SUV Trunk Cargo Box for Overlanding

[Gizzard Stone]

Greetings,

Seeking input on a project for the upcoming Overlanding Season (Nevada).

I have a 4Runner and two kids and a dog and we don't want to pull a trailer. So I have the rear cargo area and a Yakima Sky Box.

All of the sleeping gear and most of the clothing fit in the SkyBox.

I have a cooler and an REI Camp Kitchen (http://www.rei.com/product/895599/rei-camp-pack-n-prep-tote-table-special-buy) in the cargo area along with odds and ends and the rest of the other stuff. I have been using a deck I made to keep things organized. The cooler and Kitchen go under it, with chairs and a table on one side, tools and other junk on the other and the rest behind the cooler/kitchen. The dog sits on top next to whatever else has to go there. Usually my wife's overpacked duffle and the kid carrier. Pic below:

It works REALLY well, but I want to make a few improvements.

1) I want something easier to get in and out of the truck. The current one is too wide and really tricky to get in and out.
2) I want it just big enough for the cooler/kitchen. As the extra space is harder to pack than if it were outside the box.
3) Tailgate. I want a tailgate/table to make lunch on.
4) Slideout. I want a slide out for the cooler at least, but I don't want to sacrifice the space actual drawer slides would require.
5) Will look better. Plywood rather than OSB

So here is my idea:

A simple box with a drop down door on cables to act as the tailgate/table. I can slide the cooler out onto the tailgate for access, then make sandwiches on it. Dog still can sit on top. The top extends to the seat back, but the sides do not so I can stuff other things behind there. More space on the side for taller items.

Here is a mockup I made out of cardboard to get a sense for how it would work.

I'll tie it down to the cargo anchors of course, and use a latch and some nice plywood. Maybe carpet on the top and a lip for the dog.

What do you think of this idea?
What else should I consider?
Do you have something similar?

Cheers and thanks!

-Mike

 

[chet6.7]

What type of cargo anchors? If you were in a collision what keeps the dog from impacting the back of your head?

 

[Gizzard Stone]

There are 4 factory cargo anchors in the cargo area.

The dog projectile thing is an issue. Ideally, I'd get one of those dog nets/cage, but the head rests also should deflect the flying dog. Could also strap the dog down, but I'd probably leave her at home before I went that far.

-M

 

[tarditi]

Solid idea - sort of like an over-sized scout patrol box or chuck box (without all the internal cubbies) - don't forget "wings" on the sides to make a full-width platform. Agreed that you may want to incorporate a dog barrier so pooch doesn't turn into a furry missile in the event of an accident.

You could even have a double-hinge lid that can fold out another time to make a nice folding table to eat in the shelter from your liftgate (could put a leg on it to support the weight, too) (front of cargo area) [__]/\ = [__]____

 

[Martinjmpr]

How big is the dog and how old are the kids? Would putting the dog on the passenger seat between the kids be an option? You could even get one of those seat belt harness things and snap her into a seat belt.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Also, since ExPo is also known as "the place where we answer the question you DIDN'T ask", have you considered a larger vehicle? With 4 people and a dog I think you're really pushing how much you can cram into a 3rd gen 4runner. I can understand that may not be an option for a variety of reasons but I thought I'd throw it out there. :sombrero:
.
Edited to add: If a bigger vehicle isn't an option I'd look at putting as much lightweight stuff on the roof as possible. Will your folding chairs fit in the Sky Box? If so I would put those in there.

 

[Gizzard Stone]

I have considered a larger vehicle, but the 4Runner will be good for now.

The chairs and a table fit well on the side of the box. I use a Yakima SkyBox for all the camping gear and most of the clothing, so it's fully utilized.

Once I get a bumper with fuel and water carrier I think I'll be set.

-M

 

[danfromsyr]

man, you need a AWD (4x4) Astro
kids in the middle row (removeable) dog on floor between front seats/middle row
and all the gear in the back 1/3rd. same/similar MPG shorter wheel base and plenty capable for most off-road camping while in comfort.
more room for kids, dog and gear.

 

[Gizzard Stone]

An astro would definitely be RAD! There are a number of full 4x4 conversions on those where I live too. Swap in a 5.7 LS and ad some bumbers...

But the 4Runner is really quite adequate. We have a pretty small footprint over all. I just need a rear bumper with racks for water and fuel and I'll be set.

-M

 

[Gizzard Stone]

Dog is small enough that you didn't notice her in the photo above. Kids are small, but car seats are big... Also, she gets dirty so having her own space is nicer for everyone. We also have a Honda Pilot for non 4x4 trips and she sits between them as it's a much bigger vehicle.

-M

 

[SnoViking]

We have a 3rd gen 4runner also so I feel your "pinch" when it comes to room for all the gear and passengers (2 adults+2 Kids+2 Dogs). When we aren't using the RTT (which we just got); I use a Thule roof box (it's one of the older larger ones: 96" long x 24" wide x 18" tall) and also a Surco cargo basket (which is 24" wide x 60" long. I modified/cut it down from 48x60). Sleeping bags, tents, canopy, clothes, cots, and chairs go in the Thule box (to keep dry). Two Rubbermaid Actionpackers (one for food, one for cooking items and odds and ends), coleman 425 stove, and the cooler go in the cargo basket. When we get to our camp site the food tote and cooler either go in a bear box (if there's one provided) or in the cargo area of the 4Runner. The back cargo area holds nothing but the 2 dogs while we travel (with a pet divider up).

I ended up extending the factory roof rack rails forward an additional 22" which lets me mount towers and cross bars further forward.

When we use the RTT, theres no additional tents, or cots, and the sleeping bags stay up in the RTT. But I cant use the Surco basket or Thule box. I made 2 drawers/platform for the cargo area which are the full width, but only 7" tall. I put everything that was in the totes in them. I picked up an ATV hitch cargo hauler from harbor freight which I modified into a smaller roof cargo basket (its 44"x20") which I mounted to the roof in front of the RTT. The only thing in the back now is the dogs, and a Stanely cooler.

Heres a (bad) picture of my setup when we don't use the RTT.





Extended roof rack rails:

 

[Buddha.]

I think OP has it figured out pretty good with the cardboard mock up. I'd add a cargo net to keep the dog and gear in place in the event of a accident.

 

[ramatl73]

Find someone with a Kreg Jig or buy one of the small Kreg kits. Use some 1/2" or 3/4" Baltic Birch plywood to build a simple box. Should be about $45 per sheet at Lowes. You can even get pre-cut 2x4 or 4x4 sheets that are easier to handle. Latches, hinges, and tie-down loops on the sides.

 

[Gizzard Stone]

What's the story with those extended roof rack rails? I'd like that.

We use a big roof box as well. Yakima SkiBox 16. It is big, but they make bigger...

-M

 

[SnoViking]

What's the story with those extended roof rack rails? I'd like that.
-M

I found another factory OEM roof rack from a junk yard; took 1 of the rails, cut it in half, and then drilled, sealed, and bolted it through. I dropped the headliner and accessed the roof. I have a sunroof so it was a bit tougher. If you didn't have the sunroof it would have been cake. If I were to do it again, instead of cutting 1 rail in half, I would have chopped both the OEM sacrificial rails down so they were a bit longer. I would have liked the yakima wind fairing to just reach the top of the windshield to look a bit cleaner, plus buy me a few more inches of roof real estate. I took my time lining the two rails up and used a small flat plate top and bottom to keep them together and square. From 5' away you can't even tell theres a seam. It looks and functions like factory with the added benefits.