Best Milwaukee PACKOUT Mods & Upgrades for 2026
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The Milwaukee PACKOUT system is one of the best modular storage platforms a tradesperson can own, but out of the box it is built for general use. Most pros quickly run into the same problem: the boxes carry your tools, but they do not hold them the way you actually work. Batteries roll around loose, drills bury themselves under everything else, and a caulk gun or spray can ends up wedged sideways taking up half a tray. That is where mods come in.
The right Milwaukee PACKOUT mods turn a generic storage box into a setup that matches your trade, your truck, and your daily routine. This roundup covers the upgrades worth your money in 2026, organized by what they do so you can jump straight to the section you need.
Here is how we chose the picks:
- Function first. Every mod here solves a real, repeatable problem on the job, not a novelty.
- Durability. All ClearLine3D parts are printed in PETG, a tougher, more heat-tolerant material than the cheap PLA most overseas sellers use.
- Vehicle-ready. Many picks are designed to keep gear secured while the truck is moving, not just parked in the shop.
- Made in California. These parts are designed and printed in the USA, so you are not waiting weeks on overseas shipping or gambling on quality control.
Let's get into it.
Mounting Mods (Wall Cleats, Plates, Modular Mounting)
Before you add holders for tools and batteries, you need somewhere to put them. Mounting mods are the foundation of any good PACKOUT build because they let you attach accessories to van walls, shop pegboard, trailer panels, and the boxes themselves.
The PACKOUT Wall Cleat is the anchor point for most ClearLine3D accessories. It mounts to a wall, a van panel, or a workbench and gives your PACKOUT-compatible holders a solid, repeatable place to lock in. Because it is printed in PETG rather than PLA, it holds up to temperature swings that melt and ruin cheaper mounts. Set up a row of cleats once and you can rearrange your whole tool wall in minutes without drilling new holes every time.
Battery and Charger Mods
Loose batteries are the single most common complaint with a stock PACKOUT. They slide around, are never in the orientation you want, and are demanding on your time to figure out how many charged batteries you actually have.
The M18 Battery Holder fixes that by giving each battery a dedicated, snug slot. Mount a row of them inside a box, on a van wall, or on a shop wall. Your batteries will be organized, visible, and locked in place instead of rattling around. The PETG construction matters here: battery holders take repeated insertion and removal stress, and PETG stays strong where a PLA print would melt in a hot trailer, van or truck. It is a small upgrade that pays off every single day you reach for a charged battery and know exactly where it is.
Tool-Holder Mods (Drills, Drivers, M12/M18)
Drills and drivers are awkward to store. Lay them flat and they eat space; toss them in loose and you always have to dig for them. Dedicated tool holders hang them by the handle or foot so they take up vertical space instead of valuable tray real estate, and allow you to one hand grab them when you need them.
- The Triple Drill & Driver Holder holds three tools side by side, which is exactly the loadout most pros carry: a drill, an impact driver, and a third specialty tool. It keeps the trio grouped, accessible, and off your work surface. Printed in PETG, it shrugs off the weight of a fully loaded impact without sagging.
- The Vehicle Ready M18 Tool Holder hangs tools tightly and compactly for the hand tools you don’t need to keep a battery on.
- The Vehicle Ready M12 Tool Holder will secure three of your M12 tools from a XC/HO battery, keeping them put while the truck is moving, but allowing you to one hand grab a tool when you need it.
- If your tools live in the shop rather than the van, the Shop Ready M18 Tool Holder gives you the same secure grip optimized for a fixed wall or bench setup.
- For fast grab-and-go access, the M18 SNAP Tool Holder lets you snap a tool in and out one-handed using the battery slot, which is ideal for tight undershelf or wall storage where you need more customization of orientation.
The common thread: every one of these is printed in tough PETG and designed around the actual geometry of Milwaukee-compatible tools, so the fit is snug instead of sloppy.
Consumable and Jobsite Mods (Caulk, Spray Cans, Bits)
Tools get all the attention, but consumables are what slow you down when they are disorganized. A caulk tube rolling around the floor of the van or a spray can tipping over in a tray is a daily annoyance worth modding out.
- The Caulk Holder gives caulk and adhesive tubes a vertical, secured home so they stop rolling and leaking sideways. It is vehicle-ready, so the tubes stay upright on the drive between jobs.
- The Spray Can Holder does the same for spray paint, lubricants, and foam, mounting cans by the body so they are visible and grab-ready. No more digging through a bin to find the right color or product.
- The M18 Magnetic Bit Holder keeps driver bits, nut drivers, and small steel accessories on a strong magnetic strip so they are not lost in the bottom of a box. Bits are the easiest thing to misplace and the most annoying to be without, which makes this one of the highest-value small mods you can add.
PETG earns its keep on these too. Solvents from spray cans and adhesives are harder on plastic than people expect, and PETG holds up better than the cheaper materials used in many imported holders.
Vehicle-Ready Mods (Securing PACKOUT for the Road)
A PACKOUT box that slides across the cargo floor on every turn is more than annoying. It damages gear, scuffs your van, and dumps your organization on the first hard brake. Vehicle-ready mods are about keeping the whole system locked down between jobs.
The Vehicle Ready collection brings together holders and mounts specifically engineered for moving trucks and trailers: tool hangers, caulk and consumable mounts, and battery holders that all stay put under road vibration. If you run a mobile setup, this is where to start. Building your van around vehicle-ready parts means your boxes can stay open and accessible without everything ending up on the floor. PETG's heat tolerance is a real advantage here, because the inside of a closed truck in summer gets hot enough to soften lesser plastics.
3D-Printed vs. Injection-Molded vs. Metal Mods
It is fair to ask why you would choose a 3D-printed mod over a molded or metal one. Here is the honest breakdown.
- Injection-molded plastic is cheap at high volume and consistent, but the tooling cost means manufacturers only make the most popular, generic shapes. You get one-size-fits-most parts, usually made overseas. Custom or niche holders simply do not exist at the molded scale.
- Metal is the strongest option for pure load-bearing brackets, but it is heavy, it can rust, it scratches your tools and van, can catch clothes or fingers, and it cannot be shaped into the snug, tool-specific cradles that make a good holder grip well. For many accessory mods, metal is overkill in the wrong places.
- 3D-printed PETG sits in the sweet spot for accessories. It is strong and impact-resistant, tolerates jobsite heat far better than PLA, and can be designed around the exact geometry of a specific battery, tool, or can. Because there is no tooling cost, niche and trade-specific parts actually get made. Printed locally in California, the parts can also be iterated and improved quickly.
Where PETG wins is exactly the category these mods live in: tool and consumable holders that need a precise fit, reasonable strength, and heat resistance. For a structural shelf bracket carrying 80 pounds, use metal. For organizing your tools and gear, PETG is the smarter choice.
How to Choose Mods for Your Trade
Every trade loads out differently. Here is a quick starting point, with dedicated trade-specific guides coming soon.
- Electricians: Prioritize bit holders and M12 tool holders. You live in M12 territory and burn through driver bits, so the M18 Magnetic Bit Holder or an M12 mount earn their spot fast. Keep an eye out for future products for carts and further M12 support, and don’t forget about our broom accessories!
- HVAC: You run a mix of M18 and M12 plus a lot of consumables. Vehicle-ready tool holders and a Spray Can Holder for coil cleaners and lubricants keep the van sane.
- Carpenters: Drills and drivers are the daily workhorses. The Triple Drill & Driver Holder plus a row of M18 Battery Holders covers most of your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do PACKOUT mods fit genuine Milwaukee PACKOUT boxes?
Yes. ClearLine3D accessories are designed to be compatible with the Milwaukee PACKOUT mounting system and genuine PACKOUT boxes. They use the same mounting interfaces, so they lock onto the boxes and compatible cleats as you would expect. ClearLine3D is an independent maker of compatible accessories and is not affiliated with Milwaukee.
Are 3D-printed PACKOUT mods strong enough for jobsite use?
When they are printed correctly in the right material, yes. ClearLine3D parts are printed in PETG, an impact-resistant, heat-tolerant material that is far tougher than the PLA used in many budget prints. The holders are designed with appropriate wall thickness and infill for the loads they carry, which is why they hold full batteries and loaded tools without sagging or cracking under normal jobsite use.
PETG vs ABS: which holds up better in a hot truck?
Both tolerate heat better than PLA, which can deform in a closed summer vehicle. ABS has a slightly higher heat resistance ceiling, but it is more prone to warping during printing and is more brittle allowing it to shatter or break with less force. PETG offers an excellent balance: strong heat tolerance, high impact resistance, and better layer adhesion, which makes it more reliable for parts that get knocked around and baked in a work truck. For jobsite accessories, PETG is the practical winner.
Shop ClearLine3D PACKOUT Mods
Ready to upgrade your setup? Browse the full lineup of made-in-California, PETG PACKOUT mods in the ClearLine3D all products collection and build a system that actually works the way you do.
Milwaukee and PACKOUT are registered trademarks of Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation. ClearLine3D is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Milwaukee.