Roof boxes- harbor freight vs pelican

[Durangatan]

If you have something that you really value - go with a known brand like Pelican.

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[Yeti-X]

I have two of the apache 3800's and they have been great I keep all my milwaukee tools in them as well as my inverter and charger. I also have had no issues with the latches and these cases have been everywhere on the farm and in the woods

 

[CarGuy]

I use Boyt cases for precious cargo, but have a few Apache cases for in-house storge. I would never use either case on top of a car, unless in a Thule cargo box or similar.

 

[Gluestick]

I went a different direction and went bonkers with Roam cases on top of my 4dr. This is two 128l and one 95l roam cases, with two front runner boxes in front of them and two more on the AAL spare tire platform. We had all the gear we could have needed for four people camping for a week in Shenandoah last week:

 

[Dusmw]

I went a different direction and went bonkers with Roam cases on top of my 4dr. This is two 128l and one 95l roam cases, with two front runner boxes in front of them and two more on the AAL spare tire platform. We had all the gear we could have needed for four people camping for a week in Shenandoah last week:

Any idea how much weight you had in the rooftop boxes?
My BL SAS has 982lbs of payload capacity. With recovery gear, FAK, off road Jack, food & water, scatter gun, luggage, and two adults were at capacity. Frustrating that 4 adults and gear is a no go! My F250 is what we go in if more than 2 people….. BORING!

 

[Gluestick]

I didn’t have a measured weight but it was a lot everywhere - inside, up top, etc. I was toting gear for two adults and two small children. But yeah: moving to a truck or bringing two vehicles will be required when these youngsters become full size.

 

[Doc TOC]

You are asking for advice without providing information.
Is this for off-roading? overlanding? beach camping? just because you want something to handle everything? Are you trying to feel good about your purchase?

I have used polypropylene, polycarbonate, and fiberglass cases (Anvil, Bushmaster, Pelican, Apache, Condition1, ...) over the years for some expensive field equipment I use. I have found the case material is the least important component - they all perform pretty much the same - unless you have a mil-spec need. The lid seal, the interior foam, the latch metal, and interior "cushion" volume is what I found are the features that matter.

I bought 4 HF Apache 4800's on sale last year for $45 each. Replaced the seals with silicone rubber and the interior with a tri-foam I made. I bent some stainless steel rod to replace the plated steel HF uses. Taped an airtag inside each one. Cost me an additional $28 apiece. Still cheaper than a Pelican or Anvil case, but significantly better. Dropped one about 180 feet down a hillside. Scuffed up some, but otherwise everything was fine.

Your value proposition just depends on what you want to pay and what you use it for. We all have different ways of getting there.

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