Camping Box

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gmarshall7

gmarshall7

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Mar 9, 2008
Threads
48
Messages
522
Location
GA
i'm looking t build a wooden box to store, transport camping gear.

the object is to be able to load/unload the box without having to pack/unpack everything at the house.

at the campsite, the empty box could be used to stash particular things in such as food, whatever,... while away from camp--pad locked and perhaps rugged enough to sustain a bear's curiosity. but weight is a factor.

i'm thinking 52"w x 24"d x 18"h, will fit on the tail end of my truck between the tailgate and wheel wells.

anyone else already have something similar?
 
Don't just look here either, there are plans all over the net for chuck boxes, some pretty ingenious if you have the woodworking skills.. I think its even a boy scout badge thing...

I've been looking for something like this in some kinda durable plastic but no luck yet..
 
It has to be quite tough to handle a bears curiosity. Little things like no gap that can open up to greater than 1/8" are necessary. This is because a bear can use their claws to pull open that gap to gain access to the inside. Also it should be able to handle 250 pounds of force trying to deforn the structure. I forget the bite requirements, but it is over 100lbs force from an about 1/16" radius point.

Interagency Grizzly Bear Committe, the IGBC is a good start for information in that regard.

Bear proof testing is done in West Yellowstone. At the center there they have some bears that are real pros at getting into containers.
 
titanpat57 said:
Couple of things...

you won't be able to pick it up loaded a box that big.

52" is too wide to go between wheel wells, more like 48"...also a lot less waste of plywood

Here's Corey's box......

https://forum.ih8mud.com/camping-outdoor-gear/414210-chuckbox.html
Click to expand...

for the times i don't have a helper, i can stand it up and lean it over and up...
i'm a hell of a man.:flipoff2:

don't want it to go between the wheel wells.

i was gonna go 48" just for that reason but since i can't get all my cuts out of one sheet, i may go the 52. i haven't made any cuts yet.

nice chuck box there, corey.
 
Its unlikely you will make something bear proof... wasted effort imo.. although it might be easier with black bears and no brown around... I've seen pics where a med sized black bear peeled the skin off a car door to get inside.. then ate through the back seat to get into the trunk..

The majority of bear proof stuff is round and smooth so there is nothing they get a grip/bite on...
 
Jomama said:
Don't just look here either, there are plans all over the net for chuck boxes, some pretty ingenious if you have the woodworking skills.. I think its even a boy scout badge thing...

I've been looking for something like this in some kinda durable plastic but no luck yet..
Click to expand...

i bought the biggest plastic container that Target had but its not gonna do it. maybe i can take a bath in it.


Bogo said:
It has to be quite tough to handle a bears curiosity. Little things like no gap that can open up to greater than 1/8" are necessary. This is because a bear can use their claws to pull open that gap to gain access to the inside. Also it should be able to handle 250 pounds of force trying to deforn the structure. I forget the bite requirements, but it is over 100lbs force from an about 1/16" radius point.

Interagency Grizzly Bear Committe, the IGBC is a good start for information in that regard.

Bear proof testing is done in West Yellowstone. At the center there they have some bears that are real pros at getting into containers.
Click to expand...

good info

unless it ever makes it out west, blackies would be all i'd have to worry about. i plan on making it water-tight, bugs, rodents,...
 
gmarshall7 said:
i bought the biggest plastic container that Target had but its not gonna do it. maybe i can take a bath in it.
Click to expand...

Yeah I got those, I meant something more refined, with shelves an storage and a place for a stove... Like the traditional chuck boxes... Its for rafting so wood's too heavy, steel/aluminum too expensive...
 
Jomama said:
Yeah I got those, I meant something more refined, with shelves an storage and a place for a stove... Like the traditional chuck boxes... Its for rafting so wood's too heavy, steel/aluminum too expensive...
Click to expand...

if you don't find anything, try letting the wood season, should cut the weight in half or close...

this thing will pretty much just be a trunk.
 
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It's not wood but it is 100% air and water tight. I have two of these and love them.
They are made out of aluminum so they are lighter than a plastic box the same size. I doubt they would stand up to a grizzly but they would probably keep a black or brown bear occupied for an hour or so before they figured out the eight latches. Which BTW are the only down side I can find to these boxes, it's a pita to get them open.
militart med box.webp
 
They aren't strong enough to keep a black bear out. A black bear could get it's claw under an edge of the lid and peal a corner up. From there it isn't much to get a paw in and exert allot more force and overcome the latches. Put it in a small electric fenced area...
 
titanpat57 said:
Here's Corey's box......

https://forum.ih8mud.com/camping-outdoor-gear/414210-chuckbox.html
Click to expand...
Thanks Pat, great box!
gmarshall7 said:
nice chuck box there, corey.
Click to expand...
Thanks.

To bad you are not closer, I am throwing away a box today if I drum up the energy to clean my spare bedroom which houses my camping gear.
I bout a nice wood box (bought it from Boeing Surplus) I kept in the back of my '90 Toyota Xtracab full time which had camping gear in it that I did not want to haul back into my garage at the time when I had my house.
It fits between the wheelwells and is hinged and has clasps on it.

For my new rig I am using some pretty expensive molded military footlockers that stack like Legos, and I am sure they are bear proof too.
More info on then is in my Camping Gear Review thread in this same section.

I take entirely to much gear though, I blame it on the Boy Scouts having been one growing up.
I have got it down now to just using one of the footlockers instead of two.

ecs1.jpg
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One will pretty much stay in the rig full time once camping season kicks in here, and it will be less work loading the rig for trips.

But for kitchen/cooking gear, I dig the nostalgic look of the chuckboxes.
 
here's what i got so far, on its side. thought i'd go ahead and make it tough enough for someone to sit on.
i don't want atticus sitting on it and crushing it and trying to sue me for a scratched kidney.

still got to make the lid, hinges, lock, handles, bottom rails... caulk, paint...
campbox1.webp
 
I kinda like Pelican cases....The largest is my camp kitchen.

Good luck.
CPC_0168.webp
Moab 2010 020.webp
 
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