Jobber Jim

Getting a Maxtow aluminum 21" X 48" hitch rack for my 2011 JK. What type of totes would you recommend for waterproof storage of sleeping bags, clothes, etc? The Rubbermaid totes I see in the big box stores don't look like they would seal out wind driven rain.

jedg

This is slightly deeper by 2", but I can attest that it's waterproof and lockable, and with the wheels makes it easy to move around.

DEWALT 38 in. Mobile Tough Chest Tool Box-DWST38000 - The Home Depot

Jobber Jim

Thanks for the link. Maybe they have a tool box with smaller dimensions. I can't go beyond the 21 inch dimension.

Mark Doiron

Check out the Wolf Packs by Frontrunner. I have several friends who run them and they really like. I believe that they are a U.S. market version of the African military ammo boxes (bundie boxes). I use Alu-Boxes, and if you really want top-notch, that's the ticket. But, they cost about ten times as much as the Wolf Packs.

rob_engineer

Check out some options on www.containerstore.com. They also have actual physical stores you can go it to touch & feel. I bought storage totes there for my camping gear. Here are two of their containers that I own. The black ones have handles and wheels which make them nice for moving around.

DJ1

Pelican cases all day. The new Pelican "airs" are even better. These things will outlive you....all made in the USofA

rob_engineer

I agree that pelican cases are awesome. I just pointed out the container store options because the price point is very attractive. Those containers have worked well for me.

DJ1

The ones in the picture above I picked up for about ~ $150-$200 for the set off of craigslist. All used by a videographer and based on their condition, probably used at 15% of their actual capacity. I didn't even have to replace any of the seals/gaskets. One can score deals on these easily if they are willing to look.

Having said that, I also have no problem spending the $ to buy these new as well because they are that good. Buy once, cry once.

For work and personal use, I probably have about 16 of these cases. Half I purchased new. The other half used.



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Jobber Jim

rob_engineer, are those container store totes waterproof like the Pelican products, or just weatherproof? As stated by DJ1, the Pelican cases are actually waterproof with rubber gaskets and very expensive. My fishing trips are two day drives from point to point and have, in the past, been through some pretty heavy downpours. If weather proof, and not waterproof, does your experience with them include using heavy duty lawn/leaf bags to pack dry items inside these totes as a secondary waterproof backup?
Mark Doiron, I checked the Frontrunner site and found that the Wolf Packs are not waterproof, having two drain holes in the bottom. Wind driven rain on an Interstate highway will find a way into the box. The overall dimensions are too small and low for my dry gear. Thanks for the post as the site has more options.

DJ1

Assuming you are having difficulty finding barely used Pelican cases in the $50-$100 range each but you still need to "waterproof" some items that are in a rubbermaid, etc. container, I also recommend using some dry bags. I use these in my travel duffel bags all of the time.

I also use these if the gear I'm hauling doesn't necessarily need the pelican cases for it's hard-cased protection....




SealLine Baja? Dry Bag


...of course, made in the USofA as well. I prefer not to waste $ on junk and use them on things that have proven their worthiness in the field. Plus they have good resale value since most outdoorsy types are familiar with them and their reliability/ruggedness.


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