Posted: 10/7/2012 11:43:48 AM EDT
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Those of you that have a truck:
How do you use your pick up bed as cargo space? I love the bed because it gives you alot of space, but when you have cargo that cant get wet, ie clothes and stuff, how do transport it? I cant stand caps, and Im not a fan of covers because $ and they decrease your cargo capacity. Im thinking about getting a large dry bag like this or two to keep in the bed for stowing clothes and valuables. I usually keep my stuff in the back seat (quad cab) but sometimes i end up packing the truck with like 8 people and theres no room. What does everyone think? Oh yeah, I had a truck bed box, but I didnt really like it. Although its big i never have enough room in it, and It takes up bed space. |
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well trash bags are not fully waterproof, with out taping and what not, and they tare easily.
Im looking for more of along term, daily use option. The box was good, but I have small bed, so it took up alot of space, and at the same time theres alot you cant fit in there. Like my daily use back pack, its a 72 hour pack, and its huge, it just doesn't fit. And even if I wanted too, I couldnt get a bigger box due to it being a small bed and the wheel bumps being close to the front of the bed. |
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As the poster stated above- trash bags. But I also use the large igloo coolers. Two or three in the bed, strapped closed and tied down has always worked. The big problem with an open truck bed is that you can't leave it unattended.
Like you I have had the tops, covers (soft and hard) and the bed box over the years. And really, I liked the bed box the best. But the high covers are the most practical. I mean if you had to, you could sleep back there. (I have and it worked great) |
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I do not think any cloth (natural or synthetic) bag will do for daily use. Waterproof cloth typically does not stay waterproof long in an abrasive environment like the bed of a pickup. Did you look at the size of the bag you linked? Have you measured your pickup to see if that bag will fit and how much bed space you will have remaining? That bag is 54 X 24 X 24 inches. IIRC the bed of the full size pickup that I had might not have held that bag. I just looked at the pics that are posted with that bag ... they are using a Nissan Armada as the model vehicle; the Armada is as big as Nissan's full size Titan ... That bag is as wide as the Armada. I do not think that bag will fit you stated need. Finding a big, long lasting, and waterproof container that you can leave in the bed of the pickup all the time and won't take up much bed space .... That is gonna be challenging to say it mildly. What else are you trying to carry in the bed of your pickup ... Why is the amount of space this container takes up an important factor? |
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Quoted:
I do not think any cloth (natural or synthetic) bag will do for daily use. Waterproof cloth typically does not stay waterproof long in an abrasive environment like the bed of a pickup. Did you look at the size of the bag you linked? Have you measured your pickup to see if that bag will fit and how much bed space you will have remaining? That bag is 54 X 24 X 24 inches. IIRC the bed of the full size pickup that I had might not have held that bag. I just looked at the pics that are posted with that bag ... they are using a Nissan Armada as the model vehicle; the Armada is as big as Nissan's full size Titan ... That bag is as wide as the Armada. I do not think that bag will fit you stated need. Finding a big, long lasting, and waterproof container that you can leave in the bed of the pickup all the time and won't take up much bed space .... That is gonna be challenging to say it mildly. What else are you trying to carry in the bed of your pickup ... Why is the amount of space this container takes up an important factor? the bed on my Nissan Frontier is 60" tail gate to front of the bed and 44" inside of wheel well to wheel well. also, that is a pathfinder, not an armada. |
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Not daily use, but occasional use.
For example, I usually keep in my truck back seat by work pack, a clothes bag (I essentially live out of my truck during the week), a med kit, and other large items. So when I need to use the back seat for people, I want to be able to toss the stuff in my bed, unfortunately it will then get wet if its raining. Or if I go on a trip with a group of friends, luggage has to go somewhere and most people dont have waterproof luggage. The thing I like about this is it can roll up and stow away when not in use, and Ill have my full bed, but then when I need it I can trow stuff into it. |
| On and off in less than 5 min. http://www.extang.com/docs/trifecta.html |
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Quoted: well trash bags are not fully waterproof, with out taping and what not, and they tare easily. Im looking for more of along term, daily use option. The box was good, but I have small bed, so it took up alot of space, and at the same time theres alot you cant fit in there. Like my daily use back pack, its a 72 hour pack, and its huge, it just doesn't fit. And even if I wanted too, I couldnt get a bigger box due to it being a small bed and the wheel bumps being close to the front of the bed. Quoted: Not daily use, but occasional use. For example, I usually keep in my truck back seat by work pack, a clothes bag (I essentially live out of my truck during the week), a med kit, and other large items. So when I need to use the back seat for people, I want to be able to toss the stuff in my bed, unfortunately it will then get wet if its raining. Or if I go on a trip with a group of friends, luggage has to go somewhere and most people dont have waterproof luggage. The thing I like about this is it can roll up and stow away when not in use, and Ill have my full bed, but then when I need it I can trow stuff into it. If you want the bag that you linked, then it is your money. I'm gonna stick with what I said; that I don't think that the bag is a daily use type bag. I think It is a twice a year use bag. That bag is a big bag: It is 20 cuft. Please allow me to compare the bag to some other cargo options. Yakima and Thule make rooftop cargo boxes, and the biggest that they make are 21 cuft. I do not think that that bag will fold as small and conveniently as you hope. Pav56C, I know talk is cheap on the web but I have lived with a pickup as the family car for a while now. If you count since 1967 as a while. When you learn how; a trash bag over each luggage piece is plenty water proof enough for occasional use. you can buy a lot of trash bags for $70 and a roll of trash bags fits pretty easy under the seat too. |
| Hmmm seems like you have ruled out everything affordable. I personally use a cap but I live in snow country and hate a box full of snow. I agree with "PA" trashbags are probably as affective as any gear bag for short term use and if loose in the back of the truck look like trash and have a lowered expectation of theft. Maybe something like a utility bed is more in order. |
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I use an Extang Trifecta Tri Fold.
Its a one piece design that bolts on with only two hand lugs. To remove, its as simple as fold, unscrew the two lugs, and remove the entire top in one piece. The design is locking so works with tail gate locks. It gains you a little aerodynamics so improves mileage a little. Yes, it keeps things dry too. This is my favorite approach because of its versatility. I do have another truck I use a classic truck bed tool box which works fine for keeping things dry. Its just way more hassle when you want to open it up to use as much of the open bad as possible. The box needs to be secured so it can't be stolen. Tj |
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I dont like a covered bed. I am always using it for hauling whatever, or tossing one of my small boats or kayaks in it. Any cover or cap would be a real hindrance. When we go to camp, I put my gear into Rubbermaid (or the like) tubs and keep the lids on with bungee cords. I duct tape over the ventilation holes under the handles, and we've never had any dryness problems at all. I've driven the five-hour trip to camp in torrential downpours without so much as a dribble on my gear or food.
so... SO I think that the best solution would be Pelican or similar cases large enough to keep your gear. Rugged and durable, these cases would rock, and one could easily buy as many as you need for the price of a cap. In a survival prepping scenario, these cases could also easily be left outside in the elements, if necessary, without the worry of the contents being compromised. Another alternative to explore would be ebay for military containers. Lord knows those would work too! |
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If it isn't something you need to access frequently (Medical kit, spare clothes, emergency gear, etc...) It may be worthwhile in your case to put it in a Rubbermaid Actionpacker and hot glue-gun it shut to seal it.
Link |
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Quoted:
If it isn't something you need to access frequently (Medical kit, spare clothes, emergency gear, etc...) It may be worthwhile in your case to put it in a Rubbermaid Actionpacker and hot glue-gun it shut to seal it. Link This is what I do. I have a bed cover (same as TJ, snow country) but I have a 30cal can painted orange with basic survival supplies (trash bags, emergency blankets, matches, candles, first aid kit), 2 tarps and a few rolls of TP in a plastic tote that is cinch strapped to the front of the bed. Nice thing is, if I ever need full use of the bed, I just remove the tote vs. having to remove a tool box. |
| before i got my exploder i used a removable soft tonneau with a large action packer. had the action packer bike chained and padlocked to the tie downs in the bed. the chain was long enough that i could move it around to rearrange for loads, and was thick enough that it would take someone a bit more time than the casual opportunistic thief usually likes to take... |
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I have the "Pro" version on my Frontier - Looks sort of like this: 
It's very solid (the slats that comprise the cover are thick aluminum extrusions - each slat rides on its own pair of roller bearings), and it looks great - But it is indeed expensive (around $1600), and occupies some space at the front of the bed. |
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No cheap option is fully waterproof and durable there are cheap options that are short lived and waterproof there are cheap options that are durable There are many more expensive choices that are some where in between http://www.bigfootbag.com/ I use one for my hitch haul It's not fully waterproof but works for me |
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This is what I used in my small truck with light bars so couldn't use a cover.
Tuff Box I bought 3 matching pad locks, two for the box, and one I used with an eye bolt and chain to secure the box to the truck bed. The box sat on a rubber pad so it wouldn't shift positions during driving. Tj |