Member Since: 14 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1509
Roof Rack Storage
Hi,
I am looking for some suggestions for storage options on my roof rack. It is just a cheap eBay one as I am on a V tight budget. We will be travelling to Spain in May in the D3 and I want to put some stuff on the roof rack.
I have seen some storage bags on eBay, so I am thinking one of those plus a couple of plastic waterproof containers that I can put some essentials in for maintenance, tools etc, I will have AA cover for the trip, but will take a couple of bits just in case. I have read other posts on what to take, so have a good idea of what I am planning to put in the boxes, but I wondered if anyone can suggest any cheap waterproof options that will still look good up there.
Thanks in advanceDiscovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
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Discovery 3 SE 2005 Manual Zambezi Silver Gone
Range Rover Sport HSE 2006 Black
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26th Jan 2020 11:40 am
G3Z
Member Since: 16 Dec 2018
Location: South Wales
Posts: 567
Which rack is it? Are you able to post it?
I’m also interest in people suggestions on this.
Cheers.
26th Jan 2020 1:20 pm
pwheeldon
Member Since: 14 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1509
Hi,
I know it's cheap one and I'll probably get slated for it, buycheap but twice etc. But it was a case of buy cheap or not at all.
As I say I'm on a very tight budget so I am having to do a lot of the things I want with ebay Chinese copies.Discovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
Discovery 3 s 2005 Auto Bonatti Grey Gone
Discovery 3 SE 2005 Manual Zambezi Silver Gone
Range Rover Sport HSE 2006 Black
Aston Martin DB7 VV
26th Jan 2020 2:08 pm
leeds
Member Since: 30 Aug 2010
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 4316
Personally I would be wary of trusting cheap waterproof bags for roof rack use especially anything which is important. Bags leak through zips and handle stitching etc.
Cheap but not pretty, drop tarpaulin on rack, put goods on top, then parcel fold tarp over the goods.
Second smaller tarp over the top all strapped down.
Take to secure corners etc to avoid wind noise.
26th Jan 2020 2:55 pm
pwheeldon
Member Since: 14 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1509
Good call I might get the bag then a black tarp to cover, belt and braces!Discovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
Discovery 3 s 2005 Auto Bonatti Grey Gone
Discovery 3 SE 2005 Manual Zambezi Silver Gone
Range Rover Sport HSE 2006 Black
Aston Martin DB7 VV
26th Jan 2020 3:54 pm
greg00
Member Since: 08 Dec 2017
Location: Zurich
Posts: 162
I got the AmazonBasics bag for a hitch platform carrier which is great with good stitching and strong material and zipper. It’s like a gigantic North Face Base Camp Duffel Bag at a fraction of the cost. They claim it‘s waterproof which I found out in a big storm is only 95% true. You can easily strap the hitch bag onto your roof rack. Otherwise there‘s a specific roof version and I guess the quality will be the same.
Most overlanders tend to use aluminium boxes like the ones from Zarges.
Edit: Amazon claims it‘s only water repellent. So for not being waterproof it actually repels water pretty good
27th Jan 2020 1:32 am
pwheeldon
Member Since: 14 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1509
Hi,
Thanks I will have a look at those. Funnily enough I was thinking of maybe getting the towbar rack as well. Whats your opinion on them? I tow a trailer and a caravan regularly and have had bike racks, so I assume it would be too hard.
ThanksDiscovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
Discovery 3 s 2005 Auto Bonatti Grey Gone
Discovery 3 SE 2005 Manual Zambezi Silver Gone
Range Rover Sport HSE 2006 Black
Aston Martin DB7 VV
27th Jan 2020 1:42 pm
pwheeldon
Member Since: 14 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1509
I have just looked and they do a roof one which is bigger, but I think the one you have would be better as we would need space for snowboard bag etc. Plus if I do get the tow rack it will fit that too. Good call there thanks.Discovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
Discovery 3 s 2005 Auto Bonatti Grey Gone
Discovery 3 SE 2005 Manual Zambezi Silver Gone
Range Rover Sport HSE 2006 Black
Aston Martin DB7 VV
27th Jan 2020 1:45 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
I also have an Amazon roof bag, I was amazed by the sturdiness and quality of it for the price. It's a chunky bit of kit. We use it on the roof of the wife's berlingo too.D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
27th Jan 2020 2:42 pm
pwheeldon
Member Since: 14 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1509
I think the Amazon bag is a go then. I may still get a black tarp to cover everything just in case.
I would still like some ideas about boxes as I would ideally like to leave the boxes on there full time with tow strap, bungees, ratchets etc.Discovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
Discovery 3 s 2005 Auto Bonatti Grey Gone
Discovery 3 SE 2005 Manual Zambezi Silver Gone
Range Rover Sport HSE 2006 Black
Aston Martin DB7 VV
Get the amazon bag and wrap the items you are going to put inside in black plastic bags or the tarp. Adds a bit of certainty that they wont get wet. It's what we always do even though our Roof Bag is fully waterproof. Also put a bit of padding under the Roof Bag so it doesn't rub on the roof rack.
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
sounds obvious but don't forget to check the size of the bag and that it will fit inside your roof cage, it's very big indeedD4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
27th Jan 2020 4:43 pm
greg00
Member Since: 08 Dec 2017
Location: Zurich
Posts: 162
I can absolutely recommend the hitch carrier. It‘s easy to load without wind drag and depending on your hitch and carrier you still can open the lower tailgate. Since I have a LR3 it came with an American 2“ hitch which hold at least 300lb and won‘t move side to side.
27th Jan 2020 4:49 pm
pwheeldon
Member Since: 14 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1509
Ivan - anything that can be, will be vacuum packed before being packed. They're a god send for reducing storage and as theyre air tight, should be fairly water tight. But I will probably cover everything with a tarp anyway. That way its belt, braces and something else that holds up trousers.
James - assume nothing as my wife often says it makes an etc etc, so yes ive checked and it is smaller than the rack.
Greg - Thanks for the feedback. Just noticed you've your skis and board on the roof. Good call!
If it comes to it I will just just use some plastic crates and cover with the tarp for now and keep looking for that elusive bargain!
Thanks for the replies guysDiscovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
Discovery 3 s 2005 Auto Bonatti Grey Gone
Discovery 3 SE 2005 Manual Zambezi Silver Gone
Range Rover Sport HSE 2006 Black
Aston Martin DB7 VV
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