Testing some upcoming Overland Outfitters storage products

[jscherb]

The other day Overland Outfitters sent me a box of samples to test - a line of weather-resistant storage products they plan to release in the spring. In this photo: Tactical Spare Cover, SpareHopper bag, 6" and 12" weather-resistant MOLLE bags, a SpareSide bag and a MOLLEWrap for the spare. Also at the right side middle is a Gladiator Bed Bag but that's off-topic for this forum so I won't include it in this post. These are preproduction samples, so they don't have final production hardware and some of the details aren't final yet but they're close enough for testing and for me to provide them with feedback.

I've been using a preproduction SpareHopper bag from them on my LJ for several months now because they wanted it tested through the NY winter. It was on my LJ when I drove it from upstate NY to Las Vegas for the SEMA Show a few months ago, in this photo it's pictured at end of a trail to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. It's been on the Jeep all winter and there have been no problems with the weather.

The SpareHopper in the photo above is olive drab but they tell me the first production run of all of the products will be in black. This next photo is a preproduction SpareHopper in black. Don't mind the salty LJ, it serves plow duty all winter and doesn't get washed until the plow comes off in the spring.

I've been testing this bag with a lot of weight, in this video it's on my JKU and carrying a cinder block (42 lbs) and 2 gallons of milk (8.6 lbs. each):



Carrying that much weight in a SpareHopper is a good argument for installing a tailgate reinforcement like the MORryde/Gr8Tops .

I use the SpareHopper all the time - in NY State stores aren't allowed to put your purchases in bags anymore so I carry my reusable shipping bags in there because there's no good place to keep them in the Jeep. And when I'm on long trips or offroad expeditions I use it for a trash and recycling bag, it's just the right size for a standard kitchen trash bag to fit inside.

It's easy to move the SpareHopper between the two Jeeps because the mounting straps are separate and the bag attaches to the straps with clips. I've got mounting straps on the LJ and the JKU so I can use the bag on either one.

Next up is the Tactical Spare Cover. It's got MOLLE grids on both sides and on the face, and also a pocket inside the face.

In this next photo my Tree Saver strap is sitting partially out of the pocket, it does fit all the way in.

To go with the Tactical Spare Cover (or any other place where MOLLE is exposed to the weather, there are 6" and 12" weather resistant MOLLE bags. Here are a few on the spare cover:

And for more storage, similar to the SpareHopper but in a smaller size, are the SpareSide bags. They attach to the MOLLE on the side of the spare cover.

On the TJ/LJ the spare is a bit towards the passenger side of the Jeep so a SpareSide bag can interfere with the tail light on that side. The JK is wide enough for a SpareSide bag on either side, but on the TJ/LJ it's probably best to use a SpareSide bag only on the driver's side and put a weather-resistant MOLLE bag on the passenger side.

The SpareSide bags or the MOLLE bags can also be used without the spare tire cover - the MOLLEWrap is a band that wraps around the spare and has the same MOLLE grids on the side that the spare cover does.

The MOLLEWrap is also compatible with the SpareHopper, in the next photo I've left the SpareHopper straps in place and installed the MOLLEWrap over them so both the SpareHopper and a pair of molle bags or SpareSide bags can be carried at the same time.

All of these products are made from DWR/UV-treated (durable water resistant) polyester so they'll stand up well to the weather and the sun.

Since they're pretty quick to install, I'll use them on an as-needed basis. I'll keep a SpareHopper on each Jeep all the time for the uses I mentioned above and throw on one or more of the other bags as needed for whatever situation I'm about to go into.

I do have some suggestions for improvements in the details of the products which I'll pass along to them.

They haven't given me an exact release date for any of these other than "soon". I think the first show they're doing this year is Overland West, so these will probably be out before then.

 

[WestCoastDan]

Cool stuff.
I’ve considered making something similar to the MolleWrap out of neoprene to match the seat covers… not so much for storage or securing other bags, gear, etc, just to keep the spare from getting sun baked.

 

[JMT]

Cool stuff.
I’ve considered making something similar to the MolleWrap out of neoprene to match the seat covers… not so much for storage or securing other bags, gear, etc, just to keep the spare from getting sun baked.

What are you planning to do about your other tires getting sun baked?

 

[SkylinesSuck]

I love this concept. I frequently am wanting for more storage just for a family wheeling trip or when the Jeep gets used for a grocery store run with pax in tow. Nothing I want to run full time, but a quick trip where I'm not worried about getting the groceries spritzed.

Maybe I missed it, but what size tire range do you think it would cover?

 

[TheBoogieman]

What are you planning to do about your other tires getting sun baked?

ArmorAll?

 

[jscherb]

I love this concept. I frequently am wanting for more storage just for a family wheeling trip or when the Jeep gets used for a grocery store run with pax in tow. Nothing I want to run full time, but a quick trip where I'm not worried about getting the groceries spritzed.

I do keep the SpareHopper on all the time and I'll probably use the other bags as needed just as you say. Even when the SpareHopper isn't carrying cargo, it gets a lot of use - when I'm on a road trip we end up buying a lot of drinks in plastic bottles - water, milk, etc., and it bothers me to throw them in trash bins along the way. So the SpareHopper becomes our recycling bin for the trip

Maybe I missed it, but what size tire range do you think it would cover?

Their plan is for the Tactical Spare Cover to be done in 32/33 and 35" sizes. The straps on the SpareHopper will fit at least a 35 and the straps on the preproduction MOLLEWrap right now are way too long, they'd probably fit more than a 40 so I'll probably suggest that they shorten those straps a bit for production.

BTW I've had a prototype SpareHopper on my Jeep all winter to test is weather resistance and everything has been dry inside through rain and snow, but being on the back of the Jeep and living in the salt belt it gets quite dirty so part of the testing was to see what it takes to keep it clean. At first I used the garden hose and a brush, which worked fine:

But I figured the heck with the manual effort, let's pour on the power (wash)...

That worked fine too . Just be careful to point the spray downward, you don't a pressure spray getting up under the lid.

 

[tnjeepguy]

How easy for someone to steal ??

 

[MikekiM]

I like the MOLLEWrap. Double it up with a Trasheroo if you have and use one. Conceptually, the modular build makes sense. And being able to leave the MOLLEWrap on the spare and secure the bags in the Jeep is a win.

One thing that is catching my eye and would give me pause is the choice of hardware being used. I am a fan of old-skool style kit.. anything this is new, made to look old or old made to look new again. Especially on our older rigs. But the belt buckle style top closure straps on the larger bags seem wrong for this application unless the goal is retro look. Great for looks, cowboys loved them on their saddle bags but I have to think there are more durable modern options. After looking more closely at the pics it appears the belt buckle strap closures are aesthetic touches only and are backed by quick release side tab buckles. If so, I am happy.

Same for the clips used to attach the SpareHopper to its mounting strap. Looks like these have changed a few times throughout the picture series. I know an exposed heavy duty side tab quick release buckle doesn't match the aesthetics of the bag system, hence it being hidden behind the belt buckle strap mentioned above, but it's pretty much indestructible and easier to work with gloves on. What hardware will be used on the production line?

And the spring loaded tongue & hoop style hardware used to close the top of the 6" and 12" bags.. I've had them seize after long exposure and/or accumulating dirt & dust forever locked in an open or closed position. How are those holding up to weather and debris?

 

[WestCoastDan]

What are you planning to do about your other tires getting sun baked?

You do realize that the other tires rotate, right?
As well as at least 2 of them always being shaded by the vehicle.
The spare just sits there doing nothing, like the top of your head cooking in the sun without a hat.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

Thanks for posting your findings. They look great on your LJ, too.

But...

Don't mind the salty LJ, it serves plow duty all winter and doesn't get washed until the plow comes off in the spring.

 

[jscherb]

I like the MOLLEWrap. Double it up with a Trasheroo if you have and use one. Conceptually, the modular build makes sense. And being able to leave the MOLLEWrap on the spare and secure the bags in the Jeep is a win.

I hadn't thought of pairing the MOLLEWrap with a Trasharoo, that's a good idea and it would work very well. Personally I'm not a fan of the "scrotum-like styling" of the Trasharoo so you'll never find one on any of my Jeeps but it is a popular product with many people and maybe they'll find the MOLLEWrap a useful accompanyment to their Trasharoo .

One thing that is catching my eye and would give me pause is the choice of hardware being used. I am a fan of old-skool style kit.. anything this is new, made to look old or old made to look new again. Especially on our older rigs. But the belt buckle style top closure straps on the larger bags seem wrong for this application unless the goal is retro look. Great for looks, cowboys loved them on their saddle bags but I have to think there are more durable modern options. After looking more closely at the pics it appears the belt buckle strap closures are aesthetic touches only and are backed by quick release side tab buckles. If so, I am happy.

Overland Outfitter's products are about style as well as functionality and durability and the belts and buckles are a styling homage to the days when vehicles actually had "trunks" on the back.

The belts are real leather BTW. Functionally, the buckles/belts allow a lot of adjustment for the top if necessary, and behind the belt buckle is a quick to operate parachute buckle .

Speaking of styling, the tan SpareHoppers in the photo above were done in that color to match the hardtop on my JKU .

Same for the clips used to attach the SpareHopper to its mounting strap. Looks like these have changed a few times throughout the picture series. I know an exposed heavy duty side tab quick release buckle doesn't match the aesthetics of the bag system, hence it being hidden behind the belt buckle strap mentioned above, but it's pretty much indestructible and easier to work with gloves on. What hardware will be used on the production line?

You're correct that there's a range of different hardware on these prototypes - they're still trying to decide on the final hardware. If you've got specific suggestions I'll pass them on. I would like them to choose something with a retro look if they can find something appropriate.

And the spring loaded tongue & hoop style hardware used to close the top of the 6" and 12" bags.. I've had them seize after long exposure and/or accumulating dirt & dust forever locked in an open or closed position. How are those holding up to weather and debris?

I haven't given those bags extensive testing yet because I judged that the first samples they sent me a while back weren't weather resistant enough. I made a few suggestions and the bags I got the other day were the result, so now I need to test them thoroughly.

Thank you for the very thoughtful feedback, I'll pass it all along to them. They should sign you up as a tester .

 

[MikekiM]

Yes.. few folks know that when the driver said "put it in the trunk" it was actually a trunk. The term stuck to this day. Unless you're a Brit.. and then I thinks it's a boot. Could never figure that one out.

I am a Trasharoo user. It's a little bit of a pain to put on and take off and yes, over time it develops a unique shape. But it does its job. Works well with the Rock-Slide Engineering EZ Rack Rotopax mounting kit or the RotoPaX EZ Tire Kit. It would be great to be able to utilize the space under the Rotopax with the 6" bags. Can't visualize the EZ Rack kit playing nice with the MOLLEWrap.. Looks like it would be one or the other. So, maybe a way to add a standard RotopaX mount to a base plate that is MOLLE compatible (probably too heavy for the grid). Or, put a large button hole style slot the Wrap so the webbing for the rotopax can be threaded behind the Wrap? Looks like it could be done. But modern looking RotopaX don't match the retro aesthetics of the Overland Outfitters kit.

Shouldn't be too hard to sew up some webbing attachments to allow the Trasharoo to mount on the MOLLEWrap but it would take some additional mounting points on the Wrap to manage the rearward load of the Trasharoo so it doesn't pull off the spare.

I see some stiffeners in the top seams that help retain the rectangular opening in shape. The Trasharoo can be a bit challenging to stow odd size parcels through the floppy top opening. Looks like there is large stiffener in the front of the lid flap where the round logo is sewn on.

Mounting hooks.. Maybe something like this.. In black or with an oxide closing. Not likely to fail. Not totally old school but not black plastic either.

How is the darker colored fabric holding up? The Trasharoo tends to fade fairly quickly.

I camp out of my TJ a few times a month. Aways looking for more storage solutions but being in downstate NY everything needs to be modular and easily removable if you use your rig for anything more than a dedicated trail rig. If I left any of this stuff on my rig for long it would be stolen.. sad to say. However, since my TJ is daily driven it would be nice to have something with a more refined finish than the Trasharoo that can easily be unclipped and stored.

FWIW, I would buy the MOLLEWrap and mounting straps for the SpareHopper as is. I can sew and could make good use of them.

 

[jscherb]

Yes.. few folks know that when the driver said "put it in the trunk" it was actually a trunk. The term stuck to this day. Unless you're a Brit.. and then I thinks it's a boot. Could never figure that one out.

I am a Trasharoo user. It's a little bit of a pain to put on and take off and yes, over time it develops a unique shape. But it does its job. Works well with the Rock-Slide Engineering EZ Rack Rotopax mounting kit or the RotoPaX EZ Tire Kit. It would be great to be able to utilize the space under the Rotopax with the 6" bags. Can't visualize the EZ Rack kit playing nice with the MOLLEWrap.. Looks like it would be one or the other. So, maybe a way to add a standard RotopaX mount to a base plate that is MOLLE compatible (probably too heavy for the grid). Or, put a large button hole style slot the Wrap so the webbing for the rotopax can be threaded behind the Wrap? Looks like it could be done. But modern looking RotopaX don't match the retro aesthetics of the Overland Outfitters kit.

Shouldn't be too hard to sew up some webbing attachments to allow the Trasharoo to mount on the MOLLEWrap but it would take some additional mounting points on the Wrap to manage the rearward load of the Trasharoo so it doesn't pull off the spare.

I should be possible to use both the Rebel Rotopax mount and the MOLLE Wrap together, but you'd probably have to put some slots in the MOLLEWrap to accomodate straps for the Rebel mount. Probably a bit of sewing on the MOLLEWrap to do it right, as you said, large buttonhole-style slots.

Mounting the Trasharoo to the SpareHopper straps shouldn't be too hard either; the SpareHopper has short straps with clips on them at each corner of the bag, so adding the same thing to the TrashHopper should be possible. Again a little bit of sewing.

I see some stiffeners in the top seams that help retain the rectangular opening in shape. The Trasharoo can be a bit challenging to stow odd size parcels through the floppy top opening. Looks like there is large stiffener in the front of the lid flap where the round logo is sewn on.

Correct, both the SpareHopper and SpareSide bags have pockets on the inside that hold stiffeners. The stiffeners you saw aren't the final production ones, in production they'll be acrylic sheet.

Mounting hooks.. Maybe something like this.. In black or with an oxide closing. Not likely to fail. Not totally old school but not black plastic either.
View attachment 404786

I agree. This photo shows the clips on the four prototype/preproduction sample SpareHoppers I have here. I like the clips on the two black bags best (it's hard to tell which is which but those are towards the top of the photo) and I think the hardware should be black like on the bag at right. They tell me they're still working on sourcing the right hardware, hopefully they'll run the choices by me before they decide.

How is the darker colored fabric holding up? The Trasharoo tends to fade fairly quickly.

The fabric is DWR/UV-treated polyester (DWR=Durable Water Resistant) intended for outdoor use and holds up well to both sun and wet weather, I've had no trouble with either during this testing. The instructions that come with the products will recommend periodic treatment with a product like Scotchguard Sun & Water Shield to preserve the like-new look and water resistance but I haven't treated the samples with anything during the test - I want do more of a worst-case test than a pampered test .

I camp out of my TJ a few times a month. Aways looking for more storage solutions but being in downstate NY everything needs to be modular and easily removable if you use your rig for anything more than a dedicated trail rig. If I left any of this stuff on my rig for long it would be stolen.. sad to say. However, since my TJ is daily driven it would be nice to have something with a more refined finish than the Trasharoo that can easily be unclipped and stored.

Agreed, that's why they're designed to go on and off pretty easily and quickly although I've had a SpareHopper on both my JKU and my LJ for almost two years now and I never take them off. Both Jeeps have been parked in places like New York City and have been on long trips to places like Florida and Overland West in Arizona and to Las Vegas (starting from upstate NY), all with the SpareHoppers on the back and they've never been molested, but I agree there are places where they might get molested, so it's quick to take them off and lock them in the Jeep and nobody's going to steal the SpareHopper mounting strap (well, except maybe you, who wants just the strap!)

Full disclosure, there have been SpareHoppers on both of my Jeeps for so long because I designed them for myself and sewed one for each Jeep and much later Overland Outfitters picked up the design to make it a product. For a long time my home-sewn ones were on the Jeeps, now I'm running their preproduction ones.

FWIW, I would buy the MOLLEWrap and mounting straps for the SpareHopper as is. I can sew and could make good use of them.

It's too bad you're five hours away - I would invite you to the upstate part of NY and we could try fitting a MOLLEWRap with your Rebel Rotopax and maybe I could even send you home with a modified MOLLEWrap and some bags or something, these samples accumulate here and OO doesn't want them back because they're preproduction and I don't need multiple versions of everything.

Thanks again for the thoughtful feedback, I'll pass it along to them.

PS: I don't think they intend to sell the SpareHopper straps separately but I probably can talk them into selling you a set one-off. The MOLLEWrap will be sold separately.

 

[MikekiM]

Just looked at my Trasharoo.. the corner straps could all be shortened and fitted with an appropriate clip to attach to the SpareHopper mounting strap. And with only a little thought the remaining mounting straps from the Trasharoo could be modified to allow it all to go back together as it was originally sold, so the Trasharoo setup doesn’t have to be entirely cannibalized. Of the four clips you’ve pictured I like the far right most (the traditional dog leash style.. not sure what that’s called) and the one on the light khaki least (I think that’s the one that caught my eye in the original pic series). Can’t make what’s on the left black SpareHopper.

Agree that using the MOLLEWrap strap would require additional attachment points to prevent it from sliding off..

I was going to suggest having a black leather strap on black SpareHopper.. and there you have it pictured!

Really surprised the SpareHopper didn’t get stolen in NYC. I’ve left my Trasharoo on for extended periods without issue but never the RotopaX mount.

I’d love to help with testing.. I travel all over the NE to camping, overland and backpacking locations. I am working on section hiking the Appalachian Trail. I don’t get to western NY much but who knows.. if there are some nice trails to hike, sites to camp at or backcountry trails to drive I could easily head your way.. or at least get closer.

Keep me updated. For sure I would add a MOLLEWrap to my setup. I am adding a Bestop HighRock cargo basket to theit Oversize Tire Carrier. It will sit almost touching the top of the spare with just enough room for the RotopaX to mount below the basket. That leaves the lower sides of the spare as available real estate perfect for mounting the smaller side bags.

 

[macleanflood]

Now I need a MOLLE license plate holder!

-Mac

 

[Apparition]

I am a Trasharoo user. It's a little bit of a pain to put on and take off and yes, over time it develops a unique shape.

I rendered mine useless the first day I used it.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

Not supposed to shoot them with a 50 cal.

 

[MikekiM]

I rendered mine useless the first day I used it.

View attachment 404893

Did you run over it or land on dropping off a ledge?

 

[Apparition]

Did you run over it or land on dropping off a ledge?

Got it wedged between rock and the spare. I believe it was going up the escalator and I had to reposition a few times.