With the increased amount of rain we’ve experienced lately, you may find that your toolboxes have begun leaking in your ute tray bed.
Now before you go crazy with the filling foam, trying to block up every nook and cranny, you’ll be happy to know that we can usually pinpoint the cause straight away. It could be due to the type of locks on your toolbox or the state of the sealant around the sides. We’ve also found that toolboxes that leak through the bottom are most often caused by incorrect installation methods. If you’re having trouble identifying the cause of the leak in your toolbox, and how you should go about fixing it, read on to gain a little assistance.
Incorrect installation results in toolbox leaks.
What’s the magic substance that keeps toolboxes from leaking? No, it’s not a riddle. And yes, it is quite obvious. Sealant. Though you’d be surprised at how many toolboxes are installed with inefficient sealant! It’s important that any fasteners that are put through the bottom of a toolbox are sealed adequately. The sealing of a box can be affected by the twisting of the vehicle as you drive over uneven gutters or driveways. If you’re finding that your toolbox is leaking through the bottom, the only way to repair it effectively is to remove it, clean off the old sealant, and reseal it properly.
Leaking locks in old toolboxes.
If you have an older toolbox, you might find that leaking tends to occur around the locks. A combination of incorrect installation, bad design and natural wear and tear results in dripping water in these areas. Leaking locks all have one thing in common; as they get older the seals that are fitted to them will wear, and this can cause a leak.
Locks on top opening toolboxes causing you grief?
If you have pan type locks with a dish that is fitted to a top opening box, these will inevitably give you problems. They were never designed to be mounted in this manner as the pans fill with water, and rely solely on the seal being in perfect condition to stop this. But there’s no need to despair because this fault can easily be fixed!
IP ratings for toolboxes.
How weatherproof your toolbox is, is only as good as the weakest link. Locks are given an IP rating. This IP refers to Ingress Protection, which is a measure usually expressed in the form of a two or three digit number. It indicates how resistant your toolbox is to the ingress of water, dust, and physical protrusion.
Weatherproofing your leaking toolbox.
At AusBox, we can install a new set of locks on your toolbox so that it ceases leaking, and has a top-notch IP rating. We have several different types of locks available and would recommend the one most suited to your application, and the security needed in your field of work. Locks, being mechanical devices, do however need an occasional bit of maintenance that will prolong their life. It is usually nothing more than a spray with some WD40 or a similar lubricant, but sometimes you may need to adjust a cam or striker to keep the lock operating smoothly. With a little TLC, a decent IP rating, and a design that actually works, you can enjoy a toolbox that will serve you well for decades!
Austates design and manufacture Ausbox toolboxes and canopies for ute tray beds. At Austates, we install and provide maintenance services for all of our products. Contact us today to discuss how we can fabricate a custom toolbox or canopy for your vehicle.