Offroad Storage

[4RUNAMOK]

I've been trying to find a durable storage solution for the back of the 4runner, or simply make something of my own custom made for my various items that must be with us on a trip.

I finally settled on Rubbermaid's Action Packers, the medium sized ones. When they arrived from Amazon, they were just the right size, 19x14x12.

But they're pretty flimsy and thin... The lid is nice... But the tub itself is going to be noisy in the back of the truck with items shifting around in them. I need something that will increase durability and at the same time, kill the noises we have to put up with as offroaders.

Enter the idea to coat the inside with something, some kind of rubberized material. I looked at Hercu-liner, Duplicolors plastic bed liner. I bough the duplicolor stuff because it was cheap. It didn't work, it wasn't rubbery, it chipped out easily (most likely does the same in truck beds)... It did nothing but coat the plastic with more paint-layer-thick plastic. Undoing was easy, it just flaked right off.

So I took the totes to Rhino Linings. The company that sprays in the durable bed liners into truck beds. They have different kinds of surfaces too. Most important, they had the rubbery grippy surface I wanted.

They finished them up last week. It was a total of $150 to coat all three tubs.

And it turned out perfect, they're practically noiseless, and much more durable than the tub by itself...

Have a look...

[David A. Wright]

I have the same tubs, having bought them years ago (about 1997 or 1998). As flimsy as they appear to be, they've held up well. They stay in the back of my Tacoma 24/7; protected from sunlight and weather by my camper shell, but still subjected to temperature fluctuations from below zero to over 100 above. Rattling isn't the issue with me, since they're back in the back of the truck.

http://www.gbr.4wdtrips.net/4x4/images/toy_jack3.jpg

However, an issue that I've always had with them is keeping them latched. They've always popped the latches and the lids fall off. For the past few years, I've had long, skinny sheet metal screws shoved into the lock holes. I'd prefer not to have to deal with four padlocks on two totes just to keep the lids on. Other than locks, have you found anything workable?

[TimB]

I use bungee cords hooked through the latch holes in mine. I've had the large one's for close to 20 years, and some smaller one's for about 4 years. The large ones have worn through on the bottom corners from sliding around in the storage under my motorhome. The little one's are in the back of my work truck and take a beating - still as good as new.

[David A. Wright]

Never thought of a bungee cord. Keeps the lid on plus keeps the latches on.

Thought I'd drop this hint, in case it's never been thought about, but those lids make a great place to stand upon while showering while camping. They're solid and thick enough to keep you out of the mud formed by your camp solar shower and very stable. Since they're rather rough surfaced, your feet don't slip.

[4RUNAMOK]

Mine have not seen use in the 4runner yet, so I have no field experience with them.

But it's nice to know this in advance so that I can prepare... Probably a bungee across the top from one lock hook to the other.

I'm also attaching the small bicycle bungee net to the bottom of the lids to hold stuff into the grooves under the lid. I'll post pics of that when it's done.

[Gfiero]

These tubs are great! I've have and use the medium and small sizes. We use them at work also. The guys put extra coats, cloths in them and store them on the truck beds. The fade a little but seem to deal with the sunlight and temperature changes well.

I picked up 'S' curved hooks at home depot years ago and using the hooks you easly secure the boxes on the roof rack or inside. 6 of the small ones filled the rear of my trooper and made a level deck for loading even more stuff.

Pep Boys had them on sale at the beginning of the month, I bought 4 for my son-in-law. I got the smalls for 19.99

[4RUNAMOK]

I tried to find them locally, didn't check pepboys...

Amazon had them for more than that...bought 4...

[4RUNAMOK]

Well, they're all in, the handles seem to be holding themselves shut at least for now..

See here
http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4512

[4RUNAMOK]

Quick update...

I've had a couple trips with the totes, and they stay closed without issue.

I also did a neat little mod with the lid, I used some barbed clips to secure a small bungee net to the bottom of the ActionPacker lids. No pictures of this right now, but it works well, it holds our wetwipes canisters very well, and saves room at the bottom of the tote for other things.

I like having them so far, now just to find a solition to keeping them down over big bumps, things can get pretty bouncy back there.

[xcmountain80]

Before the fridge I used 2 adventure totes not I kinda can fit 2. Since the addition of the pup I have started using my roof for storage, as well as the rear of the vehicle when needed. Here are a few examples.

[JackSilb]

This is a great camping setup.

http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6908&d=1207684921

I hope you manage time to make agood use of it.

-JACK

[JackSilb]

I have been using the Action Pack boxes for many years, ~8 or so.

As you may have seen on some of my pictures, I use them on the roof rack. They carry the sleeping bags, air mattress, blankets, etc. Basically relatively light things that take volume inside the cabin. Also, I use them to carry the spare car fluids and the kitchen gear.

I have not done the nice work Mitch did. I seen his, they looks really good. I am not sure I would spend that much money for the work. But, that is all relative and personal. Mitch is happy, that is good enough for me. I love these boxes.

-JACK

[JackSilb]

Smart setup on the back of the 4Runner. I am sure it holds you back on some trails. I imagine you can leave the setup at the main camp if you are to hit some trails.

-JACK

[xcmountain80]

I don't wheel with the rear crap on there as it doesn't contain anything I need while offroad. I could, if I needed to the departure angle isn't great but better than it was. As you may or may not know most of these hitcha madoos that carry cargo are made of a couple of pieces. Mine which I purchases some 10 years ago is 1 piece and I had the hitch section cut and re welded to add some lift so as not to get hung up in extremely sloped driveways. This particular rack is made of steel and has held up very well considering the multiple car accidents and accidental backings that have come its way. I have 2 Hardigg cases that are rather large but will replace my action packers because of better range of conditions they can endure.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4Runner/PC234612.jpg
They have 11 or 12 cam buckles that seal the box shut making it impervious to bugs @ 70mph. I have not used 1 of them yet with the new roof rack setup.


Aaron

[eurorom]

I don't wheel with the rear crap on there as it doesn't contain anything I need while offroad. I could, if I needed to the departure angle isn't great but better than it was. As you may or may not know most of these hitcha madoos that carry cargo are made of a couple of pieces. Mine which I purchases some 10 years ago is 1 piece and I had the hitch section cut and re welded to add some lift so as not to get hung up in extremely sloped driveways. This particular rack is made of steel and has held up very well considering the multiple car accidents and accidental backings that have come its way. I have 2 Hardigg cases that are rather large but will replace my action packers because of better range of conditions they can endure.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4Runner/PC234612.jpg
They have 11 or 12 cam buckles that seal the box shut making it impervious to bugs @ 70mph. I have not used 1 of them yet with the new roof rack setup.


Aaron


Very nice set-up! I also just bought som Action Packers it seems that alot of the Pre-Runners in Baja use them too!