterior surface features a distinctive diamond tread pattern, also known as checker plate. This design is not merely aesthetic; it serves a crucial functional purpose. The raised pattern significantly increases the material's rigidity and torsional strength, enhancing the box's resistance to dents, impacts, and deformation, particularly important in rugged operational environments. Furthermore, the diamond tread pattern provides an anti-slip surface, which can be beneficial if personnel need to step on the box during loading or unloading operations, contributing to workplace safety. The specific alloy used for such applications is typically from the 3xxx or 5xxx series (e.g., 3003-H14 or 5052-H32), known for their excellent formability, weldability, and enhanced corrosion resistance.
Advanced Coating Technology: Gloss Black Powder Coat
To further augment its durability and aesthetic appeal, the aluminum structure undergoes an advanced powder coating process, resulting in a striking gloss black finish. Powder coating is an electrostatically applied, dry finishing process that far surpasses conventional liquid painting in terms of performance and environmental sustainability. During application, finely ground particles of pigment and resin are electrostatically charged and sprayed onto the electrically grounded aluminum surface. The charged powder particles adhere to the surface until melted and fused into a smooth coating in a curing oven. This process creates a finish that is significantly thicker and more uniform than traditional paint.
The benefits of this gloss black powder coat are multifaceted:
- Superior Corrosion Resistance: While aluminum possesses natural corrosion resistance, the powder coat provides an additional, impenetrable barrier against harsh environmental elements, including saltwater, industrial pollutants, road chemicals, and extreme temperatures. This significantly extends the lifespan of the truck box, preserving the integrity of the underlying aluminum.
- Enhanced Durability: The cured powder coat forms a highly resilient layer that is exceptionally resistant to chipping, scratching, fading, and abrasion, which are common wear factors for truck accessories. This ensures the box maintains its aesthetic quality and protective properties even under rigorous daily use.
- UV Stability: The gloss black finish is formulated with UV-resistant pigments, preventing degradation and fading when exposed to prolonged sunlight, ensuring the box retains its deep, rich color over time.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The gloss black finish provides a sleek, professional, and contemporary look that complements any truck's styling, projecting an image of professionalism and attention to detail.
- Environmental Friendliness: Powder coating is an environmentally responsible choice, as it contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and produces minimal hazardous waste during application.
Integrated Security and Environmental Protection Systems
The security and protection of valuable contents are paramount for any professional-grade storage solution. This Lo-Sider truck box integrates a robust locking mechanism and advanced weather sealing to safeguard tools and equipment. The system features stainless steel push-button locks, engineered for both security and user convenience. Stainless steel is chosen for the lock components due to its exceptional resistance to corrosion, pitting, and staining, ensuring reliable operation even in the most challenging conditions. The push-button design allows for quick and effortless access with a single hand, a significant advantage when juggling tools or working in confined spaces. Internally, these locks are typically connected to a sophisticated rod-style latching system that engages multiple points along the lid, providing enhanced pry-resistance and making forced entry considerably more difficult than single-point latching systems.
Complementing the security features is a high-performance weather-resistant seal, critical for protecting sensitive tools and electronics from environmental ingress. This gasket, typically constructed from automotive-grade EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber, forms a tight, impermeable barrier between the lid and the box body when closed. EPDM is renowned for its excellent resistance to ozone, UV radiation, extreme temperatures, and various chemicals, ensuring long-term flexibility and sealing effectiveness. This seal actively prevents the penetration of moisture, dust, dirt, and other airborne contaminants, preserving the condition and operational integrity of stored equipment and extending its lifespan. The single-lid door style, coupled with an aluminum continuous hidden hinge, further enhances the sealing integrity. The continuous hinge design ensures uniform pressure across the entire length of the lid when closed, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of the weather seal and preventing localized points of weakness or leakage. The hidden design of the hinge not only contributes to a clean aesthetic but also deters tampering and provides additional security by preventing direct access to hinge pins.
Versatility and Modular Expansion
The 13x16x87 Inch Gloss Black Diamond Tread Aluminum Lo-Sider Truck Box is not merely a standalone storage unit; it is an integral component of a comprehensive vehicle organization strategy. Its design allows for seamless integration with other popular truck box configurations, including Crossover, Saddle, or Gull Wing toolboxes. This modularity offers unparalleled flexibility for professionals who require a multi-tiered approach to tool and equipment storage. For instance, a Lo-Sider box can be paired with a Crossover box that spans the width of the truck bed behind the cab, creating a dual-level storage system that segregates tools based on frequency of use or specialized function. The Lo-Sider can house frequently accessed items or specific task-oriented kits, while the Crossover box might hold larger power tools or bulkier supplies. This synergistic approach maximizes the utility of the entire truck bed, transforming it into a highly efficient and organized mobile workshop. The ability to customize a storage solution ensures that diverse operational requirements can be met, from general contractors requiring broad utility to specialized technicians needing precise organization for delicate instruments.
Installation and Maintenance Protocol
Recognizing the need for straightforward deployment, this Lo-Sider truck box includes all necessary mounting hardware. Typically, installation involves a set of J-bolts or similar clamping mechanisms that securely fasten the box to the truck's bed rails without requiring drilling into the vehicle's structure. This non-invasive installation method preserves the truck's resale value and simplifies the removal or repositioning of the box if required. The precise design ensures a snug fit on most standard bed rail profiles, providing a stable and secure attachment that withstands the dynamic forces encountered during vehicle operation.
Maintenance requirements for the Lo-Sider box are minimal, thanks to its robust construction materials and finishes. Regular cleaning with mild soap and water is sufficient to maintain the gloss black powder coat's appearance. Periodic inspection of the weather seal for any signs of wear or degradation is recommended, as is the lubrication of the stainless steel lock mechanisms with a dry lubricant to ensure smooth, reliable operation. Adherence to these simple maintenance protocols will ensure decades of reliable performance and preserved aesthetic appeal.
Applications and Value Proposition
The 13x16x87 Inch Gloss Black Diamond Tread Aluminum Lo-Sider Truck Box is an indispensable asset for a diverse range of professionals and enthusiasts. It is ideally suited for:
- Construction Professionals: Carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and general contractors who require immediate access to a wide array of hand tools, power tools, and specialized equipment on job sites.
- Field Service Technicians: IT, HVAC, automotive, and industrial technicians who carry diagnostic tools, spare parts, and specialized instruments that need protection from the elements and secure storage.
- Landscapers and Agricultural Workers: For storing pruning shears, small power tools, safety equipment, and other essential gear that needs to be protected from dirt and moisture.
- Recreational Users: Overlanders, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts who need secure, weather-resistant storage for recovery gear, camping equipment, or specialty tools, while keeping the truck bed open for larger items like ATVs or dirt bikes.
The acquisition of this Lo-Sider truck box represents a shrewd investment. Its superior material quality, advanced protective finishes, robust security mechanisms, and intelligent design collectively contribute to an extended service life and enhanced operational efficiency. By providing organized, secure, and easily accessible storage, this product minimizes downtime associated with searching for tools, reduces the risk of tool theft or damage, and ultimately boosts productivity for any professional utilizing a pickup truck as a mobile workstation. The precision engineering and commitment to quality embedded in this product underscore its value as a foundational component for any serious truck owner's equipment arsenal.
