ProAudio Rack Cases for Storage?

[AdventureHare]

Has anyone ever tried to use a rack case designed to house professional audio equipment?
Talent Rack Cases
"Rack" equipment is 19" wide, and these boxes can house several of them. The boxes are standardized around a 19x19 square. The height varies depending on the amount of equipment. And they're usually designed to be stacked. The expensive ones are designed to offer better protection, but all are pretty rugged kinda like the Pelican cases. There are roto-molded versions that could be very easy to deal with.
I'm thinking they're lighter than anything I could build and still cheaper than commercially offered "overlanding" storage.

Thoughts?

 

[rayra]

I think they'd work nice, especially if you have a large cubic volume to work with. Bonus points if they are sturdy enough to sit on. And they're certainly cheaper than pelican cases of a similar size.

 

[fiddypal]

Just curious, why does everyone on here point out when something is 'roto molded'. I've looked up the process and it does not seem to have any weaknesses compared to injection molding. The only thing I can gather is roto molding process is geared towards bigger objects and injection molding for smaller size items. What's the reason for always calling this out?

 

[AdventureHare]

Just curious, why does everyone on here point out when something is 'roto molded'. I've looked up the process and it does not seem to have any weaknesses compared to injection molding. The only thing I can gather is roto molding process is geared towards bigger objects and injection molding for smaller size items. What's the reason for always calling this out?

I called it out because they're cheaper than those that are 'assembled' and offer a contiguous package. Generally, something that's injection molded is not uniquely identified as it's not the 'latest/greatest' technology. Personally, I liked the look of the those boxes and the handles look robust and comfortable. Plus, they appear to be more weather-resistant/-proofed than the others.

I'm certain there are ones that can easily take the weight of someone sitting on them. Some may require the lids be attached to have enough strength. As for the ones linked, I can't be certain.
One advantage of these is they have integrated mounting inside, and adding bracing (or anything else such as drawers) would be simple. As both ends are removable, the lids could be used for other purposes, or replaced with fixed panels/angle braces to ensure strength (or shorten).

 

[dwh]

The link isn't working for me, but I think you're talking about what are known in the business as "road cases".

The first brand to get well known was "Anvil Cases", and that's now sort of the generic name. Like Tupperware, when you say anvil case, everyone knows what you mean.

There are lots of brands now, and there are cases for everything...instruments, rack gear, amps, wardrobes, pianos...you name it.

For the rack mount cases that you're talking about, there are tons of rack mount doodads. Tool drawers, rack lighting, power strips...you name it, it's been done by someone.

Normal road cases are tough to withstand daily handling by speed freak roadies, and are certainly strong enough to sit on. They are also bulky and heavy as sin.

Molded plastic...dunno, never used them. But they'd have to be a lot lighter than normal road cases or I wouldn't even consider using them for camping.

 

[Rando]

I use Hardig 19" 'roto molded' rack mount cases for transporting scientific equipment and rack mounted servers and communications gear into the field. They are really nice cases for that application - but I would agree with dwh and repeat what I have said in other threads - they really are not the right tool for camping. They are heavy, awkward and expensive for what they are. While less expo-cool, action packers or home depot bins are a much more efficient and practical option.

 

[Dusty Wagoneer]

I am a touring sound engineer, and have a couple large work cases for my Front Of House gear, and another one for my production office.
Both of them have lots of drawers, and the front cover comes off to make a desk.

The problem is they are large, very heavy, and do not like to much water. They are not made to keep things dry when soaked.
That being said they have had to sit out in the rain, snow, and sun to many times to mention. The sun is your worst enemy beating down on the ABS that covers the plywood. The ABS starts to bubble, and the glue holding it to the plywood starts to let go.

I have always thought that my production cases would make a great camp kitchen, but when ever I have to lift them (with the help of stage hands) I come to my senses.

 

[Roger M.]

Not a good choice IMO.

Most road cases as used in pro audio and lighting are either armored cases made out of wood and a laminate (Anvil Cases) and are extremely heavy, OR are of the roto-molded variety and have a rabbits warren of assorted buttresses, braces, and other stiffening "bits" molded into the inside of the case, drastically cutting down on usable interior space (compared to the outside dimensions of any given road case).

Also, the assorted drawers, shelves, etc that are available in the standard 19" rack mount are expensive, and are also very heavy.
The steel hardware (rack rails) inside the case that these drawers, shelves, and other equipment screw onto are designed to withstand years of endless touring in the back of a truck, and are one of the main culprits contributing to the excessive weight of the average road case.

Further, the cases are meant to accommodate internal equipment wiring, and therefore all the assorted drawers, shelves, etc reach barely 3/4 of the way back into the case, wasting the rear 1/4 of the case for Overland storage purposes (but perfect for wiring the back of sound equipment up, and keeping it all inside the case).

The typical Rubbermaid tub, as poor an Overlanding storage and transport item as it is - would be more useful for our purposes than a pro-audio road case.

 

[Kerensky97]

OR are of the roto-molded variety and have a rabbits warren of assorted buttresses, braces, and other stiffening "bits" molded into the inside of the case...

The typical Rubbermaid tub, as poor an Overlanding storage and transport item as it is - would be more useful for our purposes than a pro-audio road case.

Agreed. I wouldn't use them as a replacement for just a simple case like an ActionPacker or whatever. But if you wanted to custom make a system designed around the integrated rails these are a good way to go. The big Anvil boxes are overkill IMO but even these are going to be a bit heavy in the end. It would be like have a truck bed drawer system, but small modular portable boxes.

But I still don't think I'd do it. They'll need a sturdy tie-down/mounting when you're driving, and will be a PITA to move if when your arrive at camp.
If you want mobile boxes use cheap totes. If you want a solid drawer system, get some permanent drawers.
Personally I like the cheap simplicity of $10 Sterilite totes like these http://amzn.to/2c5tkRm All I really need is a large lip around the top so rain runs off it instead of into it, clips so it stays shut if vermin try to get into it, and stackable sizes so smaller boxes stack to the same size as larger boxes. Pelican cases are overkill to transport a bunch of pots and pans.

 

[AdventureHare]

Everyone says these cases are too heavy but I have yet to see a lighter system that's less than 3x the cost. I would only consider using the ABS/plastic ones. I would be using them as a shell and then mounting shelves and drawers of my own design. I see the inherent strength and interior attachment points as pluses. There is some wasted space but then Action Packers are far from square and to me represent a great deal of wasted volume.

Permanently mounting drawers will never be an option for me. Whatever I use needs to be installed when needed, and I've been researching different mounting systems that are permanently attached but don't interfere when not in use.

Any case/tote needs to be restrained in some fashion. I've been camping with totes for years. And it takes discipline to manage them, to know the contents of each, to not get things cross filed, and you have to often dig to find the thing you really want. I actually built a wood kitchen box but it weighs too much and requires more care than I'm willing to give it. I saw these plastic cases are a step up from totes without having to re-invent or spend significantly more.

That said, I know the totes I have used are too big, and there are far more available sizes and styles than when I started packing mine. In the end, I believe I'll end up with a combination of solutions.

What I'm really working towards is having something that will eventually work as the base for a sleeping platform as well. I've started a family much later in life than most and as my son grows up, I will be growing OLD. The idea of sleeping in the vehicle sounds really good. And it's the only alternative-sleeping idea the wife hasn't said "no" to ... yet.

 

[Roger M.]

Pictures don't really demonstrate how much interior space (compared to the exterior dimensions) is available in a typical roto-molded pro-audio road case.

If these types of cases are something you'd like to pursue, I'd be tempted to go to the Seattle Guitar Center on Westlake Ave. and take an up-close look at the various road cases they have in stock.

 

[Wilbah]

I don't know about road cases and I have been happy with my Action Packers for the most part. But I would prefer something more waterproof when I have them on the roof so I am always looking for alternatives. While I don't know if I would put these on the roof they would seem to be a good alternative to Action Packers from a cost perspective (although they are smaller). I have no tie to the company and have never used or even seen their stuff before.

MTM Ammo Crate
They have an O-Ring seal and T&G edges. They claim "water resistance" so not ideal for electronics etc. but those would be inside anyway. And as they are made for carrying ammo they would appear to be pretty stout given the weight of ammo. I know the general camping gear I throw in my Action Packers is a lot less weight.

http://www.mtmcase-gard.com/products/shooting/ammo-cans.html

ACR5 is 4 gallon and is $13.49
https://www.amazon.com/MTM-ACR5-72-...8&qid=1472683254&sr=1-7&keywords=mtm+ammo+box

ACR8 is 6 gallons and costs $15.29 at Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/MTM-ACR8-72-...8&qid=1472683254&sr=1-3&keywords=mtm+ammo+box

In contrast the Action Packer $32.04 for the 8 gallon version
https://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-A...1_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QMVAZ865S4HDYP5079BS

Just figured I would pass it along....as with anything on the interwebs YMMV!