If you own a pick-up truck, then you know storage is at a premium. You do have a couple of options such as getting get a truck cap, cover or truck box. However, each one has its pros and cons. For me, I am a huge fan of truck boxes. I like how easy they come in and out when needed, plus I still have room to put bigger items in the bed without having a cap or cover get in the way. A while back we reviewed a Weather Guard saddle box, which I still own and love. Recently we had the opportunity to test out a Weather Guard chest so let’s talk Weather Guard Chest Review.
Weather Guard Chest Review Overview
Most professional tradesmen need a truck or van for their job. While a van has safe storage and plenty of it, a truck is very limited. You spend a lot of money on your power tools and need a way to transport them back and forth to the job. You need something that allows you to easily access them, but you also need to keep them safe from the environment and most importantly keep them safe from thieves.
Weather Guard is known around the industry to provide a solution for those problems I just mentioned. If you look around you will surely see a Weather Guard on a bunch of trucks in your area. To me, that says a lot.
Weather Guard Chest Review Features
The Weather Guard (Model 300401-53-01) chest is 10.9 cubic feet. The box is made from aluminum and has a 4 piece welding design.
This is part of the Weather Guard Defender series. The Defender series is a less expensive box than the top end Weather Guard. This box is targeted towards a buyer who doesn’t need all the bells and whistles of the top of the line box and doesn’t want to pay a lot. The lid is a little more flimsy, the aluminum feels a little thinner and the locks are a little less beefy.
As with the top end models, this has a nice diamond plate powder coated black finish.
Just like their top tier products, this has a push button lock system so it’s hard to break and provides more safety from thieves.
The box features a piston on both sides of the lid which makes it easy to open and close.
The weather stripping is a D-Shaped weather stripping to help keep rain, snow and other outside environments issues out of the box.
The box features a single tray that can be removed or slid from one side to another.
The locking mechanism is different on the defender series. While the top tier products use a car style latch system, this has a different latch. Still strong but not as strong as a car style latch system.
I saw some reviewers online say their box was damaged when they received it. While our box was dropped off, it seemed like it was packaged and protected well and should even hold up to the abuse of shipping.
Weather Guard Chest Review Performance
I have had the box in the back of my truck for about a month. Now it’s springtime so we get a ton of rain but not much snow. So stay tuned for next winter and I will give an update after some more abuse.
As far as keeping water out, it does a great job. When I open it up, there is never any water in the box, nor dust or dirt from the road or other dusty areas I have visited over the last month.
When it comes down to it, it’s a box with a lid and a lock. It keeps my stuff inside and the weather out, so what can I really say. The lid opens easily and stays open. There is only a lock on one side which is a bummer, but I know that ahead of time and isn’t surprising.
I also know that the Defender series is a great series but not the top of the line series, so I am not going to get all the bells and whistles of their top their Weather Guard boxes, which again is OK since I know what I am getting into.
A box like this should have a longer-term review because of the outside elements. So I will keep you up to date on how this holds up. Considering it’s a Weather Guard, I am confident it will stand the test of time.
Weather Guard Chest Review Value
The Weather Guard Chest retails for $560 at The Home Depot. To each his own, as some might think it’s pricey and some will see this as a bargain. I understand you can get boxes for less, but for me, it’s more than just a price tag.
I have had the Weather Guard saddle box for years and it has held up without any issues. I have seen old Weather Guard on trucks that have been through hell and back. So if I didn’t know Weather Guard, I would probably think it’s a hefty price tag. Considering my experience with them, what I have heard from others and what I have seen, Weather Guard is a quality name. With that said, I don’t mind paying $560 when I know it will last a long time.
Weather Guard Chest Review Final Thoughts
I am not saying the Defender series is for everyone. Some will want more bells and whistles so you will have to get their premium line of boxes. For those who want to save a couple of bucks and want a quality box that will store their stuff, prevent theft and keep your items safe from the environment, this is a great option.
