TheSamba.com :: View topic - Mountainsmith Packs great for Vanagon Westy

Fri Apr 17, 2015 10:02 am

dobryan wrote: Four of them fit perfectly behind the Westy rear seat and then under the bed when lowered.... 8)

I considered the 4, but my porta potty fits and is stored in that same space too, leaving room for only 3.

Fri Apr 17, 2015 10:03 am

shadetreetim wrote: dobryan wrote: Four of them fit perfectly behind the Westy rear seat and then under the bed when lowered.... 8)

I considered the 4, but my porta potty fits and is stored in that same space too, leaving room for only 3.

Don't get them mixed up! :wink: :lol:

Fri Apr 17, 2015 10:29 am

dobryan wrote: shadetreetim wrote: dobryan wrote: behind the Westy rear seat

my porta potty fits and is stored in that same space too

Don't get them mixed up! :wink: :lol:

Just realized the behind the seat comment. :shock: No porta potty storage there. I was really thinking to store these in front of the seat while driving, alongside the porta potty. I guess we'll see where I like them best.

But that reminds me to warn Lady Shadetree in regards to night time usage. :-& Thanks

Mon Jul 13, 2015 4:55 am

@dhaavers
Huge thanks for this suggestion, total game changer! No more reaching around to grab the bags every time I make a sharp right turn!

dhaavers wrote: ^^^ From your blog:

Quote: I still haven’t found a great way to keep them from shifting around on top of the Coleman cooler but I know a solution is possible.
I'd suggest a layer of common non-slip "drawer liner" laid on top of your cooler:

http://www.amazon.com/Con-Tact-Premium-Non-Adhesiv...awer+liner

It'll last a long time and you'll get plenty to replace it when needed. I even use it in the shop on
the workbench to securely hold flat pieces for machine sanding, etc... Nothing ever slips! 8)

I'm a fan of the Mt'Smith bags, too - and your blog looks great!

- Dave

Mon Jul 13, 2015 11:16 am

this thread bump reminds me that one of my cardboard boxes FAILED recently!!

the corner blew out after only 15 years - damn it!!!

Sat Sep 19, 2015 8:39 am

My collection of MountainSmith bags passed the real World travel test.
7000 miles, shoes, his clothes, her clothes (2) :shock: , toiletries (hers), and a roll top dry bag for dirty clothes.

They not only fit well, were easy to carry, convenient to use...... They passed the Wife test of usability! In the Van, staying with family/friends homes and for that occasional Hotel Room.

Honestly, these bags worked so well that I see these bags as becoming choice #1 for Non Vanagon travel as well.

Score!! A best buy product! (Unless you are partial to cardboard boxes and paper bags....... :wink: )

Sat Sep 19, 2015 4:06 pm

Yep. Did 10 weeks and 11,000 miles with ours. We even used them as carryon luggage when we flew somewhere during the trip. 😀😀

Wed May 30, 2018 2:17 pm

Here's a bump for an old school thread.

Long story short, I had to replace my MS 4 pack, they are discontinued but the link below has them for $50 with free shipping.

Grab them while you can. I contacted MS and they said 4 pack is discontinued and they will only be making three packs.

https://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/Mou.../cat100864

Happy Trails.

Wed May 30, 2018 9:09 pm

seabright_sc wrote: Here's a bump for an old school thread.

Long story short, I had to replace my MS 4 pack, they are discontinued but the link below has them for $50 with free shipping.

Grab them while you can. I contacted MS and they said 4 pack is discontinued and they will only be making three packs.

https://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/Mou.../cat100864

Happy Trails.

You just sold a set of these…my recent weekend trip would have been better if I wasn't living out of a carrier bag…

Thu May 31, 2018 5:11 am

Paulbeard wrote: seabright_sc wrote: Here's a bump for an old school thread.

Long story short, I had to replace my MS 4 pack, they are discontinued but the link below has them for $50 with free shipping.

Grab them while you can. I contacted MS and they said 4 pack is discontinued and they will only be making three packs.

https://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/Mou.../cat100864

Happy Trails.

You just sold a set of these…my recent weekend trip would have been better if I wasn't living out of a carrier bag…

I just ordered another 4 pack set for my euro bus project. Great deal at $50 shipped to my door. Thanks for the heads up!

Wed May 04, 2022 4:54 am

Well here it is 2022. Post pandemic, camping is more popular than ever and those mountainsmith bags are still popular but long since discontinued and somewhat hard to find. I ordered a single cube off of eBay for $25 to check out the style and quality. Really liked it so I just dropped $177 on eBay for a used set of the 3 pack style. Still, I’m excited to get them as the mess that swirls around in the van during our camping trips is an irritant to me. This forum topic continues to sell - lol.

Appreciate everyone’s comments and pictures!

Wed May 04, 2022 4:57 am

That is too bad the mountain smith packs are NLA.

These things are great for use in the Van or other uses. They are my “go to” baggage!
I better take better care of them I guess!

Dave

Wed May 04, 2022 5:16 am

Yep. We use ours every camping trip. They have held up well over the years.

Wed May 04, 2022 7:15 am

Those things look handy - anyone find a modern (aka available) option?

I see REI has these packaway cubes - but not sure if they fit as well.
https://www.rei.com/product/186176/rei-co-op-pack-away-adjustable-cube

Wed May 04, 2022 7:17 am

kguarnotta wrote: Those things look handy - anyone find a modern (aka available) option?

Ours are still in great shape after around fifteen years of abuse :shock: but I had a look around this morning out of curiosity and couldn't find anything with the same size/setup as the Mountainsmith cubes. It's worth doing a deeper dive, though. Those things are amazing.

Wed May 04, 2022 11:11 am

Kelty makes a similar product: https://www.kelty.com/car-go-box/?sku=24669222BEL&...FVEALw_wcB

Wed May 04, 2022 11:34 am

Good spotting.. and while not a 4 case bag it's a decent 3 bagger..

PDXWesty wrote: Kelty makes a similar product: https://www.kelty.com/car-go-box/?sku=24669222BEL&...FVEALw_wcB

Thu May 05, 2022 6:47 am

I own two 4 bag sets. Picked up #2 in an auction last year because they are so useful! Had no idea they are NLA. Still sitting on a shelf unused in original plastic.

The size, quality, easy to use zippers, and being waterproof make them perfect for camping. Been Left outside in heavy rain, and your clothes are still dry!

Added on 5/9: I just listed the new set on eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/294975460435
Anyone here who wants them for $150, I'll pay for the shipping. PM me, don't buy them off of eBay.

Thu May 05, 2022 9:35 am

After reading about them now being NLA, I am glad I grabbed mine five years ago. In short, we love them - one bag per person works great for long weekends and two bags for 2 week+ road trips makes one think hard about how much and what type of clothing they really need to bring. We both 'invest' in quality Patagonia/Eddie Bauer/REI/MEC travel clothing that both wears, breathes and washes well, which limits how many laundry stops we need to make on 3-4 week trips. The Kelty option would be great if they offered a four-pack.

Thu May 05, 2022 7:02 pm

coqcitywesty wrote: The Kelty option would be great if they offered a four-pack.
Just get 2 sets-who doesn’t like a 6-pack ?🍻