I think most of you have forgotten that these boxes aren't anything new. They were first "introduced" on the 2002 Chevy Avalanche and are still in use today. Plus, it appears the Avy's are a much larger.
Since I own an 03 Avy. I'll tell you those boxes are a great idea. VERY useful when fishing, camping. Great for storing emergency stuff and they make a great ice chest.
Maybe you could use one of those toneau covers that folds. I think I would get it if it was an option on the fords. It would be useful to have it. You wouldn't have to get a cooler for you beer, you'd already have one!
I think its good for guys that tow a lot, store a lot in them, i don't think i'd want them myself, is it just the 1500 that is changed for dodge or was it the entire line up? if its the entire line up do you think they'd be offered on the 2500 and 3500 trucks?
I think it would be wiser to come out with storage beneath the bed, make it accessible from the side. Similar to what ford did on their trucks in the 70's, not like the ridgeline, I still want to be able to access my things when my truck is loaded.
i THINK it's only offered on their short bed (5'something) and not the 6 1/4 or 8'...so it's geared more for extra storage when a toolbox would take up 1/2 the bed. i've got a long bed and would still like the storage over the toolbox. i'm usually only carrying a small jack, tool box, bunch of ratchet straps and a tow strap...all that crap would fit in a small storage area. then again...the toolbox does offer lots of space i want to keep out of the weather or locked up when going on a trip. i guess if i had to make a choice...i'd want it...but i'd want it on an 8' bed.
It is a nice feature, I just bought an 07 Avalanche LTZ (still have my 98 F150 50th Anniversary Edition) and it comes in handy I have to say. I would never compare the Avalanche to an F150 or even a Silverado for that matter the Avy is more SUV like in all manners but from a convenience and functionality standpoint it is a pretty neat design feature. Unfortunately it is these types of thngs I was looking for when I went for a newer vehicle and I just did not see Ford Stepping up to the plate. The 08 no change really since 04. The pictures of the 09 look good on the F150 and maybe Next year I will look at the F150 again. But I will need to see more of the truck and there would need to be some serious advantages to trading in my Avy at this point. I still consider myself a Ford guy though..
I think it is BRILLIANT if it is done right. wouid love to be able to have a place to stow my stuff other than the backseat. The other night I was wondering why noone did that, it would make it so much easier to load the bad if uyou didnt have the wheel wells to work aroud and if its integratede into the truck it could have tie downs built in if I ever have to put my motorcyle in the bed. Will probably wind up buying some afer market under rail boxes for my next truck, but would ratrher have a lwoer point to tie the bike down to if it ever needs to go in there tyhan the rails.
Ford has offered the MidBed storage since May of 07.
Now I'd like to see some better pix of the 09.
I could never get away with giving up as much bed space that the SVE system takes.