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Affordable, heavy duty, waterproof totes.


Blmpkn

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I'd like to purchase some for my camping gear. I've always just used regular totes bought at waltonworld or the like.. but they're just too flimsy and don't seal up as nice as I'd want.

Is there anything out there (bonus If it can be bought locally) for around 50$ a piece? Ideally able to be put in the back of my truck and driven around at 60mph in a rainstorm and keep its contents dry.
 


sgtsandman

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I had an idea but as soon as you mentioned the price goal, these would blow that out of the water.
 

Roert42

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I have a gang box I got at Lowes I use. Not water tight per say, but rain doesn't get in there. Mostly I keep the cooking and recovery gear in the box, tent and sleeping bag go behind the seat.

It doesn't seal, but is designed in a way that doesn't let water in, and has train holes in the bottom to let out condensation.

Plus it locks, if that's something your worried about.

If you don't need something that big, you could get one of those knock off pelican cases from HF. Those are actually water proof, just do not have much in the way of various seizes like the actual pelicans.
 

Blmpkn

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Its probably better to be self deprecating than self defecating.
I had an idea but as soon as you mentioned the price goal, these would blow that out of the water.
Pelican? Lol

I have a gang box I got at Lowes I use. Not water tight per say, but rain doesn't get in there. Mostly I keep the cooking and recovery gear in the box, tent and sleeping bag go behind the seat.

It doesn't seal, but is designed in a way that doesn't let water in, and has train holes in the bottom to let out condensation.

Plus it locks, if that's something your worried about.

If you don't need something that big, you could get one of those knock off pelican cases from HF. Those are actually water proof, just do not have much in the way of various seizes like the actual pelicans.
Locking isn't super important, but keeping things dry and clean definitely is. The harbor freight ones are too small unfortunately.. but I dont need it to be huge either. 20 gallons or so would do, I'd need two probably.

There's some husky branded ones at home depot actually.. pretry heavy plastic and they have a seal. Some people don't have a whole lot of confidence in the latches from looking at the reviews.. but I won't be too overly rough with these things so 🤷‍♀️ for 35$ a piece I think they'll be hard to beat.

 

Roert42

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I've never really had water issues with the job box, I leave it outside all year round with my camping stuff in it. Pans, stove, paper plates, paper towels, toilet paper, ect.

What do you plan on keeping in it?
 

Uncle Gump

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1663269698357.png


I went all in on these starting a couple years ago. I like they lock together and I even have the matching cooler.
 

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This is going to be my next one. Should be long enough for my camp axe and a couple other things to long for the standard pro box.

1663270541608.png
 

CrabGuy

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Pelican? Lol



Locking isn't super important, but keeping things dry and clean definitely is. The harbor freight ones are too small unfortunately.. but I dont need it to be huge either. 20 gallons or so would do, I'd need two probably.

There's some husky branded ones at home depot actually.. pretry heavy plastic and they have a seal. Some people don't have a whole lot of confidence in the latches from looking at the reviews.. but I won't be too overly rough with these things so 🤷‍♀️ for 35$ a piece I think they'll be hard to beat.


I have 4 of those and they are indeed waterproof and I use them on my boat also. They are small enough to lift over the tailgate even loaded with tools. I learned the hard way never to buy a storage box without some type of gasket seal. When traveling in wet weather my other totes had water forced under the lids if they were in the open bed.
 

JW20

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Not exactly a tote but still light enough to move around. These things are pretty much indestructible unless you are trying to tear them up:



If that doesn't suit you, then these are a good option:


The way the lids are designed, you'd have to basically submerge them in water for the contents to get wet. I wouldn't trust the flimsy little tabs that hold the lids on, and any time I use these I put a few zip-ties through the holes to keep the lids on; you could probably accomplish the same thing with some hitch pins. The newer ones aren't as rugged as the older ones (they changed the thickness and type of plastic they're made out of). They'll still do just fine so long as you don't throw them out of the back of the truck and onto the ground.

Finally, another option is this:


I just recently purchased one of these to store my dirt bike gear in since I'm using my Ranger to haul my dirt bike and there's limited space in the cab. The latches are adequate to keep the lid on and it seems reasonably well made for the price. I was initially annoyed by the fact that it had wheels, but it's actually kinda nice since it's heavy when it's fully loaded with stuff. The smaller versions do not have wheels.
 

superj

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Those rolling tubs are the ones we used for our tools and stuff doing plumbing. They rode in the back of the company rangers for years with no trouble and we never got water in our sawzalls or electric tools
 

sgtsandman

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Pelican? Lol
No not them or that expensive. I can look them up for you if you want. They are more of a cross between a crate and a tote but with the water resistance of a Pelican.
 

JW20

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I just thought of another option. What about one of those mini Ridgid job boxes? There's a Husky version as well. I've seen the Ridgid 32" boxes on sale for $179:


They're small enough that you can move them on your own, much easier than the 48" version.
 

Blmpkn

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Location
Southern maine
Vehicle Year
2023
Make / Model
Ford Bronco
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Engine Size
2.3
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5"
Tire Size
285/75/18
My credo
Its probably better to be self deprecating than self defecating.
I've never really had water issues with the job box, I leave it outside all year round with my camping stuff in it. Pans, stove, paper plates, paper towels, toilet paper, ect.

What do you plan on keeping in it?
I need one for 'kitchen' stuff and the other one for everything else.. lamps, fuels, stove, bug candles etc.
View attachment 82261

I went all in on these starting a couple years ago. I like they lock together and I even have the matching cooler.
Being able to lock together sounds nice.. the ridgid stuff IS probably at least a touch better quality than Husky too.. I'll definitely look around for these when I make it to home depot.
Not exactly a tote but still light enough to move around. These things are pretty much indestructible unless you are trying to tear them up:



If that doesn't suit you, then these are a good option:


The way the lids are designed, you'd have to basically submerge them in water for the contents to get wet. I wouldn't trust the flimsy little tabs that hold the lids on, and any time I use these I put a few zip-ties through the holes to keep the lids on; you could probably accomplish the same thing with some hitch pins. The newer ones aren't as rugged as the older ones (they changed the thickness and type of plastic they're made out of). They'll still do just fine so long as you don't throw them out of the back of the truck and onto the ground.

Finally, another option is this:


I just recently purchased one of these to store my dirt bike gear in since I'm using my Ranger to haul my dirt bike and there's limited space in the cab. The latches are adequate to keep the lid on and it seems reasonably well made for the price. I was initially annoyed by the fact that it had wheels, but it's actually kinda nice since it's heavy when it's fully loaded with stuff. The smaller versions do not have wheels.
Considering there's not much worse than having to carry heavy crap around on vacation.. those rolling boxes are quite appealing 🤔

No not them or that expensive. I can look them up for you if you want. They are more of a cross between a crate and a tote but with the water resistance of a Pelican.
If you would that would be awesome. I don't mind paying a bit of a premium to turn it into a 'buy once, cry once' situation.
 

Jim Oaks

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33x12.50x15
1054811.jpeg
I have a 53-gallon Contico TuffBin that I bought at Tractor Supply that I keep my camping gear in. When it's time to go camping I just stick it in the truck and go.
 

Blmpkn

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Location
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Vehicle Year
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Make / Model
Ford Bronco
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Engine Size
2.3
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5"
Tire Size
285/75/18
My credo
Its probably better to be self deprecating than self defecating.
I have a 53-gallon Contico TuffBin that I bought at Tractor Supply that I keep my camping gear in. When it's time to go camping I just stick it in the truck and go.
For whatever reason.. I never think of tractor supply for anything lol, thanks for the heads up.
 

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