What bins are good for the Container?

[slevinson]

At last year's container drop off, many people used what looked like very sturdy plastic boxes for the stuff they were shipping to the playa in the container. Which brands work best? Thanks!

[VultureChow]

Not sure, but I used this for shipping via UPS:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-27-gal-T ... bX8dNgzA-c

They hold up much better than your standard rubbermaid. They also have commercial shipping totes that would hold up to anything the container could throw at it.

[slevinson]

Thanks. someone else mentioned those. Wondering if the lids crack?

[Savannah]

Even with decent lids, a roll of clear packing tape goes a long way.

[TomServo]

Thanks. someone else mentioned those. Wondering if the lids crack?

Not likely. Just don't use em as a car stand.

[VultureChow]

Mine was as solid as a rock. They are more... rubbery than the brittle Sterlite containers. You should be fine.

[trilobyte]

Your mileage may vary, and different groups of people circle around and settle on different kinds of bins. Your best info for the container you're involved in sharing would come from that group of people - check with them.

For my camp and campmates, when we pack gear for transport or storage on truck or in cargo containers we use standardized flip-top bins. They stack and pack incredibly well, and since the lids are attached via hinges you never lose them. Personally I prefer the ones on offer at our friendly neighborhood big box warehouse joint over the friendly neighborhood big box hardware stores - it's a better and more durable grade of plastic, in my opinion. I'd also recommend avoiding the rubbery stuff, slightly flexible in Defaultia translates to very flexible in warmer climates (like out in the desert), and they tend not to stack that well unless they're evenly filled with sturdy stuff.

[BBadger]

Even with decent lids, a roll of clear packing tape goes a long way.

While securing the bins with tape is a good idea, packing tape glue can get really sticky and tacky in the heat. Some pallet wrap might be a better solution.

[Savannah]

Even with decent lids, a roll of clear packing tape goes a long way.

While securing the bins with tape is a good idea, packing tape glue can get really sticky and tacky in the heat. Some pallet wrap might be a better solution.

Sure, definitely. Pallet wrap sounds like iron.

Several years running I have used simply regular clear packing tape to secure Rubbermaid lids wrapping 2-3 feet in 2 places as a mild extra measure in a box truck or van type situation. It works well when it's being handled by you personally, or someone else in your crew. If I were dealing with people I did not know, or who didn't give a damn, or a massive container, I might go for something stronger. But I don't, and freshly retape on the way home.

[dragonpilot]

I've been using Rubbermaid bins forever...in assorted sizes. I tape a detailed (and I mean detailed!) list of contents to the outside of each bin...makes life so much easier finding crap in the chaos of the playa.

[trilobyte]

Amen, dragonpilot! All our playa bins get spray-painted with a stencil of our camp's symbol, and then I use masking tape on each end to label the contents. It's not too terribly detailed, in fact it's usually just enough detail for my gf or I to know what's in it. That way we can easily direct it to where it needs to go (when coming off the truck or moving to/from storage), as well as direct a campmate to find the right bin. For example, "Trilo's bin of Reluctant Doom" is the one that usually has stuff like touch-up paint or replacement parts/replacement bike tubes... the stuff I bring just in case but hope I don't end up needing to use.

[mudpuppy000]

I use the rubbermaid action packers. They're a little pricey but are really tough. You can use them as seats/steps/mini tables in camp.

[9ah]

I use my Coleman coolers and they hold up. You can also get the heavy duty plastic bins from Home Depot/Lowe's... Get something that can hold up under heavy weight of course.

[BBadger]

Coolers are great storage containers, especially those that are useless for keeping things cool. Nice handles, snap locks, hinged lids, reinforced sidings -- they're ideal, except maybe that they don't stack inside one another and are more expensive.

[Jackass]

The only way to go

bin.jpg

Some of the other containers have to much taper on the sides, wasting valuable space between containers.

[Mr. Just Right]

These are what I use. Love them!! Even the first review say " Awesome for Burning Man".

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Plano-27-Gal ... boNwPlQFQg

[dragonpilot]

Whatever containers you use, try to keep them small enough that you can handle them alone...I find that several smaller containers are easier to deal with the a large one.

[gyre]

Tapered or nesting boxes are made to stack inside each other.
Can save you a lot of cash.

I use a lot of heavy folded cardboard boxes.
Lid is separate.
You can get them as strong as you want.

[illy dilly]

Whatever containers you use, try to keep them small enough that you can handle them alone...I find that several smaller containers are easier to deal with the a large one.

YES!!!
Also, easier to pack in around larger things in a truck or trailer.


They also make ones like this with hinged lids that fold open in the middle so you don't loose the lid. But, if you're also going to use the Bid as a table in your tent, you can't leave stuff on the lid when you want to open it, in other words use the lid like a TV tray.

[Kairielise]

What's "The Container"?

[FIGJAM]

Shipping containers from various regions.

[Elliot]

What's "The Container"?

They are talking about the big commercial shipping containers that you see on 18-wheeler trucks. These are 8 or 8 1/2 feet wide, about that tall, and up to 45 feet long. They are extremely strong and reasonably weather proof. Their original purpose is to ship merchandise across oceans on giant ships, and they are sometimes referred to as Sea/Land containers.

Large camps and groups of burners sometimes use these. Some groups far from BRC rent a container and "sell" space in the container to smaller groups and individuals. It is a cost-efficient way to transport lots of Stuff.

The BM organizers own many of them for BRC infrastructure stuff, and some are outfitted as portable offices.

[theCryptofishist]

Shipping containers from various regions.

Thanks for keeping the real truth secret, :wink, wink:

[9ah]

This winter madness is making me stir crazy.... I'm going back and forth between http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-27-gal-T ... ifications and http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-12 ... ifications... Has anyone tried both by chance? Dropping a cooler for a real bin.

[FIGJAM]

I have the first one.

Very heavy duty.

I did add hinges and drilled a hole for a padlock, but it stays in the pod.

[9ah]

That's the one I'm leaning towards. You really fancied it up!

[FIGJAM]

It is strong enough for extra seating in camp!

[Elliot]

I swear by that 27 Gallon type, but it is sometimes too big and cumbersome and I've been buying the 15 Gallon of the same type. $11 is a great price. The lids on these have little catches so they don't fall off so readily -- at least the ones from WM do. (WM charges much more.)

The one with the folding lid I suspect is more brittle, more prone to cracking, but not sure.

[burner von braun]

Be advised, the 27 gallon black ones with the separate yellow lids come in two brands, nearly identical, but slightly different in size, enough so that the lids are not interchangable. The easy way to distinguish them is the grid pattern on the lid.. one version has a rectangular layout, the other a diamond layout. It is good idea to get all of one kind or the other.

That said, they are very durable; I put my heavy tools, parts, etc. in them with no worries. The downside is, they do have a lot of taper along the sides and a wide lip, as jackass forewarned above, which can waste space.

[Elliot]

And the square-pattern lids are gray, and stronger (but mine lack the little catches). But I've paid as much as $25 for that quality. The yellow lids crack easier. Still fabulous deal on those $11 ones.