Hey everyone, Flat Bed Pick Up Truck
If you’ve ever browsed work trucks, you’ve probably stared at a flat bed pickup and thought, “Where do you stow all the stuff? Tools, hardware, gear, I can barely fit a backpack in that open bed!” As a flat bed pickup supplier, I get this question nonstop — from contractors digging for a way to organize a dozen drill models to small business owners hauling parts without losing half their inventory on the drive. Let’s cut through the noise and answer the real question: do these trucks actually have a lot of storage compartments, or is that just a myth people spread because they saw one beat-up work truck with nothing but empty metal?
First, let’s break down what “storage compartments” even means here. We’re not talking about a tiny glove box for your registration — we’re talking about purpose-built spots that turn a flat, open bed into a mobile toolbox. Years ago, flat bed pickups were super basic: just a frame, a wood or steel bed surface, and maybe a small open tray under the rear bumper. That was it. If you needed to store a wrench, you stuffed it in your pocket. If you had a 50lb bag of screws, it slid around the bed, got covered in mud, or fell out at a stop sign. But over the last 15 years, the market blew up because contractors and tradespeople demanded more organization, so manufacturers and suppliers started leaning into storage as a key selling point.
Now, most new flat bed pickups (and even a lot of used ones built in the last decade) come standard with at least a few hard compartments. Let’s start with the cab, because that’s where you spend your time when you’re driving. Basic cabs have a glove box, center console bins, and door pockets — that’s non-negotiable. But the good stuff? Under-seat storage. A lot of flat bed models have a hinged panel under the front or rear seats (depending on cab style: regular, extended, crew) that’s big enough for a small tool bag, a cooler, or even extra cables. No more leaving your work gloves on the passenger seat where they slip out when you hit a pothole.
Then there’s the bed — this is where the magic happens. A lot of people think a flat bed is just a flat surface, but most modern ones have side compartments. These are usually lockable, weather-resistant boxes that mount along the inner sides of the bed frame, right above the wheels (called wheel wells, for anyone who doesn’t work on trucks). The size varies, but a standard compartment here is about 3ft long, 1ft wide, and 1ft tall — enough to fit a power drill, a socket set, a tape measure, or several small parts bins. Some suppliers let you customize these: you can get compartments divided into smaller slots for hand tools, or even add a slide-out shelf for easy access. The best part? They’re locked, so you don’t have to worry about someone swiping your gear when you run into a job site store.
Wait, but what if you’re hauling bigger stuff too? A lot of people need both storage for small tools and space for ladders, lumber, or a mower. So some flat beds have “under-bed” storage — that’s a compartment mounted under the main bed, between the frame rails, toward the front or rear. This is super useful for things you don’t need all the time, like a spare tire (though some trucks have this mounted elsewhere), a generator, or foldable workbenches. It’s out of the way, so it doesn’t take up the flat bed space you need for large items, but it’s accessible when you do need it.
But hold on — not all storage is created equal. I’ve seen flat beds with nothing but two small side boxes, and others that have 5+ compartments. Why the difference? It’s all about how the truck is spec’d when it’s built, and what the supplier adds. For example, if a contractor only does small jobs, they might prioritize more side storage. If they’re a landscaper who hauls a 6ft mower every day, they might skip some compartments to make room for a slide-out work surface. That’s why as a supplier, we spend a lot of time talking to customers about their exact needs — we don’t just push a one-size-fits-all truck.
Let’s talk about the myths, because there are a lot. One big one is “flat beds don’t have enough storage for big teams.” Wait, yes they do — if you pick the right setup. Crew cab flat beds, which have four full doors, usually have extra storage in the rear part of the cab, under the back seats, that’s big enough for a tool chest and a change of clothes for the whole crew. And the side compartments? You can usually fit two per side, so that’s 4 lockable spots total for tools, plus under-bed storage. That adds up to way more than most people expect when they first look at a flat bed.
Another myth: “the compartments are flimsy and break after a few jobs.” Yeah, that’s true if you buy a cheap, unmarked flat bed from a random vendor. But the ones we supply? They’re made from aluminum or steel, with weather seals to keep rain, mud, and dust out. The hinges are heavy-duty, so you can drop a 20lb toolbox in and out without bending them. We even test each one before it leaves our lot — we slam the lids, spray them with a hose, lock and unlock them 100 times, just to make sure they hold up.
Wait, what about specialized storage? Some flat beds are built for specific trades: electricians have compartments for wire spools and test equipment, plumbers have spots for pipe wrenches and water pump parts, construction workers have slide-out racks for nail guns. We’ve had customers come to us saying they needed a place for a specific piece of gear, like a 10lb tile cutter that doesn’t fit in a standard side compartment. So we work with the manufacturers to add custom dividers or even a new compartment just for that. That’s the nice thing about being a supplier, not just a seller — we’re not stuck with only pre-built trucks. We can adjust to what you actually use.
Now, let’s talk about the downsides, because no storage setup is perfect. The side compartments are mounted above the wheel wells, so if you’re hauling something really tall (like a 10ft ladder), the top of the ladder might hit the lid of the compartment if you don’t store it right. Also, the compartments add a bit of weight — usually 50-100lbs total, depending on how many you get. For most people, that’s not a big deal, but if you’re hauling super heavy loads all the time, you have to factor that in. And if you buy a used flat bed that’s been beat up, the compartments might have rust or broken hinges, so make sure to check them before you buy.
As someone who’s been selling these trucks for 8 years, I’ve seen how much a good storage setup changes a job. I had a customer last year, a roofer, who was losing 3-4 nail guns a month because they were falling out of his old pickup. He bought a flat bed with four lockable side compartments, and now he hasn’t lost a single tool since. Another customer, a small restaurant owner who uses a flat bed to transport supplies for events, added a under-bed compartment for coolers, so he doesn’t have to leave them in the backseat where they get warm. Stories like that are why I love what I do — it’s not just selling a truck, it’s solving a problem.
So, to answer the original question: yes, flat bed pickups do have a lot of storage compartments — but only if you pick the right ones for your needs. If you get a basic model with just cab storage and two side boxes, that’s not a ton, but if you customize it with under-bed storage, extra side compartments, and specialized slots for your gear, it can be more organized than a standard pickup with a tonneau cover and a small bed box.
If you’re in the market for a flat bed and you’re not sure how much storage you need, feel free to reach out to our team. We’ll ask you what you haul, how often, and what’s driving you crazy about your current setup, then we’ll put together a truck that fits. No sales pitches, no confusing jargon — just straight talk about what works for you.
If you want to learn more about how our flat beds are built, or to chat about storage options, don’t hesitate to connect with our procurement team. We’re here to help you get the right truck for your job, no matter what that looks like.
Side-open Pick Up Truck References:
- National Truck Equipment Association. (2022). Work Truck Storage Solutions: Trends and Usage Across Trades.
- Automotive News. (2021). Flat Bed Pickup Evolution: 10 Years of Storage Innovation.
- Professional Tradesman Magazine. (2023). Organizing Work Tools: The Role of Flat Bed Storage Compartments.
Taizhou Xiangyuan New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.
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