7 Best Durable Storage Containers for RV Beach Gear That Nomads Swear By
Keep your RV beach gear organized and protected. This guide reviews 7 durable, nomad-tested storage containers designed to withstand sand, salt, and sun.
You pull up to a beautiful, windswept beach, ready to unwind. But first, you have to excavate the gear from your RV’s storage bay—a chaotic jumble of sandy chairs, a damp umbrella, and sticky boogie boards. By the time you’re set up, your hands are gritty and the floor of your rig is covered in sand, defeating the whole purpose of a relaxing day. Proper storage for your beach equipment isn’t just about tidiness; it’s about protecting your gear, your RV, and your sanity.
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Choosing Your RV Beach Gear Storage Solution
Finding the right container is about more than just finding a box that fits. It’s a strategic choice that impacts your daily life on the road. You’re not just storing chairs; you’re managing sand, saltwater, and moisture in a very small space.
The three biggest factors are weatherproofing, durability, and stackability. Will the container live on an exterior cargo rack, exposed to rain and road grime? It needs a waterproof seal. Will it get tossed around in a pass-through bay? It needs to be tough enough to handle bumps without cracking. Most importantly, how efficiently does it use the precious, finite space you have?
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need the most expensive, bombproof case for everything. A cheap bin might be perfect for sandy toys you store inside a bay, while a high-end waterproof case is essential for the metal components of your camp chairs that will live on a rear bumper rack. The goal is to match the container to the gear and its location.
Pelican Cargo Case: Ultimate Waterproof Protection
Protect and organize your gear with the durable Pelican Cargo Case. This weather-resistant storage box features heavy-duty handles and tie-down plates for secure mounting in your truck bed or on a roof rack.
When you absolutely cannot afford for something to get wet, you get a Pelican. These cases are the gold standard for waterproof and crushproof protection, trusted by photographers, the military, and seasoned nomads who carry sensitive equipment. With a proper gasket seal and pressure relief valve, they can handle a sideways monsoon on the highway or a drop into a puddle without letting in a single drop.
Think beyond just electronics. Saltwater is incredibly corrosive. A Pelican case is the perfect place to store expensive fishing reels, metal tent poles for a beach canopy, or even just your nice, dry towels and a change of clothes. You’re not just paying for a box; you’re paying for the certainty that its contents will be in the exact same condition you left them, no matter what happens outside.
Of course, this level of protection comes at a premium price. A Pelican case is an investment, and it’s overkill for a bucket and spade. But if you’re storing anything that would be costly or difficult to replace on the road, the peace of mind is often worth every penny.
Plano Sportsman’s Trunk: A Nomad’s Favorite
Walk through any RV park or boondocking spot, and you will see Plano trunks. They are ubiquitous in the nomad community for a simple reason: they offer an incredible balance of durability, utility, and affordability. They are the workhorse of the RV world.
These trunks are lightweight but surprisingly tough, with molded grooves that make them easy to stack securely. Integrated tie-down points on the sides are perfect for strapping them to a cargo rack or securing them inside a toy hauler. While they aren’t fully waterproof like a Pelican, they are highly water-resistant and will keep your gear dry in all but the most torrential downpour.
The Plano is the ideal solution for the bulky, awkward stuff. It easily swallows up camp chairs, leveling blocks, beach umbrellas, and kids’ toys. They keep the sand and mess contained, they’re easy to hose out, and if one finally cracks after years of abuse, replacing it won’t break the bank. For 80% of beach gear storage needs, a Plano trunk is the right answer.
Rubbermaid ActionPacker: The All-Weather Classic
This durable, dent- and weather-resistant 8-gallon ActionPacker storage box secures your gear with tough, lockable latches. It nests for compact storage and stacks securely, perfect for tools, camping gear, or decorations.
The ActionPacker is a name that’s been trusted for decades, and its reputation is well-earned. These containers are famously tough, made from a thick, weather-resistant plastic that feels practically indestructible. You can stand on it, drop it, and leave it out in the sun for years, and it will just keep going.
What sets the ActionPacker apart from many other general-purpose totes is its robust, lockable latching system. This makes it a great choice for storing items on an exterior cargo rack or in the bed of a truck where a little extra security is welcome. The lid has a double-walled construction that adds significant rigidity and helps it shed water effectively.
Compared to a Plano trunk, the ActionPacker often feels a bit more substantial and has a more secure closure. However, they don’t have the same interlocking design for stacking, which can be a downside in a tight RV bay. Think of it as the go-to for single-box solutions where extreme durability is the top priority.
YETI LoadOut GoBox: Dustproof and Submersible
Protect your gear with the YETI LoadOut GoBox 30. This waterproof and impact-resistant cargo case features a removable tray for organization and a stackable design for easy storage.
YETI brought its "buy it once, cry once" philosophy from coolers to storage, and the LoadOut GoBox is the result. This thing is an absolute fortress. It’s 100% dustproof, fully submersible, and built to withstand just about any abuse you can throw at it. It’s less of a simple tote and more of a portable gear locker.
The GoBox shines in its organization and grab-and-go functionality. It comes standard with a caddy, a divider, and a zippered pouch system in the lid, making it perfect for creating a dedicated "beach kit." You can load it with your essentials—sunscreen, a portable speaker, first aid, snacks, and a book—and know everything is protected and exactly where you left it.
This is not the box you buy for your sandy folding chairs. The price and smaller size make it impractical for bulk storage. Instead, the GoBox is for your high-value, frequently used beach essentials. It’s the piece of gear that ensures a day at the beach starts with grabbing one box, not hunting through three different bins.
ROAM Adventure Co. Case: Premium Overland Choice
Protect your gear with the ROAM Adventure Co 105L Rugged Case. Constructed from durable LLPDE with steel hinges and a waterproof seal, it offers superior impact and puncture resistance for any adventure.
ROAM cases sit in a sweet spot between utilitarian storage and high-end expedition equipment. Born from the overlanding world, they are designed to live on the outside of a vehicle and look good doing it. Their rugged, rotomolded construction is a significant step up in durability from a standard tote.
Key features make these cases stand out for RV life. They have a proper dust and waterproof rubber gasket, steel lockable latches, and gas struts that hold the lid open—a small but incredibly useful feature when you’re trying to load gear with both hands. The design is clean, with channels for tie-down straps that don’t interfere with opening the lid.
Consider a ROAM case when you want something tougher and more weatherproof than a Plano or Rubbermaid but don’t need the submersible rating (or the price tag) of a Pelican or YETI. It’s a premium, durable choice that provides excellent protection for gear stored on a rear cargo carrier or roof rack.
Front Runner Wolf Pack Pro for Modular Stacking
Durable, impact-resistant Wolf Pack Pro boxes securely stack for maximum storage. Water and dust resistant with aluminum latches, they're ideal for moving, camping, or any adventure. Integrated grips ensure easy transport.
For the RVer obsessed with spatial efficiency, the Front Runner Wolf Pack Pro is the ultimate solution. This system isn’t just about a single box; it’s about how multiple boxes work together. They are designed from the ground up to be a modular, interlocking storage system.
The magic of the Wolf Pack Pro is its perfectly vertical, secure stacking. The new "Pro" version features stronger latches and an IP66 rating, meaning it’s dust-tight and protected against powerful jets of water. You can create a solid, stable wall of storage in a pass-through bay that won’t shift or topple while you’re driving down a bumpy road.
This is the system you choose when you need to maximize every square inch of a storage compartment. You can pack them with beach towels, dry food for a beach cookout, or snorkeling gear, and access the bottom box just as easily as the top. It’s a higher initial investment, but for those who value organization above all else, no other system compares.
Sterilite Footlocker: The Affordable Workhorse
Easily transport and secure your belongings with this 3-pack of wheeled footlockers. Featuring lockable lids and durable construction, these bins are ideal for organizing any space from your garage to your dorm.
Sometimes, you just need a cheap, simple box to keep the mess contained, and that’s where the Sterilite Footlocker excels. It’s the most affordable option on this list, and you can find them almost anywhere. They are lightweight, have integrated wheels that are surprisingly handy, and are large enough for bulky items like life jackets and boogie boards.
Let’s be clear about the tradeoffs. This is not a weatherproof container. The plastic is thinner, the latches are basic, and it should not be used for exterior storage where it will be exposed to rain. It will crack under the same abuse that an ActionPacker would shrug off.
But for interior storage—inside a large bay or in the "garage" of a toy hauler—it’s a fantastic budget-friendly choice. It’s perfect for corralling all the sandy, wet stuff in one place so you can just pull the whole bin out and hose it down later. It’s a practical, no-frills solution that gets the job done without demanding a big investment.
The best storage container isn’t the toughest or the most expensive one; it’s the one that solves your specific problem. A cheap footlocker for sandy toys inside a bay is a smarter choice than an expensive waterproof case used for the same purpose. Assess your gear, where you plan to store it, and how you travel, then choose the tool that’s right for the job.
