etrailer | Rhino-Rack Rooftop Cargo Bag Feature Review

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Hi, it's Evangeline. And today, we have the Rhino-Rack Large Weatherproof Roof-Mounted Cargo Bag. This is going to be designed for when you need some extra cargo space for your lighter but bulkier items, but you also wanna make sure that they are protected from the elements. We'll talk about what this is made of, its features, and I'll show you how to get it set up onto your roof. This bag is designed to go on a cargo basket or a roof tray. If you also wanna put it on a hitch-mounted cargo carrier, you can do that too, but since this is the large storage bag from Rhino-Rack, you see it more commonly on the roof.
This is gonna need those baskets or trays, because of how the strap secures the bag to that system. If you're looking for a roof bag that mounts directly to your roof, you're thinking of something like the Rightline Gear Roof Bag, which has a different way of securing itself. This bag has 17 1/2 cubic feet of space. So for dimensions, that means this is 59 inches long, 43 inches wide, and 11 1/2 inches tall. Now, compared to hard shell roof boxes, since this is a bag, it is more forgiving for those taller items.
So let's say you're just carrying something that's more than 11 1/2 inches tall, you might still be able to carry it when you factor in how more versatile the bag can be. The way this protects your cargo is we have this tarpaulin material. So technically, it's a poly canvas tarpaulin, so it has fibers on the inside just to make sure it adds to that strength and protection. You also have a zipper that runs around most of the bag. So notice how we have these taped seams That's to protect the zipper and prevent water from coming in.
And you also have the flap that goes over the zipper and has that hook and loop in order to secure it. So even if you have water splashing up, you're less likely for that water to come inside the bag. Another thing this has are the straps. The straps are UV resistant, so that way, even with this out in the sun, being on your roof all day, that material and that UV resistance helps maintain the strap's integrity, keeping your bag safe as well. While I like how that material is weatherproof and I do like how that flap is deep enough, so that I'm not concerned about water coming down when it rains, you still have to be mindful that when you do have a bag, there are gonna be differences, because of how your cargo is loaded.
For example, we have a tall section here, and then it dips down towards the front. Ideally, you'll want it so that as your cargo's loaded, if you could create a way for water to run off of the bag rather than pooling in the center, that's gonna be the best way to use this bag. Even with it being weatherproof, puddles or snow can melt in the middle, creating a not as good experience. Setting up your cargo bag is simple. Just take it out of its bag or it's box, lay it out on the ground to unzip, and since it unzips almost all the way, this makes it a lot easier to load your cargo inside. Depending on if you have help getting this cargo bag up there, I personally found it easiest to load the cargo bag while it's on the ground, 'cause then, I can really organize everything. But if you are loading your cargo bag all by yourself, then you might find better luck putting it on your basket first and then loading your cargo, whichever makes more sense for you. (bag rustling) Whichever method you get your cargo onto your roof, just make sure to strap it down properly. You're gonna have eight total straps. Ideally, you want your straps going around the basket and then back into the bag. You have the ability to tighten it on both sides, so get that all secured and zippered up. While a roof bag is more hassle and is more likely to get torn up compared to a hard shell roof box, it is also more versatile. And the Rhino-Rack roof bag is gonna be a great option if you're just looking for a roof bag to protect your larger and bulkier items. With that in mind, the main thing I would look out for is just getting the right sized cargo bag for your cargo. What we have right here is the larger bag. Awesome if you need all that extra cargo space. Not as option if you're not carrying that much cargo, because then, you're just gonna have excess material that's more likely to flap around in the wind. And with this size, you're not as likely to be able to put this on your hitch cargo carrier. So if you do like this design, you like the material, you like the straps, which I do, then take a look at the

[@ryanmiller4890]

Can you atatch this to a factory roofrack with factory cross bars? (2004 Tahoe).

[@etrailer]

The Rhino-Rack # RRLB500 wouldn't work well with crossbars because of the size of the bag and where the straps are located. Unless your roof rack features raised rails along the sides of the roof for the side mounted straps to connect to and the crossbars can be positioned so that they're 60 inches apart, this wouldn't be a good choice. This bag would work great if used with a crossbar mounted roof basket like # C18115-117. For a crossbar mounted roof bag, the Rightline # RL100S30 would work better for you. www.etrailer.com/Roof-Basket/CURT/C18115-117.html www.etrailer.com/Car-Roof-Bag/Rightline-Gear/RL100S30.html