RRc load bay storage

[az_max]

For those of us cheap bastards who can't afford Pelican or Storm cases, I found an alternative. Sterilite has a tough storage case with wheels, hinged top and it's lockable. they sell it as a footlocker and it's around $20. It's 31 1/8"L x 17 1/2"W x 13 7/8"H and two will fit in the RRC's load bay with the load cover on. With a little ingenuity (thanks Tetris!) I was able to fit two of them, my ice chest and my power source.

http://www.sterilite.com/Category.html?Section=Storage&ProductCategory=34
(Big Lots, $20ea)

Also, for the roof rack, I got it's bigger brother, the Plano XXL wheeled storage box. It's ~90 quarts, 37 3/4 x 18 1/4 x 14"h. It's USPS and airline approved for travel, hinged lid with 4 additional latches and two places to lock it. Also has tie down lugs on all 4 sides to secure it. It'll fit cross-ways in the SWB RRC, but is too long to fit lengthwise.

http://www.amazon.com/Plano-Molding-1819-Wheeled-Storage/dp/B000UPGMXY
(Home Depot $29?)

So far, all my limited camping gear fits in the 3 of them, and easily moves to my garage for storage. I might pick up a second Plano to balance out the roof rack.

 

[4x4stationwagon]

Pretty Cool! This is osmething I am fighting lately. Although, I would want to strap those down in case of a roll-over. How about a couple pics of the roof rack loaded?

 

[az_max]

Pretty Cool! This is osmething I am fighting lately. Although, I would want to strap those down in case of a roll-over. How about a couple pics of the roof rack loaded?

I have d-rings in opposite corners, so I could throw a strap across them. Still waiting on d1driver for the roof-rack parts. I'll post pics when they arrive.

 

[az_max]

Here's the roof rack with one plano box loaded on it. I have barely enough room for the two of them in the basket. I only took one with me this trip.

 

[lforgue8]

that big box was $29?! what was the shipping....the site is blocked here at work

 

[az_max]

Free shipping if you go to your local Home Depot and buy it . Looks like free shipping from amazon too.

 

[rovercanus]

I hae those in blue. I can get three across on my rack.
Walmart has them for about $17 with the added bonus of almost always seeing Dan and Garrett there.

 

[az_max]

I hae those in blue. I can get three across on my rack.
Walmart has them for about $17 with the added bonus of almost always seeing Dan and Garrett there.

You're rack is bigger than mine.

 

[Dalton305]

You're rack is bigger than mine.

Thats what she said! :rofl: JK

 

[pdxrovermech]

i was able to handle the Plano stuff a few days ago at Bass Pro and it felt to be of good quality. However I wasnt able to get a price on the stuff cause it was either misplaced or missing a price tag and the service at Bass Pro was non existent.

 

[sven]

I found the Plano XXL box at my local HD for $24. How weathertight are these boxes?

 

[singingcamel]

I've seen them at Menards for about the same price .

 

[az_max]

I found the Plano XXL box at my local HD for $24. How weathertight are these boxes?

I wouldn't say waterproof since there are no rubber gaskets around the edges, but the edges overlap well enough that it should be able to resist a decent rain storm. I drove around forest service roads for a week with minimal dust inside (unlike the interior of the truck, which I blew out with an air hose). I should be up in the rain this weekend, I'll post my results

 

[Errant]

I use the Sterilite footlockers, too. The plastic and hinges are pretty cheesy, but they haven't broke, yet. For $20 bucks, totally worth it.

I haven't seen the Plano boxes. Do they feel more sturdy?

 

[az_max]

I use the Sterilite footlockers, too. The plastic and hinges are pretty cheesy, but they haven't broke, yet. For $20 bucks, totally worth it.

I haven't seen the Plano boxes. Do they feel more sturdy?

They have ribbing and indents to keep them stiff, but I can still deform them trying to stuff my sleeping bag into one. It's not a Pelican, but it will hold up for a long time.

 

[az_max]

I wouldn't say waterproof since there are no rubber gaskets around the edges, but the edges overlap well enough that it should be able to resist a decent rain storm. I drove around forest service roads for a week with minimal dust inside (unlike the interior of the truck, which I blew out with an air hose). I should be up in the rain this weekend, I'll post my results

update to the weathertite-ness. After driving up in a torrential downpour (like can't see past the hood rain), I found about a teaspoon of water in one of the boxes. I think it was because the wind deflector on the rack was aimed right at the vent holes in the handle. two rainstorms while I was camping with no water intrusion. Good enough for me as it hardly rains that hard around here (and I'm rarely driving in it).

 

[sven]

I just scored 2 of the XXL boxes at a NY HD for $16 each. They are nice and HD had about 100 of them in stock.