Has anyone tried a Rightline Gear Cargo Saddlebag?

[Florida Vince]

Link - Rightline Gear 100B90 Cargo Saddlebag : Amazon.com : Automotive

I know all about the Gobi and Baja Racks but came across this while searching around. Seems good for easily accesssable extra storage, is waterproof, has good reviews, a pricetag of $140 and shouldnt cut down on the mpg's too much on long hauls. Anyone ever use one?

Thanks for the info!

 

[philsey]

No experience, but judging by the way the tailgate and window, and inside the tailgate get so dirty, I should think this thing would get filthy in any kind of weather.

Don't think I'd try it...

 

[Eagle]

It's like a giant fanny pack for your vehicle.

It also seems like it would restrict access to the cargo area far more than a hitch-mounted cargo carrier... but I guess it might make sense if you're hauling a boat and still need some more storage.

 

[Florida Vince]

Good replies. I'm feeling a little discouraged about it now due to the fanny pack comment! Lol

Being its waterproof and easily removed and cleaned I may make the leap and buy one to try out. My only concern would be the rubbing / banging of the bag against the rear of the 4R, possibly causing scratches and dents in the lift gate. I'll wait to see some additional reviews.

Thanks!

 

[eddiebx]

Aside from looking like a giant fanny pack, my first concern would be if the roof spoiler on our tailgate can even support those top straps? I'd be afraid of cracking my spoiler off more than anything.

But hey, don't let the fanny pack comments discourage you

 

[GreyhoundGuy]

I can't tell from the picture, but it looks like it sits REALLY close to the vehicle... possible rubbing against it? I'd hate to imagine what would happen over a long trip with the minor bumps that you'd hit along the way. Would it just rub your rear paint off?

It looks like they have protectors to guard the top of the rear door from the straps, so that's good... but I don't see anything to guard the door itself.

We use a Rola SwingAway hitch mounted cargo box. Like the one you're looking at, it doesn't affect gas mileage (other than added weight) because it's mounted behind the vehicle, so there's no additional drag. It slides into the hitch receiver and rides a good bit behind the vehicle. The major downsides I see is that there isn't as much cargo room as your option, and it's a lot more expensive (nearly $800 through Rola, $615 through Amazon... we bought it years ago when it was only $500).

There's another downside to the Rola I forgot. In my old Jeep Cherokee, you could see the Rola while looking out the back window... CRUCIAL for when you're backing up. In the 4Runner, you can't see it at all. It's REALLY easy to forget about. We got lucky while parallel parking our 4Runner a few weeks ago. We completely forgot it was attached!

All those downsides aside, I'd still buy the Rola again.

-Joel