Storage IN/On Your Rig

[HARDTRAILZ]

Thought we had something like this, but could not find it. Anyway it makes for some interesting discussion and idea sharing I think.

What do you use inside/outside to haul your crap around safely and convienently?


Mine changes often, but here are some things I use. Links to amazon are just for the product descriptions...cheaper can likely be found. I often debate building a platform or drawer, but I need it all emptied far too often for tires or other big items that modular storage is my best bet.



I use Plano XXl Sportsman boxes inside and can fit 3 on roof rack, got 5 or 6 I think. Great size for camping gear....
Plano Molding 1819 XXL Storage Box - Amazon.com



Have a couple of these and they are nice and tough, like it for straps and fluids....
Amazon.com - Rubbermaid 1172 ActionPacker Storage Box, 24 Gallon



Much of my recovery gear is in one of these. Tough bag...
ARB ARB501 Recovery Gear & General Accessories : Amazon.com : Automotive



Got this tool box, not bad for cheap and holds alot...
Plano Molding 701 Extra Deep Tool Box, Graphite Gray with Iron Yellow, 22-Inch - Amazon.com



and a bag like this for my socket set and wrenches...
Amazon.com: Olive Drab Large Army Canvas Mechanics Tool Bag - 19 x 9 x 6, Two Outside Compartments: Automotive



The Trasharoo on my spare gets a ton of use. Thing is AWESOME and everyone needs one. You can mount it on the hatch or hang from roof rack in no rear spare. Actually have two of them myself.
Amazon.com: Trasharoo Spare Tire Trash Bag BLACK: Sports & Outdoors

[Cable810]

I'm using that Action packer just an older version of it. I can fit most everything I carry in that.

[Moots1288]

I've been looking for those actio packer boxes

[fishsticks]

All of the spare parts I had for the TB fit into a 120mm ammo can, which fit lengthwise in the back or on the roof.

I use various sizes of Plano/Rubbermaid boxes for hauling camping gear.

[Trail X]

I made a drawer years ago, and somehow its held up over the years.



For recovery gear, I hollowed out some old Dewalt tool cases and stuffed the various stuff in there.



This random repair tool case is probably my most used.



I also have aquired some tool cases from festool and BTI that snap together. They seem to work pretty well as modular storage. Plus, they were free.



The rear seat replacement deck also helps a lot with storage, but I have apparently never taken a photo of it installed on the truck. So you'll just have to take my word, unless I can find one.

[Trail X]

Nevermind, found a few

[mikekey]

I've gone thru a couple iterations of my storage and setup as I try to reduce how much I actually need. On our first trip out west I had two chests, a small rubber made box and just a lot of stuff. I've been slowly reducing this and getting better at organizing our gear. 1000lbs of storage boxes kind of bothers me personally. I just don't want my rig loaded to the brim with stuff.

On our trip out west my first load out looked like so:


I have two fairly inexpensive chests from Walmart. The large black boxes you see, and the second one I placed on the roof similar to how I did it when I went to TECORE, except cans up front.



We re-evaluated what we used and didn't use after our trip out west and got everything packed down into one storage chest for TECORE. I have a platform (not pictured) just like James. Also not pictured in the first photo in this thread is our spare tire, it sat up front behind the seats strapped to the floor. My idea here was center of gravity weight. I stuff spare parts and our guns and ammo underneath the platform.



I repeated this when I went to TECORE. But I felt like I was still wasting space. My goal was to not block my view out any of the windows.

On our trip to Kentucky I mixed it up more. I was able to reduce our cooking supplies, our tents and sleeping bags all into one storage chest now. Backpacking tent and backpacking bags make a huge dent on space savings compared to your average Coleman tent and sleeping bags from KMart. And have no removed carrying the chest on the roof.



One of the things I found handy was to remove the two plastic trim panels in the rear of the vehicle. There is a MASSIVE amount of inside the vehicle storage behind those panels. I was able to stuff jumper cables, all my recovery straps and flares and things in these side panels. I can easily reach in and pull things out with the truck loaded up.



I also store my tire inside the vehicle since I don't have a rear tire mount yet. This takes up some space having 35's. And I can't put the one seat back in the vehicle with it there.



I'm thinking long and hard about building a trailer to reduce what I'm hauling in the vehicle.

I have a cheap Stanely toolbox that I have extra tools specific to working on the trailblazer and then two divider boxes I picked up from Harbor frieght that I carry spare bolts, nuts, fuses, and misc things in. And of course a 150PC Craftsman tool case that I threw a few extra spare tools in specific to working on the Trailblazer.

[The Roadie]

My build thread has pictures of the stuff I carry (which I understand is way overkill except for it also being a bugout vehicle).

Drawer unit:



Fridge on platform on slide mount





Platform installed from the passenger side

[ErikSS]

Dang Roadie. What kind of gas milage do you get with your Bugout kit? haha

[RyansTBLS]

Roadie uses nitrous
you can't be overprepared when you offroad alone. It simplifies everything a lot when there is two vehicles. One gets too stuck or broken the other one can still get out and get more gear.

[mikekey]

This is why I've been thinking about a Trailer, since I know plenty of members here think about "bugging out" I like the idea of having gear always ready to hook up sitting in the garage at a moments notice without having to keep all my gear loaded in the TB at all times or scrambling to load the TB to bug out. This is the kind of setup I'm thinking of building.

[ErikSS]

I have to admit, that's awesome. I don't even like the trailer idea. I think the Bug Out thing is for you expedition minded people. Out of the trailers I've seen people wheel with, that one would be closest to something I would want/build. I like it!

[RyansTBLS]

Simple and hauls a lot, mostly carrying extra gas. Also a good place for flammables like propane. I love the little rack ontop. Then it would match my truck.
I'd make it black, even though orange would be easier to see in the mirrors

[mikekey]

That's just one I've seen. I came across another mentally insane trailer a guy who most likely is an engineer built with full independent suspension that is capable of as much flex as his jeep and he also had some wonky insane hitch setup. I'll have to dig thru my youtube video. His setup was over-kill. Dude had this ridiculous unfolding kitchen in it.

Here it is



And for giggles, look at this!





My thoughts on the trailer, it is a boat anchor. I don't think I'd wheel everything with one, like I wouldn't take one to TECORE.

But it would be nice for long expeditions and road-trips, especially with a RTT on it to leave as a base camp.

[RyansTBLS]

yea base camp is what I'm thinking. An offroad tent trailer would be great. Can't believe that guy with the outdoor kitchen. I'm curious if that trailer had a toilet and a shower to. If you have hot water heater anyways....

[DirtyBacon04]

I like the trailer. For my dreams of living out of my truck and driving around North America for a few years, it'd be perfect!!

[dvanbramer88]

I like the trailer. For my dreams of living out of my truck and driving around North America for a few years, it'd be perfect!!

What's with you nomadic Floridians?

[Moots1288]

I like the trailer. For my dreams of living out of my truck and driving around North America for a few years, it'd be perfect!!

What's with you nomadic Floridians?

Because there is nothing in Florida

[The Roadie]

Because there is nothing in Florida

Except soon, more ocean, less Florida.

[Trail X]

Mike, if you live in a less populated area, you might be concerned less with bugging out. Just move to some ranch in colorado.

Also, i've never understood having flex in a trailer. You have all the articulation you'll ever need in the hitch itself. All the trailer suspension needs to do is soak up the impact of bumps.