[FJ4President]

If you have a roof top cargo bag, please show and tell....Thanks!

 

[oldskoolboarder]

I've used the Rola bag during a rainy Christmas and a camping trip. The presents didn't get wet and I was able to stuff a lot of sleeping bags, pads, tents and bags on the roof.

I prefer this over a hard shell Yakima box because it's more forgiving.

Amazon.com: Rola 59100 Platypus Expandable Roof Top Bag: Automotive

 

[FJ4President]

I was looking into a Rola and also followed your link below and the one customer feedback was a terrible. They said snow and rain got in...do you think they loaded something wrong? I'm really after one that is WATERPROOF...also do you have the OEM roof rack? If so did it mount tightly and securely?

Thanks!

 

[nevadaesh]

This subject has been on my mind as a future buy - when I really have to go to rain/snow country. Hope people have some good ideas.

Come to think of it, I've had my FJ since last September and I don't think it has experienced rain yet. Not gloating, the thread brought it to mind.

 

[Teotwaki]

Thule makes great bags. My particular model is discontinued but they have newer versions offered. Here are some shots from Canyonlands when I had four people and a ton of gear to carry.

 

[kokopelli]

I've been looking into this for several months as well. The Thule and Rolla seem to be the most recommended, but I've also read terrible customer reviews on both as well. Possibly more owners will pot here and let us know.. Ron

THULE® QUEST™ ROOF-RACK STORAGE BAG - JCWhitney Auto Parts

If you have a roof top cargo bag, please show and tell....Thanks!

 

[fjc07]

ZIPLOCK works well!!

 

[OrionA1414]

I would buy some of these...Seattle Sports Delta Clear Dry Bag - X Large - '07 Closeout from REI-OUTLET.com and strap them down. There has been some horrible storms here in Florida over the last week! I never thought I'd be completing a river crossing in the middle of a busy 4 lane road. I hit about 2 feet of water @ 40MPH and almost lost it!! Anyway, drybags and bungie cords.

 

[kokopelli]

hahahaha.. It would take quite a few.. LOL.. Ron

ZIPLOCK works well!!

 

[Celtic Cruiser]

I just picked up two Roof-Bag.com's small fully waterproof bags for 79.99 each w/free shipping. We used them for our trip the FJ Thrill On The Hill rally in Ruidoso, NM. Never would have gotten all of our camping gear there without them. Two of these fit back to back on the OEM rack for a tappered front and rear. One we packed with sleeping bags, pillows and ground pads for four. That was light and a breeze to throw up on the roof and secure with the two straps supplied. The other had tents and backpacks in it and it was a mother to get up on the back part of the rack. That said, we put a ton of stuff in them and still had the back of the FJ packed, but like I said there was gear for two adults and two kids. For the price you can't beat the product. They do have "RoofBag.com" in large letters on them, but back to back you can't see that. Highly recommended for the price and quality. They fold up into stuff bags smaller than a sleeping bag all rolled up. We got dumped on rain wise and cruised at 70- 80 mph, no leaks and they stayed up there no prob. Just make sure the end of the straps are tied up securely so they don't flap around on the roof and drive you nuts. We'll use them again, but mostly for the light bulky stuff..

 

[SoCalHog]

I used a cheap Rain-X bag from wal-mart last weekend.

It was loaded and strapped to the top of my navigator.

We went through some serious storms in Arkansas and not one problem.

The straps were very cheap, but the bag seemed solid.

David

 

[caddo]

For those that uses the square "roof bag", what is your method for loading/unloading them?

I got one of those to put in my basket but found it too hard to put on the roof when loaded (the instruction says to pack the bag first) and impossible to load stuff into it when it's put on the roof empty.. so I gave up. maybe the problem is we have a basket..

We end up with two giant duffel bag (18x36) that arent water proof but drain pretty well, put the sleeping pads and tent & stuff we want to keep dry in either plastic bags (heavy duty trash bag) or those backpacking waterproof bags (we use seattle sports hydralight bags). Went for a test run memorial weekend and worked pretty well..

Living in CA we surely are not rain/snow prepared..

(we are heading north to Yukon/Alaska next week.. will report back if this setup can pass the 6 weeks test..)

 

[tibaal89]

I've seen homedad use the one from Cabellas I think... maybe he'll chime in.

 

[FJ4President]

ZIPLOCK works well!!

Dave ... what's ZIPLOCK?

 

[WPCrzr]

Bought a RainX bag at WalMart last year. Well made, been through a couple of good down pours with no problems. I think it was about $35 to $45, I can't remember.

Mike

 

[Blackicebob]

I just picked up two Roof-Bag.com's small fully waterproof bags for 79.99 each w/free shipping. We used them for our trip the FJ Thrill On The Hill rally in Ruidoso, NM. Never would have gotten all of our camping gear there without them. Two of these fit back to back on the OEM rack for a tappered front and rear. One we packed with sleeping bags, pillows and ground pads for four. That was light and a breeze to throw up on the roof and secure with the two straps supplied. The other had tents and backpacks in it and it was a mother to get up on the back part of the rack. That said, we put a ton of stuff in them and still had the back of the FJ packed, but like I said there was gear for two adults and two kids. For the price you can't beat the product. They do have "RoofBag.com" in large letters on them, but back to back you can't see that. Highly recommended for the price and quality. They fold up into stuff bags smaller than a sleeping bag all rolled up. We got dumped on rain wise and cruised at 70- 80 mph, no leaks and they stayed up there no prob. Just make sure the end of the straps are tied up securely so they don't flap around on the roof and drive you nuts. We'll use them again, but mostly for the light bulky stuff..

I, too, have been looking for a good solution. I browsed RoofBag.com and saw the duffle bags they sell to fit INSIDE their roof top bag. You can get three duffle bags that are DESIGNED TO FIT inside the roof bag. I really like this because everything is designed together--not a patchwork "this-outta-work" solution. Also, it eliminates trying to put a big heavy roof top bag up on your FJ--you put the empty bag up first, then add each of the 3 duffle bags. I like the idea of being able to separate stuff and put each person's stuff inside of a duffle. (It might just keep my wife's shoe selection to a minimum!)

Does anyone on the forum have experience with this? (The duffle bag/roof top bag--NOT the wife's shoes!)

 

[kokopelli]

I like the concept as well. We do a lot of extended roadtrips, with overnight stays and weekly stays. The overnight stays are always the problem.. Most women don't do well with the "hey, there's a tooothbrush.. what else do you need" lines. I kept the bestop saddle bags from my TJ for this very reason. The wife has her own "carry on" that she us for the overnight stays without unpacking everything all the time (i.e. roadtrips). The only thing I don't like about it is the big name stamped on it (petty.. yes).

My wife is a terrible packer, so I normally do all the packing for her. When she first moved in, it took a one complete pickup load for her shoes and bags. I'm thinking that I could use them as a shoe&bag-01K when I retire. Just sell a few off every month on fleabay..LOL... Ron

I, too, have been looking for a good solution. I browsed RoofBag.com and saw the duffle bags they sell to fit INSIDE their roof top bag. You can get three duffle bags that are DESIGNED TO FIT inside the roof bag. I really like this because everything is designed together--not a patchwork "this-outta-work" solution. Also, it eliminates trying to put a big heavy roof top bag up on your FJ--you put the empty bag up first, then add each of the 3 duffle bags. I like the idea of being able to separate stuff and put each person's stuff inside of a duffle. (It might just keep my wife's shoe selection to a minimum!)

Does anyone on the forum have experience with this? (The duffle bag/roof top bag--NOT the wife's shoes!)

 

[oldskoolboarder]

Mine stays dry, just make sure to close the Rola's flaps to repel water over the zippers. I don't use a stock rack, I have Yakima bars w/ Stornco adapters. The Rola bag is a bit short for the 33.5" bar separation but I just hook up the front and attach the side to one of my bike trays. (I installed bike trays since I have old ones but rarely use them, mostly there for bike tray storage...). Holds strong on my FJ at 65 MPH.

I've also used this Rola bag on my 2008 Highlander w/ no issues.

 

[cnynrat]

We have a Thule Tahoe. Haven't had the chance to use it in bad weather yet, so I can't speak to how waterproof it is. Seems well made though, swallows a bunch of gear, and is expandable so you can adjust the size to the load somewhat.

Sorry, don't have a picture of it mounted on the rig, but here's a shot from Thule's web site:

I will say that there is a definite drop in gas mileage with it on the FJ - probably 1-2 MPG.

 

[w5wi]

I used a cheap Rain-X bag from wal-mart last weekend.

It was loaded and strapped to the top of my navigator.

We went through some serious storms in Arkansas and not one problem.

The straps were very cheap, but the bag seemed solid.

David

I also bought the Rain-X bag and have used it on several trips to Mexico. It does not leak and keeps the dust out! Only shortcoming I've found is it's very hard to zip when its cold out!

cheers,

dale