Westy Roof-top Storage Bag Options

[Vanlife Geek]

UPDATE: This bag did not last long, as might have been expected from the super cheap price. The straps have deteriorated and some of the fabric has failed. Just wanted everyone to know that this bag is not a good solution. Although I must admit it's been up there the entire time since I installed it, so maybe I'm asking too much.

[Jake de Villiers]

[Jake de Villiers]

[pdm777]

-Jake-
show us a photo of cargo box in forward position.

Cannot visualize how throwing it forward into the slipstream
will improve aero. Doesn't this make popping the top difficult?

Is this what you had in mind? photoshop hack :

I slammed my box right down to the top fiberglas.
Having a box stick up with airflow going under the box is NG for aero.
_________________
1990 Westy 2.0 Tiico inline 4-cyl / CA BAR sticker
/1987 Porsche 911 Carrera

[khughes]

[Jake de Villiers]

I did the opposite with my skybox: mounted it more forward to mimic the superior aerodynamic shape of the Dehler Profi high top. I also fill the luggage rack flush to the top with our folding kitchen.

This netted me a gain of ~2 mpg on a 1500 mile trip across southern BC to Alberta and back. A pleasant surprise.
_________________
'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com

[pdm777]

I was considering a bag...

+low cost
+easy solution
- easy to steal, a target for thieves. 'whats in the bag man'
- about as secure as a convertible roof, cut the fabric, you're in!

The #1 issue is aerodynamics.
A flappy bag at the top of the windshield is the worst location!

#2 is security.
I need to lock up my chit and not worry about tweakers ripping me off.

I decided to try a used cargo box and place it as far rearward
as possible to get it out of the windstream. Moving the weight back
makes the pop top easy to lift with Bombay heavy duty shocks.
I can use one hand to pop the top!

Photoshop showing height difference before and after

_________________
1990 Westy 2.0 Tiico inline 4-cyl / CA BAR sticker
/1987 Porsche 911 Carrera

[Vanlife Geek]

[kage]

This looks really good and I was on the verge of ordering but I looked at the user agreement with the company that sells it. Maybe I'm naive about this kind of stuff but I felt as if I was agreeing to let them rifle through my computer and just about anything else they were interested in smelling. The allie express one above I mean.

[Vanlife Geek]

I figured having stuff up there would decrease the MPG a bit, but I already had stuff up there, just secured with an elastic net. The sun was taking its toll, so I figured at least there would be some sun and rain protection. Interesting data in your linked post, by the way. Thanks.
_________________
Vanlife Geek
Current:
1986 Syncro Westy
Previous:
1983 Westy
1981 Westy
1972 Bug (Last year you could buy a new one for under $2,000)
1965/66 Bug (2 bugs from a junk yard combined to make 1 functional bug)
1959 Bug (Pre Gas Gauge Era)

[dobryan]

That does look like deal. It will drop your mpg by 1-2 mpg if it sticks up like that.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=469828&highlight=
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The West Coast Westy
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[Vanlife Geek]

I found a bag that is almost the exact footprint of the luggage rack and has 8 straps that are in the exact location of the built-in tie downs. It claims to be waterproof and UV resistant, but we'll see in the long run how it does. I carry a couple of folding chairs, a rug, a folding table, some leveling blocks and my ARB screen room & 3-wall tent up there and wanted to give some protection from the rain/snow, but especially the harsh Colorado UV rays. As you can see from the pictures, there is a lot more room if I need to put more stuff in there and if I'm willing to have it stick up higher. I'm actually pretty impressed with the quality considering how inexpensive it is. It's only $20 with free (slow - about 2 weeks) shipping from AliExpress in China. It seems to be similar to the Rola but with more straps and less than half the price. In case anyone is interested, here's a link: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000275922154.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.88bc4c4dFTVYEt
You can supposedly get $19 in free coupons by registering here: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/2B9IaXqY
I just installed it this morning and will let you know how it holds up after it's been up there a while.

_________________
Vanlife Geek
Current:
1986 Syncro Westy
Previous:
1983 Westy
1981 Westy
1972 Bug (Last year you could buy a new one for under $2,000)
1965/66 Bug (2 bugs from a junk yard combined to make 1 functional bug)
1959 Bug (Pre Gas Gauge Era)

[vwwestyman]

Happened to get an email ad with this one from Jegs today:

Seems like a pretty inexpensive option. Probably at least good for occasional use I suppose.

http://www.jegs.com/p/JEGS-Performance-Products/JE...71010email
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Dave Cook

[jeffsab]

I am happy with the Rola Wallaroo:
https://smile.amazon.com/ROLA-59102-Wallaroo-Cargo-Bag/dp/B000E7WLJW/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?

Just did 2400 miles with it lashed to the luggage rack, with some light but no heavy rain. I put all my bedding in it. It's pretty easy to unhook and toss the whole bag down at camp, and then repack on the ground and throw it back up on the van. Includes all the straps you need, which match up perfectly to the stock luggage rack mounting hooks. For the price I paid ($43.50), seems like a steal.

[PDXWesty]

Lots of options on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search...+Cargo+Bag
_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[figborg]

Also check out the large cargo area bag from this system stocked by CVC :
http://campervanculture.com/shop/westfalia-front-roof-tub-or-roof-rack-storage-system-zip-bag/

Product Dimensions:
Folded: L 450mm (17.3″) x W 380mm (15″) x H 50mm (2″)
Filled: L 450mm (17.3″) x W 1050mm (41.3″) x H 275mm (10.8″)
Weight: 1.46kg (3.4lbs)

Detail from Timwhy photo for cargo area dimensions:

_________________
-- PF
Providence, RI
1986.5 Westy camper (G year code, grey interior), 2WD, manual transmission, Subaru conversion by Vanaru. Spoiled rotten.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=662374

[figborg]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Vanobag by Go Westy. I got one last year when it went on sale. I haven't used it yet but it seems very sturdy. Can't say anything about dryness. It's thick plastic material and I'm hoping it does the job in the rain. It can collapse easily.

http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?id=4347

_________________
-- PF
Providence, RI
1986.5 Westy camper (G year code, grey interior), 2WD, manual transmission, Subaru conversion by Vanaru. Spoiled rotten.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=662374

[Irishcalifornian]

Rhino is one of the best

[[email protected]]

Check out the Aire frodo. I used one on a resent rafting trip and not one thing got wet after 4 days on the water. I'm new to the westy world and thought this would be a good fit for the roof top.

http://www.aire.com/accessories/water-proof-frodo-bag.asp

[pinetreeporsche]

I'll be the detective on it, then. I'll order one, measure it when it arrive at HD, and keep or give it back, depending. I'll probably have an answer by late in the week.