I was just reviewing the older threads and did not find anything on storage. I am looking for storage for kitchen stuff. I currently use a soft bag setup by Mountainsmith. It is a double cube bag. I am looking for something that is hard. The Pelican cases are expensive and much more than I need for kitchen stuff. Does anyone have a suggestion for something similar to the Pelican.
Storage Options
- Thread starter skephart
- Start date
taugust
Adventurer
Here is what I have done.
The box on the right is a copy of one my dad built out of plans in a Sunset Magazine in the 50's, called a Stampede Box. It has two drawers for small items and utensils. I have used that for about 20 years. My sister built it for me and gave it to me for Christmas. It has served me well, but... I have an Aerocover bed cover and it has to be laid on its back to travel.
I decided I wanted to redesign the concept to be horizontal in format and to fit under my cover. I wanted it a little larger to carry pots and larger pans like my cast iron skillet, and my stovetop griddle. I use it off the tailgate mainly.
The drawers are a little larger too, to hold the bigger utensils like spatulas and wooden spoons. After many years of basic camping, mainly out of a can, or simple meals, I have decided I want to eat well and enjoy. Yes, it's more work, but it is more satisfying.
I am not a great woodworker, so there are flaws, but it served well on my recent trip to southern Utah. The paint was barely dry before we left and it still needs a few finishing touches.
The old one is 12W x 24H x 12D. The new one is 31W x 14H x 15D.
The box on the right is a copy of one my dad built out of plans in a Sunset Magazine in the 50's, called a Stampede Box. It has two drawers for small items and utensils. I have used that for about 20 years. My sister built it for me and gave it to me for Christmas. It has served me well, but... I have an Aerocover bed cover and it has to be laid on its back to travel.
I decided I wanted to redesign the concept to be horizontal in format and to fit under my cover. I wanted it a little larger to carry pots and larger pans like my cast iron skillet, and my stovetop griddle. I use it off the tailgate mainly.
The drawers are a little larger too, to hold the bigger utensils like spatulas and wooden spoons. After many years of basic camping, mainly out of a can, or simple meals, I have decided I want to eat well and enjoy. Yes, it's more work, but it is more satisfying.
I am not a great woodworker, so there are flaws, but it served well on my recent trip to southern Utah. The paint was barely dry before we left and it still needs a few finishing touches.
The old one is 12W x 24H x 12D. The new one is 31W x 14H x 15D.
Robert Bills
Explorer
Here is the kitchen box my dad made in the early 1960s. I refinished it 4 years ago, otherwise it is as built. We used it in our '54 CJ-3B when I was a kid, and later in the Bantam trailer my dad bought in 1965 (mine now).
FLYFISHEXPERT
LivingOverland.com
I picked up three Sterilite drawer organizers several years ago and have been using them. I like how they stack, but wish they were deeper. I am thinking about building a drawer system in two halves to replace my current setup. The nice thing with the Sterilite is they don't weigh much and are easy to pack around and you can access everything with out having to pull the container out of the truck.
TheRoadie
Explorer
Actionpacker is OK if you have to put it out in the elements, but the packing is a bit inefficient with the top part of the lower section necking down a bit with sharp edges.
I use a couple of plastic footlockers. They have wheeled and non-wheeled versions at Walmart and Cabelas and the Container Store and lots of other places probably. Just run a search for "footlocker" or "gorilla footlocker"
I use a couple of plastic footlockers. They have wheeled and non-wheeled versions at Walmart and Cabelas and the Container Store and lots of other places probably. Just run a search for "footlocker" or "gorilla footlocker"
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
I use the Action Packers to pack my camping gear in.
However, I too have two of the Sterilite cases for all of my kitchen stuff.
Two of the drawers stacked on top of each other fit perfectly below the top tray on the Cabelas kitchen.
I will have pictures of the setup in a few weeks when I get out camping.
The two Sterilite drawers hold:
silverware tray packed with silverware, cutting knives
a few pots, lids, and a 10" frying pan
coffee cups
French Press
foil
timer with magnetic base to set on the Cabelas kitchen
metal dish plates, bowls
paper plates
Much much more too
I have them packed very well.
However, I too have two of the Sterilite cases for all of my kitchen stuff.
Two of the drawers stacked on top of each other fit perfectly below the top tray on the Cabelas kitchen.
I will have pictures of the setup in a few weeks when I get out camping.
The two Sterilite drawers hold:
silverware tray packed with silverware, cutting knives
a few pots, lids, and a 10" frying pan
coffee cups
French Press
foil
timer with magnetic base to set on the Cabelas kitchen
metal dish plates, bowls
paper plates
Much much more too
I have them packed very well.
TheGillz
Explorer
TheRoadie said:Actionpacker is OK if you have to put it out in the elements, but the packing is a bit inefficient with the top part of the lower section necking down a bit with sharp edges.
I use a couple of plastic footlockers. They have wheeled and non-wheeled versions at Walmart and Cabelas and the Container Store and lots of other places probably. Just run a search for "footlocker" or "gorilla footlocker"
This is perfect! I was planning on getting some action packers for clothes. I think this will be much better, and at 14 inches tall they should fit perfectly in the 28 inch tall box on my trailer being built!
Can you stack your two on top of each other and tell me how close to 28 inches they are?
Bergger
Explorer
For general camping I use the 8 gallon action packers. One holds dry/canned food items, one holds paper goods and other misc items and the third is a fire box (propane bottles ect). They are a good size and easy to stack ect. I prefer them to the larger ones. You mentioned that you have an Xterra. If you have an 05 or newer Xterra the 8 gallon size fits perfect on the rear seat floor board and makes for a perfect sleeping platform.
TheRoadie
Explorer
I went to the garage and looked, and mine are 13" high exactly, and stack to 26". They are the "Contico wheeled locker", model No. 1320BK-1. I got mine at Walmart, but their web site says not available in stores now. Hmmmm.
Anyway, I also see a Contico 1320 Mobile Storage Locker listed at other vendors.
Lots of names for the same thing, it seems.
Anyway, I also see a Contico 1320 Mobile Storage Locker listed at other vendors.
Lots of names for the same thing, it seems.
VikingVince
Explorer
Robert Bills said:Here is the kitchen box my dad made in the early 1960s. I refinished it 4 years ago, otherwise it is as built. We used it in our '54 CJ-3B when I was a kid, and later in the Bantam trailer my dad bought in 1965 (mine now).
That's a beautiful kitchen box. It's really cool that your dad made it over 40 years ago and you still use it. My dad had a collection of pocket knives...I usually take one along on trips...for the "feeling" if you know what I mean.
Robert Bills
Explorer
VikingVince said:That's a beautiful kitchen box. It's really cool that your dad made it over 40 years ago and you still use it. My dad had a collection of pocket knives...I usually take one along on trips...for the "feeling" if you know what I mean.
The Bantam trailer was the family camping trailer when I was a kid. I borrowed it a few times after college, probably for the last time in 1974 (Labor Day at Pismo Beach for the sand drags - in the "old days" before the dunes were closed to offroaders). I lost track of it after that, and the trailer wound up stored under a tarp in a chicken coop. My dad called me in 1998, told me to "come get your trailer." He had kept it for me all those years. When I opened the kichen box, all the gear and untensils were still there in perfect condition. I'm still using all of it, including the stove shown in the photo.