Weather Guard Pack Rat Turns a Silverado Into a More Organized Work Truck
A toolbox finds its right truck
The Pack Rat was first considered for a Honda Ridgeline, but its composite bed and in-bed trunk made a permanent steel installation a poor fit. Instead, it went to the reviewer’s nephew, a newly qualified electrician who carries tools and electrical supplies between job sites.
After installation and a few hours of sorting equipment, the system changed how he used the pickup. Rather than rummaging through bags and scattered hardware, he could keep work gear arranged and close at hand.
A drawer built for the load
Under the steel lid, a full-width drawer runs on internal rollers. Even when packed with cordless tools and hardware, it did not sag or bounce, and it closed with little effort.
The drawer uses fixed walls and 24 adjustable dividers, allowing the layout to suit different equipment. The electrician set aside space for Milwaukee drills, impact drivers, an oscillating tool, batteries and chargers, while arranging electrical supplies such as connectors, wire nuts, fittings and fasteners elsewhere. The designated spaces also made it easier to spot supplies running low.
Space and weight trade-offs
Grip tape covers the top, giving a more secure foothold when climbing into the bed in damp or unsettled weather. The box is made for work-focused trucks, but its heavy-gauge steel adds weight and may affect fuel economy; installation is also more involved than placing a Tmat organizer or crossover box in the bed.
The article gives two measurements for the vertical space used: it says the unit takes up roughly 7 to 8 inches, but its bed-depth guidance says to subtract 9½ inches. It also notes that the Silverado’s bed rails are about 21 inches high, leaving 11½ inches above the box under that calculation. The remaining bed footprint stays available, though taller cargo may be harder to carry.
Key points
- The Pack Rat gave an electrician dedicated storage for tools and changing job supplies.
- Its full-width drawer moved smoothly under a heavy load, with 24 adjustable dividers for organizing gear.
- Grip tape on top provided footing when climbing into the truck bed.
- The article cites both 7 to 8 inches and 9½ inches for vertical space used.