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Ultimate Truck Bed

Trick out your truck for professional-grade storage.

From "Wasted Spaces"
episode DWSP-213

Contractor Matt Hill’s truck is his home away from home – and good storage on the road is crucial to getting the job done. He and host Karl Champley unload the truck, take a good look at Matt’s storage needs and design a custom system that will keep him rolling.

This normal-looking truck bed...

Hides enough tool storage for a full workshop.

Materials:

lumber

(3) 4’x8’ sheets of 3/4"AC sanded plywood

(1) 4’x8’ sheet of 1/2" birch plywood

1/2" trim (for spacing)
2-1/2" drywall screws
wood glue
paste wax
galvanized L-brackets
2" metal brackets
exterior screws
5’ strip of 45 mil rubber liner
roofing nails
pre-purchased truck bed liner

Tools:

safety glasses
straight edge
utility knife
chalk line
table saw
cordless drill
miter saw
compressor
18-gauge nail gun
hammer
drill with 3/8" bit

Paint Colors:
Benjamin Moore, Ready Mix Exterior, Platinum Gray

Designing the Custom Truck Bed

Careful measurement means a custom space for even bulky tools.

Measure, measure and measure some more. Karl and Matt unload his truck and carefully measure the available space to help plan the storage unit. When measuring a truck bed, car trunk or trailer interior, make sure to measure and make notes on wheel wells, permanent tool boxes, spare tires and any other features that may extend into the storage space. You don’t want to build a great custom unit and have it not fit.
The custom truck bed doesn’t just have to fit the truck, it also needs to fit Matt’s tools and other materials. Lay out all the tools and other items to be stored, and measure bulkier items. Use these measurements when designing the storage unit so everything will have a snug home and items won’t shift dramatically when the truck is in motion.
Sketch out a scale drawing of the truck storage unit, based on the measurements for the truck bed and the main items to be stored. Allow extra space to handle new tools and other acquisitions.