Pelican Case Storage System (1 Viewer)

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Joined
Nov 6, 2006
Threads
65
Messages
1,650
Location
Boulder County, Colorado
Website
www.adventuretoolcompany.com
I have my build over on the 60 Thread, but I thought you guys maybe interested in this storage system.


I needed a way to carry and secure my Pelican cases and camping gear. I initially wanted the draw system, but didn't care for the weight and fixed design (and I'm a Pelican case geek..), so instead I designed a "Cargo Platform" that my gear could be strapped too and give me an infinite layout capabilities.

Basically, It's a 4 x 8 sheet of 3/4 inch cabinet grade plywood, measured and cut to the length/width of the rear cargo area with the back seat folded down. I then routered the edges and drilled "tiedown" holes around the entire perimeter. It's coated with black polyurethane stain.

The Platform will sit in the back of the LC with the Engel fridge/slider attached. Camlock straps (1000lb strength) will be placed through each hole and used to lash down the pelican cases. I also built metal cages for the water cans and propane tank that also will be attached to the platform. The WC cages are opened in the front to aid in pulling the WC out. They also have their own Camlock straps securing the WC and propane cylinder.

To secure the platform, so that it wouldn't become airborn in an accident or rollover, the platform is attached to fixed mounted MAC towdowns in the LC cargo area.

One benefit about this system is it can be removed and hung in the garage when not needed and allows the use of the entire cargo area.

Basically, the two front yellow cases are for clothing, boots, personal supplies for 2. The 2 blue cans on the right are water. In front of the WC's is a 10lb Propane bottle with a safety cage on top of it. Behind the WC's is a small firstaid kit.

The center, first row has two large PC cases. The front one is for parts, supplies and fluids. The second one is my camp kitchen.

The center, top row has two cases. The front large one is camping supplies (tent equipment, shower, grill, folding table, etc...). The second smaller one is for dry food.

The Engel fridge is on the left. In front of the fridge is a smaller pelican tool case. In front of the tool case is canvas bags containing recovery gear (accessible by the driverside rear passenger door)

I had a prototype platform on my last trip and worked very well, this is a new and improved version.

I forgot to mention why I placed the items where I placed them on the Platform. With my last design I had everything (fridge, kitchen, water, etc.) at the tailgate. It made for very easy access, but also put all the weight behind the axle and with my bumper, that was a lot of weight. So, I moved the water cans, parts case, tools and anything not needed over the axle or slightly in front of the axle.

We'll see how it works in Moab....

"Only one way, not the only way...."

BritKLR
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A couple more....
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This is last years set-up. It worked great, but just put to much weight behind the axle.

As far as removing the PC's and setting up camp, it's simply a matter of releasing the camstraps and pulling the cases out. All the large PC's have built-in wheels, so they slide out very easily on the platform.

BritKLR
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Very Cool! I like how neat and organized it is. Ever consider installing slides onto your base plate and mounting it to your floor so that you could slide the entire board out the back of the vehicle? I like the organization, I am definitely going to incorporate part of this idea in my trailer build - Thanks!:cool:
 
Very Cool! I like how neat and organized it is. Ever consider installing slides onto your base plate and mounting it to your floor so that you could slide the entire board out the back of the vehicle? I like the organization, I am definitely going to incorporate part of this idea in my trailer build - Thanks!:cool:

Great idea!

My only reservations would be the weight of the slider and it being mounted. If this was a dedicated camping/expo rig I'd think about doing your idea!

Thanks!
 
Thanks for posting this.. great simple Idea...
 
That is a great idea! I like the organization and the temporary nature of it.

Do you have any pictures of just the board mounted inside of your rig?
 
outstanding idea

and good visual documentation, but then I'm a closet Pelican lover myself.

No seriously, they're all in my closet right now. :p One w/ camera gear, one w/ not-camera gear, a couple empty just now, (and one somewhere in Oregon, yet to be paid for, courtesy of the 'SecretAgent' who was neither). Hardigg just doesn't do it for me, got more Peli's coming in this week, might keep a wheely Hdg for airtravel.

i'd be tempted to scrounge a coupla old Long Spine Boards n do the same, cept my 'cargo' area belongs to the dobers. (but if I used 'em tailgate-wise, hmmm....) i've been collecting 'pinned/clipped' backboard straps as they come through my work life, since my agency doesn't use 'em, waiting for mud/snow/gook to diminish to see if the 'seatbelt' fittings interface w/OEM.
 
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That is a great idea! I like the organization and the temporary nature of it.

Do you have any pictures of just the board mounted inside of your rig?

I'm still doing some wiring in the back. Once done, I'll shoot some pix and post them up.
 
That should work nice for the back of a pickup truck. Might want to put a pad between it and the bed so the straps aren't being grated between it and the bed.
 
Nice setup, BritKLR. :clap:

A little off topic, but do you have a favorite place your buy your Pelican cases from? I've seen prices all over the map from any number of online retailers.
 
I get mine from Mudbay... it just takes patience.

Ribz sometimes has 'GI cases' which perform like Peli's, and the beauty of the green rectangular ones is they hold a moderately loaded EOD bag quite nicely. Black smaller ones hold small amounts of ammo OR a handgub and separate accessories.

Hardigg's are good too, though not -proof, only -resistant.

Eflay can also be an option: picked up a smallish one there for a wheelgub.
 
Sudden dumb thought:

don't things get dirty much more often After we take them out of the case, than Before?

we spent hours cleaning sand out of handgubs n mags after a windstorm at the outdoor range.

that said, I'm gonna go w/LSB's in my trailer, if they fit length-wise. Cain't hurt to have 'em available if things go sideways, tho it means I'll have to stock C-collars, straps, tape and headblocks: another reason to get the next case, yes??
 
A little off topic, but do you have a favorite place your buy your Pelican cases from? I've seen prices all over the map from any number of online retailers.

For new I usually get them from B&H Photo Video. They have a wide selection with various options, and usually some of the better prices. I get free shipping from them as I'm a NAPP member. Really saves me $$$ when I get a big Pelican case.
 
Sudden dumb thought:

don't things get dirty much more often After we take them out of the case, than Before?

we spent hours cleaning sand out of handgubs n mags after a windstorm at the outdoor range.

that said, I'm gonna go w/LSB's in my trailer, if they fit length-wise. Cain't hurt to have 'em available if things go sideways, tho it means I'll have to stock C-collars, straps, tape and headblocks: another reason to get the next case, yes??

I use them in the back of my pickup. Gravel roads, which I live on one, can quickly coat anything. Even with a topper or tonneau cover anything in the bed can get dusty. I often use a pair of 1620s as trunks for groceries and other items bought when shopping. That why the stuff I purchased won't get dusty.
 
These guys have some good prices, they have my 1300 for $15 less than I got it for 2 years ago.

Pelican Cases

*not sure if they have reasonable shipping.
 
Generally speaking, I buy mine off Craig's list. It takes some checking, but the average price, even for the biggest cases is $50-$75.

It seems that many of our service personnel use the cases to ship things over seas and when they're done with them they're willing to sell them at a reasonable price.

Since I use my cases for everything and they get banged around, it's nice to have a slightly used one versus a brand new one.

When the cases get dusty, dirty, I pull the o-ring and hit them with the power washer and they look as good as new.

Heck, I even bought one that had some holes drilled in it (for some wiring) and use my plastic welder (HB tool) and welded close the holes and sanded them down and now you can't tell it ever had holes in it....not bad for $10 case.

If you need a case "Now", I've purchased them from this company for work and they seem have good sale prices.

www.boss-safety.com

Good luck.
 
Man is that thing slick as all hell!!

Great work!!

Dammit you deserve a beer!>>>>>>>>:beer::beer::beer:
 
Thanks!
 
After years of piling stiff on the back seat, and having to flip down the seat to get a soda on the road I just removed the rear seats all together. I first installed a carpeted 3/4" piece of plywood in place of the third row rear seats. I bolted the plywood down into the body of the truck in place of the bolts for the seat brackets. I then could mount as many tie down brackets as I needed. After doing that 4 years ago i decided to create a second platform that is removable in place of the second row, also bolted to the seat brakets with grade 8 bolts. When this is installed I can move close to 500 pounds of weight to the middle of the truck and ratchet strap them down. Now I have 7ft perfectly level sleeping platform for short trips alone or can load it up for long trips with my Maggliona tent on the roof rack. Either way you slice it, the benefits of removing the back seat are huge. The truck handles like a different truck and the rear seats are not trashed from gear in and out. when I get home i just unbolt the second platform and put back int he second row seats. I will post the pics below.
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