DIY Locking bed storage trunk

So after 3 or 4 emails asking details about this mod. I decided to do a write up. Basically, I always carry my B.O.B. (Bug Out Bag) in my truck and got tired of having a good portion of my backseat taken up by it . So I started to look into locking bed storage options to store the BOB and other stuff. I have always liked the Rubbermaid Action Packers, and know they are popular amongst my fellow expeditioners. I also know from boks post about bed storage that the 42 gallon trunks were a perfect fit. So I decided on the 42 Gallon Action packer trunk. However, I was afraid that it might get stolen out the bed, so I came up with a way to keep it from growing legs and walking away. Here is what I did

Went to Home depot and bought about 8' of nylon wrapped wire rope (sold by the foot). I also picked up a set of these wire clamp kits like this to make loops at each end of the cable.

I had already done the Extra D-Ring bed mod. So, I ran the cable through the extra front D-rings and cut the cable to the desired length. I then ran the ends (w/the loops) across the front of the Action packer trunk. Lastly, I ran the lock through the hole on the handle of the trunk and the loops of the cable. Now the trunk is locked and attached to the bed. On of the reasons I did it this way was because the cable acts as a stop, preventing thee trunk from sliding around even though i have the bed mat.

I'm not good at explaining, which is now obvious from the jargon above, so.......just look at the pics to decipher my mumbo-jumbo.

42 Gal Action Packer containing my BOB and other needed stuff




Cable loops made with kit (hyper linked above)


Cable run through D-rings




Trunk locked down in bed

 

Nice

 

Hey man, great idea! Thanks for taking the time to share with us.

.

 

Thanks.

My only recommendation.....buy a thicker cable if doable. I'm gonna upgrade to feel safer

 

Hmmmm, I'd do this if it wasn't for the plastic storage box itself...... Prying open the top looks pretty east since it is made of plastic

 

Great idea for securing one of these into the bed. My parents got me a 36gal. action packer for X-Mas this past year. I also finally acquired a topper recently so that will also aid in weather proofing and security.

Another tip for keeping water out of the action packer through the lid. Go to you local home improvement store and get some weather stripping that you unroll and peal off a backer to stick it to a surface. 3/8 thickness should be plenty and you can get it in different widths too. Then you put it either on the lid or the trunk portion around the whole perimeter.

 

Great idea I've been brain storming on ideas myself thanks for sharing.

 

Yeah, that's what's did. I went to autozone and got some of the EPDM foam weather stripping.

 

What kind of backpack is that and where can I buy one? I've been looking at putting together a BOB myself.

 

The Action Packer is pretty secure and harder to pry up than it looks; although, its still able to be pried up. A person would make quite a bit of noise trying to open this and would probably set my alarm off, just jarring around in the bed. Plus, the area I live in (McKinney,TX) is pretty safe and I rarely take my truck anywhere other than camping and trails, since I drive my company car most days.

This is a Fox Tactical Jumbo Modular Field Pack. FYI, I went through buying and selling of 3 other bags before I settled on one I liked. I would go to gun shows and look at bags, find one I (thought) I liked, go home and order it cheaper off the net. Then after one use would realize I needed something different. So, although I like this bag and it works for my contents and purpose(s), it may not work for yours.

 

Nice!

 

I would suggest you run the cable on the inside. Drill holes on either side and then the cable is not visible and cant be easily cut. The locked cable draws attention of what may be in there. The hidden cable is not as enticing. You could also add couple of locking hinges to prevent prying. Silicone would keep all the holes sealed.

Not as easy to slide it to the tailgate though.

 

Yeah I worry about the lock drawing attention. I might have to redesign the setup. Thanks for the input bro.

 

I have been thinking about this. The best way would be to drill small holes in the bottom of the tub. Thread the cable inside and across and out to the other d ring. No one is cutting the cable or pulling it out without massive damage.

Try 1776 tactical for a sweet bug out bag. Love mine.

Not sure how to secure the lid without some type of chains which again brings the attention.

 

I've got a regular cab and needed a bunch of storage options, so initially I got the cargo net, but still needed a waterproof storage option. Enter the Action Packer - great solution. I didnt feel the need for an elaborate way to secure the box (if someone really wants to get in, it's plastic, and they probably will), just something to prevent it from growing legs.

Installed an eye bolt through the center drainage hole, drilled a hole on the bottom of the action packer and installed an eye bolt there, hit bolt on the action packer with some weather proofing stuff from home depot and pad locked the packer to the bed eye bolt.



Because its got a couple inches to rattle around (and i still dont have a bed mat), I decided to move the cargo net right in front of the packer. The cargo nets elastic top serves as a bungee, holding the action packer in place. So I still have the quick storage option when it's nice out and the locking weather proof option for anything else. Might not work for everyone, but a quick and easy solution for me. Doesn't draw unnecessary attention, but gives me the piece of mind I wanted.

 

Nice, I like the idea of an insulated box.
Your shovel mount caught my eye as well. is that a custom mount, or did you buy it?
I went with the high security path myself, using L-track for mounting and a 40" wide box that fits under my tonno.

 

Custom?...kinda, homemade is more like it. I used two pieces of 2" wide 1/8" thick aluminum strip metal from Home Depot, cut them to length, painted them black, drilled bed rail mounting holes, bolted some Quick Fists to them and mounted them to the bed rails....vuala, homemade shovel mount. I also got those little rubber bolt covers and put them on back of bolts so they don't rattle against bed wall. I used bolts long enough to mount the Quick Fists and to act as feet against the bed wall and help stop sway/rattle of the shovel & mount.

 

I'd be afraid someone with a Crescent wrench simply would undo the bolts holding the wire loop together and take the whole box. IMHO the security chain or cable needs to be inaccessible when the box is mounted.

 

Thanks for all of the detail, I'm gonna have to stop by the Depot and see what I can find, I don't remember seeing the Quick Fists there, but I think I can get them at Amazon.

BTW I use T-Slot nuts for the bed side rails. You can get them from McMaster-Carr as either a 3/8-16x9/16 wide (http://www.mcmaster.com/#90526A592)
or a M10x1.5x14mm wide
(http://www.mcmaster.com/#90974A118)

 

That was my concern too, but if they can get away with that in the driveway without the alarm going off, dog barking, motion lights coming on or late night neighbor seeing, then they are magicians. Truck never leaves driveway except to offroad, take trips to beach/lake, go camping, hunting, etc. It's no longer my daily driver now that I have a company car. Plus I work from home and I can see it in driveway from home office. It's like the other guy said, it's just a plastic box, if they really want in it, they'll get in. The cable was a quick fix to prevent sliding more than anything, but also functions as some added security. However, it's also, unfortunately, adds attention. I look the eye bolt idea, I think I'm gonna go that route.