Wagon cargo storage organization

Post by **ZionXIX** » 09 Feb 2018, 05:49

Has anyone ever built a custom storage box for organizing the cargo area in wagons? I have considered building something removable in the future to better organize all the tool and stuff I carry at all times. Looking for some ideas.

Post by **volare** » 09 Feb 2018, 17:20

I have, yeah. First and foremost is the question of do you want it to include back seats down all the time, adjustable for both down and up, or just the rearmost cargo area? I did this with my 1990 Camry wagon back in the day.

Post by **ZionXIX** » 09 Feb 2018, 18:20

volare wrote: ↑09 Feb 2018, 17:20 I have, yeah. First and foremost is the question of do you want it to include back seats down all the time, adjustable for both down and up, or just the rearmost cargo area? I did this with my 1990 Camry wagon back in the day.

I would like to keep the rear seats up and limit the height of the box to say the window sill.

Post by **jtp** » 09 Feb 2018, 18:48

If you’ve got 2K lying around here’s a custom box:
https://www.carid.com/1999-volvo-xc70-o ... 28974.html

A member here uses his wagon for work a lot and has led strips inside the tailgate trim that light up the work area when open. He had some organizational stuff back there too, the lighting is awesome though.

Post by **ZionXIX** » 10 Feb 2018, 04:39

jtp wrote: ↑09 Feb 2018, 18:48 If you’ve got 2K lying around here’s a custom box:
https://www.carid.com/1999-volvo-xc70-o ... 28974.html

A member here uses his wagon for work a lot and has led strips inside the tailgate trim that light up the work area when open. He had some organizational stuff back there too, the lighting is awesome though.

A drop in would be nice and convenient but that's too easy and expensive. I like the idea of built it lighting. I think I'm going for a built in that can be removed without too much hassle. Most likely I will construct it out of plywood and cover it in carpet, hoping to find something that resembles the tan interior so it matches. But we are a long way from any of that. My design/planning phase takes a while.

Post by **volare** » 10 Feb 2018, 12:19

The last one I built, I made the bottom to be able to slide out and extend as a work surface, like the tailgate on a pickup. I may well be building one for this car and I'm definitely doing that again if I do. I'll also make it so that it can be slid back onto the back seats in case I need to get the spare tire out; I don't want to have to try and lift the entire thing out of the car and back in again, especially if it's loaded with tools and such.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 10 Feb 2018, 18:20

Tool bags and duffles. I have some pre-staged
for things I do a lot of and others I put together
in the shop before I go out.

I can use them to pack in short ladders and
other bulkier items and load in and out fast.

Long trips, I throw a couple of straps across
it all with the anchor loops in the corners.

Watch the sales at Sears and you can
get decent tool bags on the cheap!

Post by **jvl** » 11 Feb 2018, 10:27

I have been thinking about adding storage drawers and a simple fold out kitchenette for camping trips. I would like to be able to install or deinstall within 10 minutes and will design it so that it will fit underneath the rolling cover that covers the cargo area.
Will probably get this done sometime the next few months, will post when done.

By the way, I think this is the light setup JTP meant.

Took me two hours and about 25 EUR to install.

Post by **jvl** » 11 Feb 2018, 10:31

volare wrote: ↑10 Feb 2018, 12:19 I'll also make it so that it can be slid back onto the back seats in case I need to get the spare tire out; I don't want to have to try and lift the entire thing out of the car and back in again, especially if it's loaded with tools and such.

That is a great idea! I was thinking about how to deal with the spare when having my 'camping trip drawer unit' in place.

Mind if I borrow your idea

?

Post by **jtp** » 11 Feb 2018, 11:05

jvl wrote: ↑11 Feb 2018, 10:27 I have been thinking about adding storage drawers and a simple fold out kitchenette for camping trips. I would like to be able to install or deinstall within 10 minutes and will design it so that it will fit underneath the rolling cover that covers the cargo area.
Will probably get this done sometime the next few months, will post when done.

By the way, I think this is the light setup JTP meant.

Took me two hours and about 25 EUR to install.

Yep! Thanks jvl. Looking for the other thread you posted that on couldn’t find it anywhere. Don’t you run a dual battery setup with one in the trunk too?