Help securing large cases

[Merritt]

Hey guys!

I have two of the big Plano sportsman's cases. They fit perfectly on top of my tonneau cover, and under my bed rack. This will be awesome to free up bed space under tonneau cover.

The issue for you cargo experts is to help me figure out how to secure these!

Considerations:

1. General camp/kitchen gear in bins, so not crazy heavy.
2. TIME is important here. How can I get them secure but minimize setup/takedown time?

Right now I'm leaning towards some kind of combination of adding a kind of handle/bracket drilled securely to cases. Then adding some type of tie down points to the pretty limitless ways I could add them to the rack.

Here's plenty of shots of the general setup. Cases could be together in the center of bed width, or pushed apart close to bed rack sides. No preference there.










Thanks for the brainpower everyone! I'm new to all this but having so much fun.

 

[Merritt]

So for better mount points to the case itself, I could attach some kind of handle - found these kayak replacement handles which I would think hold up well in weather and sun. Can also handle some heft.


or maybe better to use some kind of basic tie down eyes:



Then it's a matter of having another eye or whatnot on the bed rack, and having some kind of clip type of quick release straps/connections?

 

[Luinil Explorations]

How about ratchet straps to the rack side rails?

 

[Boort]

Hey guys!

I have two of the big Plano sportsman's cases. They fit perfectly on top of my tonneau cover, and under my bed rack. This will be awesome to free up bed space under tonneau cover.

The issue for you cargo experts is to help me figure out how to secure these!

Considerations:

1. General camp/kitchen gear in bins, so not crazy heavy.
2. TIME is important here. How can I get them secure but minimize setup/takedown time?

@Merritt

Are you opposed to drilling into your tonneau?

If not I'd recommend L-Track strips on either side of the cases with matching rings
Strips would provide the most options but if these 2 cases are all you plan to use you might get away using only 4-6 Ltrack Spots.

Like these:

Motorcycle Anchor Points - Round Tie Down Anchors w/ L-track Fittings

description" content= " 4 Point Black Round Anchor Point tie down kit w/ 2-inch track, 4 stud fittings, bolt plates and fasteners. Great for tying down motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles and more.

www.uscargocontrol.com

Boort

 

[Merritt]

How about ratchet straps to the rack side rails?

Hmmm... I don't feel like straps to the side rails are going to be secure enough from front/back sliding potential. Especially while offroading up a bumpy steep incline.

 

[Merritt]

@Merritt

Are you opposed to drilling into your tonneau?

If not I'd recommend L-Track strips on either side of the cases with matching rings
Strips would provide the most options but if these 2 cases are all you plan to use you might get away using only 4-6 Ltrack Spots.

Like these:

Motorcycle Anchor Points - Round Tie Down Anchors w/ L-track Fittings

description" content= " 4 Point Black Round Anchor Point tie down kit w/ 2-inch track, 4 stud fittings, bolt plates and fasteners. Great for tying down motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles and more.

www.uscargocontrol.com

Boort

Yeah, this would be a really nice solution. For now though, I do want to explore not drilling into the tonneau, as the whole purpose of it is quality weatherproofing so I don't want to begin to degrade that!

 

[Boort]

Yeah, this would be a really nice solution. For now though, I do want to explore not drilling into the tonneau, as the whole purpose of it is quality weatherproofing so I don't want to begin to degrade that!

Understood. In that case the other suggestion I can make based on the provided pictures would be:

• To stop Fwd sliding: Either add some Stainless Steel EyeBolts to 4 -6 of the oval holes on the vertical supports by the cab, then use climbing rated carabiners to attach DIY Rope web, or a Raingler tailgate net.
  Could also DIY a Molle panel that attaches to this location and would offer even more storage versatility
• For Tie Down and Rear sliding control: Since the Bed Rack Horizontal rails are lower than the top of the boxes, it looks like you could mount more EyeBolts or even strips of black L-track to the inside of the Horizontal rails. Then using the new connection points you can run ropes or ratchet straps across the tops of both containers and around the "knob handles" on the short ends that look like they have molded recesses to accommodate this.

Be sure to check and plan an replace all ropes or straps every year as UV degrades many types of rope very quickly.

If you have access to the fabrication skills, another option might be a locking metal C-beam or strap with cutouts for those "knob handles" at the front and back that mounts to the inside of the horizontal rails.
Maybe a solid beam at the front and a double hinged beam with provisions for a padlock at the rear. This would allow you to lock the cases to the truck as well as securing them.

Regards,
Boort

 

[MMc]

If you are going attach any tie downs to the cases I would run a aluminum or Steele bar inside the case so you don’t pull the mounts through. I would add a bit of padding on the bottom so you don’t screwup the deck as the boxes will move around a bit. I would put eye loops in around the cases and hook to two together (carabiner) and use ratchet straps the outsides tight on 3 or 4 sides or go from the corners out like a X to stay in-place maybe the bottom of the uprights? I would modify the ratchet strap so I wasn’t dealing with a bunch of extra strap. When the straps are tight they don’t move much. Think about going off the bottom of you side rail for the down force. Just spitballing here.