Cheap alternative-Pelican Case Clone for side cases

[Hfjeff]

I have been debating if I am going to add side cases and was looking at Pelicans, however since they are a bit pricey, and I have not made a decision to move forward, I have held off. So wandering through one of my favorite stores-Northern Tool-I came across a large display of plastic cases. These hard cases look very similar to Pelicans and are water and dust proof. They are also quite durable and the price is very competitive at $25 per case. The only down side is they are a bit small: 16 x 13 x 6 7/8. So I picked up a pair to see how they might look on the bike. I do not have any mounts yet, but I need to decide if these will work and look right. I plan on some how taping them to the side of the biked to see if is worth pursuing. For $50/pair they are excellent value. If I go with the Givi PLR2119, what kind of hardware do I need to attach them?

 

[nelso]

Interested in this too. I have Givi racks on my bike but no Givi cases - this could be a cost effective way to get some

 

[2daMax]

To make it compatible with Givi monokey racks.

http://cariboucases.com/caribou-diy-side-case-mount-kit-for-givi-monokey-luggage-racks-standard-kit.html

Not cheap.

 

[Hfjeff]

To make it compatible with Givi monokey racks.

http://cariboucases.com/caribou-diy-side-case-mount-kit-for-givi-monokey-luggage-racks-standard-kit.html

Not cheap.

Thanks for this link and info. I may have to re-evaluate this as a cost saving solution. By the time I buy the racks and these brackets, I am up in the price range of other setups.

 

[AVGeek]

You could also use the SW Motech quick release racks, and simply bolt the cases to those. That was how I mounted my aluminum panniers.

 

[Checkswrecks]

You could also use the SW Motech quick release racks, and simply bolt the cases to those. That was how I mounted my aluminum panniers.

Me too

 

[Ramseybella]

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Tactical-Weatherproof-Equipment-Case/dp/B00QPQLWO6/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1519920312&sr=1-3&keywords=MCM+Electronics&dpID=41G5qBqhmDL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

 

[Hfjeff]

I had an FJR and my wife and I would make 1 or 2 overnight trips during the summer and use the side case as a suitcase. Maybe this is not the best solution for this. I also have a Shad SH-48 topcase but like to keep that handy for helmets and jacket storage as needed. Maybe I should look at the Nelson Rigg soft bags but I like having locking cases if we stop for dinner.

 

[ucwinters]

If you'd really like the size and reliability of Pelican cases w/o spending the big bucks for new ones, try this vendor:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pelican-Case-1550-ON-SALE-THIS-WEEK-Normally-99-99-slashed-to-65-00almost-gone-/142683084372?hash=item2138931654
I bought 2 from her and made a "best offer" which was accepted. Pleased w/ the quality of the cases and have no guilt plastering them w/ stickers.
Was lucky to find some used TourTech racks on ebay and used the Happy Trails puck system to get everything mounted.

 

[RCinNC]

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Tactical-Weatherproof-Equipment-Case/dp/B00QPQLWO6/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1519920312&sr=1-3&keywords=MCM+Electronics&dpID=41G5qBqhmDL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

These are possibly cheaper directly from the company that sells them, rather than via Amazon. MCM/Newark lists them at $59.99, but they don't list the shipping costs until you actually check out.

http://www.newark.com/duratool/22-24120/weatherproof-case-polymer-black/dp/83X6728

For what it's worth, these are great cases. I've had the same set on two different bikes over the past five years and 60,000 miles, and they're still going strong. They've gone up a bit in price from what I paid for mine, but they're still a hell of a bargain. Definitely not a Pelican, but they're of a much higher quality than you'd think as far as Pelican knockoffs go.

 

[Ramseybella]

These are possibly cheaper directly from the company that sells them, rather than via Amazon. MCM/Newark lists them at $59.99, but they don't list the shipping costs until you actually check out.

http://www.newark.com/duratool/22-24120/weatherproof-case-polymer-black/dp/83X6728

For what it's worth, these are great cases. I've had the same set on two different bikes over the past five years and 60,000 miles, and they're still going strong. They've gone up a bit in price from what I paid for mine, but they're still a hell of a bargain. Definitely not a Pelican, but they're of a much higher quality than you'd think as far as Pelican knockoffs go.

Thanks for that link.. My Doskocil cases as they still work containing stuff, the seals are in question and i can't get them anymore plus the UV has beat them.

 

[Hfjeff]

After talking with a tech at TT, I have decided to return these and go with some sort of semi-rigid saddlebags. I was asking why TT no longer carries their mounting kit for Pelican cases and he said they are coming up with a new design as the Pelican cases are heavy and once you fill them with gear, they were taking a toll on the side case mounting brackets. These cases come in at about 6 lbs each so not terribly heavy, but since I already have a Shad SH48 topcase for my daily commute, I don't need the additional space every day. It would only be for occasional over-nighters with my spouse.

This being said, I am now looking at either Dryspec D20 or Cortech Super 2.0 saddlebags. The tech at TT said I may not even need side racks if I cinch up the D20's tight enough. That brings this project from $600+ down to around $160 and for what I am looking for, this might be the perfect solution.

 

[2daMax]

You can use the passenger grab bars, have them installed invertered and it becomes a support for soft bags. But I am not sure if the RHS one goes to the Left side or vice versa. Seen it but haven't tried it myself.

 

[Checkswrecks]

You need to leave one off and pad the muffler cover to prevent rubbing off the finish.

 

[Hfjeff]

Me too

Thanks for the idea-this is what I went with. I originally had ordered GIVI racks, but returned them and purchased the SW Motech with Pelican 1520s that I am going to bolt directly to the racks as you did. It was the easiest most cost effective route to get locking hard cases on the bike. Those Northern Tool cases were just too smalll (about 16L) as opposed to the Pelican 1520s (25L).

One thing GIVI has over the SW Motech is they have a hole to install a padlock on the passenger footpeg to lock the rack to the bike. I am mildly concerned about them getting stolen.

 

[AVGeek]

Thanks for the idea-this is what I went with. I originally had ordered GIVI racks, but returned them and purchased the SW Motech with Pelican 1520s that I am going to bolt directly to the racks as you did. It was the easiest most cost effective route to get locking hard cases on the bike. Those Northern Tool cases were just too smalll (about 16L) as opposed to the Pelican 1520s (25L).

One thing GIVI has over the SW Motech is they have a hole to install a padlock on the passenger footpeg to lock the rack to the bike. I am mildly concerned about them getting stolen.

I had the same box/rack setup as CW. SW Motec offers a locking knob to replace one of the quick release screws, so I had those on mine. One knob per rack, and once they are locked, the knob simply spins and keeps anyone from fully releasing the rack...

 

[Kevhunts]

I have been debating if I am going to add side cases and was looking at Pelicans, however since they are a bit pricey, and I have not made a decision to move forward, I have held off. So wandering through one of my favorite stores-Northern Tool-I came across a large display of plastic cases. These hard cases look very similar to Pelicans and are water and dust proof. They are also quite durable and the price is very competitive at $25 per case. The only down side is they are a bit small: 16 x 13 x 6 7/8. So I picked up a pair to see how they might look on the bike. I do not have any mounts yet, but I need to decide if these will work and look right. I plan on some how taping them to the side of the biked to see if is worth pursuing. For $50/pair they are excellent value. If I go with the Givi PLR2119, what kind of hardware do I need to attach them?

Try this with the cheap pelican knock offs and let us know how it works out.

 

[Hfjeff]

The Northern Tool cases are plenty heavy duty to use as a side case. Not sure how often I would need to drive over them with my truck, but I would give them a pass if they failed this particular test (Don't know any of the aluminum cases would pass this either). They were simply too small at 16L or they would be on the bike right now.

 

[Hfjeff]

I had the same box/rack setup as CW. SW Motec offers a locking knob to replace one of the quick release screws, so I had those on mine. One knob per rack, and once they are locked, the knob simply spins and keeps anyone from fully releasing the rack...

This is a good idea in theory, however since you can access the back side of all 4 mounting points, you could use a right angle needle nose pliers or a screwdriver and release the quick release fastener from the back side. SW should have welded a shroud around the back side to enclose it and prevent access.