Storage box/tote for car…what works

[Kyrabee]

I just moved my horse to a different barn and there just is not as much storage for all my junk.
I would like to have a box or some kind of contained storage for the car (RAV4 SUV). That way I can whisk the whole lot out of the car in one fell swoop if I need the back seat for something.
I don’t really care if it is lidded just that I can grab it easily for in-and-out. Things I was thinking about keeping in there…my surcingle, my first aid kit, my boots, the horses boots (usually only used in the spring/summer). Gosh…you all know what kind of stuff. Anything .

What do you all use?

TIA. Susan

[clanter]

for stuff like that I often use trays that are surplus from a grocery store since if soiled it was not a big deal to just put them into the recycle bin …cost is zero

[JB]

Those cardboard boxes can be great, some of them are pretty good sized

A basic rubbermaid tote works

Something like this is also handy, especially if things get a little heavy - not so heavy you can’t get it in/out of the car, but maybe not something you want to carry across a parking lot
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Build-Out-22-in-Modular-Tool-Storage-Rolling-Tool-Box-22844/322630780

[Xanthoria]

Likely not big enough for your stuff OP but if someone needs to store a saddle on top and a few other things inside, I find an Igloo cooler like this works great. I keep my first aid kit in one.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/IGLOO-Playmate-Elite-Ultra-16-Qt-Comfort-Grip-Cooler-00032459/307782230

[ClassyJumper]

I love those ll bean boat totes. I just have the open top ones but I think they have zipper top ones now too.

[luvmyhackney]

I use one of the big tuff stuff buckets for carrying my stuff in my car. No barn locker and it holds most things.

[Kyrabee]

Thanks all. Keep the ideas coming. Already have 3 of the smaller under bed storage boxes. One or two of those would probably work but they aren’t very deep…but I already have them . I had forgotten about them…they are under the bed.

[OverandOnward]

I am the queen of hauling my whole life around in the car/truck – well, hauling around my day, anyway. For decades. Drive distances daily. Multiple changes of clothing and footwear. Saddle or two. Backpack of helmet & riding stuff. Food. Drink. Etc.

Plain old Walmart plastic crate totes are very conveniently sized. You can line up several, or just a few.

Tall narrow tubs with lids also fit well. I have one (without the lid) on the floor between the passenger seat and the dash. Mini-crates in the bottom and a car-carrier on top of those make it multi-tiered for items I use throughout the day. Easy to live life in the driver’s seat. Of my car, I mean.

IMO keep in mind the height of the container you need, to keep things from spilling out if you suddenly must brake heavily. Rarely, the setup in the front or back seat will have a sudden slide forward. They may even tip over toward the floor, against the back seat. But everything in the crate stays in the crate, so it’s still just as accessible. Also none of it slides over into my driver’s area.

Containers of liquids - thermos & so forth - also need taller sides on a container, as they tend to fall heavily and with little provocation.

Aside from the rigid containers that hold it together in the back seat or back trunk/storage area, I believe in backpacks (Walmart/Target ones are fine) to gather everything by purpose. Everything for riding, everything for another activity. And a separate scheme for winter and rain wear.

I am rarely caught out without what I need. It has been too miserable when that happens, so I’ve become good at being sure.

Car is out for repair, or I would grab a photo of my crates loaded with horse stuff that goes back and forth between two barns.

I have a major post out in the COTH world somewhere with my entire work-barn-totallife-in-the-car scheme. One or two or three years ago? Not sure it’s findable now.

One more note – I tend to have multiple big projects and life directions going on simoultaneously. So, lots of different stuff for each, because they don’t overlap. If you keep life more simple than I do, carrying necessities with you will become less complicated, too.

[OverandOnward]

In person: Check out ‘storage’ at Office Depot, Lowes/Home Depot, Target, Walmart, etc., and … Big Lots! The discount everything stores have some great surprises, sometimes.

Internet search: “car carrier tote organizer” for tons of options like this, made specifically for cars. In all sizes from small front seat to large trunk …

Handy-dandy plastic crates, Walmart and Target both have a range. Broad range of sizes.

Search “plastic tub bins container” – many options

And so on … and on … There is a lot out there!

[outerbanks77]

You can put a box in the shed too. I have a footlocker in there but need to transfer the contents now that I have a trunk. I am the barn space hog.

[Equestrian24]

I bought some of those plastic totes at Wal-Mart for this. They have them in all depths and sizes. I like the shallow, wider ones to stack or slide under the bed at home, and I have several deeper and narrower ones for storing and transporting tack.

[Kyrabee]

I have a couple crates! I might get something going with the junk I already have! That would be nice. Reuse and recycle . My friend that boards at the same barn moved to the main barn and has a foot locker I can use so that might cut down on the car crap.

It will come together quickly. Now I have to go to my trailer and get my whip. I had my first ride at the new barn. The footing is wet and heavy which she is not used to so it was kind of a kick ride. One reason I changed barns. The old barn’s footing had gotten very hard. I had to get her hocks injected this summer and just didn’t want to pound them anymore. However I have to get her legged up to the deeper footing. It isn’t too deep just way deeper than the 1/2-1 inch at the old barn.

[colorfan]

When I boarded steady I used a large rubbermaid tote for all the ‘stuff’. Plus I bought a saddle bag with a zipper and handle, it had pockets and extra space so I put my riding gloves, bridle and saddle pad in. That way I could sling the bag over my shoulder, like a very large purse, so if I needed to clean out the truck I could do it in one trip.

[Bluey]

The boxes with wheels tend to be bulky themselves…
For those boxes without wheels, keep one of those foldable light dolly around in the car, don’t really use any room folded, fit most anywhere and makes carting boxes, several piled on each other, bungied if necessary, so much easier.
This way you can use more than one box also, for different supplies, that insulated box on top and the saddle perched on it, carrying it all in one trip:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Karl-home-165-lbs-Capacity-Aluminium-Folding-Dolly-Push-Hand-Truck-in-Purple-943259359775/316261781?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&srsltid=AfmBOopZ7bVwrk-fPSB2oYI1P5Hal9LkZPo9A_4LFn1bG3MYc5ziASPeHLo

[Kyrabee]

Yes I have one of those but the drive way is small river rock gravel so it may not work too good with the small wheels. I do have some bags that are big enough to carry several things.

We do have a tack room to use but pretty much only room for saddles, bridles and helmets so I won’t have to carry my saddle. Just ancillary stuff…her hoof boots, my trimming stuff (doesn’t have to stay in the car full time) heavier duty first aid stuff just in case, clippers, surcingle,etc. the stalls have two covered storage areas in the front of each stall but they are narrow so not a lot of stuff will fit. I ordered a new little bucket for my brushes that is narrow. I keep a rasp and knife in my tool caddy that fits in the storage in front of her stall for quick corrections/fixes.