New Truck owner - How to keep boxes in bed dry?

[cleonard19]

I'm a relatively new Truck owner, having previously been more of a sports car guy.

But anyways, I have a TRX-4 with the short bed. I also have a toolbox in the bed. In two weeks, myself and three friends are ending our summer internships, and packing all our stuff up and making the 7 hour trek from the midwest back to school in the south.

Everything will fit in the truck, with the important things/electronics being kept either in the back with the third passenger (crew cab) or in the tool box. But I really want to do my best to keep everything in the bed dry in the event we encounter rain.

My initial thought was to put everything in large trash bags and then cover everything with a tarp. (I don't even know if tonneau covers and a toolbox are a thing, and if they are, I don't have a ton of cash to spend so I'd like to keep it cheap). But that led me to the next realization... I have no idea how to tie down a tarp in a truck bed...

Help me Obi Ram Kenobi, you're my only hope!

 

[clgrandorf]

You normal big blue tarp will have metal eye holes around the edge that you could bungie down to the tie-downs. You could also use straps between the tie-downs running over the tarp. I doubt it would stay 100% dry in a downpour though.

What I did when I was running home every summer was invest in like half a dozen rubbermaid tubs (I have a ton of these in the attic that my wife and I have collected HDX 27 Gal. Storage Tote in Black-HDX27GONLINE(5) - The Home Depot). These will stay dry, are just about indestructible and can be stacked and tied down with straps.

 

[U&A]

tarps are ok for a light rain but things will still get slightly wet. if you cant do it the best way and spend $250 on a cheap tonneau cover than the rubbermaid tub idea will keep thing dry and be cheap.

or you could risk you paint job and hop it doesn't fly off ........and do this..

good luck

 

[U&A]

case of 6 for $50. I use them for recycling.

and it looks like 6 of them will fit in your bed with very little room to spare.


Sterilite 30 Gallon Tote Box- Steel (Available in Case of 6 or Single Unit) - Walmart.com

 

[cleonard19]

case of 6 for $50. I use them for recycling.

and it looks like 6 of them will fit in your bed with very little room to spare.


Sterilite 30 Gallon Tote Box- Steel (Available in Case of 6 or Single Unit) - Walmart.com

6 with the toolbox?

 

[14hemiexpress]

I trashbagged and tarpped on our trip made it through monsoon In Kansas we must of drive through 2 hours of heavy down pour and only got slightly wet. The way I like to tarp is very larger tarp lay it in the bed and set everything in it and just fold it over and wrap everything like a burrito and it should stay mostly dry.

 

[U&A]

6 with the toolbox?

nope. sorry. forgot about the toolbox.

 

[avantiguy]

Best way to keep most things dry. I've used these many times when hauling car parts of other water sensitive items. Buy the good ones and tape 'em closed with electrical tape.

 

[Pull Ya]

Rent a small U Haul trailer and split the cost between all of you.
Jay

 

[U&A]

Rent a small U Haul trailer and split the cost between all of you.
Jay

thinking outside the box..... figuratively and literally.

 

[14hemiexpress]

Rent a small U Haul trailer and split the cost between all of you.
Jay

Not bad idea at all especially if you 3way split it. Good thinking Jay.