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Author Topic: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling  (Read 11639 times)

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Offline evanw

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Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« on: January 10, 2012, 09:16:21 AM »
We are FINALLY looking at our first long trip in Autumn through VIC and SA. I have a rhino tray on the roof of our vehicle and usually use a good grade tarp to cover what I put in it. However have been searching for something easier and better sealed.

Firstly, what does everyone else do? Any bags you would recommend?

I found these two so far roughly same price, one is canvas (water and rot resistant)
www.southerncrosscanvas.com.au/accessories/roof-top-bags/

and the other is tonneau vinyl like our Trackabout cover (water and rot proof)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ROOF-RACK-BAG-TONNEAU-VINYL-900-x-1500-x-300-AUST-MADE-/150489493507?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2309df7003

Thanks in advance for your help/guidance.

Evan
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Offline GGV8Cruza

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2012, 09:30:35 AM »
When we have too much gear I have a Rhino roof bag which gets strapped down to the rack on the Patrol. Has worked well and never leaked in some really heavy downpours

http://www.rhinorack.co.nz/AccSubCategory_Luggage-Bags_Page_1_Accessory_Luggage-Bag_71_4.aspx

GG
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Offline brickiematt

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #2 on: January 10, 2012, 09:35:58 AM »
Yep, we use the same Rhino bag as GGPatrol. Got it whilst on a trip to Fraser when the tarp finally gave up the ghost! I reckon these things are great. Really strong, can take a fair bit of gear and waterproof. Had ours loaded in a few downpours and everything inside stayed dry. It has a srtong zip to close, then double velcro seals fold down over the zip. Easy to use, would definately recommend checking out.

Cheers
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Offline D4D

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #3 on: January 10, 2012, 09:36:34 AM »
I have a Rhino medium size bag also, seems to work ok. My only advice is get something that is easy to scrape the bugs off the front as they get baked on.
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Offline yandiferal

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #4 on: January 10, 2012, 09:38:47 AM »
yep we have the southern cross 4x3 bloody great we carry the swags kids tent and other light bulky item's.
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Offline poidda

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #5 on: January 10, 2012, 09:43:14 AM »
We've used a MSA (Originally Michelles Sacs) for the past 5 years.  We lost our first one, so bought another.
http://www.msa4x4.com.au/Products/TourerPacks.asp

BEing able to throw everything in, clip it up and not have to worry about straps, ropes, or anything falling off is great.  We originally had the 6ft version on the patrol, but now have the 4ft.
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Offline brickiematt

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #6 on: January 10, 2012, 09:44:07 AM »
Quote from: D4D on January 10, 2012, 09:36:34 AM
I have a Rhino medium size bag also, seems to work ok. My only advice is get something that is easy to scrape the bugs off the front as they get baked on.

 bloody oath they do ;D
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Offline BigJules

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #7 on: January 10, 2012, 09:52:10 AM »
I've had a Bushranger bag, very handy. They're not fully waterproof, and most aren't from conversations I've had a campfire.

I like the Southern Cross bags, they're adjustable and strong, but they're very expensive. Probably still good value at those prices though.
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Offline Tim - Stratford

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #8 on: January 10, 2012, 10:03:45 AM »
For swag trips (no kamper) we use a Southern Cross bag - lucky pickup at $100 delivered from fleaBay  ;D

On top of the kamper we use a Rhino bag (medium) for canvas, chairs and other bulky stuff. IMO the Rhino is a better dust seal than the Southern Cross.
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Offline evanw

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #9 on: January 10, 2012, 10:33:13 AM »
Thanks folks. Never thought to check out Rhino and people seem happy with them, just found one medium one on ebay for 290 (rhino site is rrp 397).

poidda the MSA one looks great too a fair bit more expensive though, but extra waterproof cover looks good. How does the outer cover secure to the bag? does not detail this on their site.

With the canvas based ones do you soak them in water and let them dry similar to tents for better sealing?
« Last Edit: January 10, 2012, 10:35:21 AM by evanw »
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Offline poidda

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #10 on: January 10, 2012, 11:03:10 AM »
Quote from: evanw on January 10, 2012, 10:33:13 AM
poidda the MSA one looks great too a fair bit more expensive though, but extra waterproof cover looks good. How does the outer cover secure to the bag? does not detail this on their site.

Mine is the version before they added the extra outer bag.  Same canvas bag, but doesn't have the blue skin.  We have never had any issues without the outer bag.

« Last Edit: October 09, 2012, 10:20:44 AM by poidda »
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Offline MDS69

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #11 on: January 10, 2012, 11:56:26 AM »
I thought with the Rhino bag they had to be full to be waterproof, meaning if they are say half full and the bag is scrunched down creating areas for water to pool and leak through. Does anyone have any experience with this.
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Offline BigJules

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Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #12 on: January 10, 2012, 12:01:11 PM »
No personal knowledge but a mate told me the new MSA bags are not waterproof. He worked at EMG who are flogging them with mag subscriptions.
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Offline Tim - Stratford

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #13 on: January 10, 2012, 12:02:33 PM »
Quote from: evanw on January 10, 2012, 10:33:13 AM


With the canvas based ones do you soak them in water and let them dry similar to tents for better sealing?

Yep - soak in the bath for a couple of hours then dry.
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Offline cardinal28

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #14 on: January 10, 2012, 12:05:30 PM »
Also a Scotchguard (or similar) treatment might help waterproofing and getting the bugs off easier.

Graeme K
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Offline poidda

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #15 on: January 10, 2012, 12:21:40 PM »
Quote from: BigJules on January 10, 2012, 12:01:11 PM
No personal knowledge but a mate told me the new MSA bags are not waterproof. He worked at EMG who are flogging them with mag subscriptions.

I've been in torrential rain and it stay dry up top.  In saying that, I never put stuff up there that MUST stay 100% dry.  Clothes and linen etc stay in the truck.
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Offline Pipeliner

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #16 on: January 10, 2012, 02:11:10 PM »
I've got a bag (can't remember the brand) which sits on top of the box at the front of the camper to hold all the interlocking rubber mats, the table, and a few other items.  Very waterproof (except when I had it mounted with the zip facing forward and the driving rain got inside) but like Poidda I wouldn't keep anything in it which had to stay dry.
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Offline Garry H

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #17 on: January 10, 2012, 03:48:39 PM »
these bags (and similar) are heavy duty, waterproof, handles on the side, variety of sizes
some even have dual zippers, depending on the model

http://www.usabodybags.com/
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Offline OffRoadDave

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #18 on: January 10, 2012, 05:11:49 PM »
I might be biased since I won my Southern Cross roof bag but I reckon it's a brilliant bit of kit, would I pay for one myself, not sure as I haven't used mine all that much, but it's pretty easy to use, has a zipper arrangement around the side to adjust the height of the bag and big straps and clips to tie it down.
« Last Edit: January 10, 2012, 09:42:34 PM by OffRoadDave »
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Offline 2Psinapatrol

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #19 on: January 10, 2012, 09:26:36 PM »
We have a rhino bag. Works well. I like the internal hold down straps. I don't know if other brands have them.

We had a little bit of water in the bag once after some heavy ran. I was not sure if it came in when i open the bag or when driving. I gave it a once over with some water proof spray have had not problem since.
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Offline Wato

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #20 on: January 10, 2012, 09:26:54 PM »
I originally purchased a Bushranger bag but it wasn't even close to being waterproof. Then we purchased a MSA bag about 3 years ago and its brilliant no water or dust gets in. Only use it on long trips and generally used for chairs, chainsaw and extra cartons of XXXX.

Craig
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Offline Teabag

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #21 on: January 10, 2012, 09:47:01 PM »
I also have a MSA roof top bag that has never leaked or let dust in. Has been through hell and back with no issues. I highly recommend this product and much of there other stuff. Its top quality, hence a little dearer....

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Offline ondaboat

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #22 on: January 11, 2012, 02:16:27 AM »
I have a 4x3ft Southern Cross bag

The thing I love about it is the adjustable height, their tie down straps could be better but I just put a couple of straps over it.

Regards Adam
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Offline theflyingbadger

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #23 on: January 11, 2012, 05:28:13 AM »
Quote from: BigJules on January 10, 2012, 12:01:11 PM
He worked at EMG who are flogging them with mag subscriptions, then copy the designs and flog them off as their own....

fixed
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Offline TOPNDR

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Re: Do you use a rooftop bag when travelling
« Reply #24 on: March 22, 2012, 10:22:58 PM »
I purchased a Rhino bag for a 10 week jolly 'round the country in 2010. By the time I'd arrived in Brisbane, 1800 km from home, a webbing strap had worn a hole in the bag,

Rhino's service was excellent NOT!

They wanted me to post the bag to them in Sydney, so that they could inspect it, before deciding if a warranty claim was valid.  I didn't have time to stop travelling just for a hole in a bag.

Needless to say, Rhino have not received any more consumer spending from me.

Today I purchased an MSA TP0.9 (1200 x 900 x 300 mm) bag. On Sunday I head home to FNQ from Melb, so it should get a bit of a flogging.
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