Off The Shelf Boxes for Rear Seats

[Zapper]

I am preparing to head on my next big trip in a few weeks and one of the improvements I want to make is to prevent the back seat area from becoming a disorganized disaster again.

Being a bit OCD I get stressed out when there's stuff lying about and as any of you who have done long roadtrips know things get really messy quickly. First stop at the grocery store or home depot and crap is all over the place. Also, it would suck to roll over, survive the crash only to get killed by a jar of pickles that was lying in the back. Plan is to mount some tie downs to the floor and run a strap across the boxes while in motion.

So I am looking for the "best fitting" plastic boxes that can sit on the folded-down back seats. I am leaning towards either DeWalt toughsystem XL boxes (which I've got a bunch of) or the classic totes with the two red latches. I don't want to do a rear seat delete.

I can fit 3 of the toughboxes there with a bit of space left over. Alternately, it looks like I can fit two of the classic totes lengthwise, but there would be a gap between them. It would be great if there was a set of boxes that would perfectly fit back there and keep things clean and tidy, while still allowing relatively easy access. Does anyone have any experience with a slick solution for this?

Dewalt boxes:
https://www.amazon.com/Dewalt-DWST08400-ToughSystem-Extra-Toolbox/dp/B08D37ZNX9

Classic Tote:
https://www.princessauto.com/en/31-gallon-heavy-duty-storage-chest/product/PA0008425316

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[Bandit’s Lair]

I just have a tote from Lowe’s in the back that I put my recovery gear in. I could easily fit 4-6 of them back there with the seats down. Cheap and effective.

 

[MPMB]

I don't think there's a perfect solution.

I think there's some GooseGear options that can work.

Last summer I picked up some tan bins from Costco that have good seals. They're on the small side (a little bit bigger than a normal sleeping bag), which I like. Then around Christmas I picked up a few small bins at HD that are about the size of a 6-pack. Great for all the little misc. or if you need to break food down by day.

I personally hate having a bunch of bins in the back seat (or in the bed) where I have to pull things out to get into something else. Especially when they're large ones.

We usually have a fridge, a bin of food, a bin of road snacks, camera gear, and our day packs in the back seat.

My plan, when I get a chance, is to remove the passenger rear seat, build platform so the fridge sits lower (and my wife can see inside it), have a little storage under it for b/u power & misc rarely-used things, and then build a cabinet of sorts that the fridge butts against (kind of in the middle seat location) where our commonly carried bags/bins get stored. This would also leave the last seat open in case of a passenger, which has been known to happen in our travels with family.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I don’t usually have a passenger on the trail so carry one of these too. Would work as a grab bag in the back passenger seat.

https://www.511tactical.com/wingman-patrol-bag.html

 

[rharr]

I am preparing to head on my next big trip in a few weeks and one of the improvements I want to make is to prevent the back seat area from becoming a disorganized disaster again.

Being a bit OCD I get stressed out when there's stuff lying about and as any of you who have done long roadtrips know things get really messy quickly. First stop at the grocery store or home depot and crap is all over the place. Also, it would suck to roll over, survive the crash only to get killed by a jar of pickles that was lying in the back. Plan is to mount some tie downs to the floor and run a strap across the boxes while in motion.

So I am looking for the "best fitting" plastic boxes that can sit on the folded-down back seats. I am leaning towards either DeWalt toughsystem XL boxes (which I've got a bunch of) or the classic totes with the two red latches. I don't want to do a rear seat delete.

I can fit 3 of the toughboxes there with a bit of space left over. Alternately, it looks like I can fit two of the classic totes lengthwise, but there would be a gap between them. It would be great if there was a set of boxes that would perfectly fit back there and keep things clean and tidy, while still allowing relatively easy access. Does anyone have any experience with a slick solution for this?

Dewalt boxes:
https://www.amazon.com/Dewalt-DWST08400-ToughSystem-Extra-Toolbox/dp/B08D37ZNX9

Classic Tote:
https://www.princessauto.com/en/31-gallon-heavy-duty-storage-chest/product/PA0008425316

What ever you go with, try to make a effort to strap them down, don't want a 50 lb box(es) flying around the cab if you get turned upside down or someone hits you. Boxes invite you to stuff them full of things and weight.

 

[Zapper]

I don’t usually have a passenger on the trail so carry one of these too. Would work as a grab bag in the back passenger seat.

https://www.511tactical.com/wingman-patrol-bag.html

Ooh that's cool. I like that tactical bag.

 

[Blade1668]

I don’t usually have a passenger on the trail so carry one of these too. Would work as a grab bag in the back passenger seat.

https://www.511tactical.com/wingman-patrol-bag.html

I guess I should empty mine out to repurpose that way. Heck I think one of mine still has my plate vest in it. I used the RUSH backpack for everyday stuff on patrol that bag became the trunk bag with the Oh Shit times... spare magazines, second trauma bag ect.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I guess I should empty mine out to repurpose that way. Heck I think one of mine still has my plate vest in it. I used the RUSH backpack for everyday stuff on patrol that bag became the trunk bag with the Oh Shit times... spare magazines, second trauma bag ect.

Mine was in my closet when I dug it out. Had a shotgun shell pouch full of nitrile gloves a tourniquet and a reflective vest still in it. lol

 

[cybercat]

Maybe attach some Packout plates to the back of the seats. Never tried it.

 

[Zapper]

OK follow up question.

On my old G-Wagen I welded in some steel loops to the floor near the back seat to act as tie down points. This worked great and was super robust. Any thoughts on what approach I should take to tie down the back seat cargo on the JT?

I probably won't weld this time, but I am OK with drilling holes.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

If you have the Money, get Decked Drawer System. Worth every single penny. Absolutely amazing.

If you really want inside the cab, check out the click-in shelves from https://63ind.com/

They attach using the child seat attachment loops. Pretty sturdy

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

For tie down points in back seats I just use the tie downs for the child car seats. I figure if they’ll hold a small child they should be good enough for gear. If you wanna get fancy you can attach tie downs to the seat bolts between the seat and the floor. Those are supposed to tie into the frame so fairly sturdy. Just have to drill them out a bit. How much weight are you talking about in the cab right behind your head?

 

[rharr]

For tie down points in back seats I just use the tie downs for the child car seats. I figure if they’ll hold a small child they should be good enough for gear. If you wanna get fancy you can attach tie downs to the seat bolts between the seat and the floor. Those are supposed to tie into the frame so fairly sturdy. Just have to drill them out a bit. How much weight are you talking about in the cab right behind your head?

That is a pretty good idea, some 1.5" steel strap bent at a 90 just big enough to fit in the seat leg valley with a hole drilled into the bend to size of the seat bolt and another hole drilled on the end of the strap that would let you hook up straps.

 

[Blade1668]

Mine was in my closet when I dug it out. Had a shotgun shell pouch full of nitrile gloves a tourniquet and a reflective vest still in it. lol

I've still got zip cuffs in one pocket, and metal detector wand. That's one that can "surprise you finding" something that isn't found on a search up to jail or medical there.

 

[T-Rock]

For tie down points in back seats I just use the tie downs for the child car seats. I figure if they’ll hold a small child they should be good enough for gear. If you wanna get fancy you can attach tie downs to the seat bolts between the seat and the floor. Those are supposed to tie into the frame so fairly sturdy. Just have to drill them out a bit. How much weight are you talking about in the cab right behind your head?

That is a pretty good idea, some 1.5" steel strap bent at a 90 just big enough to fit in the seat leg valley with a hole drilled into the bend to size of the seat bolt and another hole drilled on the end of the strap that would let you hook up straps.

I was thinking about using the bolts from the rear of the front seats to attach a d-ring to strap things down. Steel strap would also work well I bet. This way they are not "in the way" whenever I have passengers but always there to fold seats down and strap in gear and no drilling required.

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