How would you mount this case?

[Mick1]

This is a Pelican Storm i2975.

Exterior Dimensions
(L x W x D)
31.30" x 20.40" x 15.50"

Would you mount this on the factory cross rails or directly on the roof with the cross rails used as stops?

Test fitting on the rails. It is up there but seems precarious. Would take a lot of strapping to make it secure I think.

Laid out mechanic tool drawer foam padding:

Case on the foam padding with cross bars used as stops. This seems a lot more secure, but could the weight hurt the roof panel?

I was test fitting last night empty. A whole lot can fit in the case. The weight will depend on what is in it.

I first test fit the case with stuff that stays in the truck. Some of it is light and some very heavy. The light stuff is my backpack extra clothes and misc stuff, and the heavy stuff is all the recovery gear. The idea behind the case is that it fits very well in the cargo area of the truck and will stay there, but for a trip can be moved to the roof and be weather tight.

I was looking at the Safari Strap Large Utility net 47" x 41 1/2" - 10 Tie Down Points as a way to secure it to the roof, or even in the rear cargo area. It also looks like this size might be useful as a barrier from the rear cargo area to the passenger area.

2" Utility Net - Large

 

[brockeverly]

I would think that it would be fine on the roof, but be careful if you use ratchet straps as you could easily dent the roof ratcheting it down too tight.

 

[Mick1]

Here is a picture of the case inside the cargo area. It fits perfect I think. There is room to add a second case also. The case is sitting on my custom platform and the factory slider is pulled out in this picture.

 

[limamike]

Check-out Pelican & SKB Based Vehicle Cargo Box Systems - Jeep, Truck, SUV, Off-Road, Commercial, Boat, RV. I've mounted mine via ratchet straps without issue, but I'm going to purchase the Caribou system before my next trip.

 

[scanny]

Maybe I'm too conservative, but I wouldn't put it directly on roof , especially fro long trips because roof might be scratched even with padding if you don't tie it up good enough or dented if you tie it up too tight. I would put the box either on crossbars or in the trunk. If you have space in trunk put the box in the trunk - you'll save a little bit on gas and wont't have to worry about clearance in garage, underground parking and low gates.

 

[Antman]

The box will definitely scratch the roof itself, if not rub through the paint entirely.

I threw a box on the roof of a brand new minivan rental for a ski trip to Vermont long ago. When we turned the van in, the roof had bare metal in spots from where the box had worn through. Oops!

 

[tlflow]

Here is a picture of the case inside the cargo area. It fits perfect I think. There is room to add a second case also. The case is sitting on my custom platform and the factory slider is pulled out in this picture.

much better

 

[Mick1]

The case will live most of its life in the cargo area. For flexibility I wanted to figure out how I would mount it on the roof if needed. I ordered the medium SafariStraps utility net and will see how it does to strap things to the roof. Most of the time the case will ride like so:

I was going to build a drawer, but I like the modularity and think I am going to get a second pelican to replace the tan rubbermaid. I have some more D-rings on order and they will go in everywhere I put a carriage bolt in the platform. The two D-rings that are visible are the factory rings I relocated.

I finally got around to mounting the fire extinguisher:

I hated pulling out the slider and having crap fall into the hole and straining to dig it out. Tailgate is finally usable:

 

[Ian97]

why not get one of those hitch carriers, if you have a trailer hitch that is....? I'd mount it on a hitch carrier before I put it on my roof rack without the crossbars...that's just me though....

-Ian

 

[Reata]

I would really like some detail on the custom platform above the sliding cargo tray. Can you enlighten me on that? The best I have ever seen is the one that SeattleMike built, but yours look awesome. Sorry for the Hi-Jack.

 

[Bay33saw]

why not get one of those hitch carriers, if you have a trailer hitch that is....? I'd mount it on a hitch carrier before I put it on my roof rack without the crossbars...that's just me though....

-Ian

I agree mount something on you hitch like this
Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier - 2 Sizes Available

 

[Mick1]

Not a bad idea for the hitch carrier, but I have a hitch bike carrier normally. For my upcoming trip I will be pulling a trailer, so I was exploring roof options.

Regarding the platform. I had a local off road shop weld up the frame. Estimate for the job was $400. I also had them cut out the bottom of my center console lock-box and weld on an addition. He also moved the AC outlet that was in the center console to the outside of the console along the transfer case lever and hard mounted the lock-box in the center console. Estimate on that was $200. He spent a lot of time on the console and charged me $300 for it and only $300 for the platform foundation, so it all came out at $600. I took in pictures of Seatle Mike's frame and some other pics from the internet. We changed the design from Mike's quite a bit, but the inspiration was certainly it.

The plastic thing at the rear of the sliding tray was removed and replaced with an angle iron mount. Nothing was cut, it could all be removed and returned to stock. However, I did dremel out the plastic caps at the two mounting locations by the rear door. I wanted to cover the holes so stuff didn't fall in there. I opened up the hole in the D-rings and mounted them through the stainless carriage bolts. I have more D-rings on order and will install them in all the carriage bolt mounts. I also plan to mount them up on the coat hanger mount points so I can try to put up the net barrier between the cargo and passenger areas. As can be seen in the photos, I purchased I-bolts, but decided I did not want to use them. With this set up of removable pelican cases rather than a semi-permanent drawer, if I want to, I could make another board for the far side to make the cargo area level and use the whole area as a sleep platform. I also added an aluminum angle bar to prevent wear on the edge of the platform.

 

[stanleybb50]

why not get one of those hitch carriers, if you have a trailer hitch that is....? I'd mount it on a hitch carrier before I put it on my roof rack without the crossbars...that's just me though....

-Ian

^^^Definately do this. I have a hitch rack, but no nice box like that currently. You've got me wanting to look into storage boxes kinds like your to strap down on my hitch rack now though!


- Sent via Tapatalk for Android

 

[Ducmonsta]

Buy a GOBI or Baja and mount stuff til your hearts content.

 

[tlflow]

Buy a GOBI or Baja and mount stuff til your hearts content.

Best idea yet! Be ashame to not display that fine case on top from time to time. Nice shelf BTW.

 

[Ryan_S]

Bajarack.

I wouldn't want the scratched roof paint. Plus you could put a ton more stuff up there too.