"Unusual" Tack Boxes?

[Rie]

So here in about a week, my first college year will be over...I'll be headed home for the summer, and I will know if I am switching colleges or not.


If I do switch, I'll be needing a tack box to leave on campus at the barn in order to store my stuff and keep people out of it. I've noticed a lot of tack boxes are fairly small...and really expensive...not really something that can hold a lot of stuff...and not easy on my budget. So I have been searching online to find a good deal on a tack box since it will be the "first" thing I'll be buying and other than the saddle, looks like one of the more expensive items.

I found this last night, and was pretty excited about it because it is really big and seems like a pretty good price for what it is. I was wondering if anyone here has used something like this or if not would you consider using it?

http://www.organizeit.com/extra-large-deck-box.asp
http://www.organizeit.com/images/db9000-lg.jpg

Specs are:


99 Gallon capacity / Inside Dimensions 49.5"w x 20"h x 23"d.
Weather resistant / Water Proof
Hinged Lid with padlock slots (padlock not included)
"No tool Assembly"
Outside Dimensions 53.5"w x 24" h x 23"d
Looks Nice/sturdy
(edit) I forgot! The price is 124$ -- cheaper than a lot of normal "tack boxes"

Concerns:


Too Big/bulky ?
Might be easy to take apart, (Might be fixable with extra glue.)
Not easy to move around-- lacks wheels and handles. (Might be nice when considering theft however.)
Could a saddle fit in it without damaging the saddle? There is a tack room available to leave the saddle in, however if I am spending this much money on all of these things myself, I don't want to risk anything happening to it.


All thoughts are appreciated!

[KittySawrus]

Yes! A lot of liveries at the old stables I volunteered at had these, even shared them. There was a room for saddles and bridles but they kept boots rugs, medicines, bandages in there, all the bits and bobs. Those liveries were spoiled they had lockers too :P but yes, they're ideal for storing tack. They even shared, the boxes were so big :)

And as for your concerns:


Too Big/bulky ?
Depends on how much space you have, but to shove at the back of a tool shed or tack room or whatever, nope, just great!
Might be easy to take apart, (Might be fixable with extra glue.)
Not so far as I saw with the livery's ones although they were slightly different, should just be able to whack some extra glue on.
Not easy to move around-- lacks wheels and handles. (Might be nice when considering theft however.)
Ideal considering theft. No it isn't easy to move, but I'm sure a couple of you could shove it along the floor when full, when empty easily carry it round.
Could a saddle fit in it without damaging the saddle? There is a tack room available to leave the saddle in, however if I am spending this much money on all of these things myself, I don't want to risk anything happening to it.
I'd be happier leaving the saddle in the tack room but I'm pretty sure you can fit a saddle in that box.

[vicklynn]

I have a similar one on my back porch. Would I put tack in it, sure. Would a saddle fit, yes, and I would stand it up with the horn to the bottom, then put something like a blanket rolled to hold it in place and have the stirrups at a natural angle, not over the saddle like some people do.
As far as moving it, later on, get one of those wood things on rollers and put some rope on it, set your box on it, tote it around. Not something to move often, but would work.
Size all depends on what you are looking for.
How much are you storing in it?
As far as you worried that someone may get in it. Would your things be safe just sitting out, your option of leaving your saddle in the tack room...I wouldnt(my opinion).

[gabhainn]

When I went to college I built mine out of heavy 1 " marine grade plywood with a handle on one end and wheels one the other, and painted it in my school colors and paintes our mascot on it, and when it was time to leave 4 yrs later somebody paid me more for it than it cost to build ......Kevin

[AUEquine]

http://www.lowes.com:80/pd_91573-230-L3725_4294936623_4294937087_?productId=3047281&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity _sold|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Totes%2Band%2BBaskets_4294936623_ 4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7 C%7Cp_product_quantity_sold%7C1

This is the one I have from lowes. It's awesome! Can't break it, can't kill it! And it's lockable. I've had it for like 5-6 years and it's been at 3 different barns, traveled to every show with me, and right now it's in the back of my horse trailer as my 'rear tack'. Best investment I ever made, it holds soooo much stuff.

ETA: this ones only like $60.

[miatapony]

I have one like the first one but in white and blue... love mine it even has wheels on it makes it easy yo move if needed.

[Rie]

Thanks guys! I still have a while before I need to buy anything (heck I don't even have the acceptance letter yet) but all of your thoughts are great for me to consider. I'm glad that these types of trunks work well, I also had the thought earlier that they might be easier to clean than wood also. I am still a bit worried about it being big enough/too big, but I guess I can try and find one in a store somewhere and actually go take a look at it.

I was thinking about making my own out of wood, however I'm not sure if I will have the time this summer and I'm not all that great with the power-tools. I've made the bottom of a "gun cabinet" before, but that was with a lot of help from my shop teacher. So really I think I would like to go ahead and just buy one, and I expect to keep it until it is no longer usable so the re-sell value isn't all that important to me.

AUEquine -- That one looks really nice! Much more affordable too!! About how big is it? It says online 37"x37"x21" is that about right? It sounds a little weird dimension wise, does it fit a lot of stuff in it?

Whatever I buy, I need to be fairly large. I need to keep everything I possibly can in it. This includes: all tack-grooming supplies-small first aid kit-saddle pads -- Blankets (maybe, they might provide those) -- boots (mine and the horses)- a change of clothes for me - and if possible a saddle too. The saddle can sit out, however I really want to keep everything I can locked up. I'll be spending a lot of money on this stuff, and I really don't want anyone messing it up. Not only could it possibly destroy my budget, they could also destroy my grades in the classes.

I'm not going to be able to carry all this stuff home with me all the time, so I need it to be as safe as possible. Even if that means spending a bit extra! (But hopefully not TOO much extra!)

[FredRock]

It looks like it would work fine for what you want. I mean you're going to have a cheaper price because it isn't designed for horse use (which means they'll charge less) and it doesn't have handles, wheels. I like that it has a padlock option, that's good if you're going to be leaving it in a pretty public or open barn. I do think not being as easy to move around is a good thing in terms of safety- people will be less inclined to take your box to a different place, break the lock, and take your stuff. You'd just have to empty it when you move it around.

Here's one that's close to what I have (I don't have wheels on mine and the little insert is different). You can see that it's relatively the same thing as you posted, just one is more "horse rider intended" and there's a decent increase in the price because of it. :rolleyes: :
link (http://www.statelinetack.com/item/horsemens-pride-tack-trunk-with-wheels/BRW43/)

[gabhainn]

ah piffle, with a drill and a trip to your local patio/home supply store to buy a grill axle, you can put wheels on it pretty simply. Handles too now that I think about it.....Kevin
p.s. Id still build one

[Annie&Dixie]

Sorry if I've already repeated something but I bought a big tool box from Home Depot for my tack box at the barn. Works wonderfully and holds everything I need. Has it's own lock and a spot to put a master lock which is nice.

[AUEquine]

I think the one I have would definitely fit an english saddle in it. Not a western though. But I stack like 3 large flat back buckets in it, all my winter blankets, etc. It does have handles on the side, but no wheels. I think they make one with wheels thought, but it was more expensive and I opted against them. Didn't want it too easy to steal. The lock is sturdy unlike some 'horsie' ones that you can basically pop open. And it's definitely tough. The top doesn't give EVER. Stand on it, sit on it, heck the horse could even climb on it.