Cargo Bags or Cargo Box.....do you know?

tlin

tlin

Adventurer
A quest for my own unicorn it seems but here's what I'm after, hoping some of the ExPoExperts have a recommendation....or two:

  • used to house miscellaneous camping gear, snowboard equipment, and most often my porta-boat items (seats, transom, life vests, wheels) - would NEVER see anything > 50#
  • has to fit inside my Baja Rack and be able to be opened while sitting inside the rack's cage (assume the bag/box is affixed)
  • OS dimensions: 6' long (max) x 2' wide (max) x 1'-ish tall (can be taller) - only want to take up 50% of the cage's interior and needs to be somewhat aerodynamic front-to-back
  • preferably opens without having to traverse the entire length of the vehicle (e.g. no front/back clasps)
  • weatherproof-ish, would likely stay attached for lengthy periods of time but needs to be able to come down and store easily (truck is almost always garaged, UV/weather exposure would be minimized)

What I've found:

  • Cargo Boxes are pricey (OK if I find the right one) but I haven't found one that fits the dimensional constraints that I like (i.e. 6' or less in length boxes tend to be REALLY wide); boxes are stronger and would live longer thru some tree-branch-abuse for sure
  • Cargo Bags - tree-branch-abuse aside, this and this seem PERFECT to me but are apparently extinct (both have good dimensions, compression straps, weatherproof-ish, etc.)
  • this is pretty darn close but the shorter length kills the snowboard trip needs (not entirely a deal killer)

I'm not interested in building my own out of wood (heavy, weatherproofing would be questionable at best, really becomes hard to take down and then storage is likely a challenge, 114 trips to Home Depot - been there/done that....) and plus it'd look pitiful. A custom plastic or fiberglass box of sorts just sounds complicated to find the right company to do a one-off but perhaps I'm wrong.

If you've read this much and have some product suggestions I haven't come across, please share. No need to embark on your own Google adventures on my behalf, I'm truly only after items folks might already know of and can enlighten me with accordingly. Thx!!!!!:victory:
 
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tlin

tlin

Adventurer
tarditi said:
mil surplus aluminum container? Often have weather seals in them
Click to expand...

I've looked, couldn't find one that was big enough (most were med supply containers) - a few rocket containers (seriously) are bigger but those got too big......thx for the suggestion, I do appreciate it!
 
Christophe Noel

Christophe Noel

Expedition Leader
I'm a fan of the box. I've used bags many times and they're a pain to use. They're fine for long hauls where you don't need to access your stuff very often but boxes has the advantage edge. They're more aero which makes them more efficient and quiet. They're easy access, most have one single latch point. They're highly weather resistant. You can toss just a few items in the box as where a bag likes to be full so it keeps its shape. Would-be thieves don't know if your box is full or empty - why risk opening an empty box? Boxes can be attached and removed in seconds as most have quick release clamps and not a web of hectic straps and buckles. I'll leave things in my box for weeks on end as they seem very safe up there. Not so much with a soft bag.
 
Kerensky97

Kerensky97

Xterra101
Christophe Noel said:
I'm a fan of the box. I've used bags many times and they're a pain to use. They're fine for long hauls where you don't need to access your stuff very often but boxes has the advantage edge.
Click to expand...
^^This
Everytime I've used bags it's a production getting everything packed and cinched down so I learned to only put camp setup gear in it so I was emptying it once in the evening then refilling it in the morning before moving out.
Boxes are so much easier, like reaching inside your cooler to grab a can of soda. You can get in and out multiple times and never have to worry about re-packing and re-rigging everything. So if you need something mid drive down the road you can just pop it open, rummage around for what you need, then close and go.
The trick would be finding one that fits inside your Baja rack.
 
P

perkj

Explorer
sounds to me like a Pelican, or the like, should have a case/box of your desired size and then all you need to do is drill 4 mounting holds in the bottom and use some clamp to affix it to the rack. I did this with a riffle case I use as a low profile storage box that fits in my Baja Rack and works perfectly.
 
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tlin

tlin

Adventurer
perkj said:
better yet, here ya go a 66.9 L x 23.6 W x 13.4 H inches hard box: http://www.racknroad.com/product/inno-stream-box-9-cu-ft-matte-black.html

fits all your criteria and isn't too pricey!
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grrrr!!! no one has that one in stock, appears to be discontinued, i've tried 4 spots now and no one has it any longer. i'll try calling RacknRoad back tomorrow (seem to now be closed) and see if they can order direct from Inno - thx for forwarding this!!!

BTW, I couldn't find a gun case big enough and neither Pelican nor Plano ever got back to me when I emailed and inquired if they'd do a custom sized case. I love that idea, just too small.
 
P

perkj

Explorer
Search eBay and CL too for one if they are truly discontinued. One is bound to come up on the used market. Even put a "wanted" in the selling section of expo
 
Christophe Noel

Christophe Noel

Expedition Leader
tlin said:
BTW, I couldn't find a gun case big enough and neither Pelican nor Plano ever got back to me when I emailed and inquired if they'd do a custom sized case. I love that idea, just too small.
Click to expand...
Considering the fact it costs tens of thousands of dollars to produce just one mold for a rotomolded case, I don't see custom sizes as being an option.
 
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