Storage Options

[skephart]

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.

I do have an Xterra but I plan on taking out the back seat and replace it with storage. I have had it for about a year now and have only used the back once. Our dogs would prefer to have the seat out.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I've been using plain old apple boxes from the grocery store, it's something new I'm trying out. They pack into the rig a lot better than plastic bins because they have straight sides. They are free and re-usable, plus I'm doing something "green" by recycling them. They can get surprisingly wet without falling apart. The size is just right, even loaded with food I can still handle one by my self with ease. They also fit into my 100 series Land Cruiser very well. I can load three between the wheel wells plus two more apple and two orange boxes behind those. This leaves a nice level platform to load sleeping bags and stuff on. My next trip will be in the open top 40 series Land Cruiser. I plan to put the boxes inside plastic trash bags to keep the dust out. Based on useage so far the ones I have may last all season and still be in good enough shape to store my gear in over the winter.

I know they aren't as sophisticated as some would like, but sometimes simple is best. Just something to think about.

 

[Robert Bills]

I've been using plain old apple boxes from the grocery store, it's something new I'm trying out. . . . Based on useage so far the ones I have may last all season and still be in good enough shape to store my gear in over the winter. . . . I know they aren't as sophisticated as some would like, but sometimes simple is best.

Ironic that you would mention apple boxes. When I rescued my Bantam trailer from the chicken coop (see post above) and discovered that the gear in the kitchen box was in perfect condition and ready to use, I also found 3 apple boxes that my mom had packed with towels, blankets, etc. Not only were the contents clean and ready to use, the apple boxes were undamaged after at least 24 years in storage. I'm still using them to store gear I seldom use.

Simple is best.

 

[Corey]

Packed up my rig today for an upcoming trip, snagged a few pics of those Sterilite drawers that hold my kitchen stuff.

The whole thing is a perfect fit too for that Cabela's kitchen.

 

[Guinness44]

For now we use material handling boxes. They are pretty tough, but not dust or waterproof. One holds the kitchen, and we set that outside wherever the terrain is handy at camp. Used to want a builtin kitchen but found a preference for the flexible one. Other boxes (which we sleep on top of) are full of tools, fluids, spareparts, recovery gear. They hopefully stay closed the whole trip.

The boxes come in many sizes, and I ordered the size that fit the best in the back (no stacking, just one layer, flat). One can open a box without removing it, even when stacked in tight. (Some boxes need space for that). Thats why I picked this kind.

But a drawer system is the future.

 

[Pokey]

Heya- how is that Contico/wall mart Gorilla foot locker in terms of water resistance./waterproofness/dust proofness???????????

 

[TheRoadie]

It's not a sealed unit, and unlike an Action Packer, can't be made much better with a gasket. The hand grip area on the two ends have vent grilles with maybe 2 square inches of opening - but they're pointed down. The closure is a plastic ridge on the cover that goes into a 1/8" deep groove in the bottom. But if you put it out in the rain it would shed the water, and you can certainly set it down in 2" of mud and the contents would be protected. But it's not well-sealed like a Pelican case. I would not hesitate to use them in the back of a open pickup, just sealing the vent grills with duct tape to keep the dust out.

 

[Rallyroo]

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.

That's the one thing I hate about the Actionpackers. They don't utilize space efficiently.