Scott Williams
Advanced Member
Posts:881
 | | 13 Nov 2006 06:41 PM |
| Has anyone used a Tuffy security draw for organization? How do you usually pack for a say a weekend trip? I never seem to be able to get the cargo organized. It always is disheveled. I have seen several home made attempts at bin type storage, but it is usually specific to a job, not camping. Any product recomendations? Suggestions?
Scott |
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Andy Berglund
Tacoma, WA
Veteran Member
Posts:3453
| | 13 Nov 2006 09:24 PM |
| the drawers are cool because they create a false floor so no one knows that you even have a compartment hidden in there. i've seen a couple people do a rudimentary drawer system but nothing as secure as a tuffy. pelicans are nice but expensive. i've had good luck with rubbermaid's locking "actionpacker" boxes. i can fit four (2x2) perpendicular to the long axis of the truck and still keep the seatbacks up. there is still nook and cranny space all around as well. right now i'm just using two, one for kitchen junk/staple items and one for the tent/pads/bags. REI and wal-mart carry them. i'm sure other places do, too. i'll double check what size they are tomorrow.
between the two boxes we store our two cots and between the cooler and the recovery box we store our chairs. clothes/bail out bag go into my backpack which gets stapped to something else. |
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Craig Miller
Posts:11803
| | 13 Nov 2006 11:50 PM |
| If you can afford them Pelicans are nice. I have one and will eventually get more.
I use 3 bins and a cooler. camping gear (tent, pads, bags), kitchen stuff (dry food and cooking gear), recovery gear (tools, parts, etc.). If we go longer, or have more people the light stuff goes on the roofrack in the pelican and dry bags.
--Craig |
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Mike Rupp
Veteran Member
Posts:1355
| | 14 Nov 2006 06:19 AM |
| Pelicans are sweet, but a little sweat equity and some plywood and a few hinges make a really sweet setup. http://www.steverupp.phanfare.com/album/62410
My brother has been bitten by the Moab bug, so he's setup his truck to be ideal in Moab. He has a Roofrack, but takes it off when he goes to Moab because of all of the off-camber terrain out there. He took out the rear seats and installed the drawer system and has a ton of low-to-the ground storage space.
For me, versatility is more important since need the rear seat and occasionally transport my dog, so I use a combination of Pelicans to get the job done. They are expensive, but are waterproof which is a good thing in this climate. |
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Peter Carey
Veteran Member
Posts:2829
| | 14 Nov 2006 10:31 AM |
| The problem I have with Pelicans for kitchen kit and the like, is you have to turn them on their side to move them, and if you don't have everything packed in tight they slosh around . (egads!! Did I just talk out AGAINST Pelican cases!!?!?!) Steve setup is nice and something to shoot for. Here's a way more expensive option, but really pretty and locking and stuff 
Check out more info at pangaea-expeditions.com/africanoutback/index.html . The cost is too rich for my blood but I really like the idea especially for my defender. Only thing stopping me from building one (besides getting the truck running) is having dogs that will get old and have one hell of a large jump in and out. That picture above has a slider on the right side for the fridge as well. I have some boxes like Andy's, just not locking. One for kitchen mainly and one for other camping stuff. Tent and sleeping bags go in compression sacks and in a drybag sometimes. Clothes in another duffle. Recovery gear in a smaller pelican and tools in a larger pelican. Put tools under one of the bins makes it not that hard to get to when you need them. Keep the recovery gear handy but tied down well. 2-3 water jugs that can go on the roof if you like or on the floors to keep the weight low. Sometimes I have a problem with that concept.... 
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Craig Miller
Posts:11803
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Andy Berglund
Tacoma, WA
Veteran Member
Posts:3453
| | 22 Mar 2007 12:45 PM |
| that's a cool setup, but i think he needs a bit more diamond plate.
a |
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Craig Miller
Posts:11803
| | 22 Mar 2007 01:31 PM |
|  My thoughts exactly. I like the combo of a drawer and shelf in the cargo space. I've also considered permanately mounting my stove back there, but haven't quite convinced myself that a full shelf wouldn't be more useful. I noticed that he mounted the stove up a little higher, presumable so the drawer can still open. Craig |
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Craig Miller
Posts:11803
| | 22 Mar 2007 01:34 PM |
| Regarding old dogs having trouble jumping in/out w/ a drawer in it (see Peter's post above), I saw a JEEP dog ramp at Petco yesterday. If that isn't good enough, maybe you could permanately install one similar to a U-haul. ;) |
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Peter Carey
Veteran Member
Posts:2829
| | 22 Mar 2007 01:40 PM |
| I measured the drop and distance for a ramp. I have 4' backto rear seats in my truck. unfortunately, that's not enough to make a meaningful ramp for the height they need to obtain. I'm trying to come up with something else, like maybe a pull out shelf that comes staight out and they jump onto that, then the main shelf. |
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Craig Miller
Posts:11803
| | 22 Mar 2007 01:43 PM |
| The JEEP one folds in half. Yours could do the same then you'd have 8 feet. A simple telescoping design, like a ladder, would also work. Edit: Or just throw a pelican down there and let them use it as a step. |
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Peter Carey
Veteran Member
Posts:2829
| | 22 Mar 2007 02:42 PM |
| that might be a good idea |
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Ryan McDonald
Basic Member
Posts:191
| | 19 Apr 2007 07:40 AM |
| Mike,
How can I get in touch with Steve to obtain the specs for his cargo system. It looks like a fun project...I like the nice work with the tie downs! Moab rocks, but not in August.
-Ryan |
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