Tack Trunks for Less...And On Wheels!

Have you seen the wooden trunks with chrome trim and custom colors at some shows or even at your own barn? Gracing the aisles, all matching...Gorgeous, right? And while they are crafted with attention to detail and customized to the riders specifications and program colors, they also come with hefty price tag.

Aren't they lovely!? McGuinn Farms, Inc. has been doing this a long time, and it shows!

As much as you may like one of these beauties, sometimes they are just not practical. Especially if you keep your pony at home, truck in to lessons, or are on your own at shows. We truck out for Pony Club, clinics, and schooling shows we do on our own, so opting for large wheeled tool trunks found at home improvement stores is a great option! They are lighter weight, offer similar functionality at a more economical price point. And they can take a beating!

IDEA SHARE: There are plenty of vendors on Etsy that will produce custom vinyl decals for you to customize your trunk! I had a few made for my daughter for her trunk and her large tack locker (recycled armoir) that resides in our basement- that could be our next post! I linked the image with the vendor I used for the decals, but there are plenty others to choose from. Also, you can get custom trunk covers for these on Etsy, too! I have included a few examples and linked the images.

At these prices, you can come up with your own ingenious customization hacks to make them more efficient, ready for travel, and show worthy!

Here they are...Photos are linked for your convenience, and don't forget the post on what to put in them!

Husky Rolling Tool Trunk

The Husky 50 gallon rolling tool box from Home Depot manufactured using a durable Polypropylene textile and currently priced at $99. This trunk has a lot of handy features and it offers sturdy wheels on one side and a retractable pull arm for easily getting it where you need it. The Husky also has recessed latches they lay flat when open and closed, comes with an embedded lock and keys, and also offers padlock ports in the latches for extra security. The Husky comes with a grooming tote that is embedded in the top of the trunk. Another super feature is the retractable pull arm is sturdy enough double as a saddle rack when pulled open, or a place to hang your saddle pads to dry when put away. Sturdy Polypropylene construction.

Dewalt 63 Gallon Tool Trunk

Also available at Home Depot, this one is a little more expensive at $119 but also holds a little more than the Husky. This design does lack the handy tray / grooming box available with the Husky, but it is very deep and conveniently fits a standard brush box, or a tall saddle rack style brush box as well as the rest of your gear. It offers a handy pull out handle, and the rails across the lid make strapping additional gear to the top of the trunk, very handy. The Dewalt also has recessed clamp closures and accommodates most standard combination locks and is designed with Polypropylene for years of use.

The Stanley 50 Gallon Trunk

This is a nice trunk for the price. These run about $100, and has the 'grooming box' that nests in the frame work of the trunk when closed, and when open, the tote sits perfectly in the retractable handle. This handle also can double as a saddle rack or a handy place to keep damp equipment like bandages, saddle pads, towels or horse boots. It comes with an embedded lock in the lid but also has additional padlock eyes in the clamp closures for extra security. The clamp closures have the padlock eye's embedded, preventing the clamps from being flush when closed. This trunk is constructed of a polypropylene textile, and while remaining light weight feels very durable.

The Craftsman 50 Gallon Wheeled Tool Trunk

This is nearly identical in size and design to the Stanley, it comes in slightly cheaper than the Stanley, running currently at $89. Handy wheeled construction with embedded grooming tote, retractable handles, and lockable latches. This is manufactured using plastic with stainless steel latches, hinges & handles rather than Polypropylene. This materials choice could be subject to cracking if subjected to a hard impact.

Plano 108 qt. Sportsman Trunk Black

This is a low-cost option, $45, and one that I have used a lot. It fits nicely in the trunk of the SUV. This high-impact plastic trunk has a fully removable lid that fits tightly on the base and clamps down in place with heavy-duty latches. The bin also features padlock tabs for added security. Grab as many as you need; these trunks are specifically designed to stack with multiple units. Easy-glide wheels for smooth transport, built-in pull grip, tie-down extensions to secure while transporting, molded grooves for sturdy stacking, lockable, reinforced removable lid.

Buy one, customize it, and share the photos! Take a pic as you "roll up" to a show, clinic, lesson, and let's see it! Show us your organization hack!