I spotted the new Milwaukee Packout rolling tool chest at a local Home Depot today, and it left quite an impression.
We have known about Milwaukee’s newest – and largest – Packout tool box for a couple of months, and that its “Dual Stack” top lid can fit two full-size Packout tool boxes.
Even so, I was a bit surprised at its size. While technically only a little larger than two Packout tool boxes placed next to each other, the new rolling tool chest has a much bigger presence than I had anticipated.
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The wheels felt sturdy, and I liked the simple but effective locking lid support. The removable tote is large and felt exceptionally sturdy.
The latches were perhaps the most impressive aspect, with wide locking levers that were easy to pull open and snap closed.
I think that users are going to have an easy time customizing the tool chest, thanks to its built-in slots for DIY dividers and custom-made inserts.
I didn’t have a chance to test out the rolling tool chest’s handles or mobility, as my initial assessment was only done in-store.
I also didn’t test the Packout tool box’s ability to be stored upright. If you recall from our initial news post, this rolling tool chest can be stabilized in the upright position by its fixed wheels-end side handle.
I was very surprised to see this Packout tool chest at Home Depot stores, mainly given its price. But, Milwaukee’s other tool storage products seem to have been selling very well, both online and in stores.
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As I am sure some readers will point out, there are less expensive rolling tool chests on the market that can hold about the same or even more tools and at a fraction of the price. This is of course true. However, the Milwaukee Packout rolling tool chest has a higher load rating – 250 pounds compared to 100 pounds for a similarly-sized Husky product.
The Packout feels well-built, and you can also load Packout-compatible tool boxes, organizers, bags, and equipment to the lid.
The Packout tool chest has a 35 gallon capacity.
At the time of this posting, Home Depot is offering free shipping on the new Packout tool box. Acme Tools also has it in stock, and is charging a $10 special handling fee, which is understandable given the size of the tool box.
The $229 price tag isn’t all that surprising, and is less than it would cost to buy two of the smaller rolling tool boxes. This size also has the benefit of being able to hold much larger or bulkier tools.
This is one of few Milwaukee Packout storage products that I wouldn’t get a lot of use out of, but it’s nice to have options.
Price: $229
King duck
Now I have to take twice as much crap off the stack to open the bottom box. Hopefully soon they will incorporate a set of drawers into the bottom box.
Stuart
Isn’t that better than having to make multiple trips to the truck/van/car?
ca
For me, this is why DeWalt’s racking system is such a big advantage.
AB
The shelf clipped into ETrack is the Milwaukee version of this I spose. Working great in my contractor van. This beasty rolling case is a different container than either manuf. makes a shelf/racking case for though.
Jared
These would make incredible camping boxes. Wasteful and expensive? Sure, but awesome.
Robert Landrigan
I’m very curious if the pockets in each corner will hold a standard 2×4, if you can rig this with a cheap set of legs it would be a great Chuck box camping or a work box elsewhere. I HATE bending over for stuff:)
Ball_bearing
They look like the wheel wells. Maybe someone can design a rig that add legs to it. Sounds useful.
Dave P
If you’d be one of the few who’d actually roll it to a jobsite often, MAYBE, but it’s still a piece of plastic.
I bet 90+% of those who buy this won’t roll it to jobsites. For $20 more, you can have a small Ridgid METAL job box that you can use forks to move around if it gets heavy, and all that will happen if you WHACK it, is a dent…
Plastic and hard use= broken.
Metal and hard use = dent, or if worse, weld it, have it FOREVER, not just until the plastic gets brittle.
Very hard pass…..
Spearhead91
I’ve personally used my Packout stuff very hard. Had them fall out of the truck at highway speeds, they’ve never broken. Even at winter temperatures.
Andrew
Saying it’s just plastic is misleading, the Packout boxes are made of some pretty tough stuff, I forgot to tie my stack down and it fell out of my truck going about 30, pulled over picked it off the ground and wheeled it back to the car, all that was wrong was two of the aluminum rails bent and there are a bunch of rock scratches
MM
Agreed, it depends entirely on what the application is and what the plastic is. I’d much rather have my plastic Rubbermaid Brute trashcans compared to the old galvanized metal ones, for example. A plastic bumper or body panel on a car bounces right back when some fool runs a a shopping cart into it in the supermarket parking lot but a steel body panel shows a dent.
Chad
I agree completely!! These are PLASTIC storage containers on wheels, and unbelievably overpriced. Maybe it’s a “write off.”
Leo B.
Not everyone has access to a forklift for every job they go on. You can fit a lot of tools in a Packout, and fit a lot of Packouts in a car trunk. They all come out by hand and can roll around. A job box is really almost another category of storage entirely. It’s like a file or legal box compared to a file cabinet. Different purposes for different people.
Greg
I get where you’re coming from. I had a knaack box when I was in those industries AND had a forklift at the office and jobsites to offload it when needed.
Now in low voltage I have neither. These plastic (let’s be honest not normal plastic) boxes equal high portability. I can load the truck up with these and then take what I need to the jobsite in one fell swoop. The old game of running to the truck to get what I forgot is nearly gone. At a high level less time wasted equals more money at the end of the day for me.
Also I’ve not had any problem with the gasketing on my Packout boxes keeping everything dry and protected in the heaviest rain in the back of the truck. Compare that with some the guys I’ve seen carrying around everything in 5 gallon pails with some covers some not or even soft tool bags, it’s a wonder their tools still work. Yes none of these plastic boxes are going to prevent theft but yea my 2 cents.
Brian Wanck
I’ve had mixed feelings about the packout line since it was introduced. I only recently ordered my first wheeled box which is the one like a handcart. It’s not as big as this one so you don’t need a large vehicle to haul it in. Where these shine is on larger jobsites where you move daily to new work areas but can secure your tools off shift. For home owners/campers I would probably drop down to the cheaper stuff like Husky and Plano. I suspect if you fill this box you’ll need a helper to lift it out of a pickup truck. It has a niche that knaack boxes don’t fill.
Steven L
250 lb load capacity. Will those wheels roll on soft surfaces?
Julian Tracy
Can’t beat the larger Dewalt rolling boxes at around $79-89 and unlike the very similar large Husky boxes, the Dewalt boxes are lifetime warranty.
Mark
I have the DeWalt too. They are great. I use them when I travel so my gear in the bed doesn’t get wet.
Frank D
I was tempted, saw it in store a couple weeks back; but between the high price and the impracticality of having to undo one stack to get into another … value wise it is not really justifiable when you get a couple 3 piece Ridgid stacks or a couple Dewalts. I love the idea of the Packout system, but the price, lack of accessories included, design inconsistencies, … sigh.
Koko The Talking Ape
Are those wheels one-piece blow-molded plastic, like you find on children’s toys? I bet they’re the limiting factor for the weight capacity.
MM
To me they look like solid plastic hubs with airless rubber tires over the top. I’m betting they’d interchange with a number of “lawnmower wheels”, it shouldn’t be hard to find better replacements from some place that stocks industrial wheels and casters like McMaster-Carr.
Koko The Talking Ape
Mm, but the hubs have “spokes,” like forged car wheels, for some reason. I’d sure hope the wheels are easily replaced.
Stuart
I’m assuming the wheels are the same as the rolling cart.
In the case, replacements are already available.
MM
I’m thinking they’re something very similar to this, just with black hubs.
https://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-semi-solid-wheel-98951.html
Koko The Talking Ape
That would be reasonable, though I see those wheels have only a 95 pound rating each.
But the hubs on the Milwaukee have wide spokes, with space between them. You can see through them in one picture. Which probably looks good, but I don’t see the point.
MM
@Koko
It was just mean to be an example to illustrate the idea of a solid plastic hub with an airless rubber tire on it, nothing more. Of course the exact design of the hub and the load rating aren’t the same but the general idea is.
I can see that the Milwaukee wheels look like they have a spoked design, but I don’t know why that is relevant? A spoked hub doesn’t preclude it being made of solid plastic, it’s just a different cosmetic design that serves the same function.
Stuart
I didn’t look that closely, other than to feel them. They felt solid.
Keep in mind that there’s a safety factor built in, so that things don’t snap when you start bouncing the box down curbs and such.
C Mango
One thing I noticed in one of the online reviews is the way packout boxes fit onto the top of this one. The way it’s set up, both boxes face the same way so you can’t for instance put two drawer packout units on top of it and be able to access both without removing the front one. The rear box should face the opposite way from the front box.
Frank D
Yep … or imo the box should have been longer and both stacks were sitting across. Pretty much every day I reach into my tool or parts storage stacks for something or another without unstacking. Can’t do it with this layout.
Dustin
Not so sure how useful a 250lb load capacity is on a box you’ve got to move yourself. I’d rather move 2.5 100lb boxes.
Al
Whenever I bring a plastic box to a site, I am reminded that if it’s big as someone’s butt, then someone _will_ sit on it. This is definitely a 2-butt box. Is it rated for 2 butts? (Made-in-USA-size butts.)
Stuart
No, I’d say not. It’s also going to be too low to the ground to be comfortable to sit on.
I’m sure they tested it for one butt right in the middle though, although it’s probably not recommended.
Tom D
I have one and I’ve already exceeded the weight limit standing on it.
Neither it nor I died but we remind you to use a ladder or tool designed for the job, of course.
Plain grainy
Perhaps they will sell a thick cushion that’s similar to the removable Packout worktop. That thick cushion would raise the height to a more comfortable seating position. And also probably help to distribute the weight somewhat. Could also connect two cushioned rolling chests end to end. That would provide a makeshift bed for an ill worker(even suffering from heat exhaustion), right on the job site. I think they over built the worktop, comtributed to a high selling price. Just a covering worktop to keep dirt & debris out of the Packout slots, with a much lower price tag maybe.
LUIS PEREIRA
So true. Hahaha this was the best comment on this thread. 🤣
Kirk
I was surprised to see these a few weeks ago in depot, Thought the same, should have made it 4 boxes longways back to back or even 2 or user customized and adjustable. I know Milwaukee designed it so the packout drawers wouldn’t face rear and open during transport. How about a add on 4 wheel option? I have the dewalt ds cart too, and Milwaukees pack out cart isn’t as sturdy with the frame having some plastic and the wheels are set in not like dewalts stick out past cart making it a lil too wide imo. But I’m trying to mod my ds cart by flipping the wheel brackets over and cutting the axle rod down. Loose some stability but too wide
Ken B
Hinged lid , all those places for rain water to puddle ,, not a great idea for a camping box . Sure not going to store my valuable tools in it either ,, too easy to steal. . Don’t get me wrong about Milwaukee products they are some of the best out there .. for a camping box ,, the heavy duty Plano box is the choice I made ..I added some weatherstripping to the lid lip to make it dust and dirt proof . And the slightly domed lid eliminates rain water puddling problems ,, plus they are somewhat camo or black which is a personal preference of mine for camping gear .. no justification for me buying one ,, but it does have its place for some contractors just not this one
Kirk
I have the dewalt tough chest mentioned above but it’s too damn heavy when full sometimes to transport myself and they need to incorporate tough system compatible brackets to chest rails because tough system boxes span perfectly centered from metal rail to rail on top of chest. Not bunjy cord as shown in ads. And I’ve read in some reviews the extendable handle is weak? Imo it’s heavy duty af. I’ve had that thing easy 200 +lbs dragging it up stairs and into my van
Plain grainy
Roughly the price of two Packout XL toolboxes. So if you look at that comparison, these are probably priced about right. A sale price under $200 would be welcomed though. I”ve looked at a lot of metal tool chests. But the weight of metal just limits your portability so much. Its the portability that makes these Packout boxes so versatile. I sure welcome the larger sizes.
Plain grainy
The metal tool chests are great for home tool storage. Then you have the ability to load needed tools/ equipment into these portable Packout/ Dewalt style boxes.
Kevin
I really want to like this box more. I like it, but there’s a couple things about it I wish they would’ve done differently. First, motor the index points on the lid so you have easy lid access from top boxes front and back. I guess this isn’t a huge deal because if I was using this, I’d think I’m pulling the top boxes off immediately anyway (with a box that big, chances are you’ll need a few things in there so you’ll be dismounting what’s on top). Second is my packouts are already heavy. I can only imagine how much a packout rig would weigh with this on the bottom. Granted, let’s be real, this is for hauling around the big power tools and not much else. Surprisingly my power tool boxes aren’t as heavy as the hand tool boxes. I suppose all the metal in them adds up pretty quickly.
Tom D
I saw this about a month ago at our HD and grabbed it to use a HD credit card coupon. The wheels feel stronger/better than the older smaller Packout stack box (which has had problems and part of the reason Milwaukee has come out with _three_ new wheeler solutions).
The “ground clearance” between the wheels isn’t great if you’re on extremely rough terrain – the dolly would probably work better – but it does roll better than the little four wheeler dolly plate.
It’s certainly huge – though I do note that it *will* fit under an tonneau cover unlike the original stackbase.
Now to fill it with something.
Nb
Let me start by saying I’m a tool guy, love tools and have a “collection” that would rival that of any carpenter, plumber, electrician and auto mechanic combined.
When I started building houses with my grandfather back in the 1970s we were able to build, plumb, wire, drywall, roof, and trim and finish an entire house with an assortment of tools that would easily fit in a pickup truck bed box.
I’m not sure when things got so insane with the amount of tools required for each single trade. All that being said, I’m still a big fan of the pack out stuff.
This particular box, although sexy and full of the geewhiz factor and initial “I need one of these now” thought, I don’t see the benefit. It would be insanely heavy fully loaded, add a few boxes on top and you need equipment to move it. My regular base pack out with one box on top is too heavy to lift.
So, In the end it’s a no go for me.
Corey Moore
Curious if anyone’s got one, and how they’re utilizing it? It seems cool enough, but I’m not sure why, or what function it would have in the interest of efficiency. Seems most useful as a solo box, or with a minimal amount of attachments pertaining to whatever’s in the double. I see a lot of younger guys inevitably dragging around 2 complete packout towers now, which kind of defeats the purpose of quickly gathering relevant boxes into a minimal stack, and conveniently traveling to task.
Marc horber
Does anyone know if it’ll hold the m18 7 1/4 miter saw? I currently have it attached to a packout work surface so I can integrate it into my packout setup. However, I don’t like the set up much because the saw is exposed in the van and im constantly trying to keep objects from knocking into it. it is a finish tool after all…
Thanks!