Thread: Canvas Vs Nylon/Polyester Luggage Roof Bags

That bag will be in a whole lot of fast air,,
something that doesnt "flap" would be good
obviously a second luggage box wont fit?


and seeing your expertise with canvas,,
have you thought about an awning off the side of Lp?

I'm using one of the Rhino roof bags. Excellent peice of gear, and keeps stuff dry.

For your requirement, here's what they offer ...

Rhino Rack - Rhino Steel Mesh Basket Half Size - RLBH

Rhino Rack - Rhino Steel Mesh Basket Half Size Long - RLBHL

Rhino Rack - Luggage Bag Half Size

That should get the idea mill flowing

I've got one of the same Rhino roof bags that Fluids has linked to in his post. Very happy with it. We've just been on a two week camping trip and travelled in quite windy and wet conditions. No sign of any water getting in, and provided that you pull all straps down tight, no flapping etc.

Mine is almost the full width of the Rola roof rails that I have on the Disco (I don't have a "basket" as such) - with just enough room for our tent to sit on the left hand side between the Rhino bag and the side awning on the vehicle. I have two "Rhino" roof bar legs on the left side of the vehicle with a couple of steel adaptor plates that I made in the shed, connecting the top of the Rhino legs to the front and rear "Rola" roof rails. The awning is mounted to the Rhino legs, and the OZTENT sits nicely on the steel adaptor plates between the Rhino legs and Rola roof rails.

We were carrying camp stretchers, folding chairs & tables, and some pillows / bedding in the bag.

A couple of pics of the Disco with tent and Rhino bag on the roof rails taken the other day ................





Because I don't have a "basket" on the roof, I have a couple of lengths of lightweight plywood in the bottom of the roof bag sitting side by side to hold the bottom of the bag "in shape" and to prevent it sagging between the Rola roof rails. At home or at the camp site, I simply fold the bag in half length ways with the two lengths of ply still inside, and remove it from the roof of the vehicle.

Canvas will be heavier, need coating/recoating regularly and possibly seam sealing. Nylons will only need seam sealing, be lighter and ripstop materials repairable even after tearing as they shouldn't rip beyond help as canvas may do on a roof if ripped and left unchecked.

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

That bag will be in a whole lot of fast air,,
something that doesnt "flap" would be good
obviously a second luggage box wont fit?

and seeing your expertise with canvas,,
have you thought about an awning off the side of Lp?

Thanks, Pedro.... and posted in one of my earlier topics too LOL. At the moment we just need something for changing the kids butts in inclement weather, and maybe the heat of summer if we are from the beach/river to Lp etc (i'll be celebrating when there are no more nappies!!).

There are some fab designs around & this one looks great too...a bit overkill for us at the moment in size but the concept is there... but having said that... as needs change so would the awning size, so i'm thinking it would be good to sew in any extras to be able to add to in the future...sewing isn't the problem... I think more finding a supplier for the type of fabric I am after.... :-D. There are a few businesses up this side of town so fingers crossed they can be helpful...

Originally Posted by Fluids

I'm using one of the Rhino roof bags. Excellent peice of gear, and keeps stuff dry. That should get the idea mill flowing

Thanks Fluids, indeed it does get the idea mill flowing, the price for the bags/basket/brackets isn't too badly priced for the "smaller" ones.... something I guess I need to weigh up vs costing everything out doing 'something' myself or a complete rethink, as hubby has suggested a full basked that the luggage box could sit on and utilise the space around it, and when we don't need the luggage box still have a full sized basket - makes sense... so more food for thought :-D

Originally Posted by BMKal

"that I made in the shed" and "plywood in the bottom of the roof bag"

Tanks BMKal, I like your setup. Made in the shed is sometimes the best IMO, I had actually thought about doing something that can be added to the rhino bars for extra railing support and will look into it more. A great tip re the plywood too so thanks for your post :-D.... it all adds to the mill of working out something.

Originally Posted by clubagreenie

Canvas will be heavier, need coating/recoating regularly and possibly seam sealing. Nylons will only need seam sealing, be lighter and ripstop materials repairable even after tearing as they shouldn't rip beyond help as canvas may do on a roof if ripped and left unchecked.

Thanks Clubagreenie, you are always such a huge help for me :-D, (i'm yet to reply to your e-mail too, sorry for the slow reply!!)...

I enjoyed sewing our awnings, hard work... and canvas is certainly a heavy fabric - and after thinking for a brief moment about the weight of the two, you are right about the nylons being lighter. I didn't even consider the re-coating (doh!). Do you know how long the coating lasts for, are there different 'grades' of coating or much in the line of how ever many coats you put on determines the waterproofness? I will need to look into re-coating our awnings as they have been up there for almost a year LOL...

When you mention "seam sealing", do you have any insight into what to use as that? (my minds thinks of a thinned out version of candle wax for some reason LOL)...

Cheers,

Lp

Wax is actually one early way used to seal seams alternately is melted parafin poured over the seam. But either aren't long term. There are specialty sealers for nylon availabe from outdoor stores (Rays, BCF etc). These are flexible silicon like products that brush on.

Coating longevity depends on exposure mostly, it's a bruh on process and leave out to dry. Haven't seen different grades of coating but there are different grades (weights) of canvas so it's possible to make it a bit lighter. On the swags I usually do 2-3 coats annually.

Originally Posted by clubagreenie

Wax is actually one early way used to seal seams alternately is melted parafin poured over the seam. But either aren't long term. There are specialty sealers for nylon availabe from outdoor stores (Rays, BCF etc). These are flexible silicon like products that brush on.

Coating longevity depends on exposure mostly, it's a bruh on process and leave out to dry. Haven't seen different grades of coating but there are different grades (weights) of canvas so it's possible to make it a bit lighter. On the swags I usually do 2-3 coats annually.

thank you as usual, a wealth of information :-D

Cheers,
Lp