5th Wheel Storage boxes - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

5th Wheel Storage boxes

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi All, not sure if I'm adding this in the right topic area. However, we "stumbled" upon these today as we're trying to figure out how to best maximize our TV to accomodate art show "stuff" without taking up room in a 5ver.

Anyone have any feedback or experience using these? Main concerns are how much weight do they add, do they interfere in anyway with the hitch and are they watertight?

http://www.800toolbox.com/5thwheel/5thwheel.htm

Thanks

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Terry - I will call them. I was just looking for real life experience since we know websites, sales brochures and the "slick sales glossy" info isn't always the real truth.

For us it might be a great solution, as long as we aren't worrying about weather related issues.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

NWescapee wrote:
Bill - you mentioned that it fit behind your fuel tank and hitch, do you mean it fit between the cab of the truck and the hitch, or behind the hitch but in front of the tail gate? Or could you fit one box in each location? One thing we liked about the boxes that were shown was the ability to have 2 storage boxes in the bed of the truck. Trying to determine if that's possible with the PVC boxes.

I had an aux fuel tank right behind the cab. Going from the front to the back of the bed – aux fuel tank – PVC like box – hitch. Just one box.

I was saying that without an aux fuel tank in the bed there was probably room for two of these boxes in the front of the hitch, right behind the cab of the truck. I don't think you can put these boxes behind the hitch due to the box height without making hitching a bit of a chore. Doable, but not as easy.

You will have more room with the aluminum boxes than the Wal-Mart product which is called a “Smart Bin.” The only reason for suggesting this Smart Bin was your criteria about leaking / water in the storage unit in question from Highway Products. With metal you will probably have some water from condensation. I can’t say how much condensation – but I’ve had condensation with metal boxes before. I never had any with the PVC type box.

Hope that helps a bit for clarification

Bill

-- Edited by Bill and Linda on Wednesday 24th of October 2012 02:26:08 PM

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I guess I should add that I wouldn't be too sure of how dry things would stay in those compartments. Even if they are sealed against water running in, there still might be an issue of condensation. Now, if one had something inside the box along with your own items that would absorb moisture, it might work. Even though I'm 66 years old and have a lot of years in agriculture and agri-business, I"ve never had any kind of box as you are looking at.

Give it a bit of time as I'm sure there are some folks out there that do have experince with storage boxes, even though they may not be the same brand and design.

Terry

FastEagle · RV-Dreams Family Member

When we first started full timing we had a heck of a time keeping our trailer under GVWR. In the first year we blew five tires and made five trips to the scales.

To help get the trailer weight under control we added two flush boxes to the bed of our truck. We had nearly 300 extra pounds available back there and that was enough for us to set new goals.

One of our hobbies is to shop flea markets and yard sales. Then we resell many items on internet auctions. The items we shop for are small but can be weight consuming when all added up. We specialize in such things as pocket knives, cigarette lighters and post cards. Did you know there are over 8,000,000 Zippo lighter collectors in the USA alone?

Our traveling companions got hooked on our “V” box and got one. In the reference below our truck is in the foreground and our friends is right next to it. In that picture we are parked at the American Legion Post in Jacksonville, FL.

http://www.irv2.com/photopost/showfull.php?photo=20679

Fasteagle

Footnote: The empty “V” box weighs less than the removed tailgate.

-- Edited by FastEagle on Wednesday 24th of October 2012 02:11:40 PM

-- Edited by FastEagle on Wednesday 24th of October 2012 02:12:51 PM

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

NWescapee wrote:
Anyone have any feedback or experience using these? Main concerns are how much weight do they add, do they interfere in anyway with the hitch and are they watertight?
http://www.800toolbox.com/5thwheel/5thwheel.htm
Thanks

Speaking from firsthand experience, while these don’t leak as such, you may get condensation from the metal and that drips – sometimes a lot. It obviously depends on the climate conditions, but I have had condensation with metal storage bins such as these because they are metal.

While not as large, I used a $45 heavy duty PVC like box from Wal-Mart for 6 years and it never had any moisture in it of any kind. It fit right behind my aux fuel tank and hitch in a 8’ bed. You might want to check it out – just look around the automotive section. If you don’t have an aux tank there is room for two of them. Again, not as big, heavy or as expensive, but it had zero water issues.

FWIW

Bill

thebearII · RV-Dreams Family Member

I used to spend time with the guys from Mountain Master at a couple of RV shows where we both were selling our wares. Everything from Mountain Masters is first quality. I was very impressed with their boxes as well as the Tow Vehicle RV bodies they build and sell.

I've never used their products only looked it over and wanted it for many years.

-- Edited by thebearII on Wednesday 24th of October 2012 03:16:06 PM

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill - you mentioned that it fit behind your fuel tank and hitch, do you mean it fit between the cab of the truck and the hitch, or behind the hitch but in front of the tail gate? Or could you fit one box in each location? One thing we liked about the boxes that were shown was the ability to have 2 storage boxes in the bed of the truck. Trying to determine if that's possible with the PVC boxes.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'll have to do more searching for it, but there was a thread where I showed two different types of V-style boxes. I found them at Unique Truck Accessories. There "home page" website is below, with the boxes that are V shaped in the category for "consumer use."

Unique Truck Accessories

This is a link to the page on their website where the consumer toolboxes are located. There is one kind with top lids, and one with rear-facing doors. The one with rear-facing doors would be handy for access to the tool box in the event that one was hooked up to the fifth wheel. Click on the "Specifications" link with each style to see larger images and more information.

http://www.uniquetruckaccessories.com/toolbox-fifthwheel.html

EDIT: OK. I found the thread where I had posted pictures of the V-style boxes. Here it is:

http://rv-dreams.activeboard.com/t37713441/toolboxes-for-fifth-wheel-owners-photos-added/

Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Wednesday 24th of October 2012 06:29:38 PM

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Bill!

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks, will look into the V boxes. Any suggestions on who sells those?

Will also take a look at the Mountain Masters website. Their trucks looked great.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

You know it's amazing how much help I get by asking a question. You guys are great, thanks so much for the help!

FastEagle · RV-Dreams Family Member

We got our "V" box at a truck options store. Our friends got theirs at Camping World.

FastEagle

JanAlan · RV-Dreams Community Member

Another supplier you might want to check out is Tractor Supply Company (TSC). Mine is aluminum and I have never seen condensation inside. I bought the largest they offer, and use stackable totes to fully utilize the cavernous space inside. If my memory serves correctly, they were about $325 three years ago. They are built by Delta, but carry the store brand.

Alan

Rosie RV Thumper and Dog Dog · RV-Dreams Family Member

NWEscapee,
We have the forward box you originally asked about. We have not had any problems with it but we've only had it for about 3 months and 6000 miles. We'll let you know after Hurricane Sandy if it kept the water out.
Rosie