TheSamba.com :: View topic - Hard-sided Storage Containers for Roof Rack

Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:42 pm

Yeah, exactly what he's looking for if he feels like paying GoWesty an extra $80 over retail cost for the Pelican 1700 gun case.

You didn't read PDX's link, did you rumitcu?

Here's the spoon-feeding link:

http://www.casesbypelican.com/pelican_1700.htm

Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:40 pm

cris- i had only bought the luggage rack, not the containers for them. i was trying to make some of my own.

Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:00 pm

[email protected] wrote: cris- i had only bought the luggage rack, not the containers for them. i was trying to make some of my own.

Got you, sorry about the confusion. I think I remember it. Didn't I delivered the roof rack piece to you in a parking lot somewhere? It was a long time ago!

As far as Go Westy's box, I am a frequent customer and thankful that they are around, but this one doesn't seem like it would hold much, with only 5-1/2" overall height. Might be good for the fishing gear, but I personally need storage for larger items. Also, bringing that big thing up and down the rack could be a pain (and I realize you can access from the pop top opening, but you do need to load/unload it at some point?).

Cris

Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:39 pm

Cris:

I, too, would be interested in a set - that's the smoothest setup I've ever seen!

Please keep me posted.

Dan

Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:02 pm

poptopbob wrote: I'm looking for some type of plastic bin or container(s) to sit inside the "roof well" infront of the pop top. I have read where some use dry storage bags; I'm looking for compact, rigid boxes. Any ideas?
Thanks
Not a fan of hardshells.. seems as soon as you pick a size, you find yourself with something that won't quite fit inside.

I prefer dry bags, the kind used by kayakers and such.. fully submersible, available in several sizes, and can be collapsed down around to fit any size carge. Stack em high, squish em flat. Throw them inside when not in use.

Sierra Trading Post (online) has them, regularly $10-25 or so.

Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:06 pm

Dark Alley Dan wrote: Cris:

I, too, would be interested in a set - that's the smoothest setup I've ever seen!

Please keep me posted.

Dan

OK, I will find out if production of another batch of these roof rack boxes can be arranged, and if so what would be the price per set of 3 (or individually?). I will report back when I get answers. In the meantime, it would help to get p-mails from potentially interested people, to get an idea of how many sets are we talking about here.

Cris

Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:08 pm

j_dirge wrote:
Not a fan of hardshells.. seems as soon as you pick a size, you find yourself with something that won't quite fit inside.

I prefer dry bags, the kind used by kayakers and such.. fully submersible, available in several sizes, and can be collapsed down around to fit any size carge. Stack em high, squish em flat. Throw them inside when not in use.

Sierra Trading Post (online) has them, regularly $10-25 or so.

Not a bad way to go, the collapsing capability is a nice feature.
Cris

Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:49 pm

I use this bag from GW (their photo) -- dry, fits perfectly in the luggage rack, heavy-duty water-proof material and comes with cinching straps. Zipper opens wide and is easy to access the bag - plus it comes with nicely padded handles.

Here's the link to the product page:

http://gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3474

Have used the cargo bag for beach chairs, sleeping bags, umbrellas, etc. Advice: Put the bag up on the luggage rack and load it through your tent window --- it can get pretty heavy if you load it first and then attempt to place it up on your luggage rack.

Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:49 am

What sort of stuff are people putting up there in these storage containers? Clothes? There are some things that bug me about putting stuff up top in the luggage rack:
1. Adding weight at the vans highest point will it will increase body sway during turning and braking, the Westy already handles like crap un-loaded
2. The sun makes a pressure-cooker out of anything halfway sealed...especially down here in Florida. this could damage contents
3. Objects on the luggage rack decrease aerodynamics on the highway, causing us to get even less MPG.

Maybe all these are insignificant, but number 1. bothers me the most thats why clothes would be the best/lightest thing to put up there IMO.

Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:21 am

We utilize the luggage well for folding chairs, firewood and the like. Things that are relatively unaffected by weather, and the right size to load/unload from the driver/passenger doors or bumper. Not highly prized stuff that we would miss if it fell off or got stolen. It's a great spot for garbage until you can find a dumpster.

That said, we also use a 12 cubic foot Thule roof box when space inside becomes an issue, or toting long stuff like canoe and kayak paddles.

I really like the looks of the containers, I'm just not sure their practicality would justify their expense. And I would probably leave the folding chairs home if they couldn't be stowed up top with the containers in place.

Prosit,
Ric

Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:52 am

Tiiconaut wrote: What sort of stuff are people putting up there in these storage containers? Clothes? There are some things that bug me about putting stuff up top in the luggage rack:
1. Adding weight at the vans highest point will it will increase body sway during turning and braking, the Westy already handles like crap un-loaded
2. The sun makes a pressure-cooker out of anything halfway sealed...especially down here in Florida. this could damage contents
3. Objects on the luggage rack decrease aerodynamics on the highway, causing us to get even less MPG.

Maybe all these are insignificant, but number 1. bothers me the most thats why clothes would be the best/lightest thing to put up there IMO.
1. Yes. Though stuff in the luggage rack won't cause too much trouble if you've already loaded down the rear.

2. Yes. I usually only put sleeping bags, chairs, etc up top.. the sun can beat on stuff. Nothing does well left out in UV for long. The dry bags I use should be opened when not in use to let items inside air out. I like the GoWesty vinyl bag and will probably invest in one.. in a year or two.

3. Not so much. The air flow is up and over due to the sloping nose and windshield. I've seen wind tunnel shots (can't remember where) and it looks like a vacuum is created down low in the luggage rack. Dead air space.

I store everything I can inside when en route. I stopped using roof racks 15 yrs or more ago when one particular rack parted ways with me in central Baja, (not in a Westy).

My motto is "if won't fit inside, maybe I don't need to take it." Helps discourage theivery a bit, too. (only a bit)

But there are times when we simply run out of room.. I expect this will be the case more so.. now that we have two little ones growing up. If two kids are sitting back there, the surfboards have to go up top (or on a trailer)

I am not a fan of the Thule rack cargo box, either.. thats a lot of wieght on top and without some structural beefing up the top flexes and its a LOT of load for the one catch that holds the entire top down.. I'm just not keen on it.
I've had my roof lifted by crosswinds (where the canvas tent drops out even) I don't like the idea of more drag up there.

I'd consider a small trailer if I needed that kind of hauling capacity.
Nice offroad types are available for reasonable prices.

All things in moderation.

Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:00 am

I would like the flexibility and versatility of Chris' 3 Westy styled cargo units.
but I do prefer the soft sided canvas pack (that I also sell) for it's ability to carry larger bulkier items

it REALLY.. I mean REALLY bugs me when people toss the spare gas can up there.. Sure it's better then inside.. but Hmm really not even really.. it's a BOMB steaming and stewing under the summer sun.. and if 1-2 gal is going to make or break your trip.. don't pass that last gas station or drive so far into the bush..
well I have no problems with it over YOUR head while off pavement.. but on the road it could become a projectile in a maneuver or sudden stop.. let alone a collision..

ok rant off on overhead fuel cans.. now onto stationwagons with spare tires bungeed to the roof.. :twisted:

as mentiioned with cargo bags you have to secure from flapping that will damage nearly any fabric. but theres a bunch of chat in another post regarding the dish of the roof rack causing disturbance and lower mpgs..
in Canada someone made/makes a BAGAWEST which is a HUGE fiberlgass top that fits the roof rack.. gives the same leading profile as a hightop.
Go Westy offers a nice GREY cargo pack
and I offer a Duck brown 5cuft cargo pack (NLA from my supplier, and running low on personal inventory) that sits a little lower then the GW one.

Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:30 am

I would be interested in a set of those as well! Let us know what the price is.

Grizz

Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:58 am

I personnaly use a canoe bag. I am of the bag school as well. Light, takes no place when not needed etc. I have nothing up there 95% of the time. And I don't feel the need to have boxes there.
I have a Thule box that I use on long trips when needed.
The bag is big, can be used as a bag back. But it's very low tech, and was cheap to buy. (came with the van, but probably did not cost more than 50$).
It is waterproof. It almost the same size of my rack. I can put something that is 12x12x12 x 36long inside. I have not the exact measurement.
I put a BBQ once inside. Pretty much the same space as the gowesty unit up there. Just not so fancy, and take less room when empty I am sure.

See here for some ideas:
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_listing.jsp?FOL...5430632757

Any army surplus store or outdoor place could get you going for 60-70$ max.
Mine is not as fancy as this one (older):
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PROD...5430639129
but 115 liters at 85$ (cheaper in the US I would think) seems like mine in specs.

JP

Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:09 pm

I am a big fan of GoWesty, but the GoWesty bag rockfish shows and talks about lets water in, apparently through the zipper. I had one for a long trip where we encountered lots of rain and I had to take everything out and dry it out twice. I had the contents in their own plastic garbage bags and that helped a lot, but overall they got wet inside. The zipper was facing towards the rear so I could open it from the poptop front window.

I think the Sierra Trading Post drybags look best and the price is reasonable.

Mon Oct 18, 2010 1:04 pm

I'll buy three if/when they're available!

Sat Oct 30, 2010 10:54 am

I do a lot of white water boating and find the dry bag to be the most versitile.I keep the boating gear in it and when we get home we can take the wet stuff out without getting sand and mud all over the camper.they are very compact to store(lay them flat behind the upper mattress).then if you find something on your trip you can throw it up top.tie them securely so the material doesnt shred in the wind.happy paddiling.

SOMETHINGS AMISS AT THE HAUF 2NITE!!!

Sat Oct 30, 2010 11:03 am

I use a giant dry bag occasionally. The real big bags can sometimes be found at a discount, because they are just for most people. Got mine for $20!

Sat Oct 30, 2010 11:03 am

I scored a Bagawest storage unit when I was in Alaska, the guy who makes them is in Canada but they a pretty cool, not cheap but cool

In this add if you page through you will see what i'm talking about

http://quebeccity.olx.ca/westfalia-1984-iid-5262654#pics

Sat Oct 30, 2010 1:25 pm

AlanD wrote: I am a big fan of GoWesty, but the GoWesty bag rockfish shows and talks about lets water in, apparently through the zipper.

I took the recommended route someone else posted about and got the Rola bag: http://www.amazon.com/Rola-59102-Expandable-Hitch-...amp;sr=8-1 . Costs far less than GoWesty's and is waterproof. I just used it for the first time a couple weeks ago hauling kayak gear and it worked fabulously, even in the rain. My one and only complaint is that the straps are way too long if you don't fill the bag; easily remedied with scissors though.

I went the dry bag route earlier in the year for the luggage rack and found it to be a total PITA.