I have recently taken up camping and am starting to build up some gear.  One thing that I am having trouble with is finding containers that are of sufficient dimensions, weight and quality.  I am looking for one container that I can buy 2 to 3 of that are stack-able and hold all my stuff for camping.  The containers need to be of sufficient quality to hold up to shipping across the US about one per year, yet light enough not to break the bank.  The longest item I have is the folding chairs.

Your input is appreciated.

Action Packers are fairly decent, though not that cheap. Other than that there are a few large totes made for tools that you might look into, maybe check Sears, OSH, or Tractor Supply. Old garage sale suitcases could work as well.

I had some aluminum boxes made at a votech school.

Action packer.   Little ones aren't TOO expensive, and make good seats.

I'd goto a gov auction site and bid on something like this. Words to use during search are Pelican, Hardig, Sonosite.

Man, I totally misread the title...

I've got my stuff packed into wooden GI footlockers.  New footlockers are made out of plastic and bit taller.  Suggest too big as the are heavy to move around and become two man lifts.  I also use Tuff boxes found at Home Depot/Lowes.  Suggest get the ones with wheels and extendable handle as it makes moving them a lot easier.

CD

Action packers is what I use.  Lightweight, tough and the cost isn't too bad.  I use the smaller ones available at most Walmarts.

Good luck.

When I deployed I shipped my stuff overseas and back home in a gorilla foot locker. I now keep it plus another one in my garage full of uniform stuff and camping equipment. It may be smaller than what you're looking for but they're reasonably priced and holds up pretty well.

Google Link

I like Sterilite Footlockers, they are durable...and can hold about a 100 pounds without strain on the plastic. They also fit 16 number 10 cans perfectly with a little bit of space left over (2 inches). I have a dozen or so, had them for a couple years.




http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-Footlocker-Set-of-2/11014791?sourceid=1500000000000003260370&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=11014791

Different stores carry them, but I have purchased the majority from walmart, in fact I was recently there and they had them on sale for $16.

Another vote for Action Packers.

I have used different sizes for different activities, the 8 Gallon for use as a range box....

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=rubbermaid+action+packer+8+gallon&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=13554165999931196291&sa=X&ei=uhJGTsLLF-yOsAKl74mSCA&ved=0CDQQ8gIwAA#

I use 3 of these.  One for my tool box in my car, one for target range box, one for my 3 Gun gear.
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The 35 Gallon for campipng gear..

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rubbermaid-35-Gallon-Action-Packer/879603

These are managable, can be carried by one person depending on the weight, can be stacked, I like the way the lid has an overlapping feature with the box, not waterproof, but water resistant.
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The 24 Gallon for misc camping and gun gear....

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM3030181702P?blockNo=9&blockType=G9&prdNo=9&i_cntr=1313215327277

A little on the short end.
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The 48 Gallon one is HUGE, I do not own one of these
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SMSP

Oh, I, somehow, don't think you are alone.

I picked one of these up from Target a few years back for camping stuff. They are not waterproof what-so-ever. It was a hard lesson learned on my part, just an FYI for the OP.