Chuck Box for camping

[Silky921]

Recently read an article in the Backwoodsman about a chuck box and what their use is when camping. A good way to keep all the cooking and eating items in one place and is easy to transport. A kitchen on the go essentially. So I decided to make one for myself as I do a fair amount of camping.

It was my first time making something like that, so mistakes were made but I learned a ton. But I'm pretty pleased with the results. Should get plenty of miles out of it.

 

[rustyh]

Nice

 

[Grenadier1758]

You made a nice box. Once it gets filled with all the needed camping items, easy transportation will take a back seat to judging just how heavy that box becomes.

 

[mushka]

I've had a similar chuck box for about twenty years. It holds everything needed for camp cooking except food. All told it weighs loaded about thirty five or forty lbs. I put it in the bed or my truck and when stopped at a camp site it sits o the tailgate for use. Without it and my two burner small propane bottle stove I'd be lost. I don't primitive camp any more, my old bones need some comfort now and then.

 

[Silky921]

Thanks guys. Makes me look forward to getting out to the woods a little more this year.

 

[MIOutdoorsman]

As a kid, I recall one of my favorite toys was this covered wagon made about the right size for my "GI-Joe" toys. It was the chuck wagon, so at the back side there was a flip-down lid that essentially created a table top, and then it had an assortment of pretend pots and pans and such. For some reason that really captured my imagination. I could see how this would be very useful to the explorers gong westward.

This picture is not exactly the toy I had, but it's similar:

I guess we still do this sort of thing to this day, replacing the covered wagon with an F150, tailgate down, and chuck box handily located nearby.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Silky, you made a dandy chuck box. I made mine with detachable legs and it has been used in tents and log cabin, besides just setting outside by a campfire. Handy as a shirt pocket.
IMG_0187 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

 

[Silky921]

Thanks Phil. It was really my first time making anything out of wood and I really enjoyed the process. Got some brain juices flowing and relieved some stress. Could see myself diving into a little more.

 

[windini]

I love it!

I've recently been wanting to make a... well, two... no, many! wooden boxes for gathering & hauling various kits. Good to see your example.

I made mine with detachable legs

Phil, would it be possible to see a close up of your detachable legs? (For the table; don't mean to pry into your possible personal pegleg status. )

 

[Phil Coffins]

I’ll get the camera out later.

 

[Phil Coffins]

The rear leg goes in first and stops against the top rail then the front leg goes up against the back leg. Note the front leg is long to keep it from tipping. The metal loops are handy for handling or lashing it down in transport. The door/table has chains for support and can also allow leveling the table. The slats are screwed on to stiffen the boards that are all pegged edge to edge.
IMG_0837 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

 

[Brazos John]

Great design elements!
Please show a few more photos. I may borrow your design. Or, properly, May I borrow your design?

 

[Silky921]

This was the design that I based mine off of:
https://www.filson.com/blog/how-to/diy-camp-chuck-box/

 

[Brazos John]

This was the design that I based mine off of:

That's a good design, too.
And that looks like a really neat website. I'm going to check it out more later.
Thanks.

 

[user 48702]

Looks great, I think you did an outstanding job.

Sometime in the mid 80s, the USMC was doing away with the old field desk U.S. Field Desk Several of us got together and bought a couple (less than $15) at auction to modify into chuck wagon boxes. The lid is your desk/table top, and the field desk comes with several large drawers and a folding stool. Not period correct but they're great for hauling around in a truck, but heavy. Empty they take two to load.

Kent Rollins has a great tutorial of his 1870s Studebaker Chuck Wagon which has some good ideas on packing utensils and other gear in the chuck box. I've been watching his videos for years and he has some great camp recipes and is entertaining to watch.
Kent Rollins Chuck Wagon

 

[Malamute]

A chuckwagon chuck box in use

https://centerofthewest.org/2018/06/28/10-years-chuckwagon-experience/

 

[Brazos John]

But I'm pretty pleased with the results.

Yes, that's quite nice! I like how the handles on the front serve as legs for the opened front panel, to keep it level.
For the top, do the hinges keep the top open, or do you have something else to hold it open?
I'm fixing to need a chuck box, so this is a timely thread.
Thanks.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Great design elements!
Please show a few more photos. I may borrow your design. Or, properly, May I borrow your design?

I didn’t put in for a patent yet so have at it. When it was first built it was longer and had a tall opening at the end for bigger things. I had to cut it down and reattach the end to make it fit in the Jeep better. Get out all the things that you are sure you can’t camp with out and figure how high and wide to make the shelf’s then you may not need to hack it later.

 

[Silky921]

Just set it up so it's leaning backwards a little and a chain keeps it from falling falling all the way down.

 

[smo]