BRUTE Tote Storage Containers

I'm always looking for ways to improve on things and in this case, transport and storage of my carpentry tools to and at my camp. I bought this 20 gallon Brute tote to use for that purpose and it has not disappointed. It was a GOLD box deal at @ $22.00 from it's normal $29.00 price.This Rubbermaid product is not the typical tote that is flexible and flimsy. This tote is on steroids. It's composition is more along the lines of heavy duty plastic/resin composition, than it is of a rubber, soft plastic material. This thing is rigid, with a very well designed lid that fits snug and completely overlaps the tub part all the way around the perimeter preventing any rain, or other water, snow etc from entering. Of course if this unit was completely submerged under water my guess it would take on water, but when is that going to happen, who's going to do that. Then again they said the Titanic was unsinkable. The handles on this are committed to secure the top lid to the bottom portion and snap in place with authority.The bottom was formed with raised ribbing not only for reinforcement but to hasten wear. You can load this thing up with heavy objects, and in my case tools and the bottom is not going to sag or drop out. The handles on the lid are "through" type and not just lift style, and are situated as to not allow water penetration into the compartment area. These units are stackable, and I believe the top lid would hold another loaded tote but I always use a piece of plywood or OSB placed on the lower totes lid overlapping the lid by a couple inches, then set the top tote on it, to evenly disperse the weight around the perimeter edge of the tote where there is greater strength, if I'm going to store totes for long periods. When I did receive this tote from Amazon in their unbelievable speedy fashion I was overly impressed with the quality and construction. I needed another one ASAP that day and was able to locate them at one of the big box store that is not orange but blue/grey, okay Lowes for $24.00, $2 more than I paid on the gold box deal. This tote would well serve tradesmen and campers alike who like to keep their possessions dry. Keep in mine that there is no molded locking hole to secure a lock which is kind of redundant as a thief would steal the entire unit anyway. I bet that if you were really bored in the winter you could use this for one huge single portion ice cube and it wouldn't crack, as the walls are pitched about 10 degrees. You would just have to find a Manhattan glass large enough. One suggestion for those of you looking to set up natural spring (water) flow systems. This unit with slight modifications with holes drilled, incoming, outgoing and overflow with bulkhead fittings can be modified and used as a "spring box" which is set up within feet of the spring pipe (which is the incoming pipe), then an out going pipe to the larger collection/distribution tank, as I have done.The secure fitting lid prevents any outside contamination of any kind and at the same time allows for removal to conduct maintenance on the unit. No need to spend almost $200 on ones from companies that sell "spring boxes". Buy this unit you won't be sorry. Good Luck..Tom W.

These are not your mother's storage tubs.These tubs kick ass!! I've bought a few dozen so far and have a few more dozen to go -- no kidding. The image attached shows a few of them -- they're in a staging area in the basement waiting for assignment to one attic or another. I have a larger, single file stack, in the garage. They stack up very sturdily -- even an empty tub at the bottom can support full tubs, above. Do you know how tubs crack and flake after a few years of going through the summer/winter cycle? Not these babies!! Hot, cold, wet, dry . . .they give a rip for nothin' -- they're here to store stuff and stack and, although that's about all they do, they do that perfectly.They hold a lot, have pretty square corners, and are super tough, durable, and stackable. I suggest you buy more than you think you'll need because . . . once you get going on storing stuff, you won't want to stop. Yes, they're not the cheapest. That's my point.These tubs kick ass.

Sturdy tote. Lid locks in nicely. White bins are a great option for storing tackle on your boat in the summer sun.

Fabulous, big, tough storage bin

UPDATE 2015-10-18 at 08:08After several months' use, I have discovered that these sides can and will crack if they're stacked full with heavy items. For example, I have large bins filled variously with paper (two full reams, blank notebooks, legal pads); computer and electronics items (small HDDs, wires and cables, etc.), and office supplies. I stacked three on top of each other and loaded them onto a hand truck. While going down the stairs with the totes on the hand truck (slight bounce), I discovered one of bins cracked on the side. This occurred on two separate occasions.The lids also may crack if the bins are filled and stacked more than three high.These remain a good product and generally better than the consumer tote Rubbermaid sells. And they will probably last without cracks if shelved and stacked less than 2 high or individually on shelves. But it is quite disappointing that these neither stack for long term storage as well as expected as the BRUTE label would imply, nor can travel on a hand truck without the possibility of cracking, also as the BRUTE label would imply.I have downgraded my initial review from 5 stars to 4 starsORIGINAL REVIEWThese plastic totes are MUCH sturdier than the consumer version sold in most retail stores. They stack very well (even when slightly overstuffed), resist orders, and even hold labels and stickers well, making the contents easy to identify without opening the lid. If you're in the business of using this type of plastic tote, I think this is worth the extra cost.My only complaint is that Amazon ships them in these huge boxes, whereby the tote is the only thing in the box. Since these seem harder to buy at retail than the consumer totes, buyers should know that if you purchase these in bulk, your place of receipt will be filled with huge boxes. Not a good look for the homestead.

This is the best tote ever.I have several that have been used on an open console boat for over 10 years. They look new.

It looks very strong and water tight. It is a little hard to open because of it's tightness but it's not something that I have to open and close frequently. I use it to store the covers for my outside furniture. They all fit inside. I would recommend.