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Ammo Boxes
Has anyone used metal ammo boxes for panniers? If so how did they work? I know they are water proof and durable, but not made for motorbikes.BTW I'm not looking to travel the world, just 2-3 week trips at most. If I make it to Europe next year(pray for me) I will rent a bike.
------------------ John |
I haven't used them myself on a bike, but i briefly met someone who does while passing through Egypt. He was very happy with them. He said the only problem is that they weren't as water / dust proof as they were supposed to be, but maybe that was because he ones he had where pretty banged up. I've used them personally in my Jeep and they did the Job fine. They don't look as slick as alu boxes but they don't cost as much either.
------------------ A.B. OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara. ShortWheelbase.com – Jeep preparations. |
Try Merimite food containers instead. Made of aluminum and weigh less. Email me for pictures.
John |
60 mm mortar cans as panniers
I use army surplus 60mm mortar ammo cans. They look like tall 50 caliber cans, and are narrow enough not to be too hard to mount. The lids are removable, and watertight. I made a rack out of half inch square tubing, and mounted the left side on a hinged platform to allow me to move it out of the way so I can open the hinged seat on my old gs. They cost about 25$, are light sheet steel, strong , and when you remove the folding handle on top of the lid you have two welded loops that work beautifylly as tie downs. Cheap enough to sacrifice when the bike falls over, and cushions the fall.Don't asl me how I know...
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I used 7.62mm SAA boxes as external stowage on the sidecar. Good points is that they are cheap and strong. The bad bit is that they aren't waterproof, they are heavy and weren't designed to be used long term. Mine are now used as storage in the garage as they rust and the hinges start to fail through vibration. Unless you are really on a budget I'd say to look at the various aluminium boxes that are about. Even if you only get one ally box for your camera etc. and go with soft luggage for the rest, I think you'll be happier.
Andy |
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Small ammo boxes for tools with the words painted out to avoid unwanted attention.
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mortar boxes
I concur with one of the above replies, 60mm mortar ammo boxes are pretty good sized but have to disagree with another by saying they ARE designed for long term use due to the fact that ammunition is often banged about and stored in shitty areas, being ex military I know! Although they do rust and are unforgiving when need to be beaten back to shape after a spill. If you want budget boxes then they're pretty good but you have to have some pretty good mounts and supporting brackets as they will fail in time without! They will make locals in some war torn countries look twice at your kit as even if they're painted over they are still recognisable from a distance!
Have fun with them! |
save money?
Sorry, but just as a follow through on my last reply. The cost and availability on decent panniers, ie, MM's or TT's when they are busted to the availability of replacement ammo boxes could outweight the cost of aluminium boxes 3 to 4 times over!
I, in the meantime went for Touratechs (TT's) and they were a ball ache to fit the frames and had GERMAN instructions! TT never replied when I asked for ENGLISH instructions! Deustch buggers! Sorted it finally with the help from my girlfriend who embarrassed me loads!! Actually she should be the one replying to this!! Just as a thought! |
I used an old amo box as a pannier, it was silly heavy so I drilled lots of holes in it first, it held up well but for the next trip we made up alu panniers which worked just as well and were much lighter.
Im sure MM are ace but they also cost a mint too. So try out some cheaper alternatives there has been lots of threads on various cheaper options including some plastic cases. |
The 20mm ammo cans are 20 pounds think the TT are 12.
here is someones mounting of ammo cans V-Strom Forum - Ammo Can Pannier Project some cheap boxes KLR650.com - Aluminum Boxes Some good homemade ones V-Strom Forum - Homemade Panniers......Finally Done! a nice alternative to them all (bit pricey) www.cariboucases.com - World's Toughest Motorcycle Luggage uses pelican boxes |
Ammo can mounting tips
One of the reasons I chose 60 mm cans is that they are relatively narrow and tall. This means the thin gauge sheet metal they are made of is not being stressed too much because they are supported directly underneth with a half inch square tube base, instead of being cantilevered, if I can call it that. They are sitting vertical, with no leverage away from the bike, which would eventually tear through the metal.Because they are narrow, the weight sits close to the bike. No worries about cornering clearance, or the huge wide set up needed for the 20mm boxes. I bolt them through the sides and into the frame using one eighth inch by one inch aluminum strips which are epoxied in place inside the box, again to strengthen the thin sheet steel so it can't tear through. The bolt holes are sealed with marine silicone, and rubber washers cut from old inner tube. Never any trouble this way. I run the bolts through rubber bushings made of half inch sections of old fuel hose between the outside of the box and the frame, and this cuts vibration a bit and cushions the side of the box from the frame, which also adds to its strength. Torquing the bolts compresses the rubber a bit, which keeps the bolts from unwinding themselves like bolts do. I tie the two sides together with a horseshoe shaped piece of square tube around the back of the bike,which allows a mud flap mount in conjunction with the license plate frame.Very strong and light, and no welding needed. An advantage if repairs are needed after a fall.
The other advantage is being narrow, they tuck in the airflow of the bike. I don't even get bugs on the front of the boxes, and no whistling at speed.:mchappy: The half inch square tube frame bolts under the passenger foot peg, and this extension makes a good base for mounting spare fuel cans, outside and on the front of the pannier, so things don't stink of fuel or require unloading the pannier to top up the tank. |
Hi 78Suz,
do you have photos of your setup? |
I have one which is not enough big at home and it is made from steel and far heavy.
If you can find a large enough one, it will be heavy. You would not want to use it as you can have some other stıff inside that panniers instead of its own weight itself :thumbup1: Anyhow, if the money is important subject for this case... :offtopic:Give it a try... And please share the result with us. |
Blasted UK ammo boxes are the wrong dimensions, either not deep enough 50mm, too skinny 30mm or side loading not top loading...
Considering buying 4 of these NATO stackable boxes then cutting the bottoms out of two and welding them ontop of a box to give me a 17L x 8W x 14H Pannier, lockable and waterproof. Strong Green Ammo boxes from Surplus and Outdoors / Jerry Cans, Ammo Boxes Going to try to make a plan but these deffinetly fit into my ideaology of what I am looking for price wise. I still really like the idea of the Pelicases and will be getting one as a top box for the camera gear. Thanks for the tips. G |
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If I felt I needed the instructions, and then had to get my girlfriend to bail me out I would probably keep it under my hat! lol I have seen some great panniers made out of jerry cans - look like jerry cans from a distance, look like shit up close, just what you want for overlanding! |
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