Plano/Pelican Cases

h5863emtmatt · Nov 18, 2018

I used (4) 2" U-Bolts that came with nuts and plates from Lowes. Drilled holes to match the locations of the cross bars. Got some splits nuts, washers and rubber washers (water proof the drilled holes) and bolted from inside. Depends on how OCD you are mounting positions are up to you. You can go front to back or side to side. Drilled hole locations so I can mount both ways.

andrewtheadventurer · Dec 5, 2018

Gunshot-6A said: ↑

Plano 42 inch cases are nice because it will fit on a rack both orientations. Never had issue with mine. Mounted with 4 2inch u-bolts.

Pelicans are awesome but you pay for the name, and the build isn't that much better for your usage. You can find em cheap at DRMO auctions and stuff sometimes though.

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I like the interior boxes! My Plano leaks so I am curious if yours does too? If so, have you solves the issue?

h5863emtmatt · Dec 5, 2018

I live in SoCal so not much rain though it rained heavily twice this week. I checked and contents were dry. Don’t know what to tell ya I haven’t thought much about additional water proofing.

andrewtheadventurer · Dec 5, 2018

h5863emtmatt said: ↑

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Any problem with them leaking? If so, how did you fix?

andrewtheadventurer · Dec 5, 2018

h5863emtmatt said: ↑

I live in SoCal so not much rain though it rained heavily twice this week. I checked and contents were dry. Don’t know what to tell ya I haven’t thought much about additional water proofing.
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ahhh i see

h5863emtmatt · Dec 5, 2018

Maybe your lid doesn’t line up with the body leaving gaps? Mine is flimsy but lines up fine. Maybe add weather stripping or 3m tape to fill the gaps.

Gunshot-6A · Dec 5, 2018

andrewtheadventurer said: ↑

I like the interior boxes! My Plano leaks so I am curious if yours does too? If so, have you solves the issue?
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Yep. Mine seems to develop water (or ice these days) at the bottom. Gotta find a better option.

El Duderino · Dec 5, 2018

motodude95 said: ↑

Hahahaha, ah yes. The epitome of "overland". Convincing dudes to buy $150 tactical cases to protect the $30 worth of recovery straps they use.
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I serious lol’d at this

JustJon · Dec 16, 2018

MMoreno16[OP] said: ↑

lol fo real.

Any idea on why pelican cases are a ridiculous amount more?
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pelican has military contracts

But, they are pretty much top of the line for cases. Sometimes you can find a used pelican 1700-1720 for right around what a new plano would cost you.

bajatacoguy · Dec 16, 2018

https://www.amazon.com/slp/seahorse-case/8s5qe4gvs3s58jz

Another solid option

Kevinpd325 · Jan 14, 2019

Gunshot-6A said: ↑

Not really much left to the imagination, but if you want a better shot, I can grab one at lunch time.

My install guide:

1. Buy qty(4) 2 inch u-bolts available at Lowes/HD for like 2 dollars each, 8 nylock nuts, and 16 metal fender washers and 16 rubber fender washers (I used 1.25in dia washers I think) that fit your u-bolt diameters pretty snug. All the nuts/washers should only cost a few bucks, and basically make a weather seal.

2. Figure out which bars you want to wrap the u-bolts around and measure accordingly. I found it helps to have a long and skinny piece of cardboard to make what carpenters call a "story pole". Basically a template that is pre-measured and a lot easier to handle than a huge case. Mark all the hole spacings on that then transfer to the case.

3. Mark the case with sharpie, etc and drill the 8 holes for the u-bolts.

3a. (optional) Paint the u-bolts to get rid of the shine. Any black spray paint will do.

4. Wrap u-bolts around the bars, then add a metal washer and a fender washer (in that order) to each stud.

5. Place the case on the rack and put the studs through the holes in the case.

6. Add the remaining rubber washers to the studs on the inside of the case, then the metal washers, then top off with the nylock nuts.

7. Tighten down the nuts, throw your junk in, and admire your handy work over a beer!

My extra 2 cents: In line with the truck, a 42 inch case spans 5 bars. I mounted the case to bars on 2 and 4 and it works really well with what I put in it. Part of me wishes I had done bars 1 and 4 or 5 though. Every once in a while on bumpy roads, the front of the case "flaps", and makes a bit of a rattle. Not really a bother, just me being picky. Putting the bolts at the end would fix the rattle.

Also, I mounted the bolts in a square pattern in the center of the case instead of at the edges. The reason I did this is so that if I wanted to run the case width wise on the truck, the u-bolts are still usable. I just have to rotate the bolts 90 degrees.

Pictures:

In this pic you can see the u-bolts wrapped under the bars below the IH8MUD sticker and the No Cycling sticker:

In this pic, you can see the u-bolt studs/nylocks:

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Nice use of the words "nuts", "junk", and "handy" in one sentence.

Naveronski · May 13, 2019

My Plano cases leak too. I finally gave up and drilled drain holes in the bottom; it’s not ideal but better than them staying full of water.

Gunshot-6A · May 13, 2019

Naveronski said: ↑

My Plano cases leak too. I finally gave up and drilled drain holes in the bottom; it’s not ideal but better than them staying full of water.
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Prob gonna end up doing that too. Last time I opened the case, there was like a half inch of water in the bottom.

RHB · May 13, 2019

I have 2 pelican cases and an SKB bow case I mount on the rack. Never leaks, and Ive pulled under my buddys carport and the SKB took a good lick. no cracks or nothing. just a little chip on the house.

BalutTaco · Jul 2, 2019

h5863emtmatt said: ↑

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what size is that
?

YanE30M3 · Jul 14, 2019

Can 52" ones be mounted to the factory OEM roof rack?

o0_henry · Jul 14, 2019

Always preferred Plano over pelican. I grew up 20 mins from plano’s factory though so I might be biased. Can’t ever go visit my parents and not swing by their outlet store for another gun case. They have everything.

YanE30M3 · Jul 14, 2019

o0_henry said: ↑

Always preferred Plano over pelican. I grew up 20 mins from plano’s factory though so I might be biased. Can’t ever go visit my parents and not swing by their outlet store for another gun case. They have everything.
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Do I hear a group buy forming for the 52" rifle cases?

BalutTaco · Jul 15, 2019

YanE30M3 said: ↑

Do I hear a group buy forming for the 52" rifle cases?
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its Prime day on Amazon %20 off!

YanE30M3 · Jul 15, 2019

BalutTaco said: ↑

its Prime day on Amazon %20 off!
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Sweet

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