It seems like it has, but hard to tell sine they live in the truck bed. They definitely smelled like butane / lighter fluid when brand new.

OP-Hope you were able to find a solution that works for you. Let us know what you did as I know I’m always looking for a newer/better way to camp.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm planning on going out to the Home Depot and checking out the Plano boxes. It looks like I can fit two of the large boxes on my Yakima roof basket, which will free up a lot of interior space for heavy items like coolers. I'll post how it works out.

are they stiffer material now? the one I have seems really flimsy. condition1 sells made in texas storage totes. they have plano equivalent ones and then also some nicer pelican/roam ones.

Thanks for the Condition1 recommendation. I haven't seen any around, so I can't comment. I'll have to check them out. THANKS!

The Plano won't hold up under daily, rough use and abuse IMHO. But others may have different experiences. Mine have faired well and no cracks or breakages, but I'm easy on my gear and I don't use them daily. They have stood up to about 6 camping trips with medium to heavy gear in them as well as having other gear piled on top. I do keep one case with some gear in the 4Runner, but it isn't taken in and out constantly.

Without the lid, the walls are pretty thin, but with the lid on, it gives it a lot more rigidity. We also have 4 of the smaller cases to store canned goods etc. and they do what we need them to do.

They're good at what they are, inexpensive, reliable cases. Compared to some of the big name/brand name stuff, I'll vote with my wallet. If you NEED super heavy duty, everyday use cases that will stand up to abuse, then by all means, go big names. Depends on the end user.

Thanks for the recommendation. The Condition1 trunks look pretty good, but next to no info on them. Most reviews seem to be the pricier ones, comparing them to Pelican. Too bad it seems no retailers sell them> Being to walk into Home Depot and pick up a Plano is nice, but will see if they're durable enough. I won't use them that often, but may throw them on my roof rack, so they have to hold up to tie downs and wind .

I thought about using the Sportsman’s trunk on the roof to free up some interior space, but either digging into it on top of the truck or pulling it down every day when we got to camp was not something I wanted to do. I’m no spring chicken and don’t relish the idea of hopping up on the roof to get something out of it. I’d rather use a rifle case up top.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I went to Home Depot yesterday and checked out the Plano trunks...the bottom "tubs" seemed pretty in and flexy, but hopefully the plastic has enough flexibility not to crack like some of the other boxes with more ridged type of plastic. But when you put the lids on, it stiffens them up to the point that my 230lb fat ass can sit on them. I'm thinking they may be a good price point for us for how often we would use them.
Question is, has anyone used them on a roof rack? Are they strong enough to be tied down with ratchet straps? I'm thinking the large and medium size Sportsman trunks.

I tried to post a reply this morning, but for some reason my replies never made it???

Anyways, I think the trunks will be fine as long as you take into consideration the type of rack you have and tying it down properly. IMHO, a basket style rack would work best in situations like this. We ratcheted down a pair of trunks stacked one on top of another, but that was inside the 4R. There was a little bit of flex, but nothing terrible. The trunks do have a little tab for strapping down, but I wouldn't trust that up top.

I believe Overland Bound YT guy uses Plano trunks up on top, but he uses a basket style roof rack.

I strap mine down to the flatbed of my trailer, feeding the strap through the little channels on either side of the top. has worked great and no deformation/issues. I have the Large and Mediums.

If you go the Plano route - I suggest spending the couple extra dollars and minutes to seal the lids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqSZU2MCNkY

Easy and highly effective.

basket style rack would help give some purchase to the outsides for sure, but I feel like they could be secured pretty well with a criss-cross strapping arrangement as needed. Not super convenient, but not overly complicated either.

You could always use the lock holes on the corners as attachment points for "guy-lines", then ratchet/cam strap them down.