Rigid Pro Tool 22 for camping storage

[wagonteeth]

I bought a couple of these yesterday at home depot. One is to replace my toolbag, and the other for vehicle fluids. I'm gonna get a couple more for specific camping gear.

If you haven't seen them, the different sizes interlock so that they can be stacked. There are three sizes of toolboxes and a crate.

I bought the lowest toolbox and it hold everything I carry for my truck with room to spare. It has six removable containers that can hold sockets and bits, and can be used as a cup or bowl if needed (not kidding-probably will). The crate is a glorified milk crate, but will lock on top of any of the boxes, or under them to secure items. The nice thing about the crate is that the bottom is solid, and the lip comes up the side about 1.5", so if there's a spill in it, it'll be mostly contained (if you're horizontal) I put a gallon or oil, a gallon of antifreeze, PS fluid, brake fluid, a spare oil filter, a liter of water, some C clamps and two first aid kits in it, and there is still room, yet it's not bulky.

I have a large military case that's about to get booted. It's heavy and takes up a lot of space. These are the best cases I've found and the price isn't too bad. The boxes have seals in the lid. I'm not sure if they're water tight or just dust seals, but it's better than my tool bag with a busted zipper.

RIDGID 22 in. Pro Tool Box, Black-222570 - The Home Depot

 

[Enigma]

Nice find, prices do seem decent. In the HD description online it says the seals are watertight.

 

[DrivingMissRosey]

Those are pretty awesome looking. I especially like the locking modular-ness. I think I'll have to pick one up for an car electronic toolbox.

 

[verruckt1]

Would these be heavy duty enough to line them up 3x3 or (4x4) flat and put a piece of 3/4" plywood on them and use that setup as a sleeping platform with storage underneath for those things you need but don't use each trip out? Do you think that they could hold the dispersed weight of the wood board + a 250lbs person? This may be a good option for a platform that is easily removed when not needed?

 

[verruckt1]

Assuming my 2nd and 3rd row seats are out of the truck.....

 

[Output Shaft]

Those cases look intriguing. Will check them out. Thanks!

 

[pheenx9]

I have the same box, with the crate. I use the crate for recovery gear and the box for tools. Its an awesome setup. (Almost Pelican quality)

 

[wagonteeth]

Assuming my 2nd and 3rd row seats are out of the truck.....

sorry for such a long time in getting back to this. Now that I've had them for a months or so, I can say- yeah, I think they'd support the weight fine. If you used one in each corner, maybe on centered. I could stand on the tool box.

I'm fixin to buy the middle sized box for camping gear, and may get another for a chuck box. Home Depot had a sale for Fathers Day with three pieces-everything but the crate for $99.

 

[GeoRoss]

I bought one of the taller ones as a potential box to house the batteries and whatnot for a solar generator project I'm building. I really like the beefy side handles. Even if I don't use it for the batteries it will be used for other camping gear. Probably a modular chuck box.

 

[doug720]

I have the same box, with the crate. I use the crate for recovery gear and the box for tools. Its an awesome setup. (Almost Pelican quality)

I looked at these boxes today at HD. Make no mistake, these are in way comparable to a Pelican box.

 

[Tapage]

they are good looking and price it's right too ..

 

[dfinn]

I've got 2 of these. The smaller one I use for tools and the bigger one contains the whole camp kitchen excluding the stove. I like them, I like the way they stack, they seem really durable. The only thing I don't like is the attachment point where I'm tying them down is on the top of the box so you can't get inside them without first loosening your tie down straps.

sorry for the night pic, it's all I had on my phone.

 

[ihadmail]

I've been looking at the Dewalt tough system, which is made by the same manufacturer of these rigid boxes. Dewalt sells the locking mechanism by itself for a couple of bucks. My initial thought is a sheet of plywood bolted to the cargo area floor with the latches integrated into it.

My only concern is the durability of those latches in a roll over event.

 

[ihadmail]

@dfinn what stove do you use that fits into one of these boxes?

 

[dfinn]

@dfinn what stove do you use that fits into one of these boxes?

"the bigger one contains the whole camp kitchen excluding the stove"

 

[Dissent]

I looked at these today and put a lot of weight on the small and medium and nothing flexed. Im planning on a few of these that I can strap on the roof rack when I need cargo space. They have a water seal but no vent like the Pelican cases. Not sure what happens when I head to 8000 feet and back to 1500 feet but its the next best thing so far. It will replace my crates (used for a sleeping platform, these boxes look as strong given the lid they should be) and my Rubbermaid Action Packers as they suck for supporting any weight as a seat, they arent waterproof and they crush when strapped down.

 

[Dissent]

I have 9x of these boxes now, an assortment of 6x Med and 3x Small. All my gear except sleeping bags and chairs go into these bad boys. I stack them 2x Med and 1x Small and manage 2x stacks in the rear and 1x stack with a 2nd row seat folded up. I added some climbing rings to the 2nd row seat bolts to use as tie downs. I strap in each stack with a Stratchit strap and the whole system works out great. I had a large one but it was a pain to work with as it was taller and wider than the others.

I haven't tested any on the roof yet but I know I can fit 6x Meds or 5x Meds + 2x Smalls on the roof lashed down with 4x Stratchits. This is my go to plan when the wife and both kids come with me. I don't want to deal with all the dirty containers on a normal run so I try to cram as much as possible inside the truck when I can.

I wanted to ditch my double burner Coleman stove and found one from Gas One that fits PERFECTLY inside these boxes. It's the model GS-3900P, a single burner 15,000 BTU model available from Amazon for $60 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N1RO9WG/?tag=ihco-20). The stove accommodates my 11" cast iron skillet and supports dual fuel; propane (externally) and butane (internally). I only plan to use Propane. The stove comes with a carrying case but I had to remove it and the stove sits on top of my other chuckbox pans/pots in a Med box.

I'll grab pics in the future but here's how I have my boxes loaded out based on priority in the truck and how many folks are going on the trip. I usually only have 1-2 kids with me so the 2nd row contains optional gear. All my recovery gear is in old laptop bags crammed into various crevices around the truck right now. I may introduce 1x more Med box but it would throw off my mojo. A crate may be better if I can ditch one of the Med boxes.

Stack Rear 1 - Stays in the truck 99% of the time.
Straps (s) - Ratchet tie down straps and spare Stratchits for when I need to strap something on top or the tail board rack.
Cold Gear/Twin Air Bed (m) - Winter clothes and my camp clothes; always getting to a camp site forgetting something that keeps me warm. Good place to put my clothes and jacket too.
Emergency (m) - Jump pack, Tools, Flares, Gloves, Water Filter, etc.
Stack Rear 2 - Camp gear that goes on every trip. I can eat, sleep and be comfortable regardless of the run/camp situation for 1-2 people (sleeping on and inside truck)
Hot Dog (s) - Simple/partial chuckbox kit when no real cooking is required, tongs, hot dog forks, plates, bowls, cutlery, chip clips, baggies, fire starter, good for campfire hotdogs, sandwiches, manifold burritos, coffee, etc.
Misc Camp (m) - Other stuff like bear spray, camp shoes, water socks, hand warmers, hammer, lights, etc.
Tent/Air Beds/Screens (m) - Stuff for sleeping in/on the truck; Tent, blow up mattresses, window screens, stakes.
Stack 2nd Row - Optional, depending on whether I'm bringing food in the fridge, it's a longer campout or we are above the treeline.
Food (s) - Dry food goods like coffee, salt/pepper, cocoa, jerky, freeze dried meals (pairs well with Hot Dog kit)
Chuckbox (m) - Cookiing related gear like cast iron skillet, 2 qt pot, propane, cutting boards, stove, fireproof gloves, foil, towels, chainmail/scrubber, soap, etc.
Tarps/Hammock (m) - More sleeping gear like hammocks, tarps and standalone rain flys, stakes. Mainly for when kids come or when trees are available for the hammocks.