Pelican Cases on Roof Rack

blueboy

Well-known member
The main reason I like a Pelican case is so that I can put it on the roof if the interior of the truck is full.
Which for us is always the situation as the back seat area is for the 2 Labs - one up and one down usually.
The nice thing about the RRC is the tailgate. I usually just lift the case to the tailgate and then up to the rack sliding it forward to its spot.
Guess I’ve just used Pelis for so long around the world can’t switch now.
 

mitherial

Well-known member
Does anyone have thoughts on the comparative merits of Alubox vs. Zarges aluminium boxes?
Zarges has definitely been around longer, but for purely aesthetic reasons I do not care for the blue plastic corner protectors that seems to be standard now (though the grey versions pictured earlier in this thread are quite satisfactory). On the other hand, the Aluboxes always seem to be out of stock at Equipt1.com.

I read an Overland Journal article comparing these kinds of boxes (including the Front Runner Wolfs etc.--though I still have a mild grudge against FR-USA for sending me a rear slide 3" too wide for my Ninety--and not the model # I ordered)--but I don't remember the overall conclusion.
 

jon

Active member
I bought an Alubox on short notice when a Zarges case I needed had a long lead time - Alubox craftsmanship is inferior. The inside of my Alubox case had a Silicon type glue/beading dripping from all the corners. The latch handles are not sanded down so I got a nice 3” gash upon flipping it open. Total garbage. And they’re not cheap which is even more insulting. Being out of stock at equipt probably has more to do with Aluboxes poor distribution to the states as opposed to market demand.

Best to just bite the bullet and buy the original. Zarges all the way. The blue latches are the medium duty K440 line. The ones above with the natural aluminum latches and corners are the K470 line, the classic version. If I ever get back to my apartment in NYC I can do a side by pic comparison of the two brands - you’ll be able to see what I’m talking about.
 

El Pinchi

Well-known member
Ive only heard great things about the quality of Zarges from my friends that have them and shit and regret for the ones that bought the Alubox. Alubox is almost the same price but quality and craftsmanship is definitely not even close!
 

Uncle Douglas

Well-known member
Callsign: delete
I used to put Hardigg cases on the roof ( military,new unused from Uncle Sugar's trash can/auction site).
Even being tall they were a bitch to get down loaded. If you go large enough thats going to be an issue with anything on a rack.

I dont use anything like Jon does-ie daily but have 4 fairly large Hardiggs, 4 2400 Storms, and 2 of the top end Zarges and would agree I like the Zarges best but dont think they could take the abuse a Storm can. Building a shelf spanning the rear wheel wells of the 90 and figure I can get 4 storms underneath. Need to do vehicle dependent while in Colorado and Utah next month. But dont want weight on the rack while doing technical stuff @ Moab. Currently have a Zarges box in the back of the 90 and a Engle on the fenderwell ratchet strapped to the capping. The Zarges isnt full so everything inside gets airborne and roughly treated. Love to see how others pack arrange things. Personally prefer smaller compartmentalized approach to big box, take everything out to get to what you need, hard to keep things clean and dry that way.
 
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UnfrozenCaveman

Well-known member
My Zarges boxes are a great size ... until they're filled up, then they're blasted heavy. They're great at keeping dust & water out. I got them second hand and had to repair the rivets on one hinge ... so far so good. And no, they're not an appropriate roof rack size
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UnfrozenCaveman

Well-known member
Mine came from a d-source advert ... a guy in FL had a bunch for sale ... but that was several years ago :(

... oh, and shipping was ridiculous...big empty box of air!
 

blueboy

Well-known member
But dont want weight on the rack while doing technical stuff @ Moab.
This is really the criteria for what you put on top. All the cases have advantages and disadvantages yet the weight on top has consequences.
What though is very cool is that the Rangie has a rack and it has carried a Peli flock many places. 😁
 
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