Storage Case for roof rack

Any recommendation for a durable storage case to mount on a roof rack?

Looking for one that is resistance against weather and tough against theft from breaking it

 

I use the big box behind the cab.

 

What do you plan on "storing in there"??? And do you really "need" it, or is it the looks cool factor???

 

I like to carry emergency equipment and tools like I did when I use to own 2004 Camry

Also a place to throw stuff in when I need to make room inside my truck when I need to give ride for friends/family or need to carry fragile stuff inside instead of it being outside

 

Most go with this:

$105 Plano All Weather 42” Tactical Gun Case with Wheels, Black with Pluck-to-Fit Foam, Watertight & Dust-Proof Shield Protection, TSA Airline Approved for Travel

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B7SB486?ie=UTF8&th=1

Others go with the higher priced Roam or Pelican versions.

I ran the Plano for a while. Looking for something with a lower profile now though. I took it down and put in another smaller case and tossed it in the bed.

 

+1 for this ^^ Plano box. I drilled holes to mount to the rack then used some silicone around the holes. I have not had any issues with water but I am in socal. I removed the foam from the inside and it does carry everything I need it to. For me it frees up some room in the bed and helps keep things somewhat organized.

 

I use Pelican Vault. I find the Plano stuff too shallow for my needs. My 40” Pelicans are roughly $150 each. I chose the 40” ones because I’m able to mount them so they don’t obstruct the sunroof. No water/dust intrusion and they are of stout build quality.

 

Ironman 4X4 has some nice cases and right now they are 25 percent off and free shipping.
All-Weather Slim Rooftop Rugged Case - 65L - Ironman 4x4 America

 

How did you mount the case? Is there a thread on here for the install?

 

Normally, you would drill 4 holes in the storage box to match spacing on your roofrack rails, then install 4 carriage bolts into the rail channels. I used a nylon lock nut & four washers for each bolt- 1 fender washer & 1 silicone washer on top, same on bottom. Silicone washers sandwiched between fender washers will give you a water-tight seal.

 

What size carriage bolts are needed?

 

1/4” x whatever length you need.

 

The Pelican Cases on my travel trailer were purchased fifteen years ago and have been around the world, kicked off of aircraft loading ramps, loaded and unloaded on commercial flights and are now mounted to my roof rack.

I highly recommend Pelican. Roam makes quality gear as well so I hear but I have no first hand experience with them.

Edit: the vault case in front is new. I'm talking about the pair of 1650s on the back.

 

Another option would be the Lund ATV boxes.

 

I use a plano case, drilled holes in the bottom and used U bolts but I only mount it when I need extra room and/or extra recovery gear.

I generally carry a kinetic rope, 1 hard shackle and 2 soft shackles but when I'm going out I'll carry my Viar air compressor, air down tool, tree saver, tow strap, a soft shackle snatch block and 2 more soft shackles.

 

I would love a set of 95L Roam cases, but the mount alone is $220.... wtf. I cant justify dropping $1250 (without tax) on cases/mounts. Thats just dumb. Oh but they offer free shipping

Im thinking of pair of pelican vault v770's, on Amazon about $160 each. Wont feel so bad about drilling holes in em.

 

That was my stance. Roam cases are great, but they don’t carry gear $1000 better than my Pelican Vaults, plus Roam doesn’t make a case length short enough that wouldn’t obstruct my sunroof. I wanted full use of it.

 

Just ordered a Pelican Vault case

 

Do you have photos from the top? I would like to see how you set and spaced your setup to give you access to your moon roof. I want to copy you...lol Nice setup btw.

 

Thanks man. I don’t really have any photos from the top, but these photos might help a bit. I’m running Pelican Vault V700 cases, which are roughly 40” x 18” x 7”. I have probably 10-11” of space between them, and the forward-most crossbar to which the case is bolted to is maybe 2” aft of the rear-most edge of the moonroof. Then the fully forward-most crossbar, to which I have nothing mounted, is roughly parallel to the front-most edge of the moonroof. I can’t really see this crossbar with the moonroof fully open while seated and I also can’t really see the fronts of the Pelicans, so I have almost zero obstruction of the moonroof opening. And since the forward-most crossbar to which the Pelicans are mounted is a few inches aft of the rear-most sunroof edge, I can also fully open the vent function of the roof with no obstruction.

The entire idea behind my using these specific Pelican cases and this specific crossbar spacing was to get as little moonroof obstruction as possible so if you mirror my setup, you should be pretty happy with it. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to ask.