Best mid-size portable storage box

Trying to find a reasonably priced, waterproof, man-portable, lockable, storage box that can shrug off sitting and standing on it.

In the size range of minimum: 40" long, 15" wide, and 12" deep; and maximum 48" long, 20" wide, and 18" deep. Big enough to hold a long gun or two, for example. Small enough that at least a couple fit somewhere inside most vehicles. As light in weight as is consistent with other parameters.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Pelican cases are a good place to start. There are other companies.

Standard Disclaimer.

My $.02

ActionPackers by Rubbermaid have worked for me for many years. I believe they have models within your parameters. They are durable, reasonably light (although one in your size range will be heavy when fully loaded), but not waterproof in the sense that they will not leak if fully immersed. I have used mine in wet environments (think surf landings) by duct taping around the lid. I have some that are more than ten years old that still work. They are not what I would call "cheap." but they are a good value. I have never been able to destroy one.

You might also look at military surplus. That is a good source for all kinds of unusual containers.

The pelican 1740 falls right into that size range at 44.16" x 16.09" x 14.00" and it's <$300.

I'm more of a fan of dry bags than boxes. Hard cases take up the same amount of room empty or full. They also tend to be heavy and expensive. Dry bags are lighter, compact when empty, and fairly inexpensive.

Another vote for Rubbermaid Actionpackers. You can, but I wouldn't sit on them. For rugged storage they're great.

We sat on ours regularly, but a rather large individual probably shouldn't stand on them. They do have limits.

"ActionPackers by Rubbermaid have worked for me for many years. I believe they have models within your parameters. They are durable, reasonably light (although one in your size range will be heavy when fully loaded), but not waterproof in the sense that they will not leak if fully immersed. I have used mine in wet environments (think surf landings) by duct taping around the lid. I have some that are more than ten years old that still work. They are not what I would call "cheap." but they are a good value. I have never been able to destroy one."


Do you have any experience with their performance in extended outdoor applications(UV degradation)? Do they have enough structural integrity to stack about 4 high with 40# in each? Do you use yours for long term storage or just to transport? Thanks.

How about the 036800R - Stanley® FatMax® Xtreme™ Portable Truck Box

Slighty fatter than your specs but very durable and secure and can carry quite a heavy duty load with its integral handle and wheels.

http://www.toolreviews.ca/reviews//Stanley_truckbox/Stanley_truckbox.html

You can easily stack them four high, fully loaded. I routinely placed mine in the bottom of large cargo bags, and they often stood up under loads in excess of 150 pounds. I have used them for long term storage quite successfully - I have one parked under the bushes right now loaded with supplies which is doing quite well.

I have observed that the red handles do fade with long term exposure to sunlight, but so far that hasn't affected their utility.

I was confident that they were mouse proof after considerable experience storing food within while in camp. Then on one trip I found a neat hole nibbled in one; I think what happened is that a mouse got inside when the lid was off and he gnawed his way to freedom.

In my experience, ActionPackers have been the most satisfactory container I have come across. Their rigidity provides protection for the contents, something not as likely with a drybag. I would agree with Art's drybag comments earlier in this thread. On most of my trips I used both APs and dry bags, both to good effect.

Good to know.





Thanks for the link. If only it had larger wheels it would make a great camping tote.

I've taken cheapo ~40 gal plastic lock boxes from Home Depot and added weatherproof stripping, from the Pelican website I think (just find a Pelican box of a similar size, then search for their replacement weatherstrip for that item - trim the end to fit). Check the box before you buy - it should have a rim on which to mount the weatherstripping, which so far every cheap box I've looked at has. You do not get all the strength and reliability of the Pelican (and weatherproofing is by no means warranted), but the box itself is reasonably weatherproof - and inexpensive.

Given that I only open / close my boxes every 3-6 months to pull or replace gear, this works great for me.

Rubbermaid stuff always worth looking at but the ActionPackers are not strong enough, waterproof, or quite the form factor I am looking for.

I did not know Pelican cases went into the big sizes! They look pretty good and fit specs. Now I want to see one in the flesh, so to speak, and find the money. Best candidate so far!

I use lots of dry bags; I am migrating my way out of Ziplocks. I am routinely packing in several layers of drybags of different sizes into packs and my kayak. However, as tough as they are they are subject to wear, puncture, and unless you are into "bean bag" stuff, are not the things on which to sit, stand, cook, lay out grub, clean foraged plants and animals, or rely upon for any kind of visual or physical security.

I use old coolers. Pick 'em up at yard sales for next to nothing. Most are very solid. No problem sitting on them or putting heavy loads on top of them. Lots of different shapes and sizes. I duct tape around the top for weather proof storage.

Big plus is that they don't attract attention (unless around teenagers).

Nomad

Not a bad strategy if you can find some that are lockable and you can secure and waterproof the tops without too much modification or requiring something like re-taping each time after you get into them, though most are not big enough or tough enough for my purposes.

I hadn't thought of it but Nomad has a point I've got a few large coolers filled with gear. I've had them for many years and they hold up well, especially if you keep them out of the sun. They aren't Mil-spec tough, if you want hard-core tough cases run the term 'mil-spec case' through your search engine, but they have been sat on, used as workbenches, and absorbed a lot of abuse without failing. Catch them on sale and they are pretty cheap.

Larger ones are suitable for handling that recurring problem; getting rid of the bodies.

Yeti coolers my be closer to what you're looking for. Don't own one but they look pretty tough.

Try a five gallon bucket with a GAMMA seal lid.The rim snaps on and and the lid screws in.Absolutly water proof and makes an excellent camp stool with a little added padding...

BOATMAN
John