Roof Rack Storage Bag

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fjdemon

fjdemon

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Feb 8, 2007
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200
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2,279
Location
Northeast Georgia (Habersham)
I am looking for something like this picture. It's on the AU ARB website, but doesn't show for sale anywhere. I'm trying to keep it low profile to go on top of my ARB full roof rack on a 60 series.

Any ideas of good quality storage bags? I'm not opposed to hard shell, but want it be streamlined.

arb bag.webp
 
I actually did look at those, but the height was too much. I didn't want something that sat that high off the roof; however, with that being said, they looked really durable.
 
And cheap. You could always not fill them up, that would make them sit lower.
 
I already have the other ones on the way; unfortunately I pulled the trigger on them because I have to have them to set up by the 21st of July. I will post up a picture of the bags when they arrive. I did look more at the right stuff site and I like those roof top duffles too.


I'm still messing around with how I want to set up the roof rack. I used to have this set up, but I've read so much about poor fuel economy and having a roof rack. I know many people might say to buy a prius if you are worried about MPGs, but I'd like to at least try to consider what I'm doing and save 1 mpg or so. Thanks for the response!

FJ60.webp
 
I have a couple, they are great for light big stuff like sleeping bags which are great to put up there. Mine have straps at 4 corners so I can cinch them down and be lower profile and a bit more aerodynamic when not full. Can always throw a strap or 2 across them of course.
You'd want to look at the zipper waterproofness if there is a chance you'll drive in the rain.
Also not a bad idea to put up a spoiler if you're gonna have lots of weird stuff up there?
 
You read my mind on adding a spoiler. I literally just ordered the 49" arb wind deflector. I'm going to use the bags up top mostly to store folding camp chairs, a folding table, my canvas tarp, etc. I did read about zippers blowing open, so I might through a cheap lock on them to ensure they don't unzip.

I was worried about keeping them empty and just flapping around, eventually tearing them up which is why I went with the ones I got.

Which ones did you get? The rightline ones or the kind I got?
 
fjdemon said:
I already have the other ones on the way; unfortunately I pulled the trigger on them because I have to have them to set up by the 21st of July. I will post up a picture of the bags when they arrive. I did look more at the right stuff site and I like those roof top duffles too.


I'm still messing around with how I want to set up the roof rack. I used to have this set up, but I've read so much about poor fuel economy and having a roof rack. I know many people might say to buy a prius if you are worried about MPGs, but I'd like to at least try to consider what I'm doing and save 1 mpg or so. Thanks for the response!

View attachment 1289646
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Fuel economy is a huge thing IMHO. When you plan really long off road trips you always have to account for re-fuel stops, longer range equals more flexibility in planning.
 
rusty_tlc said:
Fuel economy is a huge thing IMHO. When you plan really long off road trips you always have to account for re-fuel stops, longer range equals more flexibility in planning.
Click to expand...

I agree, especially once I get out in the areas where I might not have another fuel station for a hundred miles.

Starting 3 Aug I will be driving from Georgia to New Mexico, then working my way up through Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, and then back to the east coast.


The Georgia to Santa Fe stretch should give me a good idea of MPG with all the gear so by the time I hit the longer stretches where fuel is less available I can make sure I will be okay. I remember driving across Arizona and New Mexico about ten years ago and seeing signs for the "last gas station for the next hundred miles". Not sure if it is still that way, but I have a couple gas cans going on the roof just in case.
 
I can't talk to other states but in Nevada there are many areas where fuel stops are at least 100 miles apart. In addition you pay dearly for fuel in remote areas. Sometimes an extra 50 miles will get you to a larger town where fuel is more reasonably priced.
 
rusty_tlc said:
I can't talk to other states but in Nevada there are many areas where fuel stops are at least 100 miles apart. In addition you pay dearly for fuel in remote areas. Sometimes an extra 50 miles will get you to a larger town where fuel is more reasonably priced.
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Thanks for the heads up. I'll be sure to look for stretches on my route that might be without fuel or are overpriced and have my fuel cans ready if needed.
 
I have to say I love my GasBuddy app for that reason, even in town for that matter. Always been amazed that some folks will not cross a road to get to the station across with gas 20c/gal cheaper.... In a (small) town nearby, there are stations on the outskirts of town that are 50c /gal more expensive compared to a bit (like 3 or 4 miles) closer! Can you say $10 saved for a cruiser...
 
Never heard of gasbuddy, but thanks for the info. I'll download it. I knew there were websites, but the app will be very handy.
 
for what it's worth, this was my set up with an RTT (which could be some other roof rack with other things). i was getting not so good mileage (even with the diesel) and found this older thule roof box. i pushed the RTT further back and made it fit with another set of load bars and this brought my mileage down closer to without anything on the roof. worked like a charm and held what i needed to take on the roof.



 
Looks great! I hope the wind deflector makes it before I leave. Ordered three times and keep getting back order notices. I called Sierra expeditions and they claimed to have on hand. Ordered the 21st and have yet to get a confirmation..... I think it will help like your new carrier did.
 
I just wanted to follow up to this and say the roof bags I got worked great. This is bad photo, but you can see if you look closely how they attache and the profile is just barely above the ARB rack.

Photo in Arches National Park :)
2016-08-07 11.58.03.webp
 
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