What is the best chuck box ?

[ae6black]

Since for the foreseeable future I am going to be doing probably 80/20 mix of camping in a small trailer and cold weather camping in a TD, I am thinking that my next logical move is to build a chuck box. Just because the small trailer has a sink and 2 burner stove doesn't mean I am going to use it much. Who has built a design that they like? I made a commissary for canoe camping with my Dad when I was a kid, but I am not sure that this is the application that I am going for even although I still have it. It's still mounted to the back Pack frame so it can be carried easily on Portages and I still use the Boy Scout Aluminum pot and pan set that we outfitted that unit with years ago. Once in a blue moon it still gets used for canoe camping. Part of me says just continue putting things in big plastic tubs for each purpose that I can easily lift in and out of the truck. For instance I have my rocket stove and wok in a tub (awesome for chicken and rice with veggies and for lighting my charcoal chimney), a 10" and a 12" DO and chimney and lid lifters and what not, my Coleman stove and lanterns in a tub and on an on. My cooking table is in a sack that I sewed up out of nauga hide. But what about a serviceable chuck box that could store everything that I would cook outside.
First and foremost, I want to either be able to lift it or wheel it out of the truck without getting a hernia or heart attack( I am an old geezer now).
Secondly, I would like to be able to quickly and easily fold the thing up and secure it so raccoons don't turn my campsite into a mess when I am out and about. I also wouldn't mind bears giving up on getting it open like they do in that Otter cooler commercial.
Thirdly, I would like the thing to be somewhat weather proof. I'd like to be able to unload it when I make camp and have it be one of the last things to go into the truck when I break camp.
But I also want room to store:
Dishes for four
Silverware for four
Paper towels and have drying racks incorporated for dish cloths that are drying.
spices and matches
a couple of tubs for washing dishes
dish soap and sos pads and other dish washing items
condiments, cooking oil

Does anybody have any ideas? The Boy scout units that I've seen so far aren't really what I am looking for. They all seem to take three men and boy to carry them from the truck. Perhaps a somewhat mobile unit on wheels that could somehow cantilever in and out of the truck bed and then be wheeled to the campsite could work. I am open to suggestions. Such a unit would work equally well for the wide range of applications that I have in mind.

Art

[edgeau]

Why not do two smaller ones if weight is a problem? Easier to carry and then set them side by side. Another thought is take inspiration from an ambulance stretcher, they just wheel those things at the back of the vehicle and the legs fold up as it slides in.

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[Greg M]

I built this one a few years ago. It rolls around like a handcart.

[dirtsailor2003]

Here's a few photos of mine. I laid out what I wanted to carry in it then designed the box around it. I have all my spices, pots, pans, and enough settings for 4 plus cooking utensils. I can also put one of three different burners in it.















Since building the box two years ago I have only made one modification. I have a piece of fabric across the left upper opening. It is velcroed in place so I can remove it. I still need to add a clasp for the lid to keep critters out. Currently I use a ratchet strap across the top to the side handles. I have ditched the plastic bowls and have replaced them with collapsible silicone bowls. I still have the metal cups, but I have also added collapsible silicone cups too. I have added two cast iron pans. Since I built my cargo trailer camper I no longer need to carry the stoves in the box, so more room for cooking stuff. I also have tea bags, hot chocolate mix, oatmeal, instant coffee in the box. All of our headlamps, flashlights, matches, batteries, fire starters,etc. are in the top right area along with spices. When fully loaded it weighs a bit but still manageable.

[dirtsailor2003]

Oh yeah the puck lights are velcroed to the lid. Bought at the dollar store. Definitely a good addition.
I can throw a tape on the box if you'd like some general dimensions. like I said I laid out everything a I wanted in the box and that's what I built it too.

[me&z]

We use 2 plastic tool boxes. Won't meet your requirement for raccoon proof, but they were about $5 each and lightweight with a handle. I use one for food and things that have to be replaced for each trip like trash bags, paper towels, coffee supplies, etc. The other holds the durable stuff (4 plates, 4 bowls, flatware and utensils, knives, cutting board, etc.)

I haven't found just the right size dish pan yet. But tool boxes are plastic, so theoretically they could double as dishpans. But our trips are short and involve more heating up than actual cooking. Easier to just scrape and whipe the dishes and put them in a plastic grocery sack ( and back in the toolbox) to take home for washing.

If my nesting pans would fit, they'd be perfect. But the box is about 1" too small. Campstove is also not in the box. This gives me 4 things to carry from van to picnic table. Been working as a temporary solution for 6 years.

[ae6black]

I am thinking along the lines of an aluminum box instead of plywood. but I think dirt sailor's design is in the ball park of what I am thinking about. I've never worked with aluminum except for what I wraped my TD in. Does anybody have any experience in folding it? I would think pop rivets and piano hinges could work.

Art

[dirtsailor2003]

I am thinking along the lines of an aluminum box instead of plywood. but I think dirt sailor's design is in the ball park of what I am thinking about. I've never worked with aluminum except for what I wraped my TD in. Does anybody have any experience in folding it? I would think pop rivets and piano hinges could work.

Art

If you have a break you could bend aluminum and get good corners. With out a break it would be difficult to get clean lines. You could use sheets and rivet the sides, btm, back panels together using L-brackets or braising and L-brackets. You'd probably want to use at least 0.125 thickness and maybe even 0.1875 for the bottom.

If you really want metal maybe go take a look at a surplus store for foot lockers. Might be easier to modify one to work.

[Ron Dickey]

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/109704940893094264/

Made to be carried in Rolls-Royce when picknicing

[S. Heisley]

You might also look at this website: https://www.blueskykitchen.com/