Large Bags - Duffel or Similar for Roof Rack Use

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socal66

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I would like to see what recommendations are out there for larger size bags that are weatherproof (water and dust) for roof rack use. These would be for large but relatively light items such as camp chairs and tables, sleeping cots and pads, sleeping bags, etc. The camp furniture items I have pack down to around 42" or so in length. I would like to have bag(s) that are durable and will last in the open (road wind, hot/cold temperature, UV resistance, etc.) and will be primarily ratchet strapped down on a roof rack during trips. I have seen many duffel bags that are the right size but they were not where I would like them to be in terms of weatherproof capability and durability. Dry sacks seem like an ideal solution but I haven't been able to find any in the large size that I am looking for.
 
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I bought a Yakima bag, the size of my roof basket, that is made to be weatherproof, etc. It's not a duffle bag shape though.
 
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Following this thread, i'd like to get 3 or 4 for everyone in the truck. I'd like to eventually ditch the tonnau cover but need some storage options.
 
systemdelete

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I use seal line portage bags. I bought a pair for canoe trips but they’ve served well on the roof rack from time to time. These are the largest size I’ve seen, a pair would hold an entire canoe worth of camping provisions allowing a pair of paddlers to carry a pack each and the canoe for single trip portages.
 
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socal66

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Looks like the only two options so far for a somewhat long bag at 42” are a couple of dry bags from NRS.

Extra Long Dry Bag
Outfitter Dry Bag

There seem to be a lot more dry bag and rugged duffel bag options that are 36” or shorter in length. Perhaps I need to replace my old chairs with a different model that will pack up to less than 36” in length.
 
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slomatt

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Outdoor Gear Lab has a good review of duffel bags that may help.
www.outdoorgearlab.com

The 7 Best Duffel Bags of 2024

Gearing up for the next trip and need a duffel to get you there? Since 2010, our team of experts has bought, traveled with, and tested over 55 of the best...
www.outdoorgearlab.com www.outdoorgearlab.com

Rhino Rack has a series of bags designed to go on the roof.

Rhino-Rack Products | Rhino-Rack US

www.rhinorack.com www.rhinorack.com

As does Frontrunner, but I think it's too short to fit the chairs unfortunately.
www.frontrunneroutfitters.com

Typhoon Bag - by Front Runner

It’s raining, it’s pouring and you’re still out exploring. Ready for extreme weather, the heavy-duty Typhoon Bag is 100% water and dust proof. It easily adapts its size to fit anything from clothes or camping supplies to the Front Runner Cub Pack or Flat Pack storage containers. Declutter the...
www.frontrunneroutfitters.com www.frontrunneroutfitters.com

I really like the North Face Duffels and own two of them, but the zipper design isn't 100% waterproof so I'd hesitate to put them on top of the truck if it was going to rain.
 
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Check out Drifta... they make great products and ship them fast from Australia. I just replaced my Oztent bag with their replacement bag and it’s incredibly well made and water-proof.
 
MMc

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socal66 said:
Looks like the only two options so far for a somewhat long bag at 42” are a couple of dry bags from NRS.

Extra Long Dry Bag
Outfitter Dry Bag

There seem to be a lot more dry bag and rugged duffel bag options that are 36” or shorter in length. Perhaps I need to replace my old chairs with a different model that will pack up to less than 36” in length.
Click to expand...

How important is having the chairs in a waterproof bag? It might be easier to get the chairs in one semi water resident bag and the rest of the stuff in smaller 36”size water proof bags? Just spitballing here.
 
TexasGMG

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I bought one of these a couple of years ago from Amazon. 15 cu ft and it's water proof. I drove from San Antonio to Iowa in December and hit rain and snow. Nothing got even a bit damp. I also used it going to west Texas and out there we got some dust in it. Not too bad, but the rain flap still allowed a bit of dust in.
roof top bag.jpgfjcruiser.jpg
 
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I use a Lewis N Clark 40L dry bag on my rack. I used it for a 7k mile cross country trip through with snow & hail with no issues. Dust did get deep into the roll top, but never inside.
 
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Can't go wrong with NRS. All their stuff is bomb.

www.nrs.com

Waterproof Dry Bags

From top-loading bags that will hold the kitchen sink, to lightweight designs for the smallest of kayak hatches, we’ve got the dry bags you need for your next on-the-water adventure.
www.nrs.com www.nrs.com

www.nrs.com

Dry Duffels

The NRS High Roll and Expedition Duffels deliver the same rugged dependability as our legendary Bill’s Bags in a easier-to-use duffel-style design.
www.nrs.com www.nrs.com
 
DrewKD

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Plus 1 for the TNF Base Camp duffel bags. They are tough and water resistant. Multiple sizes too. I have used them for years for Motorcycle camping. They do well in the snow, rain, and extreme heat. Very durable.
 
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I can also vouch for the North Face Base Camp duffles. We have 6 of them and they’ve been dragged all over the world keeping our gear safe and dry
 
PCO6

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We carry our kayak seats, PDF's and other kayak related items in a Cabela's waterproof bag on top of our tear drop trailer. It has an end to end zipper covered by a Velcro flap to keep things dry.

19-06-26 8.JPG
 
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socal66

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Thanks for the good recommendations. I’m going to try a NRS bag first and see how that works with the stuff I have and then go from there to see how many other bags I’ll need. I would like for the bags to be a manageable size but also to keep the number of bags to a minimum.
 
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