Milwaukee Packout Truck Bed Setups: Best Builds by Truck (2026 Guide)
Milwaukee Packout boxes lock to each other, which is great on a shelf and less great in a truck bed. Stack them loose and the first hard stop sends the stack into the bulkhead. This guide covers how to stack and secure Packout in a truck bed, the setups that work for half-tons, HD and service trucks, vans and overland rigs, and which mounts fit which truck.
Short answer: Yes, you can stack Milwaukee Packout in a truck bed, but only once the bottom piece is locked to the truck. Mount a Packout-compatible plate to the bed floor, the bulkhead or the bedside rails, lock the stack to it, and keep heavy boxes low and forward against the bulkhead. On most 2015+ Ford, 2019+ GM and Ram, and Toyota trucks, a bolt-on rail and panel system such as Integral Truck's does this without drilling.
Can you stack Milwaukee Packout in a truck bed?
You can, and it's the whole point of the system. Packout pieces latch to each other, so a stack moves as one unit. The problem is the bottom box. If it isn't fixed to something, the whole stack slides when you brake and tips when you corner. A full stack of hand tools is heavy enough to dent a bed or break a tailgate.
The fix is a mounting surface the bottom piece can lock onto. Packout-compatible plates have the same lugs as the top of a Packout box, so the stack clicks onto the plate the same way it clicks onto another box. Lock the plate to the truck and the stack is part of the truck.
How to secure Packout in a truck bed: three ways
| Method | How it mounts | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor or bulkhead plate | A Packout-compatible plate bolts to the bed floor, a platform or a bulkhead rail | Full-height stacks of big boxes | Takes floor space; floor mounts may need drilling |
| Bedside panel | A steel panel bolts to the factory bedside rails and holds organizers on the wall of the bed | Organizers and small parts, keeping the floor open | Half and compact organizers only on some panels; may not clear a tonneau |
| Rails and straps | Bedside rails add anchor points along the bed; swivel straps hold boxes down | Mixed loads that change day to day | Straps hold boxes down but don't lock them against theft |
Most good setups use two of these: a locking plate or stack lock at the bulkhead for the heavy stack, and rails or bedside panels for everything else.
Locking the stack
A plate stops the stack from sliding. A lock stops it from leaving with someone else. Integral Truck's Stack Lock Toolbox System uses keyed locks to secure and stabilize a Packout stack on Integral's bulkhead rails, and Integral sells it as bundles for Ford F-150 5.5-foot beds, Super Duty trucks and GM 1500 and HD trucks, plus a version for any Integral bulkhead rail. For a stack on a flat surface, the Integral Locking Plate is the universal option.
Using the bedside walls
The bed walls are wasted space on most trucks. Integral's bedside panel for the 2005+ Tacoma, 2007+ Tundra and 2019+ Gladiator bolts to the factory bedside rails with no drilling, holds half and compact Packout organizers horizontally, and has a keyed lock. It needs the factory bed rails and won't work under a tonneau cover; toppers are fine. Full-size Packout boxes don't fit it.
Strapping everything else
For loads that change, rails beat fixed plates. Integral Rails bolt on along the bed and give you anchor points anywhere along their length, and Integral's Swivel Straps stay mounted when not in use so they don't come loose or tangle. On 2015+ F-150 and 2017+ Super Duty trucks, Integral also makes Boxlink plates and straps that use Ford's factory Boxlink mounting points.
Best Packout setups by truck
| Truck | Starting point | Add for a full build |
|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 and Raptor, 2015+ (5.5' bed) | Integral Rail + Swivel Strap Bundle or the Bedside Bundle | Stack Lock bulkhead bundle, tailgate panel, Boxlink plate |
| Ford Super Duty, 2017+ (6.75' and 8' beds) | Rail + Swivel Strap Bundle (6.75') or (8') | Stack Lock bulkhead bundle, full bed kit |
| Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2019+ | Integral Rails + Panel Kit | Stack Lock bulkhead bundle, Elite, Signature or Ultimate bundles for 5'8" and 6'6" beds |
| Chevy and GMC HD, 2020+ | Rail + Swivel Strap Bundle (6'9") | 8' bed: Full Bed Rail Bundle and Full Bedside Panel Bundle |
| Ram 1500 and HD, 2019+ | Ram 1500 Rail + Swivel Strap Bundle (5'7" or 6'4") | Ram HD bundles for 6'4" and 8' beds |
| Toyota Tundra, Tacoma and Jeep Gladiator | Integral Bedside Panel | Tundra: Full Panel Bundle or 2022+ Ultimate Truck Bundle |
Bed length and model year decide fitment on almost every one of these, so match both before you order. If your truck has a tonneau cover or a factory bed rail delete, ask us first.
Best Packout setup for a 1-ton service truck
On a 1-ton pickup with a long bed, the goal is to carry a lot of weight without making the truck tail-heavy. Put the heaviest stack at the bulkhead, locked down, where the weight sits ahead of the rear axle. Use the bedside walls for organizers you reach into all day, so you're not climbing in the bed. Keep the center of the floor open for material.
For a Ford Super Duty or GM HD long bed, that usually means a full-length rail kit on both sides, bedside panels over the wheel wells, and a stack lock at the bulkhead. Trucks with an aftermarket service body or flatbed are a different job: the factory bed rails are gone, so you'll mount universal plates directly to the body. Integral's universal plates and locking plate are made for that.
Packout in a van or SUV
The same rule applies: lock the bottom piece down. In a cargo van, universal Packout plates bolt to the floor or a shelf, and the stack locks on top. Integral lists the 2014+ Ford Transit among its supported vehicles; call us if you want a Transit-specific setup and we'll check what's available. In an SUV, keep stacks low and behind the second row, and never leave a loose stack in a passenger area.
Milwaukee Packout for overlanding
Packout works well for overland gear because recovery straps, tools, spares and kitchen kit all live in sealed, stackable boxes you can carry to camp. The setup that works best keeps the bed floor open for a fridge, water and a bed rack's load, puts organizers on the bedside walls, and locks one stack of heavy recovery gear at the bulkhead. Count every box against your payload, and if you run a bed rack or rooftop tent, check that the bedside panels clear the rack's mounts.
Weighing Packout against drawers for a camping build? Read Milwaukee Packout vs Drawer Systems.
What to look for in a Packout truck setup
- Vehicle-specific fit. Bolt-on kits made for your truck, year and bed length avoid drilling.
- A lock, not just a plate. If tools ride in an open bed, the stack should lock with a key.
- Room to change. Rails let you move anchor points as your loadout changes.
- Clearance. Check tonneau covers, toppers and bed racks before you buy bedside panels.
What NVMOS carries
We carry the full Integral Truck line: rail kits, bedside and bulkhead panels, Stack Lock systems, Boxlink plates, universal plates and Swivel Straps for Ford, GM, Ram and Toyota trucks. For other bed storage, browse MOLLE panels and storage and our truck bed storage guide. More Packout reading: How to Organize a Work Truck with Milwaukee Packout and Best Truck Bed Mounts for Milwaukee Packout. In-stock parts ship in 24 to 48 hours.
Shop Integral Truck Packout mounts →
Frequently asked questions
Can you stack Milwaukee Packout in a truck bed?
Yes, as long as the bottom piece is locked to the truck. Packout boxes latch to each other, so mount a Packout-compatible plate to the bed floor, bulkhead or bed rails and lock the stack onto it. A loose stack will slide and tip.
How do you secure Milwaukee Packout in a truck bed?
Use a Packout-compatible plate bolted to the bed floor, a bulkhead rail or the bedside rails, then lock the stack to it. Rails with swivel straps hold down boxes that move day to day. Add a keyed stack lock if tools ride in an open bed.
What's the best Packout setup for a 1-ton service truck?
Lock the heaviest stack at the bulkhead, ahead of the rear axle, put organizers on bedside panels over the wheel wells, and run rails the full length of the bed. Service bodies and flatbeds without factory bed rails use universal plates mounted directly to the body.
Do Packout bedside panels work with a tonneau cover?
Not always. Integral's bedside panel for the Tacoma, Tundra and Gladiator isn't compatible with tonneau covers, though toppers are fine. Check clearance for your cover before ordering.
Do I have to drill my truck bed to mount Packout?
Usually not. Vehicle-specific kits like Integral's bolt to factory bed rails, bulkhead points or Ford Boxlink mounts. Mounting a universal plate to a bare bed floor or service body may need drilling.
Can I use Milwaukee Packout for overlanding?
Yes. Keep the bed floor open for a fridge and water, put organizers on the bed walls, and lock one stack of recovery gear at the bulkhead. Count every box against your payload.
Not sure which kit fits your bed? Call a real person at (920) 249-7744 or reach us through our contact page.
