Securing Trail Equipment in the Back

[Jason_25]

How do you guys do it? I always find myself trying to tie up a mess of assorted boxes before a trail run.

Does anyone know where I can find a fairly large toolbox that I can strap down back there?

 

[Positive Vibes]

I have a large tote I use. That is closable and lockable, as far as stuff not falling out. I have seen them at Home Depot and OSH. Also have fancy ones in the 4x4 mags for like Heeps and stuff. I use two 10ft rachet tie downs and walla nothing moves (so far!).

 

[CoryL]

A large plastic box lockable in two places and two ratchet straps. It doesn't move.

 

[Derrick C.]

I built my own. That way I could have it to my specs. I carry alot of spare parts. So I needed little compartments for the little things but big enough to hold water jugs and anti-freeze. I wish I had pics for you but taking picture of my cargo area is like showing you pics of my under wear drawer.

 

[mattadams]

I built a cargo box that converts into a queen-size bed. It's about 7" deep and holds all my stuff. Check it out.

 

[taxx]

I just put storage on my sub enclosure and it works out fine. Big things go on the roof but this holds all the little and medium stuff!

 

[Flounder]

Taxxman, do you have the demensions for that box? That'd make one nice storage area for my Explorer... Oh yes, and the materials used to construct the box...

 

[jasonb]

i have a 81mm mortar box that i use. i don't have a ton of stuff yet so everything fits in there nicely. water jugs don't fit in there so i just jam them between my seat and the folded down one behind me.

matt.. is that mdf?! that's gotta be one heavy sucker if so. very neat though. did you just remove the rear seats completely or do they do some sort of nifty fold trick too?

taxxman, i was going to do one like yours at one point, but the i have my rear seats down about 90% of the time and the uneven thing would have been annoying it seems? is that the case for you? just wondering as i am still considering that option.

 

[Jason_25]

Originally posted by CoryL
A large plastic box lockable in two places and two ratchet straps. It doesn't move.

Cory, where did you get the big plastic box?

 

[mattadams]

Originally posted by jasonb
matt.. is that mdf?! that's gotta be one heavy sucker if so. very neat though. did you just remove the rear seats completely or do they do some sort of nifty fold trick too?

It's just basically particle board, can't think of the exact name for it... but its not terribly heavy... I got it in there by myself, its more awkward then it is heavy...
Also as you can see in the second picture I can use the seats just fine, when I go to use the queen bed extensions I just fold down the seats, attach the extensions, lock them in place (about a 5-10 minute mod) and there we go!

 

[taxx]

Adam - it was one of those measure and cut deals... then measure and cut some more. f you follow my sige you can find about all the detail I have on it. If you are decent with a saw it shouldn't be that hard. It took me a couple months just working here and there and I wasted a fair amount of materials. It is MDF. But if I was just building a box to store stuff in I would use 3/4 0r 1/2 inch plywood, it is a little stronger.

Jasonb - I woul love to be able to have my seats down all the time. However I have a sport and I am tall so it is anoying to have to move my seat forward to put the rear seat down so I don't mess with it too often. It takes some getting used to using all that space for what seems like nothing, but it keeps my stuff together and out of the way. It makes it look nice and neat and it doesn't slide around. if I have luggage it goes on the roof.

 

[Flounder]

I'll give it a try with some plywood. What is the covering material? Ideally I'd try to get my hands on some Willow Green carpeting from a trashed Explorer but if that fails, I assume I'd cover it with black...

 

[Digger196]

very intereting. i'm getting a huge rack so i'll hav plenty of room for sure. 45 X 60. just tye all the big stuff down uyp there.

 

[jasonb]

taxxman.. i have a sport too.. i just lower and raise the seats from the rear. yours looks really nice and clean.

mine are down so often cause haul junk around all the time and the dog hangs out back there. i very rarely have more than one passenger with me either.

i may do that still and just live with the two levels. or maybe i'll try matts idea and have the extra piece for leveling it.
hell i gotta finish the roof rack first.

 

[CoryL]

Originally posted by Jason_25


Cory, where did you get the big plastic box?

I think I picked it up at WalMart when they were having a sale.

 

[RFR2212]

I use a rubermade tote bin... bout 10 bucks at walmart and then I use ratchet straps in the cargo area

 

[JDraper]

Rubbermaid tote bin here too. Mine just fits under my cargo net with a little work.