Aluminess box organization/pics?

[86Scotty]

Is there a thread out there for show and tell/organization of Aluminess type rear bumper boxes?

I have an Owl box, which IMO is a better design of the Aluminess large box, and I'm trying to get organized with it. I'm going to fab up some stuff this weekend to make it more user friendly.

If some of you would post some pics or share your great ideas I'd love to see them.

I think I have an idea for mounting a plywood piece inside the door to mount some tools on but not quite sure how it will work out. I do not want to put any more holes in the box and certainly not the door.

:b5:

 

[Fitz2]

You say you don't want to put any holes in the door, but this has been a great addition. The third picture shows it with my Partner stove in place, you can use your imagination for other uses.

 

[86Scotty]

I love fold down tables but don't think I'll be doing one in my box. I'd rather have things I need to access mounted on the door. I'm hoping to mount a board inside the door today and experiment with some things.

My reasons are that I have 2 fold down tables on the side doors and use them both, one for my stove and one for prep, and we camp out of the side door mostly.

All that said, what model of fold down table is that?

:b5:

 

[Fitz2]

All that said, what model of fold down table is that?

:b5:

I ordered the shelf from forum member 1der back when the van was new, 2016 or 2017. We will have to ask him if it is still available, or go to his website to see if it is listed.

 

[Fitz2]

I just checked https://www.blingmyrig.com/ and didn’t find the fold-down shelf listed.

 

[1der]

I just checked https://www.blingmyrig.com/ and didn’t find the fold-down shelf listed.

Yep Fitz, I think you got the first one! We did not make any after those first 10 or 12. It was too expensive for us to get them made. I see Aluminess now has a fold down shelf for the box. Hmmmmm, I might toss the Aluminess stuff back up on our website as a way of helping our group out. If anyone wants an Aluminess one (or anything Aluminess) , I can get it for you.

I love the shelves on the inside of our box door, super handy for the way we use the box.

 

[Twoxentrix]

If you search Amazon for “tailgate fold down tables” you’ll come across a huge variety - I just purchased one that I’m going to hang off my ladder, and it will store behind my rear box (haven’t received it yet). There are a variety of sizes available and I know several will actually fit if mounted on the door of the rear box….just review the dimensions of each.

 

[86Scotty]

Cool, still hoping to see some box organization pics
and ideas.

 

[Twoxentrix]

If you write you name on a piece of masking tape and place on the bottom of the box (so down the road I remember where it came from), then ship to me I'll gladly have a go-of-it...I'm sure I'll need to mount it on my swing arm for proper perspective, but once i tweak, organize, & mount everything i have I'm confident you'll be impressed!

 

[Steve C]

While not either an Aluminess or Owl box, I built this look-a-like to ride in my Ruenel basket. Allows me to adapt my storage needs based on my trip. I can pull the whole box out and just use the basket for a cooler or water jugs. Here’s a couple pictures of it set up with a Honda Generator and gas can. I also built a tray that can replace the generator that fits my chainsaw’s power head (with bar removed) if my trip dictates tree removal. The shelf just hinges upwards and out of the way to allow access to large items in the bottom.

 

[Twoxentrix]

I recall a couple people over the years that have shared some ideas, here is one:
https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f16/rear-storage-box-orginaziation-26254.html

 

[86Scotty]

I recall a couple people over the years that have shared some ideas, here is one:
https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f16/rear-storage-box-orginaziation-26254.html

Sweet. That is exactly the kind of stuff I was hoping to see. The carpeted panel is a great idea. I think I'll be doing that. I'm trying to have at the ready the things I use most camping. I typically keep anything winch or on-board-air related in my front Aluminess bumper and anything towing/jacking related in the rear one. I'm ordering some Quick Fists and will be mounting things like tent stakes and couple of tools on the board as Glen did.

 

[Fitz2]

I added a second shelf several years ago and have been very happy with how it has worked out. Looking at the (old) picture below, I have completely changed how I use the space and what I store in it, especially when I carry the generator. For that, cans of TrueFuel lay nicely on their side on the lower shelf.

 

[86Scotty]

Thanks Fitz. Not only am I looking for organizational easter eggs but I'm also noticing afew things that people bring along that I haven't thought of.

 

[86Scotty]

So, I took a day a couple weekends ago and totally rearranged and catalogued all tools, bumper and box contents. The goal was not only to refamiliarize all the junk I generally keep in a/the van but to make it more logical for certain situations.

Aluminess front bumper: Recovery gear and winch accessories, Air compressor hose and attachments, extra drive belt, window cleaner and squeegie.

Aluminess rear bumper: Tow hitch, pins/locks, extra chains and links for various trailers, hitch wiring adapters, etc., propane canisters, a couple of aerosol type cans like WD-40, socket set, jack and lug wrench.

And what's left for the rear box?

Chainsaw, butane grill, extra propane single burner, chainsaw batteries, box of very specific overly well thought out tools for roadside maintenance, Honda generator (some trips, not all), 50' extension cord for generator or shore power, outdoor shower hose and all the stuff you see mounted to the door. The first pic is attempt #1 and the second is attempt #2 after the reorganization above. The goal, of course, was to have the most commonly needed and basic tools right in front of me at camp.

Untitled by E A, on Flickr

Untitled by E A, on Flickr

 

[Twoxentrix]

Very well done! I've been contemplating the large box for some time but was never convinced I could get that much more in since my EU2200 would still take up much of the room...you've managed to prove my assumption wrong.
What did you ultimately do to secure the mounting panel on the door? 4 screws through the outside to hold it in place (using washers & locknuts) ???
AND; Are the door hinges metal or plastic? You have quite a bit of weight on the door which has peeked my curiosity.

 

[86Scotty]

What did you ultimately do to secure the mounting panel on the door? 4 screws through the outside to hold it in place (using washers & locknuts) ???
AND; Are the door hinges metal or plastic? You have quite a bit of weight on the door which has peeked my curiosity.

Felix, my apologies. I forgot to answer you the other day. I'm not sure if the hinges are plastic or aluminum and I'm away from the van but they are strong and there are 3 of them. Not concerned about strength. There is maybe 10# of stuff on that door at most.

The panel is 1/2" ply with a 'C' of 1x2 around the hinge. I mounted the panel through the hinge surround, 2 srews on top, 2 from bottom and then used industrial velcro on the left side of the panel as you're facing it. It's plenty strong with no holes drilled through the door.

 

[CarlParr]

On the gray one, the shelf above the Honda sits tightly on top of 4 pieces of 1x1/2 wood that is slotted so the shelf squeezes snuggly, and I didn't have to drill any holes to mount it (I have issues). The one on the white van is the same, with a Pelican case that fits perfectly on top, is locked on with cable locks, and contains the "outside" kitchen (2 butane single burned stoves, pots pans, utensils, dish pan, etc. I replaced the Trasharoo with one from Blue Ridge Outfitters that stores chairs, hammocks, a table, a bamboo shower mat, hoses, etc.

 

[Twoxentrix]

Wow Carl, you're OCPD trumps mine...I'd love to open my box and see it so clean & organized! Think you've just engrained a new standard I feel compelled to achieve...I've already got enough to do, damn you!

 

[Twoxentrix]

The panel is 1/2" ply with a 'C' of 1x2 around the hinge. I mounted the panel through the hinge surround, 2 srews on top, 2 from bottom and then used industrial velcro on the left side of the panel as you're facing it. It's plenty strong with no holes drilled through the door.

Thanks! Never considered couple rows of industrial Velcro, That's a great idea. I like the easy access to the 'popular' tools as you've displayed, sure would be more convenient.