Amazon Basics Expandable Hitch Rack Cargo Bag

[whiskymac]

Has anyone used the Amazon Basics Cargo Bag on their VW Bike Rack on a California?

AmazonBasics Expandable Hitch Rack Cargo Carrier Bag, Black, 250 litres. expandable to 325 litres. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B072ZHX3FN/?tag=eliteelect-21

If so I would be interested in your thoughts and feedback. Quality and does it work?

Thanks in advance ...

 

[Jason wallace]

One of the members has a video on Youtube.....post him some questions.

 

[SteveCaliBeach]

Has anyone used the Amazon Basics Cargo Bag on their VW Bike Rack on a California?

AmazonBasics Expandable Hitch Rack Cargo Carrier Bag, Black, 250 litres. expandable to 325 litres. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B072ZHX3FN/?tag=eliteelect-21

If so I would be interested in your thoughts and feedback. Quality and does it work?

Thanks in advance ...

Hi, used one of these in the summer. On an Atera Strada towbar bike rack. Highly recommend. Very useful and did well. Bulk of use was a long trip over to Ireland from Essex and back Inc camping for two weeks. Totally crammed full of stuff. Didn’t notice it on bike rack and no damage to stuff or bag. Can fit so much in. Quality of fabric much better than expected, nice and thick.

We then used it as a store when camping, great to keep stuff dry and organised in the awning or outside the van. Didn’t leak at all.

I found it much easier/better than roof box. It also packs down really small to store in the shed or in van.

One tip if adding to a Strada bike rack. Stick a piece of thin plywood at the bottom of the bag before filling and pack some blankets round the edges. The bag tends to sag down between supports of rack. And also better to fill with bulky but light ish stuff, eg bedding, towels etc. angular stuff with chafe the fabric.

 

[rditt]

We were 250km north of the Arctic Circle in March 2019. I bought an aluminum box especially for boots, snowshoes, etc. This box is rain / snowproof / lockable. We drove well with it and I will use it again especially in winter.

Greetings from DE Rolf D.

 

[Vwcaliforniajapan]

We were 250km north of the Arctic Circle in March 2019. I bought an aluminum box especially for boots, snowshoes, etc. This box is rain / snowproof / lockable. We drove well with it and I will use it again especially in winter.

Greetings from DE Rolf D.

View attachment 53561

MOs Aluminium boxes are not waterproof around t lid....What’s the name and where did you buy it ? It seems a bit small Do they have bigger sizes ?

 

[Anthony1]

We were 250km north of the Arctic Circle in March 2019. I bought an aluminum box especially for boots, snowshoes, etc. This box is rain / snowproof / lockable. We drove well with it and I will use it again especially in winter.

Greetings from DE Rolf D.

View attachment 53561

Where did you buy it? Denmark I guess.

 

[rditt]

MOs Aluminium boxes are not waterproof around t lid....What’s the name and where did you buy it ? It seems a bit small Do they have bigger sizes ?

 

[rditt]

You are right, if the box is under water it is not tight. But who is diving underwater with the Cali and the box On the bike rack? The box was tight enough for over 6600km (Germany - Norway / Sweden / Finland) 3000km only Snow / Ice. Here is a link for Germany but I assume you'll get a similar one in every country:

Alutec Aluminiumbox B-Serie mit Hebelspannverschluss und 2-Zylinderschlössern kaufen

Versteifungssicken zur Wand- und Eckenverstärkung - AH0060 Alutec Transportboxen in unserem Online-Shop günstig und sicher bestellen.

www.wolkdirekt.com

Regards RD

 

[Vwcaliforniajapan]

You are right, if the box is under water it is not tight. But who is diving underwater with the Cali and the box On the bike rack? The box was tight enough for over 6600km (Germany - Norway / Sweden / Finland) 3000km only Snow / Ice. Here is a link for Germany but I assume you'll get a similar one in every country:

Alutec Aluminiumbox B-Serie mit Hebelspannverschluss und 2-Zylinderschlössern kaufen

Versteifungssicken zur Wand- und Eckenverstärkung - AH0060 Alutec Transportboxen in unserem Online-Shop günstig und sicher bestellen.

www.wolkdirekt.com

Regards RD

Thanks Rolf

 

[Anthony1]

How did you attach it to the cycle rack? Did you have to drill holes in the bottom and use U bolts?

Also, what tyres did you have, driving in the snow?

 

[rditt]

The tires are of this make:

ReifenSuche.com - ReifenSuche.com

Ihr Online-Reifenanbieter mit tagesaktuellen Bestpreisen und kostenloser Lieferung.

de.reifensuche.com

The tires do not always have a perfect rating but a good price, they are build in Japan. I am very happy with it and prefer to switch to new winter tires relatively early (from approx. 4mm).

I fixed the box without drilling the holder. I used long building hinges, which I bent accordingly. Since the aluminum sheet is relatively thin, I attached a screen printing plate (plywood) to the box from below in addition to the hinges.
I hope this is understandably described, Google translated it.

Greetings RD

 

[ThomasHJ]

Ressurecting this thread. Considered getting the Amazon Basic Cargo Back. Seems great, but apparently they are no longer being sold.

Does anyone use anything similair? So a bag (not a box) that's sturdy, waterproof and large, preferrably covering the entire width of the bike rack?

 

[Truman]

Ressurecting this thread. Considered getting the Amazon Basic Cargo Back. Seems great, but apparently they are no longer being sold.

Does anyone use anything similair? So a bag (not a box) that's sturdy, waterproof and large, preferrably covering the entire width of the bike rack?

Did you find anything Tom? I'm currently looking for next year as our Cali is now winterised.

 

[Fish111111111.]

I use one on my tow bar mounted bike rack, i usually fill it with the paddle board wetsuit etc and my fishing gear, i will post details when i get home later, the bag has proven to be dry and takes a lot of kit rather than placing that stuff inside the van.

 

[Fish111111111.]

Bought from Amazon :​

HandiHoldall - 175L Waterproof Roof Bag / Top Box (Black) – Large Cargo Carrier - Solid Foldable Base​

Visit the HandiWorld Store

4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 7
£120.00

 

[The Tall Luthier]

Did you find anything Tom? I'm currently looking for next year as our Cali is now winterised.

The original Amazon link works for me. £53

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Tried a 2nd hand brandrup bag once that fits into the Cali bike rack, but found it tricky to load due to soft sides combined with the fact that it sits very high with a top zip only, so needs loading from above. Easiest way to load was to remove, pack, lift onto rack, and then secure all the straps….so only really worked on longer trips - not so good for day to day.

We now have a towbar mounted MFT back box, which is far easier to use and we can still carry bikes.

 

[Philfox3]

Relevant to a couple of the points discussed here.
I’ve attached a Zarges aluminium box to an Altera tow ball mounted cycle rack. I’ve had to drill 4 holes through the bottom of the box and used 4 12mm stainless steel bolts with rubber gromits and silicone sealer but it’s always kept everything dry and of course secure. The boot opens fine, I could have gone for a bigger box but they get expensive.

 

[Philfox3]

Photos now attached

 

[Justinitus1972]

The original Amazon link works for me. £53

That link takes me to a different bag - for roof racks

 

[myvanrodney]

Bought from Amazon :​

HandiHoldall - 175L Waterproof Roof Bag / Top Box (Black) – Large Cargo Carrier - Solid Foldable Base​

Visit the HandiWorld Store

4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 7
£120.00View attachment 130343

Mmm interesting.

Im still working on a solution to carry our inflatable kayaks (as well as bikes on a towbar rack). Been looking at (expensive) roofbox and rails. This could be an alternative.

Have you tried it out yet .... oooh pictures please

 

[thepickles]

I've just bought one of these to go on the bike rack, seems a really good bag.
MAXXHAUL 70209 Soft Shell Cargo Carrier Bag for Hitch Mount Cargo Rack - Heavy Duty and Water Resistant 47 inch 20 inch x 20 inch Black with Tie Down Straps https://amzn.eu/d/h7Wrnd5

 

[ThomasHJ]

Did you find anything Tom? I'm currently looking for next year as our Cali is now winterised.

Well, I found a few options online, but I must say the Amazon-product appealed to me much more then the other options. It seemed sturdy and very affordable. Contacted Amazon but they couldn't even tell me if teh rpoduct was still ebing produced, so I assume not. So for now I have decided to wait a bit. I am in no hurry to buy.