6 Best Storage Trunks For Trailer Tack Organization

Loading up for a weekend horse show or a multi-day trail riding expedition often feels like a logistical puzzle where every square inch of the trailer matters. Tack organization is the difference between a seamless morning at the barn and a frantic scramble through dusty bins while your horse grows impatient. Choosing the right storage trunks turns a chaotic trailer into a mobile, efficient hub for all essential gear.

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Plano Sportsman Trunk: Best Overall Pick

The Plano Sportsman Trunk stands out as the industry workhorse for a reason: it strikes an ideal balance between rugged construction and accessible pricing. The reinforced lid design allows for moderate stacking, making it perfect for utilizing the vertical space in tight tack room corners. Its simple, lockable latches provide enough security to keep contents contained during rough road travel without the complexity of heavy-duty hardware.

While it lacks the refined seals of high-end expedition gear, it offers ample protection against the dust and grit common in equestrian environments. The lightweight plastic construction ensures that you aren’t sacrificing precious cargo weight, a vital consideration when balancing trailer load capacities. If you need a reliable, no-nonsense storage solution that handles the wear and tear of regular travel, this is the definitive choice.

Stanley 50-Gallon Chest: Best Budget Pick

When the goal is to organize a massive amount of bulky equipment—such as coolers, extra blankets, or grooming kits—without breaking the budget, the Stanley 50-Gallon Chest is difficult to beat. This unit prioritizes pure volume, providing a sprawling internal cavern that accommodates odd-shaped items that would fail to fit in smaller, more rigid containers. Its simple, wide-opening design makes packing and unpacking heavy gear significantly less cumbersome.

However, consider that this trunk lacks the structural rigidity of premium options, which means it is best suited for floor-level storage rather than high-stacking configurations. The plastic is durable enough for occasional road trips and general barn storage, but it isn’t designed to withstand extreme impact or heavy pressure. For the equestrian on a strict budget who needs to get gear off the floor and into a contained space, this trunk offers the most utility per dollar.

Burlingham Sports Trunk: Premium Choice

The Burlingham Sports Trunk is engineered specifically for the equestrian lifestyle, featuring a sophisticated aesthetic that blends perfectly into professional trailer tack rooms. Unlike generic utility bins, these are designed with compartments and internal dividers that cater to saddle pads, wraps, and grooming brushes. The double-walled construction provides exceptional impact resistance, ensuring that expensive equipment remains pristine even during long-haul transport.

This is an investment piece, but the longevity of the materials justifies the higher price point for those who travel extensively throughout the season. It is essentially a piece of furniture for your trailer, offering wheels for easy maneuverability and a professional look that stands up to constant use. Choose this trunk if you prioritize organization, durability, and a clean, high-end appearance for your trailer setup.

Pelican Cargo BX140: Ultimate Protection

When your gear includes high-value items, electronic monitors, or sensitive medical supplies, the Pelican Cargo BX140 provides a level of protection that other plastic bins simply cannot match. Built from rotomolded plastic—the same material used in high-end whitewater kayaks—this trunk is virtually indestructible and impervious to weather extremes. The inclusion of a gasket seal ensures that your equipment stays completely dry and dust-free, regardless of the terrain or storm conditions you encounter.

The trade-off for this extreme durability is a heavier, more rigid profile that may be overkill for storing basic lead ropes or spare halters. However, for those who travel across varied climates or require absolute peace of mind for their gear, the Pelican stands in a class of its own. If you need a “buy it once, use it for a lifetime” solution that safeguards your most important investments, the BX140 is the undisputed standard.

Tough-1 Portable Trunk: Best for Mobility

Mobility is often the deciding factor in trailer organization, especially when you need to move gear from the truck to the stall frequently. The Tough-1 Portable Trunk features a slim, vertical design equipped with heavy-duty wheels and a retractable handle, allowing you to navigate barn aisles and trailer ramps with ease. Its tall, narrow shape is intentional, allowing it to tuck into corners or alongside saddles without obstructing movement.

This trunk excels in scenarios where efficiency and quick transitions are necessary, such as busy competition weekends. It is remarkably lightweight yet sturdy enough to handle the daily migration of equipment that defines a busy equestrian schedule. If your routine involves moving heavy kits between a central tack room and the horse, this mobile solution will save both your back and your time.

Rubbermaid ActionPacker: High Durability

The Rubbermaid ActionPacker is a classic for a reason; its latch system and reinforced structural ribs are legendary for enduring years of abuse on the road. It remains a top-tier choice for those who need a trunk that can handle heavy, dense loads like feed bags, heavy hardware, or extra tools. The unique nesting capability also makes it easy to store away when not in use, provided you have the floor space to stack them correctly.

While it is less “refined” than dedicated equestrian trunks, its utility as a general-purpose, bombproof container is hard to replicate. It is the ideal companion for the rugged outdoors person who demands gear that simply works, every single time, without fuss or maintenance. If you want a dependable, time-tested solution that ignores fashion in favor of pure performance, the ActionPacker is your most reliable bet.

Choosing the Best Trunk for Your Trailer

Selecting the right storage is not just about finding a box that fits; it is about analyzing the specific demands of your travel habits. Start by measuring your available trailer floor space and overhead clearance to ensure the trunks don’t impede your ability to maneuver horses safely. Always account for the weight of the contents when choosing a trunk, as adding too much weight to a high-stacked container can make it dangerous to handle.

Consider the climate of your typical travel routes, as this dictates the need for weather-resistant seals. If you frequent wet or dusty regions, prioritize options like the Pelican or those with high-quality gaskets to prevent premature wear on your leather and fabric gear. Ultimately, the best trunk is the one that integrates seamlessly into your existing routine, rather than creating new work.

Maximizing Space in Your Trailer Tack Room

Efficient trailer organization relies on verticality and categorization. Install wall-mounted hooks for bulky items like bridles and halters, saving the floor space specifically for your storage trunks. Use stacking trunks to create a “gear tower,” ensuring the items you need most frequently, such as grooming brushes or fly spray, are placed in the top bin for immediate access.

Labeling is an often-overlooked necessity that prevents wasted time during stressful show days. Use high-visibility labels on both the front and side of every trunk so you can identify contents without having to move or open multiple bins. Keeping an inventory list taped to the inside of the door can also streamline your pre-trip packing process, ensuring nothing essential stays behind.

Weatherproofing Bins to Protect Your Tack

Even inside a trailer, temperature fluctuations and humidity can wreak havoc on leather saddles and sensitive equipment. If your chosen trunks are not airtight, consider adding a secondary layer of protection by placing gear in breathable canvas bags before storing it in the plastic bins. This prevents condensation from building up directly against your gear during the cooling phase after a long day of sun-exposure.

For long-term storage in the trailer, toss a few silica gel desiccant packs into your bins to absorb residual moisture and prevent mold or mildew growth. Regularly inspect the hinges and latches on your trunks to ensure they aren’t losing their tension, as even a small gap can allow fine road dust to compromise your equipment over several hours of driving.

Securing Your Storage Trunks for Transport

A shifting trunk is not just a nuisance; it is a safety hazard for both you and your horse if the trailer is forced to brake suddenly. Use heavy-duty ratchet straps or bungee nets to anchor your trunks firmly against the trailer walls or mounting points. Never rely on the weight of the trunks alone to keep them in place during highway maneuvers or tight turns.

When packing, keep the heaviest items in the bottom trunks to maintain a low center of gravity. Distribute the weight evenly across both sides of the trailer to ensure balanced towing characteristics, which directly impacts the stability and fuel efficiency of your tow vehicle. By securing your gear properly, you protect both the equipment and the overall safety of your transit.

Properly organized tack is an investment in your peace of mind, allowing you to focus your energy on what matters most: your time in the saddle. Whether you choose the rugged reliability of a Plano trunk or the premium protection of a Pelican, the right gear setup transforms your trailer into a professional, efficient base camp. Evaluate your needs, secure your load, and get back to the trails with the confidence that everything is exactly where it needs to be.