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A house is basically a place to keep our stuff, as the late comedian George Carlin once said. For me, most of that “stuff” is in my garage—various tools, sanders, nails and screws, a few tape measures—pretty much anything to make home repairs or keep me busy. I have a workbench and a few toolboxes, but finding the right item is time consuming. Where did I put that one steel hammer with the bigger claw? No clue. I have to hunt around for screws, rummage through drawers for a tape measure, and scrounge around for a simple piece of sandpaper. I needed a better way to keep my stuff more organized.
Recently, I tested out the Makita Tools MakTrak modular storage system. It’s more than just a toolbox for your gear but is an organizational system where each container snaps together in a logical, organized way. It also means you can “go mobile” with all of your tools and gear stored in one place. Because it has some stiff competition from established products like the Milwaukee Packout, I had high expectations for the new MakTrak system. I’m happy to report that the unique design perfectly matched my needs—with only a few caveats.
What It Is
John Brandon
The MakTrak system differs from other modular storage products like the DeWalt ToughSystem in that it’s designed for more horizontal storage. Contractors will appreciate this but so will anyone who owns a truck: each individual toolbox is long and wide, not tall and chunky. If you have two or even three units stacked, they can still fit in the bed of a truck without having to remove the topper. Also, you don’t need to bungee it down since it’s not top heavy.
I tested the main Rolling Tool Chest ($219), the Deep Medium Organizer ($80), the Low-Profile Medium Organizer ($60), and a few slide-in trays and dividers. The main tool chest is 11.6-inches tall and 39.8-inches wide with a slide-out handle and wheels. The idea is that you can place other containers on top of the main tool chest—they slide into place like a Lego—and roll the entire modular system around. I didn’t test the Extra Large Extension Tool Box ($114), which is 22.25-inches wide x 15.52-inches deep and can hold drills, power saws, and other larger items. That storage container fits on the edge of the Rolling Tool Chest, attaching near the handle to a large clip.
John Brandon
Inside, small compartments let you store items like screws and nails. Need to access one of the smaller boxes? You can just unclasp the handles and lift the entire unit up. Since they are all attached to each other, there’s only some minor jostling. Compartments on the lids can also hold small items, but I wish Makita included extra straps or covers (I had to use my own). Overall, the system is portable, lightweight, and made of a tough plastic to withstand abuse.
Makita Tools MakTrak Overall Impressions
Right away, I felt far more organized once I loaded all of my hand saws, screwdrivers, drill bits, and hammers into the Deep Medium Organizer and the main Rolling Tool Chest. I also added every screw, nail, fastener, and doohickey into the other storage units. Problem solved, right? Not so fast. There are a few trade-offs you have to make with a more horizontal modular storage system like this. I found a store that sold the tall Milwaukee Packout system and, testing it with a few tools, found I didn’t have to bend down as much. The major pro is the MakTrak slides into a truck horizontally; the major downside is that it is all lower to the ground.
John Brandon
Whether that works for you depends on a few factors. If you’re constantly driving over to a neighbor to help repair a fence or fix a leaky pipe, the horizontal slide-in design is very smart. If you plan to use MakTrak mostly in your own garage, it’s not as handy. Still, I do tend to go mobile. I tested the MakTrak with a Jeep Gladiator and found I could slide units in and out quickly. That’s the major plus, since the major brands are roughly the same in price.
Key Features
There’s a place for everything with the MakTrak storage system, and it’s laden with extra features. For example, I really liked that each storage unit has a small slot where you can stash an Apple AirTag or a similar tracker. I didn’t bother, but if you own thousands of dollars in tools and gear, it makes sense to track whether your tool chest gets some legs. I wasn’t sure if the MakTrak could withstand rain but noticed there is a rubber seal on each lid. It’s not IP-rated for water resistance. I also liked the large handles since you can use them with thick gloves.
John Brandon
I do have to mention a caveat, though. I was not a fan of the slide-out handle, since it does not lock into place and feels a bit wobbly. When you lift the whole unit to roll it around, the handle can move. Not a major issue, and it’s durable and rigid enough. If you do attach the Extra Large Extension Tool Box, know that it will sit a little wobbly as well; I just skipped that add-on.
Pros
- Horizontal design for slide-in storage
- Slot to hide a tracking device
- Priced similar to many other modular systems
Cons
- Lots of bending down to reach tools
- Pricey compared to the DeWalt system
- Slide-out handle is a bit wobbly
Final Verdict
John Brandon
Look, life is too short and I have way too much stuff. I need the MakTrak to help me get organized, and I highly recommend it. The total price for the entire MakTrak system with the four units I tested and a few dividers is about $450, but that’s cheaper than the Milwaukee system for a similar array of units. Since both the main Packout Rolling Tool Chest and the Packout Rolling Drawer Toolbox cost around $250, the all-in Packout price is closer to $600. Yes, it’s a numbers game, because all of the modular systems are smart. The main decision is about the horizontal design, and for me, I liked the easy slide-in design.
Why You Should Trust Me
I own dozens of power saws, tools, wrenches, and home repair products, so I was a little tight on space with the MakTrak system and I plan to buy extra toolboxes for myself. For the last 25 years, I’ve tested just about every home repair product around including lawn mowers, pressure sprayers, hand tools, drywall repair products, and many others. More importantly, I’ve tested around 10,000 products as a reviewer since 2001 including everything from robot vacuums to connected refrigerators. I’m also a productivity expert, having covered many organization systems and even developed my own productivity routines (released as a book).
