6 Best Outdoor RV Storage Bins For Tools And Supplies Nomads Swear By

You’ve meticulously packed every cabinet and crammed every drawer, yet that pile of essential gear—jumper cables, leveling blocks, a greasy toolkit—still has no home. This is the moment every RVer faces: the realization that interior space is finite, but the need for tools and supplies is not. The right external storage bin isn’t just a container; it’s what makes long-term travel sustainable by keeping the messy, bulky, and essential items secure and out of your living space.

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Choosing Your RV’s External Storage Solution

The first mistake people make is buying a box before knowing where it will live. Your RV’s roof, hitch carrier, or ladder all have different weight limits and mounting requirements. A heavy-duty case that’s perfect for a beefy roof rack will be a disaster on a lightweight ladder mount.

Before you even look at brands, measure your available space and check the load rating of your intended mounting point. Is it a flat platform or a basket-style rack? Will the box block your taillights or backup camera? Answering these questions first prevents you from buying a great box you simply can’t use.

Finally, be honest about what you’re storing. Grimy sewer hoses and oily tools don’t need an expensive, hermetically sealed case. On the other hand, putting your sensitive electronics or recovery gear in a cheap, leaky bin is asking for trouble. The gear itself should dictate the level of protection you invest in.

Pelican Cargo Case: Ultimate Weatherproof Box

When failure is not an option, you get a Pelican. These cases have a legendary reputation for protecting sensitive military and scientific equipment in the harshest environments on earth. For an RVer, this translates to absolute peace of mind, whether you’re driving through a torrential downpour or a desert dust storm.

The secret is in the details. Pelican Cargo cases feature gasket seals that provide a true waterproof and dustproof rating—often IP68, meaning it can be fully submerged. Heavy-duty latches clamp down with incredible force, and reinforced lock points deter theft. They are built for abuse.

Of course, this level of protection comes at a premium price. A single Pelican case can cost more than several of a competitor’s boxes combined. It’s not the right choice for storing firewood, but if you carry expensive camera gear, critical power tools, or life-saving equipment, the cost is an investment in guaranteed protection.

ROAM Adventure Co. Rugged Case: Overlander Pick

Walk through any gathering of overlanders and you’ll see ROAM boxes strapped to every other roof rack. They’ve nailed the sweet spot between extreme durability, smart features, and rugged aesthetics. These aren’t just storage bins; they’re a statement piece for the serious adventurer.

Built from a tough rotomolded LLDPE shell, the ROAM Rugged Case is designed to handle years of sun, wind, and trail abuse. A full-length gasket in the lid makes it dustproof and waterproof, while steel, lockable latches provide real security. Little details, like built-in grab handles and an interlocking design for stable stacking, show they were designed by people who actually use them.

This is the ideal box for your primary gear mounted in an exposed location. Think recovery straps, air compressors, and camp kitchen supplies on a roof or hitch rack. While it might be overkill for simple items, it provides a huge step up in protection from basic big-box store totes without the extreme cost of a Pelican.

Rubbermaid ActionPacker: Reliable & Affordable

The ActionPacker is a classic for a reason. For decades, it’s been the go-to, no-frills workhorse for campers, contractors, and RVers who need a durable bin that just works. It’s tough, relatively lightweight, and won’t break the bank.

Let’s be clear: the ActionPacker is water-resistant, not waterproof. The overlapping lid sheds rain well, but it won’t survive a pressure washer or a full-on submersion. This makes it perfect for gear that can tolerate a bit of moisture—think leveling blocks, chocks, water hoses, or even firewood. The plastic is famously durable and resistant to cracking in cold weather, a common failure point for cheaper totes.

The real appeal is the value. You can outfit your entire storage system with ActionPackers for the price of one high-end case. For many nomads, this is the most practical solution. It provides solid, reliable storage for the non-critical items, freeing up your budget for other parts of your rig.

Milwaukee PACKOUT: Modular Tool Organization

If you’re a full-timer who does your own maintenance and repairs, the Milwaukee PACKOUT system is a game-changer. It’s not just a single box, but an entire ecosystem of interlocking toolboxes, organizers, and totes. This modularity is its superpower.

Imagine needing to fix a plumbing leak. Instead of digging through one giant, heavy toolbox, you grab your specific PACKOUT plumbing box and carry it right to the job. The boxes click together securely for transport and storage, creating a stable, organized stack that can be strapped down in a storage bay or truck bed.

Built for harsh job site conditions, the PACKOUT system is IP65 rated for weather resistance, easily handling rain and road grime. The corners are reinforced, and the latches are all-metal. The primary tradeoff is that you are buying into a proprietary system, but for the tool-heavy nomad, the organizational payoff is immense.

Plano Sportsman’s Trunk: High-Capacity Value

Sometimes you just need to store big, awkward stuff. Camp chairs, outdoor carpets, beach toys, and extra bedding all consume a massive amount of space. This is where the Plano Sportsman’s Trunk shines, offering maximum cubic inches for your dollar.

These trunks are all about volume. They are lightweight, feature integrated wheels on many models for easy transport, and are designed with molded grooves for sturdy stacking. While not as rugged as a ROAM or Pelican, the plastic is durable enough for the realities of RV life.

Like the ActionPacker, the Plano trunk is weather-resistant, not waterproof. The lid will keep out a light rain, but it’s best used inside a truck bed with a tonneau cover or on a hitch rack with a dedicated waterproof bag. If your goal is to simply get bulky, less-sensitive items out of your living space, the Plano trunk offers unbeatable capacity for the price.

Front Runner Wolf Pack Pro: A Stackable System

For those who value organization above all else, the Front Runner Wolf Pack Pro is the ultimate building block. These uniformly sized, vertical-sided boxes are designed to stack like Lego bricks, creating an incredibly efficient and stable storage array in your pass-through bay or truck bed.

The "Pro" version is a significant upgrade over the original, with stronger latches and a better seal that makes it water and dust-resistant. The real magic happens when you stack them. They clip together securely, preventing the shifting and tumbling that plagues mismatched totes on rough roads. This makes them perfect for building out custom drawer systems or storage platforms.

Front Runner offers a whole ecosystem of accessories, from vehicle-specific mounting brackets to foam inserts and high-top lids. This makes the Wolf Pack Pro less of a standalone product and more of a commitment to a highly organized system. It’s the choice for the RVer who wants to create a clean, custom, and perfectly integrated storage solution.

Key Features: Mounting, Security, and Seals

Your choice of bin ultimately comes down to three key factors. First is mounting. A box with integrated mounting channels, like a Pelican Cargo, is designed to be bolted securely to a roof rack. Others, like an ActionPacker, rely on ratchet straps. Always match the box’s design to your intended location and securing method for a safe, road-worthy setup.

Next, consider security. A simple plastic loop for a padlock might deter a casual grab, but it won’t stop a determined thief. Cases with steel-reinforced lock points, like those from ROAM or Pelican, offer a much higher level of protection for valuable gear. Be realistic about what you’re protecting and where you’ll be parked.

Finally, understand seals. "Weather-resistant" means it can handle some rain and dust. "Waterproof" (often indicated by an IP rating) means it has a rubber gasket that creates a true seal against the elements. If you’re storing anything that could be ruined by moisture—tools, electronics, dry goods—a gasket seal is a non-negotiable feature.

The perfect outdoor storage bin doesn’t exist, but the perfect one for your needs does. Stop thinking about it as just buying a box and start thinking about it as designing a system. By matching the container’s protection level, mounting style, and size to the specific gear it will hold, you’ll create an external storage solution that makes your life on the road simpler, more organized, and ready for any adventure.