Date:         Sat, 2 Oct 2004 10:44:54 -0700
Reply-To:     "Tom L. Salicos" <TomSalicos@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Tom L. Salicos" <TomSalicos@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Recommended Luggage Rack Bin
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Prior to last summer I was keeping lots of cooking-related things under the Westy's rear seat.  Then I realized that we usually know in advance if we are going to campfire cook, so I wanted to consolidate everything into a plastic bin that I could toss up into the luggage rack when appropriate.

I found a low profile clear plastic bin for $14.00 at a retailer called "Storables".  Designed for storing extra belongings underneath beds, it measures 36" X 18" X 6" deep.  The hinged top opens from either side.  

Minor drawbacks are:
1)  The lid and body material may not fare well in direct sunlight.
2)  The lids are not watertight.

I cover it with a tarp, so these are not issues for me.

At the campsite, I can pull it down and shove it under the van for easy access to my cooking apparati.  I think it will also pay off on road trips as a convenient way to carry extra clothing while not disturbing the sleek, raindrop-like aerodynamics of the van.

Storables has a web site: (www.Storables.com).  

Tom Salicos
'87 Syncro Westy
"He who dies with the most toys moves me up one notch."