Sturdy, rugged tool cases, anyone got some or know where to get some?

[Specialone]

Im planning on getting some either plastic tool cases or aluminium boxes to mount on my drz when i go camping.

Ive looked at loads from links from another forum but they arent really what im after.

Thought id post as you never know, somebody might have some in their garage they wanna sell or something.

Btw, no crap about make up cases or suchlike :smt097

[Souldude]

Peli make some good cases waterproof and tough. Photographers and service engineers use them. Not cheap though. Amazon has a selection to browse through.

[tigersaw]

+1 peli cases.
Use them for test equipment and the like.
Also useful to stand on and use as a saw bench

[yorkie_chris]

Ammo boxes?

[Specialone]

I have looked at the peli cases, they are a possibility.

Ammo cases would look cool as but I think they would be too small and heavy with it.

[Mr Speirs]

Just so you are aware phil. Maplins do a line of Pelicases. Whilst they are branded Maplins they are actually made by peli. We have an abundance of them at work and they work very well. I shove a hefty amount of rigging and metal work in them and haven't have one break yet. They come with a good load of foam to support whatever you put in them although this is also removable.

I believe when we bought them they were going for about £45 which is great value for a pelicase. And they are a perfect size to shove on the side of a bike.

[Specialone]

Cheers Chris, I did see them but discounted them thinking they are from maplins and they can't be any good.

They look the part as well, I've had a pm off a guy on another forum offering me two small givi panniers for £60 so I'm waiting for a pic of them.

[Mr Speirs]

Na they are actually really good. I was suprised.

When the boss walked in with them saying they were from maplins I sniggered at him (he's always buying cheap **** thinking it's the best) but this time he was actually right.

[MattCollins]

When I saw the title my first thought was a tool box that'll cop anything... http://www.justtools.com.au/prod4882.htm

Pelican cases are a good choice for hard cases... but I wouldn't for a DRZ. It is IMO too much on a light bike and a light sub-frame.

The Pelican cases often used as panniers are the 1520 or the slightly larger 1550
http://pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1520
http://pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1550

For camping I'd suggest throw over saddlebags + simple stand-offs for the saddlebags, rear rack maybe with a duffel bag and a tank bag for stuff like wallet and camera.
If you have to carry gear that must be protected (eg laptop and dSLR) then bolt a pelican onto the rear rack.

http://www.happy-trail.com/Departments/Make-Model-Specific/Suzuki/DRZ400SSM.aspx
Never mind the systems that carry aluminium cases on this page. It is not what I have in mind and I've seen these types of racks break DRZ sub-frames... mostly behind the rear triangle, but heavy and rigid loads can also crack the frame at both upper and lower sub-frame attach points. The rear peg mounting points are also not a good place to attach a heavily loaded rack. The weight all of the way to the back also affects the bikes handling. Saddlebags can be carried as far forward practical.

I'd suggest this: http://www.happy-trail.com/Suzuki-DRZ400S/OSR-Original%20Side-Racks-DRZ400S.aspx
Or this: http://www.happy-trail.com/DRZ400S/SL-Side-Rack-DRZ400S.aspx Preferred.
With rear rack: http://www.happy-trail.com/DRZ400S-KLX400S/Tail-Rack.aspx
Or another: http://www.bboffroad.com.au/drz_400.htm Nice.

These saddlebags are a good size for the DRZ: http://www.steelpony.com.au/murchison%20panniers.htm You might consider them kinda pricey.
I use these: http://www.steelpony.com.au/gascoyne_panniers.htm They are huge and if it doesn't fit I don't need it.
I have one of these too although I don't often use it: http://www.steelpony.com.au/googs_gear_bag.htm
These are pretty good and priced a little better than the SP gear: http://www.wolfmanluggage.com/Expedition/expd_dry_saddle_bags.html Have a look at the rest of the range including the stand-offs for the DRZ.
My tank bag: http://www.wolfmanluggage.com/Expedition/sm_expedition_tank_bag.html

For my last couple of trips I have used one of these: http://www.lowealpine.com/eng/prod_app_det.php?catid=11&itemid=323&type=man
along with a 10L tail pack for tools, spares and stove: http://www.kriega.com.au/bikepacks

Good luck.

[yorkie_chris]

If you want soft luggage some of best ones I have seen are the Akona dry bags, theboatman sells them on his site.

Out of stock at moment I think but it is the one with picture on "dry bags" section here
http://www.hydrapro.co.uk/bags-boxes-c-32.html

Very tough looking material and waterproof closure etc. Would rather have a couple of those and a load of bungies than any fancy kriega bollox as panniers and tail pack any day!

[Paul the 6th]

+1 on what speirs said, I bought a few of these for when I started freelancing on conferences & events for all my connectors & bits & tools http://www.maplin.co.uk/high-impact-case-large-228650

http://images.maplin.co.uk/300/n14gr.jpg