Securing containers

[100SRV]

Hi,
I like some of the trucks and ideas I see on this thread and envy the wide open spaces available to explore in the Americas...

I'd appreciate it if any of you have novel ways (photos) of securing containers such as metal ammo cases or pelican type cases without resorting to ratchet straps. I experimented yesterday with a tongue and catch arrangement to secure small ammo cases in the back of my truck (trail repair tools and an emergency cooking kit) but the catch wasn't really up to the job.

Catch:

The tongue was a 12 x 12 piece of box section welded to the back face of the ammo case with the mating part bolted to the inner bodywork of the truck - slide the case in so it's tongue fits snugly under the fixed tongue then secure the catch. I'd like to put photos to illustrate but I can't get to the workshop now.

I like some of the things folks have done in the Baja section with pip pins and the like...ideas please!

[B.A.R.K]

From TVGuy
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showp...&postcount=477

[Elwenil]

From the US Military:

[100SRV]

Originally Posted by B.A.R.K

From TVGuy
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showp...&postcount=477

I like that solution, thank you for the post!

[Brandon Long]

Looks like a great solution!

[Elwenil]

I'd be sure you trust those latches. A 50lb ammo box full of tools is not what you want flying around in your vehicle in an accident.

[nat_ster]

Seriously?

I'm with Elwenil on this one. Strap them and be done with it. A proper set up strap system is just as easy / fast as them flimsy butterfly clips, and you will have full confidence everything is secure.

Nat

[chevy_man]

Straps.

Hard to beat the load rating and if you're using them for a dedicated purpose, you can trim them down to just the length you need. Also they're cheap and easily replaceable at any auto-parts store or even wal-mart. Even the cheapest ones are rated at several hundred pounds. $30 for a 2 pack will get you some that are rated at a 500lb. working limit with a 1500lb break strength.

[Elwenil]

Ditto, especially since you can get the racks like I use for $20 or $35 if you get two '50 cal cans with the rack. Nice little aluminum frame deal with a flip to lock adjustable strap that holds it down nice and as a bonus, keeps the damn handles from rattling.

[vw87c]

Our shipping dept uses those stamped steel Turn and Lock latches on transport boxes and occasionally on crates. They are pretty flimsy...at least the ones I have seen to date.

[_Stucky]

Here's what I did in my 4 door s10. It doesn't get wheeled, but they haven't moved. One box is loaded with tools. As for the bolts, I used a big washer on the outside and a smaller washer on the inside of the bed. The boxes are a perfect fit in my poor excuse for a bed.

[LibertySand]

Originally Posted by _Stucky

Here's what I did in my 4 door s10. It doesn't get wheeled, but they haven't moved. One box is loaded with tools. As for the bolts, I used a big washer on the outside and a smaller washer on the inside of the bed. The boxes are a perfect fit in my poor excuse for a bed.

Let me guess, aaaaand this is your battery box?

[wheelerfreak]

Originally Posted by _Stucky

Here's what I did in my 4 door s10. It doesn't get wheeled,.

Just in case you missed this part in your rush to be a smart ass

Originally Posted by LibertySand

Let me guess, aaaaand this is your battery box?

A road queen that doesn't wheel... He has it in the bed of a truck with a topper, it'll be damn hard for that to take his head off. Maybe he'll kill a busload of nuns and orphans with that setup that is better secured than 90% of the shit rolling around in most p/u's.

I use a setup like Elwenil's, angle Iron racks bolted to the bed and secured with ratchet straps. Works for the fuel cans and spare parts boxes. For the shovel and axe I use quick fist mounts.

[_Stucky]

Originally Posted by LibertySand
Let me guess, aaaaand this is your battery box?

The wood is a nice touch.

But seriously, it works pretty good for my little cooler, too.

[LibertySand]

Originally Posted by wheelerfreak

Just in case you missed this part in your rush to be a smart ass

Wasn't missed at all.

I'd still ratchet that in. He put hooks in, might as well use a ratchet. He said one has tools....so one of those cans ought to be heavy. Wether they haven't moved while on the street or not, there goes that back window if he had to dodge a child chasing a ball in the street or something. I just don't see bungees being effective other than strapping your sleeping bags down with your tarp for camping.

The cans do fit nice right there though.

[DutchVDub]

Hell, I use bungee's to hold HMMWV's on the back of my stepdeck trailer when I haul them down to Fort Carson.

[_Stucky]

That cooler isn't going anywhere now: