Long van roof top cargo box/pod wanted

[Conundrum]

Looking for help in finding a roof cargo box. It's for a Winnebago Revel which has little space due to solar panels and AC.

A narrow but long box would fit on the driver's side. The longer the better so I could store flyfishing rods.

Thanks

 

[maki2]

You are in need of some limiting keywords that will bring up exactly the narrow width and length you desire. They are
“11 cubic rooftop cargo box”

The cubic feet size figure is what sorts out the narrow ones from the wider ones. But the word “skinny” is another keyword option you can try in a search.

Happy hunting, there are a lot of them available to choose from. Might even be some used ones on Facebook market place, Craigslist, etc.

 

[Conundrum]

You are in need of some limiting keywords that will bring up exactly the narrow width and length you desire. They are
“11 cubic rooftop cargo box”

The cubic feet size figure is what sorts out the narrow ones from the wider ones. But the word “skinny” is another keyword option you can try in a search.

Happy hunting, there are a lot of them available to choose from. Might even be some used ones on Facebook market place, Craigslist, etc.

Many hours websearching have not produced a box that meets my needs, hence my question here.

 

[Varmint]

Have you considered having a local tinsmith make one for you?

 

[Conundrum]

Have you considered having a local tinsmith make one for you?

No, but in this county there is no tinsmith and I also would prefer to not own the most expensive rood cargo box in the lower 48...



The right side of the roof if where the box would have to go.

 

[tradesman]

You could purchase a large diameter abs or pvc pipe, seal one end and put a threaded cleanout on the other end.
You can get up to 12" diameter at home depot.

 

[Conundrum]

You could purchase a large diameter abs or pvc pipe, seal one end and put a threaded cleanout on the other end.
You can get up to 12" diameter at home depot.

This is an appealing idea. Perhaps a perfecty idea. I'll check it out when the stores reopen. Thank you.

 

[Happy Camper]

You'll have to be careful that any storage you put on that right side won't be above the solar panels and cast a shadow.

You'll also need to bring those rack mounting points in a bit like they are on the left side in the picture.

 

[maki2]

No wonder you could not find a cargo box, there is not enough consumer demand for that width. That photo solved the communication of your sizing need issue.

However there are fishing rod containers that are made to mount to the exterior surfaces of boats. Just change your search criteria and look for those instead of looking for cargo boxes. There are lalso some made to mount to roof racks as sport and fly fishing is a popular focus of many camping trips.

 

[Conundrum]

You'll have to be careful that any storage you put on that right side won't be above the solar panels and cast a shadow.

You'll also need to bring those rack mounting points in a bit like they are on the left side in the picture.

Yes, I see what you mean, close to the panels. Thank you, this might be the solution.

 

[eDJ_]

For what it's worth to anyone.

In my original rig (a Ford Van) I found a heavy cardboard tube at a Carpet store. (7" inside diameter 1/8" thick wall) I mounted it behind the drivers seat curtain near the roof inside the Van. (so I could tilt it down at the rear doors by unhooking the rear bracket) Before that I painted it to match and cut a long piece of 1/2 particle board that fit the diameter to have an upper & lower section and drove nails thru the cardboard tube into the particle board in order to hold the particle board shelf in place. The end just behind the driver had a particle board circle installed similarly as a plug.

In that area there was room that wouldn't be used anyway.

I had aluminum poles in the top for my awning on the side of the rig and in the bottom my fishing rods & reels. I used "L" brackets (like for making shelves) and that perforated metal tape that comes in a small roll to secure the tube to the brackets. The rear of the tube had a piece of cloth held over the opening with rubber bands. Never a problem and a lot of "campers" in the parks thought it was fantastic.

Now, you could make the same out of heavy cloth if you have access to a sewing machine. It just won't be as rigid. You may find thin wall PVC pipe similar to the cardboard tube I found.

 

[Conundrum]

No wonder you could not find a cargo box, there is not enough consumer demand for that width. That photo solved the communication of your sizing need issue.

However there are fishing rod containers that are made to mount to the exterior surfaces of boats. Just change your search criteria and look for those instead of looking for cargo boxes. There are lalso some made to mount to roof racks as sport and fly fishing is a popular focus of many camping trips.

Thank you. I will.

 

[maki2]

This rod holding case should work. It can hold up to 5 rods. You will need to figure out an easy to release on and off clamping to the roof rack method. But it is a very heavy duty case made to hold up to the weather related abuse of outdoors and airplane cargo bay handlers. It comes in a shorter length but both it and this longest one are length adjustable.
https://www.flambeauoutdoors.com/Fishing/Rod-Storage/Rod-Tubes/bazuka-6095

 

[Conundrum]

This rod holding case should work. It can hold up to 5 rods. You will need to figure out an easy to release on and off clamping to the roof rack method. But it is a very heavy duty case made to hold up to the weather related abuse of outdoors and airplane cargo bay handlers. It comes in a shorter length but both it and this longest one are length adjustable.
https://www.flambeauoutdoors.com/Fishing/Rod-Storage/Rod-Tubes/bazuka-6095

This is a great idea because I already have a heavy duty extendable rod holder of this type. I had just not thought of using it on top of the van! Thank you.

 

[LargeMarge]

...roof cargo box...for a... little space...

A narrow but long box... so I could store flyfishing rods.

Thanks

.
Any sheet-metal shop can fabricate any dimensions of any material.

 

[Conundrum]

.
Any sheet-metal shop can fabricate any dimensions of any material.

Except in this county. You can't get anything custom built or done here. I still have the front camera I bought 3 years ago. Can't find any auto electric shop to install it. A child could probably do it.

 

[bullfrog]

When we stopped teaching the skills in schools so you could start practicing at a young age and failed to want quality hand made items or be willing to pay a living wage to get them is what started the decline. Making money make money and having clean hands became the new standard. I.T. used to be Industrial Trades now it’s Information Technology.

 

[eDJ_]

Found this photo in my original Rig photos. This is that tube:

Bullfrog makes a good point about learning lost skills. Anyone wanting to see some of the stuff young people in the earlier 20th century learned from could visit this "Chest of Books" link. This is set to Crafts but there are so many other vintage things to see in that archive site. Lindsay Technical Books used to advertise in Popular Mechanics magazine but went out of business. "Your Old Time Bookstore" YOTB, sells many reprints today.

Of course some of the things being used from auto scrap yards in that time may not be available today. MAKE & Instructables carries on the tradition only using more modern materials now.

Chest of Books/Crafts

Chest of Books main site

Lindsay Technical Books (out of business) are available at YOTBS

 

[maki2]

This is a great idea because I already have a heavy duty extendable rod holder of this type. I had just not thought of using it on top of the van! Thank you.

Great think of the money and labor savings!!! Now you just have to figure out how you want to fasten it to the roof. Possible easy temporary solution to attach the case to the rack are the biggest size, black, extra wide and extra long, super strength plastic zip ties. The black ones are UV resistant and hold up well outdoors. Home Depot electrical supply aisle or hardware store item. You will figure it out!

 

[Conundrum]

Found this photo in my original Rig photos. This is that tube:

Bullfrog makes a good point about learning lost skills. Anyone wanting to see some of the stuff young people in the earlier 20th century learned from could visit this "Chest of Books" link. This is set to Crafts but there are so many other vintage things to see in that archive site. Lindsay Technical Books used to advertise in Popular Mechanics magazine but went out of business. "Your Old Time Bookstore" YOTB, sells many reprints today.

Of course some of the things being used from auto scrap yards in that time may not be available today. MAKE & Instructables carries on the tradition only using more modern materials now.

Chest of Books/Crafts

Chest of Books main site

Lindsay Technical Books (out of business) are available at YOTBS

Thank you for the idea.