Storage Box Efficiency
- Thread starter Ryanmb21
- Start date
Herbie
Rendezvous Conspirator
Nice, I like that.
I'm always aware of which of my bins have tapered sides (nesting, great for shipping big stacks of items to the store, bad for maximizing interior volume vs. footprint).
Since so many of us spend so much time being short on space, this seems like an important metric to keep in mind.
I'm always aware of which of my bins have tapered sides (nesting, great for shipping big stacks of items to the store, bad for maximizing interior volume vs. footprint).
Since so many of us spend so much time being short on space, this seems like an important metric to keep in mind.
Very nice. When I was looking for bins for underneath my sleeping platform I specifically went and found straight sided ones for exactly this reason.
This is probably obvious to most, but one comment that isn't directly addressed here is that you need to also look at your vehicle. Getting an "efficient" tote that doesn't use the space you have efficiently is just as bad (or worse) than a less efficient tote that fits better. Unusable outside space is as bad as unusable space due to the shape of the container.
This is probably obvious to most, but one comment that isn't directly addressed here is that you need to also look at your vehicle. Getting an "efficient" tote that doesn't use the space you have efficiently is just as bad (or worse) than a less efficient tote that fits better. Unusable outside space is as bad as unusable space due to the shape of the container.
tarditi
Explorer
Tapered sides seem much more common because stores can nest them during shipping and storage.
This is lousy for those of us that want to put other boxes/drawer sets inside or [gasp] put your container on its side intentionally.
For instance - I was looking all over to source a decent sized plastic/resin box that I could make into a chuckbox, with internal drawers and dividers. Nothing suitable - everything was tapered or designed to stack. Ended up stalking ebay for months and got a Dosko Campmate, but would have liked to spend $200 less for my solution - that's $200 I would have for other gear.
This is lousy for those of us that want to put other boxes/drawer sets inside or [gasp] put your container on its side intentionally.
For instance - I was looking all over to source a decent sized plastic/resin box that I could make into a chuckbox, with internal drawers and dividers. Nothing suitable - everything was tapered or designed to stack. Ended up stalking ebay for months and got a Dosko Campmate, but would have liked to spend $200 less for my solution - that's $200 I would have for other gear.
libarata
Expedition Leader
Would be nice to see a complete table.
I like to slide stuff in between boxes that I require for quick access. The tapered sides are great for load bearing(assuming the lid is worth a snot). Plastic boxes(lighter, thinner ones, not rotomolded) would require considerable vertical ribbing if their sides were not tapered, so as to deny flex. I am very happy with my Plano Sportsman(med), as I can stack a total of six of them in the trunk of my forester if needed. Just remember, buy some space bags and a wee 12v vac to suck your clothing down for even more space
I like to slide stuff in between boxes that I require for quick access. The tapered sides are great for load bearing(assuming the lid is worth a snot). Plastic boxes(lighter, thinner ones, not rotomolded) would require considerable vertical ribbing if their sides were not tapered, so as to deny flex. I am very happy with my Plano Sportsman(med), as I can stack a total of six of them in the trunk of my forester if needed. Just remember, buy some space bags and a wee 12v vac to suck your clothing down for even more space
fishEH
Explorer
It's pretty obvious how they measured for efficiency. Total useable interior volume VS total exterior volume the container will take up. The chart assumes every possible cubic inch inside will be used.
Storage efficiency is something that has always bugged me with most "rugged" containers.
These are some of the most robust and efficient totes I've found, and they're cheap.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-12-Gallon-Commercial-FlipTote-in-Grey-121521-001/203664499
The one downfall is the flaps only interlock, no latch, but there are holes for a lock or something to secure the two flaps together.
Camelfilter
Explorer
Thanks for the link. According to reviews over there HD has changed vendors within the past few years. Folks reviewing submit that the "new" made in America version is flimsy/poor quality. Are you satisfied with the "new" one, or the old one from a Canadian company?
Thanks.
fishEH
Explorer
I just checked and the two I have say "Made in USA" on the bottom. I working in shipping/receiving for a few years and we had totes nearly identical to the HD ones. They seem plenty tough to me and have withstood a few years of abuse no problem.
Those are nice, but they come at a HEFTY price. Nearly 27x more than the HD tote. If I need watertight exterior storage I'm going to go with a Pelican case. But I can't see spending $240 for a single case for interior organizational storage.
Herbie
Rendezvous Conspirator
Those are from a company called "Really Useful Boxes". They're sturdy and well-made, and fairly efficient due to vertical sides (but not perfect due to deep side ribs). Originally made in Europe, there's a factory in Ohio for the US market now:
http://www.reallyusefulproducts.co.uk/usa/html/onlineshop/fullrange_rub.php
I have a couple of these "Really Useful Boxes" and the only issue I have with them is that the lid latch becomes very loose in the closed position after open/closing it a few times....to the point of where the latch doesn't really hold the lid on any longer. A bit disappointing b/c the boxes are very nice use space very efficiently