Hard Case Storage Solutions

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This buyer’s guide presents some of the best hard-sided portable storage solutions for use in and on top of vehicles.

Your truck is tricked out with a lift, upgraded wheels, aggressive tires and even a utilitarian roof rack. Upgrading your ride was just part of the fun. Taking it to a starting off point so you can tackle the hike to the peak of a mountain or paddle down a raging river is the other part. Getting outdoors to take on your chosen activity takes not only time, but typically a whole lot of gear too.

Take your pick, camping, mountain biking, hunting or mountain climbing; just about every outdoor activity requires some sort of specialized gear. Organizing and getting the necessary equipment to where you need it can be just as important as what type of conveyance you use.

How granule you get with the organizing depends on your level of obsessiveness.

Allowing random gear to shift around your vehicle’s cargo area can not only be annoying, but dangerous too. Braking abruptly to avoid a road obstruction, even at 25 miles per hour, will send your unsecured load flying through the cabin, risking injury to your occupants and damage to your gear and vehicle.

The mixing of gear tends to make things hard to find as well. When setting up camp, you’ll undoubtedly want to get your camp kitchen up and running quickly or if your rig is in need of roadside repairs, you’ll want ready access to your tools and parts. If your gear is left unorganized, it could make it difficult for you to accomplish either task in an efficient manner. I said pass the spanner, not the spatula!

Portable hard cases can really help you get your gear organized and ready to use. When used in conjunction with a built-in drawer system, you’re looking at the ultimate vehicle-bound organization system. Use hard cases to protect your gear from impacts and harsh weather conditions and separate it for its intended use. Emergency roadside supplies go in one case while climbing equipment can line in another. How granule you get with the organizing depends on your level of obsessiveness. Its also a good idea to keep loose gear encased and cases synched down to avoid injury and damage.

This buyer’s guide presents some of the best hard-sided portable storage solutions for use in and on top of vehicles. Most featured models come in different sizes and colors and all are weather resistant or weatherproof. Keep your gear organized and ready to access with a few well-built hard cases onboard.

SKB Cases

iSeries 2914-15 Waterproof Case w/ Trays

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SKB’s iSeries 2914-15 comes standard with premium features such as a large tow handle and wheels for convenient mobility, three lift handles, three trigger release latches, and three stainless steel reinforced padlock loops along with the handy addition of two removable trays. Each tray nestles securely into the top of the case for easy storage and organization of small accessories, parts, and other gear. The case is watertight, dust proof, and meets MIL-STD810G criteria for resistance to UV, solvents, corrosion, fungus, and impact damage.

Dimensions: 29 x 14 x 15 in.

Weight: 24 lbs. 14.4 oz.

Colors: Black

MSRP: $284.99

URL: skbcases.com

Seahorse Protective Cases

SE920 Protective Case

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Talk about protective. The SE920 rolling hard case is rated waterproof and meets MIL-STD-810F and IEC 60529: IP67. It also features MIL-STD-3010C rated impact resistance and meets the airline industry’s ATA-300 specification. It is equipped with an automatic pressure equalization system as well as padlock holes that fit standard size Master brand locks. Its wide track wheels and pull handle make it easy to maneuver, even when loaded up. Optional cubed foam interior and keyed locking latches are available. Custom colors and custom case machining is also available.

Dimensions: 24 x 16 x 10.1 in.

Weight: 13 lbs.

Colors: Black, Gun Metal Gray, Safety Yellow, International Orange, Blue

MSRP: $125

URL: seahorse.net

Plano

Sportsman’s Trunk Large

Conveniently store and transport all your outdoor and hunting gear in one convenient case. This high-impact plastic trunk is Plano’s largest, clocking in at 108 quarts of total capacity. Its fully removable lid fits tightly on the base and clamps down in place with heavy-duty latches. The bin also features padlock tabs for added security. Use as many as you need; these trunks are specifically designed to stack with multiple units.

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Dimensions: 37.75” x 18.25 x 14 in.

Colors: Black, OD Green

MSRP: $64.99

URL: planomolding.com

Condition1

25” Large Rolling Hard Case #286

This Condition1 case works well for the weekend adventurer, hunter, and musician, for military gear, sensitive scientific instruments and more. The spacious #286 case swallows up over two-and-a-half cubic feet of volume. Its rugged outdoor wheels are designed to carry a load and smoothly transport it to where you need it. The lockable case is designed to stack nicely for easier transport. It includes convoluted foam glued into the lid with a pluckable foam interior that allows you to customize the fit to your items. This case features three body mounted handles as well as a retractable pull-handle.

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Dimensions: 24.58 x 19.58 x 14.6 in.

Weight: 25 lbs.

Colors: Black, Green, Orange, Yellow, Tan

MSRP: $269.99

URL: condition1.com

Eylar

20” Large Gear Hard Case

Eylar’s stackable protective case makes storing your belongings easily and securely. It comes with pluck and pull foam in the interior to provide customizable protection for your equipment. Its tough exterior resists drops or impacts when being transported. If flying or when traversing higher altitudes, a pressure equalization knob makes the case easy to open. It is built with a water resistant seal that keeps its contents dry. A small handle folds out for easy lifting and folds in for easy storing and four clamps close the case to prevent it from unintentional opening.

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Dimensions: 19.78 x 15.77 x 7.41 in.

Weight: 9 lbs. 8 oz.

Colors: Black, Tan

MSRP: $94.99

URL: eylar.com

Nanuk USA

Nanuk 965

The Nanuk 965’s exterior shell is made of a waterproof resin and features patented PowerClaw latches that clamp the case tightly closed using compressive force while its integrated slide lock prevents the case from opening during transport or when dropped. With an interior that measures 29 inches long and nearly 14 inches deep, the Nanuk 965 can store a whole lot of your essentials. The hard case offers protection for all of your equipment while having the convenience of wheels to make traveling easy. Pack your audio, video, photo, industrial, or outdoor gear with confidence. Its polyurethane wheels are made to withstand rough terrain while the one-handed retractable handle and three soft-grip side handles offer easy handling.

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Dimensions: 32.5 x 21.0 x 15.8 in.

Weight: 25 lbs.

Colors: Black

MSRP: $329.95

URL: nanuk.com

Pelican

1535TRVL Air Travel Case

Designed with air travel in mind, the 1535TRVL is designed to maximize airline carry-on sizing. This is a great case for those who travel by air and by vehicle and need versatility. The handy case includes a lid organizer that is designed with zippered compartments for stowing larger items and see-through mesh pockets secure passports and cables. Packing cubes keep gear tightly bundled and allow you to arrange your gear by stacking or grouping side by side. If you require other interior solutions, simply remove the packing cubes and replace with Pelican’s optional Trekpak dividers, padded dividers or a Pick N Pluck foam interior, which are available separately.

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Dimensions: 21.96 x 13.97 x 8.98 in.

Weight: 10 lbs. 5.6 oz.

Colors: Black, Indigo, Oxblood, Charcoal

MSRP: $359.95

URL: pelican.com

Bronc Box

The Bronc 52

Made with weapons transport in mind, The Bronc 52 is a rugged, modular and customizable hard case that can be configured for just about any use directly from the manufacturer. It is ready to go, as is and is adaptable for weapons, gear, electronics and more. Its removable foam-lined inner lid with flex hinge system, allows full use of its interior space. Rails and movable straps customize storage in the upper lid for guns, bows and other accessories with additional straps hold guns, bows and other gear. Optional factory accessorizes allow The Bronc 52 to be customized to your needs.