TheSamba.com :: View topic - Hard-sided Storage Containers for Roof Rack

Sat Sep 04, 2004 5:32 am

I'm looking for some type of plastic bin or container(s) to sit inside the "roof well" infront of the pop top. I have read where some use dry storage bags; I'm looking for compact, rigid boxes. Any ideas?
Thanks

Sat Sep 04, 2004 6:44 pm

Check your local Lowe's or Home Depot. Some of those plastic storage boxes have watertight seals in them, and can be had for less than $30 or $40...They're great for the roof of the bus, basement, or wherever you need watertight storage. Also, depending on the size, old military surplus ammo boxes are watertight as well...they have some pretty big sizes for pretty cheap.

Sat Sep 04, 2004 7:06 pm

You might be able to get away using some Rubbermaid actionpackers. They don't have a seal, but the way the lip and the lid work, they are pretty good. I use them for my motorcyle gear.

Sat Sep 04, 2004 7:07 pm

We don't have a Lowe's in our area but I'll check Home Depot and Building Box.
Thanks!

Sun Mar 09, 2008 3:26 pm

Cris

Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:07 pm

Cris, where did you get those boxes, that's beautiful!

Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:11 pm

Here's a previous post

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=232341

Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:14 pm

A friend of mine and I designed them a few years ago and made a few. The idea is to be able to:

A) Load and unload them without too much effort (that is the reason why there are three of them).

B) Be able to access the contents with ease without taking the boxes out of the rack. They open forward, so it is very easy to access the contents from the pop top opening.

C) Be compatible with the Westfalia roof rack. They match the grooves, size, and support bracket locations. The slope in the front of the boxes is the same as the one in the Westy roof rack.

D) Be completely waterproof.

We did a few with integrated color in the material (such as the ones shown in the photos), to match VW colors, so they never get scratches or spots where paint is damaged or missing.

Cris

Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:52 pm

cris torlasco wrote: A friend of mine and I designed them a few years ago and made a few. The idea is to be able to:

......

B) Be able to access the contents with ease without taking the boxes out of the rack. They open forward, so it is very easy to access the contents from the pop top opening.

Cris

V cool!

Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:30 am

if you want something completely watertight and very durable...checkout Pelican Boxes...they come in all sizes.

http://www.pelican.com/

Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:17 am

cris torlasco wrote: A friend of mine and I designed them a few years ago and made a few. The idea is to be able to:

A) Load and unload them without too much effort (that is the reason why there are three of them).

B) Be able to access the contents with ease without taking the boxes out of the rack. They open forward, so it is very easy to access the contents from the pop top opening.

C) Be compatible with the Westfalia roof rack. They match the grooves, size, and support bracket locations. The slope in the front of the boxes is the same as the one in the Westy roof rack.

D) Be completely waterproof.

We did a few with integrated color in the material (such as the ones shown in the photos), to match VW colors, so they never get scratches or spots where paint is damaged or missing.

Cris

How were they manufactured? Do you still have the molds? What material...etc?

Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:29 am

action packers by rubbermaid. they come in three sizes are lockable and can be locked to the roof using a cable. They rock and are waterproof. you can also stand on them if needed and they make great seats. I found some at Walmart. The only place in my area that sells them.

Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:15 pm

its funny, i actually bought a spare luggage rack from a westy from cris a few years back with the intention on making molds and containers like he had already made, wish i had just asked him in the first place! i hunted for a long time for the right waterproof thing for my westy and was never able to find something that satisfied me which is why i had visions of making my own (which never happened). maybe different style comtainers are out there now, but all that i found were either the wrong size and stuck up too much (like rubbermaid-type stuff)or were the right size but didn't hold much (gun cases, etc). i even tried a waterproof duffel bag which was nearly impossible for me to get on top of the van with any weight in it. what cris made is just PERFECT and if someone (or cris or his buddy) was so inclined i think many people would be interested.

Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:41 am

foodeater wrote:
How were they manufactured? Do you still have the molds? What material...etc?

Yes, we still have the molds; they are in Argentina. They boxes are made of fiberglass. All the sets ever produced (not many) were distributed among the few Westy enthusiasts in Argentina. I brought two sets to the USA, sold one and kept the other one for myself. Do you think that there is enough interest to produce and bring another batch of these? It could take a few months...

Cris

Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:45 am

[email protected] wrote: its funny, i actually bought a spare luggage rack from a westy from cris a few years back with the intention on making molds and containers like he had already made, wish i had just asked him in the first place!

what cris made is just PERFECT and if someone (or cris or his buddy) was so inclined i think many people would be interested.

So you are the owner of the only other set in the US? I am glad you liked them. There are a few finishing details that I would improve upon, if we were to make some more, but overall they have worked for me too.

Cris

Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:13 am

cris torlasco wrote: foodeater wrote:
How were they manufactured? Do you still have the molds? What material...etc?

Yes, we still have the molds; they are in Argentina. They boxes are made of fiberglass. All the sets ever produced (not many) were distributed among the few Westy enthusiasts in Argentina. I brought two sets to the USA, sold one and kept the other one for myself. Do you think that there is enough interest to produce and bring another batch of these? It could take a few months...

Cris I'd be interested.....what's the cost for 3?

Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:25 am

bucko wrote: cris torlasco wrote: foodeater wrote:
How were they manufactured? Do you still have the molds? What material...etc?

Yes, we still have the molds; they are in Argentina. They boxes are made of fiberglass. All the sets ever produced (not many) were distributed among the few Westy enthusiasts in Argentina. I brought two sets to the USA, sold one and kept the other one for myself. Do you think that there is enough interest to produce and bring another batch of these? It could take a few months...

Cris I'd be interested.....what's the cost for 3?

Wouldn't vacuum forming be a more efficient way of making them? Just looking at the shape, they would vacuum form really well, it is way faster and cleaner than fiber glass and cheaper to make.

I am just wondering what the hinges look like?

Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:53 am

Vacuum formed or hand laid with FG - there would still be plenty of interest in the boxes. A lot would depend on price, I suggest that you come up with a b"ballpark" price and then sample here to see the interest level. I think that jackbombay found that his "better idea" gas shocks found a ready audience and market - your boxes would probably do the same.

Tue Mar 11, 2008 6:22 am

I forgot to mention that the Westfalia logo is actually a relief within the mold, so it has a depth. It is not just a sticker that would erode after the first trip...
I have no idea about what costs would be, but I will certainly find out and report back, since there seems to be enough interest in this item.

Cris

Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:46 am

This hard sided, waterproof box from GoWesty seems to be exactly what you are looking for:

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3984&category_id=325&category_parent_id=