Building the 'expedition' box - looking for ideas and input

[Winnie]

Good comment about the box that always gives.
Have a look at how well an ozpig fits inside.


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[FNQGU]

That is a handy fit, for sure.

Good one.

[DX grunt]

Hi guys, apologies for no updates recently. Been absent due to declining health and eventual passing of my Dad. Starting to get back on track now though.

We've finalised the design of the first box at 55 litres (578mmx440mmx342mm). We've got a plan to design a series of box sizes now that compete with the Space Cases and Tuff boxes etc. but that actually seal properly, have no metal parts, are designed for the 4wd, camping and quad bike market primarily, but also the marine industry etc. We also want to price these realistically and think we can do this.

Its been a steep learning curve for sure and we have had some fantastic support from the likes of Brad McCarthy from MaxTrax and Michael McMillan from Australian Expedition Vehicles amongst others. Yes, it does have tapered sides and an outside lip but this is necessary for Injection Moulding to work properly. Tapering the sides was a big decision to make, but a vertical sided box with the lip on the outside would also 'waste' that space in between boxes. It's all a compromise. Tapering brought significant cost savings too. Mostly in freight because the boxes will 'nest' when stacked in towers on a pallet or when empty and stacked in the side of the shed at home. We did however keep the taper absolutely minimised and put a step in it for strength and to keep the sides as vertical as possible but still smooth for easy wiping out.

The lids come off and will also stack nicely on top of each other. The box is also lockable with three different size padlocks in two places.

PastedGraphic-16 by Ben Kincade,

PastedGraphic-15 by Ben Kincade,

PastedGraphic-18 by Ben Kincade,

The grip area on the ends of the box has been loaded with ribs to prevent fingers jamming and also to add strength to the lip.

You can also see the tie-down points on each corner. These are for turn-buckles or ropes. They are 12mm wide, reinforced and rounded off so ropes won't wear on square edges. Using these points means you can access the box contents without having to undo ratchet straps, another reason for the lip on the outside.

The lid profile also retains ratchet straps in place in the grooves, as well as facilitates stacking of other boxes so they won't move around.

If anyone has any further suggestions I am all ears. We are getting really keen to bust out a prototype and test it all.

I'd love to see a box made into a fishing box. It should last forever. Saw the lift out tray and immediately thought of a fishing box.

In WA it's law to wear life jackets in some areas whilst rock fishing and I believe voluntary to tie off to tie down points, which I do.
One of your boxes is dedicated to a life jacket, rated rope, and other stuff.

If you can design a fishing box, I'd buy one, for sure.

I love the 8 that I purchased during your initial order. Bargin!

Well done, keep up the fantastic work, and "Thank you"

[MB]

Bloody useless things, tucker is always safe & well but they do need ankle cushions designed in atop for us softy’s out there :-)





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[DX grunt]

Bloody useless things, tucker is always safe & well but they do need ankle cushions designed in atop for us softy’s out there :-)





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@MB Stop walking around in bare feet. You need softer heals, so don't forget to moisturise. lol

[FNQGU]

We are thinking about another size now too. Have had a fair few calls requesting both larger and smaller versions. Trays that fit inside was another one.

@DX grunt - there are some lure boxes that fit nicely in the boxes standing up on their sides. Can't remember now who was doing that with them, but they managed to fit about five or six across.

[MB]

Great to hear they’re progressing well Ben Mate, we all absolutely love our first editions for sure, thanking you!
As mentioned way back, used to buy 900mm long space case thingymebobs and now find your standard as is current size 600mm ish with its near vertical walls and flat floor and raised lid inner fit tucker especially better than others out there over 50% larger and most awkwardly heavy to carry.
If there were to be any available future models in the works I’d personally be keen on the exact same size footprint with maybe a half size height.
Theory I guess from current usage would be that heavy canned type tucker items could be halved in carry weight over two Expedition Boxes that stacked equal the same neighbouring original height boxes beside if that makes sense?
Slimline versions I’m thinking could also sell well for atop of roof racks and under false cargo floors or the like, hopefully could be achieved from the same mold temporarily blanked on runs somehow maybe?




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[Plasnart]

Great to hear they’re progressing well Ben Mate, we all absolutely love our first editions for sure, thanking you!
As mentioned way back, used to buy 900mm long space case thingymebobs and now find your standard as is current size 600mm ish with its near vertical walls and flat floor and raised lid inner fit tucker especially better than others out there over 50% larger and most awkwardly heavy to carry.
If there were to be any available future models in the works I’d personally be keen on the exact same size footprint with maybe a half size height.
Theory I guess from current usage would be that heavy canned type tucker items could be halved in carry weight over two Expedition Boxes that stacked equal the same neighbouring original height boxes beside if that makes sense?
Slimline versions I’m thinking could also sell well for atop of roof racks and under false cargo floors or the like, hopefully could be achieved from the same mold temporarily blanked on runs somehow maybe?




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Yes I'd be keen on a slimline version too. I have approx 300mm space between the top of my drawers and the top of the rear door opening. I carry plastic containers of utensils, cooking equipment etc when camping on top of the drawers. The lids are flimsy, cracked and broken but I still use them. Your original version was too tall for the space I've got so I couldn't go through with a purchase. But I'd be up for a couple of max 300mm top-to-bottom versions.

[FNQGU]

Cheers guys. Playing with designs so that a slim line would still lock onto the lids of the larger boxes in the same way they do now. Same lid features and tie down points and same flat smooth interior. It will probably come in around 32 litres instead of 55 litres.

Still thinking through it.

[Cremulator]

Cheers guys. Playing with designs so that a slim line would still lock onto the lids of the larger boxes in the same way they do now. Same lid features and tie down points and same flat smooth interior. It will probably come in around 32 litres instead of 55 litres.

Still thinking through it.

I like @MB's suggestion, a slimline height option would be great. Something that fits into the existing 55L when empty but uses the same lid would be very useful.
134_Box_Height_Options.jpg