Any Tips, Tricks or Cautions for Vertically Mounting ROAM/Pelican/etc. Cases?

[K9LTW]

I have an Expedition One, dual-swingout bumper on the back of our Power Wagon. In an effort to relocate stuff like recovery gear out of the camper and free up space for other stuff, I'm thinking of mounting a large case (test fitting stuff in a buddy's ROAM 165L) to one of the swingouts vertically. I have a full-size 37" spare there, but I bought a used 35" tire to use as a spare as it's close enough in size and would just ensure it's on the front axle if needed. I can finesse that into the stock location under the bed.

Has anyone done this? In theory, running 4-6 pieces of 1/2" bolts with washers would hold it (assuming I can get the ribs to line up well...or use a backing plate). Realizing this is not how they're intended to be mounted, a concern I have is how well the case will survive vibration and such; specifically the risk of the holes the hardware runs through enlarging. Legit worry...or tilting at windmills?

Of course, as usual, I'm trying to come up with not-insignificant solutions just 4 weeks out from a 4-week trip while my bumper is at the shop getting powder coated. So I can't even truly mock it up in the meantime (not that I'd be drilling holes through a buddy's case).

 

[llamalander]

Closest I've come is mounting a cheap Rigid plastic toolbox on my roof for a few years.
I think using Sikaflex, washers both sides and remembering to tighten things down after 200/500/1000 miles should work. Protected caulking/sealant can last more than 5 years, but maybe not 10 on a vehicle.

 

[jeffgsd]

I just got my exp one dual swing arm bumper installed on my 5th gen ram. Looking to do the same w cargo boxes similar to the Aluminess setup. The sales guys at exp-one said using a large L-bracket to secure the box to the mounts and supporting weight underneath should do the trick. Looking for some more proof tho. Let me know what you come up with and Ill do the same.

 

[Howard70]

I've not done what you suggest, but I have run a Pelican case mounted flat on a rack behind the seat of a Yamaha TW200. If I was looking to mount one vertically without support at the bottom (as mentioned by @jeffgsd) I would cut a piece of 6061 aluminum plate (1/8" minimum or maybe 3/16") to fit inside the case. I'd use six 6mm flat head screws with finishing washers (countersinking the plate would be another option, but possibly not as strong) drilled through the plate, the case and the mount.

Once mounted and in use I'd use something through the locking holes (locks, carabiners, etc) to prevent the the case from coming open on a corrugated track.

While that might work, I'd point out that pelican and most other synthetic cases have great "space overhead" - the available space in side is a disappointing percentage of the overall outside dimensions. Aluminum cases (Zarges, Alu-box, etc.) are more efficient and often lighter per usable cubic foot and a dedicated box like Aluminess makes is often the most efficient. It all depends what you're after.

Howard

 

[HWY395ghost]

UJoint Off Road in NC sells a bumper that has a swing out for a spare tire and a Pelican 1650. Works great.