[John Smith_inFL]

Tailored after the Chuck Wagon on cattle drives, the mini-kitchen in a Tear Drop trailer, and just some plastic totes to throw in your vehicle when you wanna just get out and about.
I had one years ago (actually a few, because as needs grow, so does the box). I've been putting together notes from other sources to build another one but still haven't gotten a round tuit.
Basically, it will be a camping support box to hold (most) of everything a person or family would need to be easily moved and set up with just two people. (or one big strong person).
The "build" would require a LOT of thought into weight. Weight in the wood (or aluminum) to build the creature so that once it is filled with all the necessities for the trip that two people can lift it out of the cargo carrier and onto the ground or stand and the stand must be custom made to safely support the box so that it can't be knocked over. (tie-downs are in the plans also).
So, here are some sample photos that I've pulled from different sources. The first photo is my mis-guided attempt as to what I would want in my box. (which changes with the weather). And, remember, the box must fit in the trailer hitch style cargo carrier. Or - if you are a welder, make your own or have a custom model made for you. This is just a thought enticing project - I'm not asking for assistance or anything like that. Maybe it may inspire some new campers to build something for their items and gear to be more organized. (stove, fuel, coffee pot, water is the priority items). A separate box just for food items could certainly be an option to go with it. My vehicles have gone from a pickup truck to a 15 passenger van to a Jeep Wrangler to a GMC Acadia. So my thought process is tailored more towards the hitch cargo carrier.to fit any vehicle. (and remember - WEIGHT - is a primary concern).

 

[John Smith_inFL]

Oh - I've talked about this with my wife on several occasions over the years and she's not fond of going out into the wilderness and pretend like we are homeless nomads . . . On our Pier and Surf forum, there is a really popular member, Tommy Farmer, that has set up his "fishing buggy" that is Top Priority If and when I should ever want to "build" a family get-away vehicle. The front hitch woud be for the cooler, tackle and bait boxes. The rear hitch would be for "my" sissy stuff box in case I wanted to bring some food or personal items to cook with. The inside of the vehicle would be for two sleeping bags only.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the way my life rolls.

 

[Cricket]

So many ideas for this now.

 

[John Smith_inFL]

LOL that's the problem. I made my first one after I first got married back in the early '70s. Just a simple wood box to hold everything. Then, over the years, the box had to fit into my Chevy Blazer 4x4 for beach camping. Then, a small Chevy cargo van, and the boxes continued to grow in size and weight expedentially to our "current" style of camping and vehicle at the time and location.
The next one I make, I'll get all the plastic boxes and pull out the folding party table and just start stacking things up with cardboard separators (shelves).
Not unlike in woodworking where space is at a premium in a small shop and you start organizing all the fasteners, tools, adhesives, etc. to conserve space.
LOL there should be a support group for the "Organizationally Challenged".
Happy Trails !!
www.organizationallychallenged.com - Coming to a website near you soon.

 

[Cricket]

I will show this to my son to see if he can help me with this.

I like this a lot.

 

[John Smith_inFL]

I went to the Box Stores this morning for some things and tried to find 3/8" plywood - it is now called 23/32 Sanded. The really good stuff would be baltic birch at double the price. Just for a camping box, the most cost effective works for me. I've figured out how to make the basic "carcass" with the least amount of effort and minimum of skills will make a short video tomorrow using cardboard. So simple it just boggles my mind - stay tuned.