A survey van carries a strange mix of kit compared with most trade vehicles — a thermal camera and a borescope worth genuinely protecting, alongside damp meters, laser measures, ladders, sample bags, a stack of report paperwork and whatever site waste came off a loft hatch that morning. None of it is especially heavy. All of it needs to survive being driven over a pothole at 40mph and still be findable in the dark with a torch in one hand.
That’s a different brief to what most van storage is designed around. Tool box marketing leans hard on load ratings and site-abuse durability aimed at someone hauling a cordless combi kit and a mitre saw; a lot of that is simply irrelevant to a bag of RdSAP kit and a moisture meter. What matters more is weatherproofing that protects electronics rather than just resisting a hammer drop, quick visual identification of what’s inside without unpacking the van on a driveway, and security that’s proportionate to sitting on a residential street overnight rather than a building site.
What follows is what actually matters when buying tool storage for this kind of work, and seven products worth having in the back of the van — from modular stacking boxes through to a proper secure vault.
The one I’d buy
Milwaukee PACKOUT Compact Tool Box
The PACKOUT system has become the default modular standard for a reason: boxes lock together via integrated cleats so a stack survives being slid around in the back of a moving van, the IP65 weather seal genuinely protects electronics rather than just resisting dust, and the Compact size (411 x 249 x 330mm, 34kg capacity) suits instrument kit better than the bulkier Large box aimed at power tools. Metal-reinforced corners and a locking point mean it takes a padlock, and quick-adjust dividers keep smaller accessories from migrating to the bottom.
Typically £60–£90
Check price on AmazonHow I judge tool storage for a van
Weatherproofing that matches what’s actually inside. A box carrying a thermal camera or laser measure needs a real IP-rated seal against condensation and dust; a crate of spare batteries or report forms doesn’t. Buy the seal rating for the electronics, not the marketing.
Modularity that saves time loading and unloading — within one ecosystem. Stacking, cleat-locking systems genuinely speed up a morning load if everything’s the same brand. Mix Milwaukee, DeWalt and Bosch boxes and none of them lock to each other, so the time saving disappears the moment a second brand enters the van.
Contents identifiable at a glance. Clear crates, labelled boxes or cup-tray organisers all beat opening three opaque boxes to find one damp meter. This matters more on a job with a client stood at the door than it ever does in a workshop.
Security proportionate to where the van actually sits overnight. A locked box slows an opportunist thief looking through a side window; it won’t stop someone with an angle grinder and ten minutes. Match the spend to what’s realistically at risk in and around the van.
Weight one person can lift alone. Most loading and unloading on this job happens solo, often up a flight of stairs into a flat. A box that needs two hands and a straight back to shift is a box that doesn’t get carried in, which defeats the point of buying it.
The comparison
| Model | Type | Weatherproofing | Typical price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee PACKOUT Compact | Modular stacking box | IP65 | ~£75 | Best overall | View |
| DeWalt TSTAK 2.0 Deep Box | Modular stacking box | IP54 | ~£30 | Best value modular | View |
| Bosch Professional L-BOXX 238 | Modular stacking case | Weather-resistant seal | ~£50 | Best for an existing Bosch kit | View |
| Stanley FatMax Pro Cantilever 26″ | Cantilever toolbox | IP53 | ~£42 | Best simple, no-system toolbox | View |
| Van Vault Mobi | Steel security box | Weatherproof + Sold Secure | ~£300 | Best security & premium pick | View |
| Really Useful Box 50L Clear | Clear stacking crate | Splash-resistant lid | ~£13 | Best on a budget | View |
| Sealey APMSVCOMBO1 | Van racking system | Lockable door | ~£205 | Best full van fit-out | View |
The picks in detail
Milwaukee PACKOUT Compact Tool Box
Best overall — the one I’d buy, above
The PACKOUT system has become the default modular standard for good reason: boxes lock together via integrated cleats so a stack survives being slid around in a moving van, and the IP65 weather seal protects electronics rather than just resisting dust. The Compact size suits instrument kit better than the bulkier Large box most reviews default to, and metal-reinforced corners plus a proper locking point mean it takes a standard padlock without an aftermarket bracket.
For
- Cleat-locking system genuinely speeds up loading a stack
- IP65 seal is a real weatherproof rating, not a marketing claim
- Compact size suits instruments better than the bulkier Large box
- Takes a standard padlock via the reinforced locking point
Against
- Locks only to other PACKOUT boxes, not DeWalt or Bosch equivalents
- Costs more than a comparable non-modular box
Typically £60–£90
Check price on AmazonDeWalt TSTAK 2.0 Deep Box
Best value modular alternative — a lighter, cheaper stacking system
TSTAK undercuts PACKOUT on price while still offering a genuine modular system: metal-pin side latches for stacking, an IP54 water and dust seal, and heavy-duty front latches that survive being dropped on a driveway. It’s noticeably lighter than the Milwaukee equivalent, which matters for a solo lift, and the customisable foam insert keeps a delicate instrument from rattling against the case wall on a rough track.
For
- Considerably cheaper than Milwaukee or Bosch equivalents
- Lighter to carry solo than the PACKOUT Compact
- Customisable foam insert protects a delicate instrument
Against
- IP54 seal is a lower rating than the Milwaukee’s IP65
- Only locks to other TSTAK boxes
Typically £25–£35
Check price on AmazonBosch Professional L-BOXX 238
Best for an existing Bosch kit — slots straight into the Sortimo system
The obvious pick if any Bosch power tools already share the van, since most ship with an L-BOXX included and the 238 stacks and locks onto them without buying an adaptor. At 28.4 litres and 25kg max load it’s a genuinely useful mid-size case for instruments and accessories, and it’s compatible with the Sortimo in-vehicle racking system if the van ever gets a proper fit-out. Against a standalone purchase, it’s a harder sell than the Milwaukee or DeWalt on price and seal rating alone.
For
- Stacks straight onto existing Bosch power tool cases
- Compatible with the Sortimo in-vehicle racking system
- Award-winning, well-made latching mechanism
Against
- No formal IP rating quoted, unlike the Milwaukee or DeWalt
- Weaker case for buying in without other Bosch kit already in the van
Typically £45–£55
Check price on AmazonStanley FatMax Pro Cantilever Toolbox 26″
Best simple, no-system toolbox — one box, no ecosystem commitment
Not every van needs a modular stack, and the FatMax Cantilever is the sensible pick for someone who wants one well-made box rather than a growing brand commitment. The two-level cantilever tray with six removable cups keeps small accessories genuinely organised, clear windows in the lid mean the cups can be checked without opening it, and the IP53 rating and metal latches hold up to being tossed in the back of a van repeatedly.
For
- No modular ecosystem to commit to — just one solid box
- Cantilever tray with six removable cups keeps small parts organised
- Lid windows let cup contents be checked without opening it
Against
- Doesn’t stack or lock to anything else
- Lower IP53 rating than the modular picks above
Typically £35–£50
Check price on AmazonVan Vault Mobi
Best security and premium pick — genuine theft resistance, not just a padlock eye
A different category entirely: 1.5mm phosphated steel construction, a 70mm disc lock and a docking station that lets the box itself be bolted or cable-secured into the van, so lifting the whole thing out isn’t a quick job for an opportunist. Sold Secure and Secured by Design certified, which matters if a van is regularly left unattended overnight with genuinely valuable kit — a thermal camera or a laser scanner — inside it. It’s a serious outlay for one storage box, and overkill if the most valuable thing in the van is a moisture meter.
For
- Sold Secure and Secured by Design certified — genuine theft resistance
- Docking station secures the box itself, not just its lid
- Heavy-gauge steel construction well beyond a padlock-and-plastic box
Against
- Several times the price of any other pick here
- Heavy and bulky for kit that isn’t genuinely high-value
Typically £250–£380
Check price on AmazonReally Useful Box 50 Litre Clear
Best on a budget — and the right tool for paperwork, not instruments
Not a tool box at all, and better for it — a clear 50-litre stacking crate is the cheapest, fastest way to separate report paperwork, sample bags and consumables from the instrument boxes they’d otherwise get mixed in with. The clear sides mean contents are identifiable without lifting the lid, clip handles keep it closed over a rough road, and it stacks with or without the lid fitted, which the specialist tool boxes above generally don’t manage as neatly.
For
- Far cheaper than any dedicated tool box on this list
- Clear sides identify contents without opening it
- Genuinely useful for paperwork and samples, not just tools
Against
- No weatherproof seal — a splash-resistant lid, not an IP rating
- Clip handles are less secure than a proper latch under heavy use
Typically £10–£15
Check price on AmazonSealey APMSVCOMBO1 Modular Van Storage System
Best full van fit-out — wall-mounted racking rather than loose boxes
A different solution to the same problem: rather than buying more boxes, this bolts height-adjustable shelving and a lockable door to the van’s interior wall, freeing the floor entirely and giving every box, crate and parts tray a fixed home. Eight dividers on 75mm centres suit smaller trays and consumables well, and the lockable door adds a genuine layer of security without the cost of a full Van Vault. It’s a bigger commitment than any single box — flat-packed, needs proper fitting, and only makes sense once the van’s settled as a long-term working vehicle.
For
- Frees the van floor entirely rather than adding more loose boxes
- Lockable door adds real security at a fraction of a Van Vault’s cost
- Height-adjustable shelves suit a genuinely mixed kit list
Against
- Needs proper fitting rather than just being loaded in
- Only worth it for a van kept long-term, not leased or swapped often
Typically £180–£230
Check price on AmazonWhat actually matters — and what doesn’t
Load ratings marketed for power tools rarely apply to instrument kit. A box rated to carry a heavy cordless combi set and a full accessory kit is massively over-specified for a damp meter and a laser measure. Buy for the weatherproof seal and the stacking system, not the weight figure on the box.
Picking a modular ecosystem is a bigger decision than it looks. PACKOUT, TSTAK and L-BOXX don’t stack on each other, so the first box bought effectively decides every box bought afterwards. Worth thinking one step ahead — if any power tools in the van are already Bosch or DeWalt, matching that brand’s storage system avoids buying two incompatible sets.
An IP rating on the box doesn’t mean the lid’s been tested shut in a downpour. IP54 and IP65 describe the seal design, not a guarantee against every condition a van interior throws at it — condensation from a cold night is still worth guarding against separately, particularly for anything with a screen or a battery.
Wheels and trolleys only earn their keep past about 15–20kg of kit. Below that, a wheeled case is more often something extra to trip over getting out of a van than something that actually saves effort — a carry handle and a manageable box size beats a trolley for most of what a surveyor carries.
A padlock eye is a deterrent, not a lock. It slows someone glancing through a window; it does little against someone who’s decided to break in anyway. Genuine security means a Van Vault-type product or a fitted racking system with a lockable door, not a padlock through a plastic hasp.
Questions I get asked
Do I need to commit to one brand’s modular system, or can I mix boxes? Mixing is fine as long as the expectation is realistic — a Milwaukee box and a DeWalt box will happily sit next to each other, they just won’t lock together or stack securely. If stacking and cleat-locking is the main appeal, stick to one brand; if it’s really about individual boxes with good seals, brand consistency matters far less.
Is a secure van vault worth it for a surveyor who isn’t carrying power tools? It depends what’s actually in the van. A thermal imaging camera or a decent laser scanner is genuinely attractive to an opportunist thief and worth protecting properly; a bag of damp meters and tape measures is a much lower-value target and a locked modular box is usually proportionate. Buy the security level that matches the resale value of what’s inside, not a blanket assumption either way.
What’s the best way to keep sample bags and report paperwork separate from instruments? A cheap clear stacking crate, kept entirely separate from the tool boxes, solves this better than trying to fit paperwork into whatever space is left in an instrument box. It also stops a damp sample bag or a leaking mortar sample from ending up next to something electronic.
Should tool boxes be bolted down or left loose in the back of a van? Loose boxes shift under braking and cornering more than most people expect, which is exactly what a modular stacking system is designed to resist — interlocked boxes behave far more like one solid unit. For a van that’s kept long-term, fitted racking like the Sealey system above removes the question entirely by giving everything a fixed position.
An organised van saves time on every single job, not just the ones where it’s obvious — the same principle that makes a tool bag worth choosing properly extends to what it sits inside for the rest of the week. The practice covers building surveys, EPCs and PAS 2035 retrofit assessments across the South East, all of it run out of a van that’s had exactly this kind of organisation problem solved the hard way — get in touch. And for more of what actually goes in the back, there are more field-kit guides.
Small print. This guide is general information, not security or insurance advice; whether a particular storage or security product is adequate for a given vehicle and its contents depends on individual circumstances and should be checked against your own insurer’s requirements. Prices are indicative, move constantly and were checked at the time of writing; the linked page always shows the current price. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.