Tube Storage Completed and Successful

[Crunch]

I believe I have worked out the details of utilizing "tube storage". It was an easy solution and I was able to get everything I wanted to store in the tubes. The hardest part was finding something to plug the holes.

I accidently stumbled on to the solution while buying PVC plumbing supplies at Lowes. In the plumbing department they sell plastic 3" test plugs that are used to block a drain or pipe before it becomes operational. They also sell a nice metal version that uses a bolt to compress a rubber donut, just like freeze plugs. I tried both the plastic and metal, and while both have advantages and disadvantages I decided to go with the metal for my truck.

NOTE: I thought I could include a series of inline images from my Readers Rig gallery, but they are only showing up as links. If I figure out how to set them as inline images I'll fix it.

Below are a series of images (if they load) showing the various plugs and what they look like installed. This top link is to the entire series of images in my Readers Rig gallery titled "Tube Storage":

Tube Storage Gallery:


This shows the two different types of plug. The images on the bottom are unpainted:

Both type of plugs


The advantage of the plastic plug is that it is cheap and light-weight. It pops in by hand and can be easily painted. It also looks more like it is a part of the truck than the metal plugs. The disadvantages are that it breaks easily, especially when you try to remove it. There is also a chance that if whatever is stored in the tube slides into the plug it could pop out. But if your desire is to make it as inconspicuous as possible the plastic test plug is the way to go. They were $.59 each at Lowes. A few coats of spray paint and it's ready to pop in. Here's what the plastic plug looks like installed:

Installed plastic plug


This is a close up of the same plug:

Plastic plug close up


The metal test plugs are a lot sturdier. They cost $3.49 each at Lowes and have are labeled "3.0 Test Plug NO. 33422". If you use these make sure the rounded side of the metal caps face the rubber. If they don't, the rubber donut won't compress properly and the plug won't stay in the tube. The metal plugs work the best, but if someone was messing around your truck they might notice them unless the paint matched the frame. There is also less of a chance that your tools will bump against them and knock out the plugs. Another advantage to the metal plugs is that you have a handle in the form of the thumb-screw you can use to pull out the plug. One of the things I want to store in the tube is an extra set of truck and house keys, plus a couple of hundred dollars in emergency travel money, but I think I'll wait and see if anyone cracks into these before I risk it. One other advantage to the metal plugs: They appear to seal the tube, so if you camp and travel this might be a good way to store matches and other items that are useful in an emergency. Just like the plastic, a few coats of paint and it's ready to go:

Installed metal plug:


Metal plug close up:


This image shows a tool bindle partially in the tube. I rolled the tools up in some fresh rags, then stuffed the tools and rags in an old sock to keep them from separating and also to get it a little tighter. Gee, I hope it doesn't look suspicious:

Tool bindle