Which roof top bag?

Submitted: Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 22:01
ThreadID: 45242 Views:15513 Replies:13 FollowUps:3
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Hi all I am trying to wade through all the different roof top bags.
I have looked at Southern Cross Canvas, Sun shade bags, Freedom bags, Michelle Sacs etc.
I would love to get some honest information from those that have them, use them and who they may reccomend.
I am looking for a large bag around 1.8 x 1.2 x .3. Must be water tight and dust proof.
Do you reccomend canvas or PVC?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
I am located near gosford on the NSW central coast.

Thanks
Chris.
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Reply By: Steve from Top End Explorer Tours - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 22:09

Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 22:09
Hey Cobes

Some guys I used to work for had them made by a upholsterer.

They were not fun to use, they were just difficult.

Cheers Steve.
AnswerID: 238706

Reply By: barney rubble - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 22:45

Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 22:45
Gday cobes a non recomendation is definetly the bushranger rack sack had two (one replaced on insurance) both ripped too easy and wernt really any thing proof but since used pvc one from a mob in wagga nsw which was made to measure over the phone and it was brilliant
I cant think of the mobs name but can get if req Cheers
AnswerID: 238717

Reply By: SteveL - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 22:52

Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 22:52
I have a Bushranger rack-sack and while it held up quite well over 4-5 months of outback travel ,the zip allowed quite a bit of dust in and it leaked in the corners after anything more than a light shower.There is a more expensive PVC one made by Bushranger which is probably better.
AnswerID: 238720

Reply By: AMack - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 23:01

Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 23:01
I have a Bushranger, their larger sized one, and CAN NOT recommend it, IT LEAKS at the wiff of rain.
AnswerID: 238721

Follow Up By: AMack - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 23:04

Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 23:04
Forgot to mention that I have a Southern Cross tent and while I can't comment on there bags, after sales service on an issue I had with the tent was fantastic.
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FollowupID: 499764

Reply By: Matt(WA) - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 23:13

Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 23:13
Chris,
I have a Michelle's Sacs roof top bag and have found it to be brilliant. Lots of trips. So far over 15K in 10 months. Not a drop of dust or moisture. They are a bit expensive to buy, but I have learnt the hard way about buying cheap sh#t. We use it for our turbo tent and all our sleeping bags and clothes and havent had a drama in the world. Takes a little bit of getting used to with all the straps and stuff but once you have it sussed and have all the dust seal closed you cant go wrong. No affiliation with the company or anything either. Just happy with there product. Mines a 2.4 by 1.2 I think
Matt

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AnswerID: 238723

Follow Up By: Drew - Karratha - Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 22:31

Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 22:31
I agree totally with Matt - I have the square one (1.2 x.1.2 - I think) and the amount of gear that it can hold dry and dust free is incredible.
You will not be disappointed
Drew
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FollowupID: 500602

Reply By: flappa - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 09:44

Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 09:44
I have had a Southern Cross Bag for about 4 years now. NEVER had a drop of water in it , even being in Torrential Rain.

It recently took a rather large tumble off the roof of my vehicle , fully loaded , at about 100 kph, and didn't suffer any major problems , other then a few scuff marks.

Happily buy another
AnswerID: 238772

Reply By: Dean - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 10:26

Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 10:26
Forget about all the highly advertised bags. Go to the local canvas product maker.
They will provide better canvas, make to your size, and will cost a lot less. Plenty on here have done that.
Dean

AnswerID: 238775

Reply By: Middle Jeff - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 11:53

Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 11:53
Hi Chris

I have two different types, a small Michelle's Sacs one which is good and a large Bushranger which is also great, infact I think it is the better off the two. The Bushranger is the new orange type not the old one I went through two of those before I got this one. If I could have got the orange one small enough I would have it instead of the Michelle's Sacs one which is really expensive. If you get a Michelle's Sacs one do not put anything under it ( I had a heavy rubber to stop it from rubbing on the wire mesh but it let the water seep up through the stitching, once I removed it no more problems.

Have fun

Craig
AnswerID: 238784

Reply By: Steve63 - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 12:52

Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 12:52
We had a Sunshade bag probably a similar size to what you are looking at and it worked well. It was at the rear of the rack and let in very little dust even though the rear was often heavily covered in dust. No water even in 5 days of continual rain. We did about 60,000km on dirt roads with it without any issues. The zip cover kept most dust out. That that did get in had some assistance (didn't close the zip properly a couple of times).

We tended to pack things in plastic boxes so we could find things so dust and water was not a concern. One thing this did was keep the bag full and so water tended not to pool on the top of it if stationary. I think they claim the bags are 95% dust and water proof.

I would buy another one.

Steve
AnswerID: 238799

Reply By: Dustin - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 17:47

Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 17:47
Looks like lots of conflicting advice here, we have a Southern Cross canvas bag and it leaks. You can see light through the stitching etc. We watered the canvas bag as per instructions etc but it still leakes. When we use it we also pack and seal everything that goes inside.

It’s tough and durable but unfortunately not water or dust proof

I bought mine over the internet, maybe inspecting and seeing what you want in person before parting with the $$$ might be good advice as quality seems to vary.
AnswerID: 238840

Follow Up By: atoyot - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 18:03

Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 18:03
My experience is the same. Excellent quality in the Southern Cross bag, but mine leaks water and dust a bit. We pack everything inside it into garbage bags and, apart from being a bit fiddly, it works OK. From my research, Michelles Sacs or the new Bushranger should be ok, but I wanted a custom size, and SC could do that.

Andrew
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FollowupID: 499889

Reply By: Cram - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 17:58

Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 17:58
I recently read an article written by the owner of ARB in Newcastle that recommended the Rhino Roof Top Bag.

Claimed that after driving on red dust road for a considerable distance that the bag had not allowed any dust into it.

AnswerID: 238843

Reply By: bmwrider - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 18:21

Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 18:21
I have just purchased a bag made to my measurements 1450 x 1230 x 450 mm. I paid $274 including delivery. This guy had the bags for sale through ebay recently Site Link
I haven't used the bag yet but I am very impressed with the quality of the manufacture. You can call Peter on 0428281198. Nice bloke to talk to.

Garry
AnswerID: 238849

Reply By: Yellowfin - Friday, May 11, 2007 at 11:12

Friday, May 11, 2007 at 11:12
Hi
Sorry for the late reply. I have the medium Rhino bag and while expensive is great. Well made and tough with seat belt quality straps. Waiting for the large version which I am told will be out at end of month. We put 4 rhino crossbars on and just put bag straight on these with camp table inside - no need then to have the tray as well and makes gear easier to get to, saves a lot on buying tray and means set-up is more flexible - ie surfboards fishing rods etc.
Anyway just my thoughts.
Cheers
AnswerID: 239270

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