Weather Guard Defender Truck Box gets our pick for the best truck tool box of 2018

Tool Review Zone has been on a quest to find the best saddle Truck box of the 2018 year, and we found a winner in the all new Weather Guard Defender Aluminum Compact Saddle Truck Box.

During our quest to find the all-around best tool box, we looked at a few different things.

          Tool provided by the Home Depot

     1. Build – How well could it hold up against the elements, and how was it constructed.

     2. Weather/Rain resistant – Would it keep water out and keep your tools safe from the elements.

     3. Installation – How easy/hard was it to install in the bed of your truck.

     4. Security – How well would the box protect your tools from thieves?

     5. Appearance – Would others envy your tool box?

     6. Ease of use – How easy/difficult was it to open and close. 

Before we give you the answer to all of these questions, let’s do a quick overview. 

The 9.1 cu. ft. Weather Guard Defender series Model 300104-9-01 Saddle Box for compact trucks provides professional protection. The new truck box includes a tamper-resistant push-button lock, steel reinforced, looped strikers, D-shaped ribbed weather stripping and heavy-duty 4-pieced welded aluminum box construction. Provides professional durability with 4-piece welded construction putting strength where it is needed most.

1. Delivers heavy-duty security with 2-hook loop strikers and dual stage rotary latches

2. Classic weather resistance from full weather seal with D-shaped ribbed weather stripping

3. Tamper-resistant push button locks-drill resistant through key hole

4. Heavy-duty pry resistance with C-channel reinforced welded lid construction and reinforced front body panel

5. Dual gas strut supported lid with protective sleeves

6. Includes sliding small parts tray

7. Built-in compartments on either side of the box are great when you need quick access to a tool or flashlight

8. 1-touch push button locks pop open the box easily even when your hands are full of tools

9. Special crimp-free and drill-free mounting brackets are included to easily secure the box to the truck bed

10. Welded aluminum channels keep the cover closing evenly so both latches engage-no having to walk around to the other side of the truck to make sure that the cover is fully latched

11. Fits compact pick-up trucks

Compatible - truck size Mid-size

Latches - Yes

Lid type - Single

Lock Type - Keyed Entry

Material - Aluminum

Number of Compartments - 1

Product Weight - (lb.) 50lb

Returnable - 90-Day

Slide-out - No

Storage type - Full Bed/Crossover

Truck Box Type - Cross bed

Truck Storage Product Type - Bed-Installed

Ok, so now that we got that out of the way, lets talk about the coolness that the Weather Guard Defender has to offer. 

Build:
The weather Guard Defender is very impressive when it comes to toughness. It's made of aluminium diamond plating that is extremely rugged. The one thing I found surprising when handling this was not only was it strong, but it was light too. At only 50 lbs, it was able to hold up to constant use, bad weather and me striking it with rocks, tools, wood and everything else I threw at it.

Weather Resistant:    
Not only are the Weather Guard weather resistant, I would say they are weather proof. In the mid-west we get some really crazy weather, and no matter what mother nature thew at this box, the inside was consistently dry. We even hit it with a high pressure power washer just to see if we could get it to leak, and again it held up time after time. What really helps to keep the weather out is the weather protecting seal that goes the entire way around the lid. It's thick, wide and does an absolute amazing job keeping out the elements.

Installation:  
One of the best features about this box is the way it installs into the bed of your truck. You do not have to drill holes in the liner of any other part of your truck to get this box installed. The box actually stays in place with four metal clips that attach to the bed liner rail, and can be tightened down to keep the box in place.

Though the instillation method is quick and easy to complete, there was one draw back to using this method of install. If you plan on tossing heavy pieces material in the bed, or transporting a mower or some other type of equipment, the box could eventually slide if bumped to hard. If you are planning on transporting heavy equipment in the same bed, I would suggest looking at a box that bolts down.

Security:    
As for protecting your tools from those pesky thieves, this box will do it. Everything on this tool box is made to keep those with itchy palms out, and it does it well. All of the locks are tamper resistant which will make it extremely hard for anyone to break into. Even someone with a drill and crowbar would have a very hard time trying to crack this nut, so no worries about your tools going missing in this bad boy.

Appearance:   
I know most of you could care less about what your tools look like as long as they work, but I like nice looking things. I also like when other people like my things, so when this tool box gets gazing stares from others, it puts a smile on my face. I absolutely love the diamond plated aluminum that this is made of, and simply put, looks damn awesome. If the shiny stuff is to much for you, they also sell these in black, so take you pick. 

Ease of use: 
The weather Guard Defender was designed very well, and definitely keeps the user in mind. You can access the box from either side as they placed a push lock button on the left and the right. To lock the unit, simply turn the key, but you also have the option to keep the box unlocked and able to close without locking. Simply push the button when you want to open it up, and the hydraulic arms raise the lid in a controlled manner to prevent damage to the back of your truck.

All in all, this is a beautiful tool box that is built tough, keeps the elements out and is super easy to use. After looking at many other tool boxes, the Weather Guard Defender definitely defends your tools, and looks good doing it. With that said, that's why it gets the Tool Review Zone Best Truck Box of 2018.