Storage containers that can withstand heat/sun/UV?

[ganchan]

I'm looking for some storage containers that can stay inside my Expedition during hot summer days without going soft or deteriorating too rapidly under the sun's rays. I'm not sure your garden-variety plastic tubs will do it. Milk creates would probably be okay, but I'd rather have solid containers if possible. I'd settle for cardboard boxes if only they were water-resistant....Or does plastic work okay after all?

What are you other car owners using to keep various items safely and efficient stashed away?

 

[Kiwi49]

One car dweller I saw used the Rubbermaid Action Packers. They looked really sturdy.

 

[highdesertranger]

yes the Action Packers hold up really well. my oldest ones are going on 25 years old. the problem is finding them at a local store because most places want as much for shipping as the container cost. for high end items you can't beat Pelican cases, check Craigslist for some really good prices. another great option for really high quality cases is military surplus if you shop around you can get some real high quality aluminum and plastic cases for pennies on the dollar. BTW if you do shop around you can find surplus aluminum containers for about the same price as Action Packers. highdesertranger

 

[ganchan]

Sounds good. Thanks!

 

[akrvbob]

Huge fan of Action Packers!! I've had them on the back of two motorcycles and on the tongue of one trailer for 6 years. No damage from the sun or anything else on any of them. I've got two of them on the back of my hitch haul right now!

REI sells them in store and so do some Ace Hardware. If not in stock, they can order them from the warehouse for store delivery.

 

[RVTravel]

What volume action packers do most get? I'd guess the 24 gallon so it is not too heavy loaded?

 

[MrNoodly]

If UV is a problem, toss something like a sheet or blanket over them to block the sun.

 

[Ralph Furley]

I'm looking for some storage containers that can stay inside my Expedition during hot summer days without going soft or deteriorating too rapidly under the sun's rays. I'm not sure your garden-variety plastic tubs will do it. Milk creates would probably be okay, but I'd rather have solid containers if possible. I'd settle for cardboard boxes if only they were water-resistant....Or does plastic work okay after all?

What are you other car owners using to keep various items safely and efficient stashed away?

Avoid plastic and go with wood or metal crates!  Store your water in glass.

 

[rvpopeye]

Wood painted white.

My road cases were all white.
Most everybody else ...black or dark blue.

Test , outdoor concert , full sun day.

My gear was cool and worked perfectly,,,especially the amp racks.

The white showed scuffs and the dark ones didn't.

The dark cases got so hot they were hard to touch.
Amps ,overheating and shut down.

 

[John61CT]

Hardigg / Pelican-style boxes are expensive, but eBay can yield bargains once you figure out sizes, especoally military surplus. Super strong, waterproof a big plus.

Wally's and Northern Tool started selling knockoffs, not so sure they'd last as long but lots cheaper of course.

With woodworking skills and tools, not expensive to make custom from light ply and toughen up with marine epoxy or just paint. 1/4" is fine for most stuff, go to 3/8" for tools etc. Lots of YouTube howtos on dowels, dovetail jigs etc.

 

[tx2sturgis]

I see this is a bump of an older thread...

But still relevant for others:

Inside the vehicle the UV won't be a problem, since the glass windows will filter most of the UV, but of course heat will soften them a bit. 

Action Packers work great, as do milk crates, plastic shipping totes, and those wooden 'wine crates' you can find in home stores and WalMart. 

Just depends on what you are storing. 

If you need something that can also bear weight, you can find structural foam boxes in places like Home Depot and Lowes, or online.