Anyone used a Roof "Bag"?

[Father Ted]

So, having found that the caravan is overloaded, I need to figure out how to carry everything I need (sorry, Mrs Ted needs!).
We usually carry the awning in the car as it is heavy. I'm considering getting one of the roof bags, so I can carry the awning in it, then fold it and store it in the boot. That way we have more boot space (yes, even in an XC90 I need more boot space!)
Has anyone used one? What are your experiences, opinions, views?

I'm not going to mount it directly on to the roof as designed. I have roof bars and will come up with a way to utilise these (probably a tight cargo net between them to prevent the bag sagging onto the roof).

[The Thong]

Originally Posted by Father Ted

So, having found that the caravan is overloaded, I need to figure out how to carry everything I need (sorry, Mrs Ted needs!).
We usually carry the awning in the car as it is heavy. I'm considering getting one of the roof bags, so I can carry the awning in it, then fold it and store it in the boot. That way we have more boot space (yes, even in an XC90 I need more boot space!)
Has anyone used one? What are your experiences, opinions, views?

I'm not going to mount it directly on to the roof as designed. I have roof bars and will come up with a way to utilise these (probably a tight cargo net between them to prevent the bag sagging onto the roof).

They’re pretty good, but I’d recommend getting a roof basket to sit in in. Mine came with a board that gave it a rigid base but it kept sagging in the middle. I put a roof rack tray on the bars and it solved it.

TT

[Father Ted]

Thanks. Just looking at the baskets, problem is storage. Don't want to leave it on all the time. The bag can be put in the loft...

[The Thong]

I’ve got a tray I can strip down if I need to. We live in a terrace house so I have the same problem.

[Bonefishblues]

Yep. Generally good, but needs roof bars fitted fore and aft to lash it to. Massive amount of space though, and very flexible. Invest in a couple of ratchet staps, too.

As I had the roofbars, all in cost was about £70 or so, which is great value.

ETA
This one IIRC: https://www.amazon.co.uk/G4Free-Wate...for+cars&psc=1

Budget also for a mat to sit under it, and don't believe them when they say you don't need roof bars across as without them it will creep backwards even with an anti-slip mat (ask me how I know!)

[fleming164]

I bought a second hand Thule Ranger 90 last summer as I didn't want to make 2 trips to Uni and there wasn't quite enough room in the car.

I was generally impressed, I had to buy an adaptor set to allow it to work with the T-Tracks in my roof bars, but they weren't too expensive.

As it isn't rigid you need to make sure it's full so it keeps it's (slightly) aero dynamic shape. I filled mine with light, soft items and filled the holes with pillows and the like.

[Father Ted]

Originally Posted by fleming164

I bought a second hand Thule Ranger 90 last summer as I didn't want to make 2 trips to Uni and there wasn't quite enough room in the car.

I was generally impressed, I had to buy an adaptor set to allow it to work with the T-Tracks in my roof bars, but they weren't too expensive.

As it isn't rigid you need to make sure it's full so it keeps it's (slightly) aero dynamic shape. I filled mine with light, soft items and filled the holes with pillows and the like.

Thanks. Looks like yours sits on top of the bars, or do you have a basket too?

We couldn't consider two trips, daughter went to Falmouth!
We had the V70 at teh time and it was full to the roof lining.

[Marty Dolomite]

On our annual pilgrimage to the Spa f1 I used roof bag that soon got binned in favour of a topbox, much more expensive but much more aerodynamic, quieter and stronger but I do have the roof to store a 2 meter long top box so for me it was a win win.

[Christerart]

Originally Posted by Bonefishblues

Yep. Generally good, but needs roof bars fitted fore and aft to lash it to. Massive amount of space though, and very flexible. Invest in a couple of ratchet staps, too.

As I had the roofbars, all in cost was about £70 or so, which is great value.

ETA
This one IIRC: https://www.amazon.co.uk/G4Free-Wate...for+cars&psc=1

Budget also for a mat to sit under it, and don't believe them when they say you don't need roof bars across as without them it will creep backwards even with an anti-slip mat (ask me how I know!)

I *may* have a need for something like this next time I had to Sweden (move a bunch of gear for our sailboat) so I took you advice and bought one - should arrive tomorrow - the mat arrived today - in case..

I also bought some extra straps:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PACK-OF-4...72.m2749.l2649

[Bonefishblues]

Originally Posted by Christerart

I *may* have a need for something like this next time I had to Sweden (move a bunch of gear for our sailboat) so I took you advice and bought one - should arrive tomorrow - the mat arrived today - in case..

I also bought some extra straps:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PACK-OF-4...72.m2749.l2649

I'd put a turn or two around those straps' loose ends after strapping just to be sure - as often I went rather oversized and bought something from Screwfix that was designed to hold a cement mixer on a trailer, or similar. I was slightly worried that they might collapse the roof bars inwards if overtightened!