Realistic Pelican Loadout (with False Bottom) Overall case dimensions (e.g., Pelican 1550): ~20.5" L × 16.5" W × 8" D internal. False bottom takes up 2–3 inches of height, leaving ~5–6 inches for the top "cover" layer. Top Layer (Unassuming Camping/Hiking Gear) This fills the visible upper section and looks completely normal:

Rolled sleeping bag (compressible 20–30°F bag) Small backpacking tent (2-person or bivy) + poles Tarp or ground sheet Camp stove + 2–4 fuel canisters Water filter + 2–3 collapsible bottles/bladders First aid kit (comprehensive but flat-packed) Headlamp + batteries, multi-tool, knife, paracord (100–200 ft), duct tape Clothing: 2–3 sets base layers/socks, rain shell, gloves, hat Food: 3–4 days MREs/dehydrated meals + snacks (vacuum-packed or flat) Maps, compass, notebook, binoculars (compact)

This layer alone already looks like a full weekend hiking kit. It’s bulky but compressible. False Bottom Layer (Weapons & Sensitive Gear)

Shorty 870 (disassembled: barrel off, stock possibly shortened) + cleaning kit + 50–100 rounds buckshot/slugs (in ammo sleeves or boxes) Hi-Point 4595 or chopped Mini-14 parts (broken down as much as possible) + 4–6 magazines + 100–200 rounds Spare ammo in stripper clips or boxes Extra medical (sutures, hemostatics, antibiotics if acquired) Cash, small survival documents, or other "go bag" items

Total weight: 40–60+ lbs when fully loaded. Manageable for short distances (garage to car) but she’d need a backpack or cart for any real movement. Not ideal as a single "grab and run" bug-out bag. Better Bug-Out Bag Approach She should treat the Pelican as secure long-term storage and maintain a separate, lighter true bug-out bag (e.g., a large hiking pack) ready to go. The Pelican is her "armory cache" — she pulls weapons/ammo from it to load the BOB as needed. Recommended BOB (separate pack):

3 days food/water Shelter (tarp + sleeping bag) Med kit Ammo + one primary weapon (shorty 870 or folded/short Mini-14) Tools, fire, navigation, clothing

This way the Pelican stays in the garage as a deep reserve, and she has a fast, mobile kit. Verdict: Everything important fits in one good Pelican with careful packing and a false bottom, but it’s heavy and not optimal as a single bug-out solution. Having the Pelican as the "safe" + a dedicated lighter BOB is smarter long-term tradecraft for her.

False bottom

C9 870 Shorty