Packing a Landcruiser??
 

We are off soon to Mali from UK for 7 weeks on a shakedown trip with our Landcruiser - (new to us, but not a new vehicle). Having read a bit about packing the back, we are thinking about using banana boxes - cheap and rattle free?? Any handy hints and tips, please?? We aren't planning to sleep in the back except as a last resort, but want to be able to seat a guide if necessary.

Banana Boxes?
 

Leigh,

Sorry I don't know what "banana boxes" are.

We use rectanguar plastic boxes with flat lids so they stack when required. The boxes we use are about 25 litres and do come in larger and smaller sizes.

The good points about the boxes is they are cheap to buy, you can see what is inside, if something spills it is contained, other things in the truck do not leak into the box, at a pinch can be left out in the rain in an emergency, seem to have quite a reasonable service life of say 5 years at least, but can split or crack if dealt a blow. They are susceptable to discolouration if left in the sun.

Cheers

Maybe banana boxes are a British thing!! Essentially, they are the boxes in which bananas are delivered to stores - large, flattish boxes, made of extra strong card, which stack on top of each other. We had been considering the plastic type you describe but wondered if they would crack or break if bashed and bent a bit. But they have lids whcih would be good and as you say, you can see what's in them!

Boxes for storage
 

We have used a batch of about 6-8 plastic boxes for about six years, travelled tens of thousands of kilometres including the Australian outback, Canning Stock Route and loads of weekends away.

We have only needed to replace one box because of a large crack in the side, although it was still sound and useful. If allowed to be in the sunlight for extended periods the plastic may tend to become discoloured and brittle, so storage away from direct sunlight is wise.