I have two of the smaller gray lid action packers. My initial plan was to replace them with something more durable and sealed, but a recent event has changed my mind and they will remain in my "kit" for some time to come.
The event was getting stuck in a crusted mud flat just before a pending rainstorm that would have left me stranded for days. My only option was to jack my vehicle up and place my 2 fuel cans under the rear tires and what ever other objects I had under the front. The problem was that I didn't have a proper base to put underneath the jack, nor a suitable object to place under the front tires....until I remembered the lids on my action packers.
Ya right, like these plastic lids would hold up I know. Sure enough the lid started to bend and wad up underneath the base of the jack and steadily sink into the mud. Surprisingly enough though, the rear of the truck lifted up high enough for me to fill the holes in and place my sceptor cans under the tires.
Now for the front. The same lid was used albeit turned over so that it would be deformed in the other direction. The 2nd lid I had was placed under the front tire and a flimsy folding table was laid flat under the opposite tire. I then proceeded to hammer my shovel into the mud in front of the vehicle with my HILift as a winch point, then repositioned the lid and jack to the rear bumper where I jacked at an "unsafe" angle to help push the vehicle forward.
Presto, I was back on top of the crust with 8psi in the tires and feeling good. Except for the broken table, and mangled action packer lids. I threw all the shrapnel in back of the truck and headed for solid ground to beat the storm, a little sad about the loss of my table and lids of course.
To my amazement, the lids somehow regained their shape and seated squarely back on the boxes! The one that had been placed under the jack had 4 slight dimples where the jack base had sat, but other than that it was perfect!! Unbelievable I know, but I guess that's why its called Rubbermaid. Can't beat dual purpose kit. Now I have to find a good table:ylsmoke:
