Summer camp can be a pretty exciting time for any child. One thing to remember before sending kids off to camp is that not all of their items can fit comfortably into a backpack. Sometimes, you need a way to pack a lot more stuff for a camping trip or summer camp in an organized manner.
A good camp trunk will protect your personal belongings from the environment while being able to handle any roughness when transporting it around. If your kids are heading off to summer camp or going on an outdoor trip somewhere, a camp trunk can keep their items well protected.
In this article, we’ll cover the best camp trunks for kids or adults to take on any camping adventure. We feature options with wheels and long-lasting material so you don’t need to worry about replacing it next summer or the one after that one.
1. C&N Footlockers Storage Trunk
The C&N Footlocker is an excellent steel camp trunk made out of solid birch plywood. To add more strength to the trunk, the outer layer is coated with lead-free, scratch-resistant steel. Pair that with the study nickel-plated hardware, and you have one fine-looking and solid camp trunk.
Just like the other camp trunks, this one has built-in wheels so younger children don’t need to carry it around and can transport it easily when they arrive at camp. The difference is that C&N decided to include its patented Wheel Away System. That means the 4-inch PVC wheels can be popped on and off without any tools, anytime you want to.
There’s a center hasp that you can use to fit most standard padlocks. That’s better than a built-in lock since you can invest in a perfect padlock to give the trunk added security. If you’re looking for a camp trunk that’s sturdy, secure, and nice to look at, this is the one you should get.
2. Seward Trunk Rover
The Seward Trunk Rover is one of the top camp trunks with wheels. The trunk is built using engineered wood construction, which makes it super tough. That way, whatever you pack inside will be safe from damage should the trunk roll over or get hit by something.
On top of that, the trunk structure features black high-impact binding with nickel-plated hardware, which gives it that added strength. Despite all that strength, this trunk is still pretty easy to move around, thanks to the recessed wheels that Seward built into it.
If you’re going to leave the trunk unattended, you can always secure it with the push-button key lock included in the box. For added security, you can even use a padlock, though you’ll have to buy that separately.
The Seward Trunk Rover is also super easy to clean. All you have to do is wipe it with a damp cloth, and you’re good to go so after a messy time at camp, parents can clean it and reuse it for the next summer camp season.
3. Camp 1800 Denier Heavy Duty Soft Trunk
This camp trunk is slightly different than the other ones since it’s considered a soft trunk as opposed to a hard trunk. One of the benefits of soft trunks is that they can be slightly easier to carry and move around. Its multiple pockets allow you to put all kinds of things in them, ranging from bathroom supplies to personal items.
It’s large enough to hold enough clothing and supplies for a full summer camp without being way too bulky. You can select from a 42-inch or 52-inch bag, but the smaller size will work just well enough for most campers. However, if your kids are attending a month-long summer camp or more, you may want to choose some of the other bigger options.
The shoulder straps include a protected shoulder pad and you can adjust them with ease to make them comfortable. The large size allows you to pack everything your child might need ranging from towels, hiking shoes, sleeping bags, and more.
4. Rhino Trunk and Case
This Rhino Trunk is another rigid trunk that’s perfect for camping. This trunk is made out of Baltic Birch plywood, with a Cordura nylon exterior laminated over it. Not only is this case severe, but it also feels pleasant to the touch!
Better yet, the steel tongue and groove lid will keep out any sort of dirt or moisture. That’ll help you keep all of your items like camping & hiking shoes nice and dry at all times, which is impressive, especially when you have electronics inside.
Even the hardware attached to it, like the lid hinges, lid stay, and trunk lock, is made of heavy-duty nickel-plated steel. You’d have to put a lot of effort into trying to damage this trunk. Of course, all that toughness on the exterior needs a touch of class. That’s why this trunk features genuine leather handles on each end.
5. Dormo Co Espresso Large Trunk
The Designer Wheeled Trunk looks luxurious, and it comes with a couple of built-in wheels. This trunk has a leather-like exterior, making it look trendy while also making it much more durable.
This trunk’s body consists of sturdy composite wood, and it also comes with a high-quality carry handle. There’s plenty of room inside for all your camping gear like a kids sleeping bag and whatever extra stuff you might bring along with you.
The trunk doesn’t come with its locks. However, you can add as many as two of your padlocks! Moving it around is a breeze with its two durable rubber wheels that make rolling it around easy.
6. Plano Storage Trunk
The Plano Storage Trunk is a heavy-duty trunk made out of tough and durable plastic. You won’t find any fancy features here with this plastic camp trunk since it’s just a simple and straightforward trunk with a 108 quart capacity, made in the U.S.A.
With this trunk type, the top cover is secured to the bottom half with four lock-down latches. These latches hold on pretty tight, so even if you drop the case, you can rest assured that it’ll stay closed.
Other than being an incredibly tough camp trunk, it’s also got integrated wheels, which make it easy for you to roll around. Plus, it’s even got a built-in pull grip to help you do that. Even if you decide to max out this camp trunk’s capacity, you’ll still be able to move it around pretty quickly.
7. Seward Trunk Camp Storage Footlocker
When it comes to the Seward Trunk, there are three main selling points to this thing. It’s spacious, it’s got a classical look about it, and it’s secure. Inside, you’ve got loads of space. Enough to fit your camping gear, loads of clothes, and even a bunch of food and snacks.
On the outside, it’s got a timeless, classical look thanks to its heavy gauge vinyl coverings and nickel-plated hardware. This trunk doesn’t just look good, it’s also pretty tough. This trunk is made of tough engineered wood, which is excellent to protect against bumps and other things you’ll encounter when camping.
It has a push-button key lock built into it, but you can also use a padlock of your own if you’d like.
8. J. Terence Thompson Storage Trunk
J. Terrence Thompson makes fantastic camping trunks. This particular one is yet another simple and straightforward trunk. It’s a black trunk made out of Polypropylene, which is solid compression-molded plastic. You won’t have to worry about any cracking, rusting, or even denting with this kind of material.
To keep the trunk secure, it comes with two heavy-duty metal latches. As with most trunks on this list, you can even use your padlock with it. Plus, carrying and moving this trunk around is comfortable with the recessed handles on the side and strap handle on the front. Since the box has a contoured design, you can stack multiple of these trunks very quickly on top of each other.
How To Choose A Camp Trunk
So, what should you look for when you’re choosing the perfect camp trunk for your tent camping trip? Here are a few key points to consider:
- Interior – Firstly, there should be plenty of space for your personal camping needs. Try and imagine all the things you’ll need to bring with you on your next camping trip. Also, find out what interior build it uses. Some cases have a smooth interior, though low-quality trunks might have nails or other parts sticking out.
- Security features – Some camp trunks come with built-in locks. Those aren’t always the best. Be sure to look for a camp trunk that allows you to use your padlock. That way, you can invest your money in a solid lock to keep your trunk safe and sound.
- The wheels – Wheels are essential. On flat surfaces, you’ll need them to roll your camp trunk around so you don’t get tired carrying it all the way. Like anything else, be sure that the wheels are made out of durable materials that will last a long time.
- The handles – When going camping, you can’t always roll your camp trunk around. So, handles are also essential to consider. That is especially true if you plan on packing your trunk very heavily. Without strong handles, you’re going to have a tough time trying to move your trunk around.
- The exterior – You should consider how the camp trunk looks. Sure, it’s a functional item that will help you store and transport personal belongings like a summer camp sleeping bag. But you’re going to invest quite a bit of money into this item, why not buy one that you enjoy showing off to other people.
It’s important to note that some summer camps don’t allow trunks. If that’s the case, then they most likely want campers to bring camp duffel bags instead. Be sure to read our guide on the top ones to buy.
Leave a comment