Quick answer: Here is how to fit a caravan drawbar toolbox. Measure your A-frame first. The box must clear the jockey wheel, gas bottles and coupling, and every lid must open fully. Then bolt it to a flat, solid base with large washers, and add the box and its load to your ball weight. Our purpose-built drawbar toolboxes are 860mm and 1,200mm long. Longer three-lid camper boxes run from 1,500mm to 2,200mm.
See our jerry can holders.
The drawbar is handy storage. It sits low and is easy to reach. It is also a busy spot. This guide covers the box sizes we stock and the checks to do before you bolt one on.
What is a drawbar box?
A drawbar box sits on the A-frame at the front of a caravan, camper or trailer. People use it for hoses, levelling ramps, chocks, power leads and tools. You may hear it called a caravan drawbar box, a trailer drawbar toolbox or an A-frame box. They all mean the same spot.
Drawbar toolboxes we stock
We have three purpose-built drawbar boxes. You will also find them in our trailer toolboxes range.
- 844 drawbar toolbox: 860mm long at the back and 500mm at the front. It is 460mm wide and 460mm high. The narrow front follows the V of an A-frame. Checker plate, a T-lock, one gas strut and two keys.
- 1255D drawbar toolbox: 1,200 x 500 x 500mm in checker plate. A T-lock, two gas struts and two keys. The listing gives two opening lengths, 1,070mm and 720mm, so check the photos for the shape.
- 1255D-FP drawbar toolbox: the same 1,200 x 500 x 500mm size in raw flat plate. It has a push lock and one gas strut.
All three are fully welded. Each has a curved dust and water seal and a full length piano hinge. The checker plate boxes are 3mm including the checker and 2.5mm excluding it. The flat plate box is 2.5mm.
Longer three-lid camper boxes
Got a long drawbar, or fitting out a camper trailer? Look at the three-lid boxes in our caravan boxes range. Each has a top lid and two side lids.
- 1544: 1,500 x 400 x 400mm checker plate, with T-locks and eight keys.
- 1555: 1,500 x 500 x 500mm flat plate in raw or black, with four whale tail locks.
- 2055: 2,000 x 500 x 500mm in checker plate, or flat plate in raw, black or white.
- 2255: 2,200 x 550 x 550mm in checker or black checker. The listing says the top lid fits two 9kg gas bottles. One side has a BBQ slide. The other has a slide to suit a Honda 2kVA generator (EU20i or EU22i).
Our fridge slide boxes in caravan and camper toolboxes stand 610mm to 820mm tall. They need far more room than most A-frames have. Measure before you choose.
Step 1: Measure the drawbar
Hitch up and park on level ground. Then take these measurements.
- Length: from behind the coupling area to the front wall of the van.
- Width: the gap between the drawbar rails, at the front and at the back. A V-shaped frame is narrower at the front.
- Height: from the rails up to anything above, such as a front window or a stone guard.
- Lid room: the space each lid needs to open fully, including side lids.
Compare your numbers with the box size and the opening sizes on each listing. If a box only just fits, look at a smaller size.
Step 2: Check the clearances
- Jockey wheel: it must wind up and down and swing clear. Leave room for your hand on the handle.
- Gas bottles: keep the bottles, valves and regulator easy to reach. Don't box them in or move them without advice.
- Coupling and chains: the box must not touch the coupling, safety chains, breakaway cable or plugs.
- Tow vehicle: check the gap to the tailgate and rear bar on a tight turn.
- Wiring and brake lines: find where they run before you drill.
Step 3: Mount it
Every A-frame is different, so this is general advice only. If you are unsure, use a qualified installer.
- Sit the box on a flat, solid base across the rails. Don't let it rest on the gas bottles or jockey wheel bracket.
- Use the right bolts, nuts and washers for the job. Large washers spread the load over the aluminium floor. Our toolbox mounting kit has four M10 countersunk bolts, four Nyloc nuts, four 10mm washers and four 65mm fitting washers.
- Fit bolts from inside the box where you can, so they can't be undone from outside.
- Check the van maker's advice before you drill the A-frame or chassis.
- Check the bolts again after your first trip, and at every service.
We don't install in store. Our team can suggest an installer about 50 metres from our Prestons warehouse. Check the box over before you drill: a drilled or altered item can't be returned for a change of mind.
Step 4: Check your weight limits
A drawbar box sits close to the coupling. The box and everything in it adds to your ball weight. That counts against your tow vehicle's tow ball limit and payload. It counts against the van's limits too. Find the numbers on the compliance plates and in your owner's manuals. Then weigh the rig once it's packed. Our guide to GVM, payload and toolbox weight explains how the numbers fit together.
Locks, lids and finish
- T-locks: on the checker plate drawbar boxes. An upgrade to a compress pad lockable T-lock is available.
- Push lock: on the 1255D-FP flat plate drawbar box.
- Whale tail locks: on the flat plate three-lid boxes and the 2255.
- Keyed alike: buying more than one box? Ask for matching keys in the delivery instructions at checkout.
- Finish: raw checker plate, raw flat plate, or black or white powder coat, depending on the model.
Questions people ask
What size drawbar toolbox do I need?
Measure the gap between the rails at the front and back, and the length from the coupling area to the van. Our 844 is 860mm long and narrows to 500mm at the front, to suit a V-shaped A-frame. The 1255D and 1255D-FP are 1,200 x 500 x 500mm.
Does a drawbar toolbox add to ball weight?
Yes. The box and everything in it sits near the coupling, so it adds to your ball weight. Weigh the rig once it is packed.
Can I carry a jerry can on the drawbar?
Many people do, in a fixed holder. See our guide on how to fit a jerry can holder. Keep it clear of the jockey wheel and gas bottles.
Can I run a generator in a drawbar box?
No. Our boxes are sealed against dust and water and their listings don't say they are vented. Take the generator out to run it. Our generator box safety guide explains why.
Quick checklist
- Measure the length, the width at the front and back, and the height.
- Check the jockey wheel, gas bottles, coupling and tailgate.
- Make sure every lid can open fully.
- Add the box and its load to your ball weight.
- Choose your lock type and finish.
- Plan your bolts and washers, or book an installer.
Delivery, pickup and our showroom
We send Australia-wide from our warehouse in Prestons, NSW. About 98% of products are dispatched within one business day. Allow 1–5 business days for delivery. Some places can take up to 10. You get a tracking number. Prefer to collect? Pickup from the Prestons warehouse is available, and bookings are essential. Our showroom is at Unit 13, 340 Hoxton Park Road, Prestons NSW 2170. You can see the range and buy on the spot. We are open Monday to Friday 9am–5.30pm and Saturday 9am–1pm.