Camp Trunk Comparison Chart

Trunks are typically made with one of four exterior materials: Steel, Plastic, Vinyl, or Fabric. Vinyl and fabric trunks usually weigh a little less but are also less durable. Many kids like to decorate their trunks with paint or stickers. This can difficult with some vinyl trunks and nearly impossible with fabric trunks. Steel and plastic trunks tend to weigh a little more but are also more durable. Decorating with stickers or paint is easy on steel trunks.

There are too many trunks in the market place to list all of the weights for all of the trunks. What we have done here is list the weight of the manufacturer's trunk that is closest to 32" x 18" x 13.5" (or 3.8 cubic feet of storage). This approximate size represents the most popular size for summer campers. The weight is listed for an empty trunk and for a trunk with a tray inside. Keep in mind that the actually weight of a trunk can vary a little bit based on the humidity level.

There are 3 types of trunk interiors in the market place: raw wood, sealed wood, or lined. Raw or sealed wood has a rustic charm to it but fasteners such as rivets and staples are visible and there are a lot of them (nearly 100). Depending on the manufacturer sometimes these fasteners can stick out into the interior of the trunk and snag clothes or skin. Often times there are also noticeable splinters. An additional issue with raw wood interiors in particular is that the odors from damp, dirty camp clothes can penetrate into the wood. The interior of lined trunks are lined with either paper-like or vinyl-like materials. While rare, if not installed properly, or if abused, these linings can sometimes tear. Lined interiors are smooth and they DO cover fasteners and prevent odors from penetrating into the wood of the trunk.

Today's trunks use either screws or rivets as a means to attach hardware such as corner protectors or latches. The fasteners also add to the strength and durability of the trunk. Both types of fasteners work well for this purpose. Screws provide an added advantage. Throughout a trunk's lifetime it will travel through airlines or shipping companies. It will be used as a step ladder and possibly a trampoline by children. It might be stored in a basement or attic. During a trunk's lifetime it has many opportunities to be damaged. Regardless of the quality of hardware or the construction methods used by a manufacturer your trunk COULD get damaged. Most trunk makers offer Lifetime Warranties but these warranties require the customer to ship the trunk back to the manufacturer at their expense. With trunks that use screws individual pieces of hardware can be sent to the customer and the customer can easily replace the hardware themselves.

There are 2 types of trays in the market place: sliding and pull out. Sliding trays cover half of the trunk opening and can be moved from side-to-side inside the trunk to allow access to the contents below the tray. Pull out trays cover the entire trunk opening and must be removed from the trunk to allow access below the tray. Within these 2 types of trays there are plastic trays and wood trays. Wood trays may be raw or finished, or covered with a paper lining. Some companies include a tray with the purchase of a trunk and other companies charge extra for their trays.

There are 2 types of locking hardware available in the market place: lock hasps and built-in locks. Lock hasps are 2 piece hardware systems. One part has a hole for a lock shackle to fit through and the other part is hinged and swings down over the part with the hole. With lock hasps the customer is responsible for purchasing a lock. The customer can purchase a lock that meets their security requirements. Built-in locks can possibly save you from having to purchase a lock but they are not very secure. The same key can open any lock from any manufacturer that uses the built-in lock. Most built-in locks can also be popped open with a screw driver or butter knife. Built-in locks typically come with a loop through which you can install a standard padlock but these loops are usually not of great quality and can be removed with a screw driver or by simply twisting the padlock.

There are 2 types of handles available in the market place: steel and leather. There are pros and cons to each type. Leather handles are softer on the palms of the hand but they pinch the back of your hand against the side of the trunk when you're carrying the trunk. Steel handles are not as soft on the palm of your hand but they extend out from the side of the trunk so that the back of your hand is not pinched against the side of trunk when you're carrying it.

Most trunk makers have a warranty against manufacturing defects and many now have a Lifetime Free Repair Warranty. These Lifetime Warranties are great but they do not cover cosmetic damage and the customer is responsible for the costs of shipping the trunk to and from the manufacturer to get repaired.

These are just a few places where you can find some of these manufacturer's product. The retail locations listed may only carry a portion of the manufacturer's line.

The prices listed here are the regular retail price ranges from different retailers. Since some manufacturers include a tray with the purchase of a trunk we have listed all trunk prices with a tray included. These prices could change at any time.

These trunks are not exactly the same but they are similar. The prices and features will vary.