Suburban Storage

[JTodd]

What are some of the ways / areas Suburban owners store their travel gear? Things like tow straps, spare parts, tools, etc that are always in the truck - where do you store them? I am running out of space under the seats, and I don't like things bumping around in the back. Is there anywhere on the outside that people have found can have a lockable box attached for some of this stuff?

Maybe along that line, what is in the compartment on the passenger side of the cargo area? I have quickly looked for a way to pull that cover off to see, but it does not come out easily. Is that the rear AC and heat? For some reason, the little package train on top of that gets very wet when it rains.

[DA BIG ONE]

An aftermarket rear bumper made from 6"x6" tubing will store lots of things, but you will have to make your own access doors. http://www.kenmtn.com/ has a nice rear bumper, or you can fab your own for lots less $$$.

There is lots of room between rear 1/4's and chassis, and along rocker panels both sides.

Artillery projectile storage tubes open at ends are water tight, long and when placed 2 side by side mounted behind rocker panel, or on roof rack (less suspect) make for great storage. If using roof rack for artillery tubes some rounded device to act as end cap facing forward will reduce wind resistance.

PVC tubing (large dia.) is another approach to storage again a rounded forward end cap then using screw end cap which can be secured via hasp and lock.

When I do extended trek's off road I use pelican cases but these are big $$$. They can stand up to pretty much anything the trail has to offer up, water proof too.

[NH2112]

Ammo cans for 20mm cannon rounds or 40mm grenades work well, too. They're approx 18"L x 18"H x 8"W, are water proof, and the lids do NOT come off. They fit pretty nicely behind the wheel wells. I'd cut the carpet out and either bolt them directly to the floor or make a bracket you can bolt or weld to the floor that the can fits in. You can paint them to match the carpet or cover them with carpet to make them less obtrusive. I've used all of these below and they really do take some abuse, but I do like the plastic ones better.

http://www.galleria-e.com/cgi-bin/Colemans.storefront/en/product/220701

http://www.galleria-e.com/cgi-bin/Colemans.storefront/en/product/220301

http://www.galleria-e.com/cgi-bin/Colemans.storefront/en/product/133301

http://www.armysurplusforless.com/productInfo.cfm?prodID=4289&colorID=398

[DA BIG ONE]

Guessin you already know that there is lots of dead space in a burb. Almost all interior trim has usable space behind them.

Ever travel around this planet you'll see that in the outback of anywhere large bags for potable water are stored behind inside panels of suv's. Then there is a Katadine expeditionary water filtering system to fill it.

The pocket that holds the jack has plenty of dead space.

I've seen the lower 1/4 panels below floor removed and storage boxes placed there instead.

If you can think it up, you can do it.

[JTodd]

NH
The Coleman site has a lot of great stuff. When I get the time, I will measure for some brackets/tracks to slide an ammo box under the truck. It would be out of the way, but easy to pull out when needed.