Ideas for roof storage bins?

[wrybread]

I'm setting up a new-to-me rv and want to store a bunch of stuff on the roof. I was thinking about going the rooftop cargo carrier route but it seems to me that they're not a very efficient use of space and the good ones are expensive. I was thinking maybe a row of 4 storage bins, mounted sideways, then ratchet strapped down. This kind of thing:

http://m.homedepot.com/p/HDX-27-Gal-Storage-Tote-in-Black-HDX27GONLINE-5/205978361?MERCH=REC-_-mobileweb_pip_rr-1-_-206122163-_-205978361-_-N

Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this?

- which materials are likely to resist sun the best?

- I've found that a lot of storage bins shatter easily. I'm hard on stuff so looking for something tough.

- which type of storage container are likely to be reasonably weather proof?

- ideas for mounting system? I was thinking about making a small wooden frame (2 inches high or so) around the outline so the boxes can't move, then one or two ratchet straps across the top of all of them.

- would I be doomed without some aerodynamics on the forward box?

- I'd love to come up with some minimal security system but not a necessity

I plan to store mostly light things in them. Wetsuits, scuba gear (not weights or tanks), kiting gear, etc. Nothing that would be ruined by the occasional dose of weather. Most of my trips are fairly short distances, under 50 miles and usually more like 20 miles. And another nice advantage of the bins is that I can easily leave them behind if I'm going on a longer trip.

Any and all tips or thoughts invited.

[BarneyS]

fyrflie wrote:
I just ran across another option for you.

Www.sportsmansguide.com

Item #G6X-155779
Military Surplus Aluminum Box
31x19x21
$60.00

Looks like someone bought them all out. Hope it was our OP!
Here is another that is in stock but may not be quite as big.
Barney

[fyrflie]

I just ran across another option for you.

Www.sportsmansguide.com

Item #G6X-155779
Military Surplus Aluminum Box
31x19x21
$60.00

[fyrflie]

wrybread wrote:
And if that's the one you're using, do you know where you bought it?

There is a supplier in Oakland, Ca.

LN Curtis and Sons

They should be able to help you out.

The name of the box is Hardigg box.
Just found one on EBay (27x25x14) for $135.

[wrybread]

And just to keep it all in the same place, here's a nice looking unit (though not nearly as nice as the one above):



Cheap though, at $62 for a 2-pack. or $47 for 2 at Walmart. And they're made of polyethelene so should be ok outside, though who knows about the hardware.

Looks like there's lots of nice stuff from Sterilite (as well as Rubbermaid of course). A couple of others:

50 gallon stacker tote



I emailed that Ali Baba seller with those beautiful green bins to see if they'd be willing to sell smaller quantities, like 3 units, blems ok.

And on a sidenote, here's some nice looking stainless steel ratchet straps. I like the caribiners instead of hooks, can clove hitch some webbing to the roof rack and clip in.

[wrybread]

And if that's the one you're using, do you know where you bought it?

[wrybread]

Thanks for that. Here's what I see when I click that link.

Is the case you're talking about this one?

[fyrflie]

https://www.google.com/search?q=heavy+duty+storage+box&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#imgdii=tpnW1WRMZCdhJM%3A%3BbwWlUxbRuVtk3M%3A%3BbwWlUxbRuVtk3M%3A&imgrc=bwWlUxbRuVtk3M%3A

I don't know if this link will work, but that is the type of box you might need.

We used these for our Urban Search and Rescue team equipment cache and they are Waterproof and very heavy duty.
Depending on size, a little heavy but will outlast anything you can buy at Home Depot.

[wrybread]

And it struck me that another good way for concealed rooftop storage bins (along with the kayak idea) would be to put the AC cover over some bins.

That of course assumes you're removing your AC.

[wrybread]

Ha love the idea of a kayak for storage! If I needed to worry about security more I'd seriously consider that. And yes it's a class c.

Has a reinforced rear section under the cargo rack, I don't think weight will be an issue, assuming I'm storing mostly light things. The ac unit that I'm about to remove for example is plenty heavy, and about as tall, so I'm not adding any height to my camper either.

Criteria for my boxes (mostly just thinking aloud here but if anyone has any tips, very invited):

- reasonably uv resistant. I don't mind if they only last two years but I'd love for them to last that long

- reasonably weather proof

- strong enough so I can sit on them occasionally

- small enough so I can load them in the camper door if I ever need to stash them. But ideally large enough so 4 or 5 of them spans my whole cargo area.

- stackable would be nice for when they're stored away from my camper.

- lockable would be nice

I'll be starting on the project next week or the week after and will try to post the results in case it's useful for anyone.

And looking over the traditional rooftop cargo boxes I don't think they're the best choice for RVs for a bunch of reasons, but especially:

- they expect you to be opening them at eye level from the side of a car, so they don't open all the way. On the roof of an RV you'd be bending over to load and unload them.

- for the same reason their side walls are very shallow, so you can't pack much in them. If they had taller side walls and you were loading from the side of a car you couldn't see over them, but that's not an issue when you're standing on the roof its mounted on.

- its a big single compartment, which makes it more likely to become a big mess. With multiple bins you get an automatic organization system.

- from reading reviews, the cheap ones are very flimsy. The good ones are a notch up but are very pricey.

The only downside I can see to bins on the roof is that it looks a bit janky. But my camper isn't exactly going for the clean look, it already has a surfski (long thin racing kayak), a whitewater kayak and 3 stand up paddleboards up there already. And besides I think in America there's too much emphasis on aesthetics in RVs. In Europe and the rest of the world people tend to get much more creative with maximizing every inch of their campers for utility, in my observations at least. I'm not advocating the Beverly Hillbillies or chickens on the roof approach, but a few storage bins safely secured shouldn't raise too many eyebrows.

But who knows, maybe I'll be discovering the downside to the bin approach shortly...

[DrewE]

SoundGuy wrote:

wrybread wrote:
And sorry I should have mentioned, the rv is a 24' 1989 Jamee.

And that presumably is what ... a travel trailer? :h

That's what DutchmenSport meant when he said - "You did not specify what type of RV you have or are getting."

A Google image search shows that 1989 Jamee's are apparently class C motorhomes with corrugated aluminum siding, and so probably wood framing (at least that's my guess). I didn't see any pictures of the roof to tell what sort of roofing material might be used, whether aluminum or rubber.

[ADAD437]

don't forget height clearance for underpass.

[SoundGuy]

wrybread wrote:
And sorry I should have mentioned, the rv is a 24' 1989 Jamee.

And that presumably is what ... a travel trailer? :h

That's what DutchmenSport meant when he said - "You did not specify what type of RV you have or are getting."

[wanderingbob]

Thats a good idea . Get yourself a couple of old kayaks , take the guts out , put your stuff in there . To crooks it would appear as old kayaks and not worth stealin.

[wrybread]

> it sounds simple but it's really not

Putting a man on the moon is complicated. Storing some light gear on the roof of a vehicle in a diy version of a ubiquitous commercial product, not so much.

And thanks, using a metal roof storage rack as the base is an excellent idea. As is an aluminum storage box but I worry about its weight. Hmm.

And sorry I should have mentioned, the rv is a 24' 1989 Jamee. The roof is reinforced in the rear area where I plan to put these. And nothing I plan to store is particularly heavy (wetsuits, scuba gear, kite gear, surf gear, life jackets, NorCal fishing clothes), just bulky. Far too bulky for any space I have inside.

My main concern is finding a box made of reasonably resilient plastic. In my experience polyethylene does well, which is why they make kayaks out of it. Not sure if they make any bins out of PE but that would certainly do it.