Truck owners know the frustration: you’ve got a bed full of gear, but oddly shaped gaps lurk beneath the wheels, wasted space just begging for a solution. Wheel well storage transforms those dead zones into functional compartments for tools, camping equipment, emergency supplies, or everyday cargo. Whether you’re hauling construction materials or road-tripping with friends, reclaiming that hidden square footage can dramatically improve your haul capacity without adding a roof rack or trailer. This guide covers practical wheel well storage options, installation steps, and organization strategies to help you make the most of your truck bed.
Key Takeaways
- Truck bed wheel well storage reclaims wasted space in wheel wells, dramatically increasing cargo capacity without adding roof racks or trailers.
- Plastic wheel well boxes offer the quickest DIY solution, requiring only 30 minutes to an hour for installation with no welding or drilling into structural components.
- Custom-built drawers with heavy-duty slides provide greater flexibility and a cleaner integrated look, though they demand welding skills or professional fabricator assistance at higher cost.
- Proper weatherproofing with marine-grade silicone sealant and regular maintenance using silica gel packets prevents rust, mildew, and condensation in stored compartments.
- Organize wheel well storage by purpose—tools, camping gear, and fluids in separate compartments—and keep frequently accessed items in front and heavier items lower for stability.
- Whether choosing off-the-shelf ($150–$400) or custom-built options ($1,200–$2,500), wheel well storage keeps tools secure, reduces cargo shifting, and maximizes truck bed efficiency.
Why Wheel Well Storage Matters for Truck Owners
Truck beds are deceptively inefficient. A standard full-size bed, say on a Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Silverado, measures roughly 5.5 to 6.5 feet long and 4.5 feet wide, yet the wheel wells eat into usable floor space, creating two large, unusable cavities. Without storage solutions, you’re either stacking cargo higher (reducing aerodynamics and safety) or leaving valuable real estate empty.
Wheel well storage solves this in multiple ways. First, it creates protected compartments for tools and smaller items that might shift during transit. Second, it frees up the flat bed surface for larger items. Third, weatherproofed storage keeps valuables and sensitive equipment dry and secure. For contractors hauling hand tools, weekend warriors packing gear, or anyone who regularly carries miscellaneous items, wheel well boxes or custom drawers mean less juggling and more cargo capacity.
Types of Wheel Well Storage Options
Plastic Wheel Well Boxes
Off-the-shelf plastic wheel well boxes are the quickest, least invasive option. Brands like DÜ-HA and Dee-Zee manufacture molded polyethylene or ABS plastic boxes sized to fit the contours of most full-size and mid-size trucks. These units typically span 36 to 48 inches long and sit 12 to 16 inches tall, fitting snugly over the wheel well while leaving enough clearance for tire flex.
Advantages are clear: no tools required beyond a wrench set, installation takes 30 minutes to an hour, and you can remove them without drilling or bolting to the frame. They’re also weatherproof and easy to clean. The downside? They’re fixed compartments, you can’t customize the interior layout easily. Pricing ranges from $150 to $400 per box depending on size and material quality. For most DIYers, these are the go-to choice because they work, they’re affordable, and they don’t demand carpentry skills.
If you go this route, measure your wheel well dimensions and check fitment with the vehicle’s trim level (some trucks have slightly different wheel well geometry). Also verify that the box doesn’t interfere with suspension articulation when turning or going over bumps.
Custom Built-In Storage Drawers
For truck owners willing to invest time and money, custom-built drawers offer flexibility and a cleaner integrated look. This involves building a frame, typically from 1-inch steel tubing or pressure-treated lumber, that bolts or welds to the truck frame or bed rails, then adding drawer boxes with slides and a removable or hinged lid.
The advantage is customization: you choose compartment sizes, add dividers, integrate a weatherproof seal, and match your truck’s interior aesthetic. You can use birch plywood or marine-grade ply to resist moisture. Slides rated for truck use (often full-extension, heavy-duty ball-bearing slides) ensure smooth operation on rough roads.
The trade-off is complexity. You’ll need basic welding or bolting skills, a weekend or two of time, and roughly $300 to $800 in materials, not counting tools if you don’t already own them. You’ll also want to check local building codes or your vehicle’s manufacturer guidance: bolting to the frame is generally permitted for non-structural mods, but it’s worth confirming. If you’re uncertain about welding or structural integrity, consult a professional fabricator. Many shops can build and install custom drawers for $1,200 to $2,500, depending on design and materials.
How to Install Wheel Well Storage: Step-by-Step Guide
For plastic wheel well boxes (the simpler path):
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Measure and fit. Place the box over the wheel well and measure side-to-side and front-to-back to confirm clearance. Make sure the box sits flat and doesn’t foul the tire during full lock steering.
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Mark mounting holes. Most plastic boxes have pre-drilled holes or mounting bosses. Use a marker to indicate where fasteners will go. If no holes exist, drill them now using a 3/8-inch drill bit, but avoid drilling through structural components like frame rails.
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Install fasteners. Use stainless steel bolts, washers, and lock nuts (corrosion is your enemy in a truck bed). A 1/2-inch socket wrench and wrench typically suffice. Tighten snugly but don’t over-torque, you’ll crack the plastic. Aim for 20 to 30 foot-pounds of torque if you’re confident, or just hand-tight-plus-a-quarter-turn.
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Check clearance again. Roll the wheel through full lock (turning the steering all the way left and right) and confirm nothing binds. Back up slowly and listen for any scraping.
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Weatherseal gaps. Use marine-grade silicone sealant or weatherstripping tape around the box’s perimeter to keep water and dust out. Allow 24 hours for curing.
For custom-built drawers (advanced):
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Design and build the frame. Sketch your drawer dimensions on paper, accounting for the wheel well contours. Use 2×4 treated lumber or 1-inch steel tubing. If steel, you’ll need a welder and proper PPE (gloves, helmet, apron). If wood, pocket-hole joinery or lag bolts work.
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Secure the frame to the truck. Bolt the frame assembly directly to existing threaded bed rail mount points or to the frame itself. Use Grade 5 or 8 bolts with washers and lock washers. Drill pilot holes to avoid cracking welds or splitting wood. Most truck frames have 3/8 or 1/2-inch bolt holes: confirm yours first.
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Build and hang drawer boxes. Cut plywood sides and bottoms, 3/4-inch exterior ply is ideal. Assemble with 1.25-inch pocket hole screws (which hide the fastener heads). Install heavy-duty ball-bearing slides rated for at least 50 pounds per drawer. Confirm smooth operation before closing up.
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Add weatherproofing. Seal all seams and joints with polyurethane sealant or marine caulk. Install rubber gaskets on lid hinges if you’re adding a removable top. Paint or stain wood to match your truck’s interior.
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Test and tune. Load each drawer gradually with typical cargo and ensure it glides smoothly, stops cleanly, and doesn’t rock. Tighten any loose bolts after the first few miles.
Safety notes: Wear safety glasses and gloves whenever drilling or bolting. If welding, use a respirator and fire-rated gloves. Never work under a truck without proper jack stands. And remember, if you’re not confident in welding or structural work, hire a professional.
Organization Tips for Maximizing Your Truck Storage
Once your wheel well storage is installed, smart organization pays dividends. Divide your space by purpose: tools in one compartment, camping gear in another, fluids and maintenance supplies in a third. Use clear plastic bins or organizers so you can spot what you need without opening every box. Label everything, masking tape and a marker cost nothing and save frustration later.
Keep frequently accessed items closer to the front of the drawer and heavier items lower to maintain a stable center of gravity. Items in wheel well storage shift less than those loose in the bed, but acceleration and braking still matter. Secure loose tools with foam padding or cargo straps to prevent rattling and clanging on bumpy roads.
Consider weather: even waterproofed storage can collect condensation in humid climates. Toss a small silica gel packet in each compartment during storage season, and crack the lid occasionally if the truck sits parked for weeks. This keeps rust and mildew at bay.
A truck bed with organized wheel well storage plus a full size storage bed frame concept in mind, compartmentalizing your load, makes you more efficient on the job site or the trail. Regular inventory checks prevent duplicating tools or losing supplies.
For detailed build inspiration and step-by-step walk-throughs, instructables offers DIY project tutorials covering truck modifications, and family handyman guides detail woodworking and fastening techniques that translate directly to drawer construction. Both are goldmines if you’re building custom storage. Also, popular mechanics reviews the best truck bed organizers, comparing commercial options side-by-side if you’re weighing pre-fab versus custom paths.
Conclusion
Wheel well storage transforms unused truck bed real estate into organized, protected cargo space, whether you opt for a plug-and-play plastic box or invest in a custom-built drawer system. Start by assessing your truck’s geometry and your budget, then choose the solution that fits. Either way, you’ll haul smarter, keep tools secure, and reclaim peace of mind knowing your gear won’t shift, rattle, or get soaked on the highway. Measure twice, install once, and enjoy the extra capacity you’ve just unlocked.
