Waterproof Cover (Bob Trailer)

[endoman]

Hello.

So After riding with my Bob trailer for a while now, I have decided that I really don't like having all of my stuff in a dry bag, because I have to take everything apart to get to anything.  I was thinking it would be much nicer to simply have a waterproof cover for my bob, rather than  dry bag, so that all I had to do was open the top of the cover and there is all of my stuff loosely packed, and utilizing all of the space in the bob (versus an odd fitting dry bag).

The problem that I am having with this is how to create such a cover.  The key area is the front of the trailer, because the material has to be able to strech, or give way when you jack-knife the trailer to stand the bike up.  Has any one ever created such a cover for their trailer?  How did you solve this problem?  

If not, do you have any recomendations on a easier way to have more access to the items in your trailer?  I have already added two rubbermaid bottles to the platforms next to the wheel that work great for small stuff, but thought there might be more...

Thanks in Advance.

Hayden

[OmahaNeb]

Just an idea, create a large stuff/duffel type bag that will have the dimensions of Bob's cargo space.  You could have attachments on the exterior of the bag that would help keep the shape of the bag to the dimensions of the trailer's cargo area.  On the top of the bag, have a large zipper that unzips the full length of the bag.  Have the height of the bag such that after zipping the top, you could roll the top to keep the bag waterproof.  Use tent seam sealer on all the seams.  You could even sew in dividers into the bag, to help keep things organized.

[Peaks]

Good question.

Don't dismiss the dry bag.  It does work.  On my recent 8 week trip, we did go through some wet weather.  I was glad that my gear didn't get wet.

But, it is a pain in the saddle to open and close the dry bag all the time.  

I'd suggest looking at backpacks for ideas.  I suspect that coated rip stop nylon could be used, and with a better closure than the dry bag.  Possibly use zippers.

Or, try using 2 or 3 smaller bags instead of one large bag.  Maybe size one bag for the camping gear, and another for clothing, another for food, and another for gear that you might want during the day, such as a place to store raingear, sandels, etc.  

[jitenshaka]

   I ran into this problem of keeping things dry with an older model of Bob, sans drysak.  To fully waterproof the large duffel that came with it: Get one of those cheap (usually blue) plastic tarps from Wal-Mart/Kmart wherever. Then cut it small enough to wrap around the bag. Use some of the leftover and make a fender by cutting about a 6" wide strip and put it in the rear part of the Bob's front triangle, run it almost all the way to the ground and it will keep road spray from he rear wheel away.   As for the bag, there are side opening duffel bags available at almost all department/discount stores, and sporting goods stores.  To organise it I put two backpacks in it on top of my tent and sleeping mat/bedroll. One pack for clothes , one for gear. You could put as many smaller bags in there as you can cram if you want better organization.  

[JayH]

You could also make one or have a seamstress make one for you. Go to a place that sells material in bulk, by the yard or by the roll and ask them for some waterproof nylon. Perhaps "flag" material as one place told me. Then you can buy some bungee cord material in bulk (Either at a marine store or perhaps in the same place). West Marine sells them, albeit expensively, but you can buy various thickness and in bulk.  Then if you can sew, you can custom make a bungeed rain cover for your trailer to any size you like.  

I went through this as I'm a kayaker and wanted to make my own cockpit cover without having to spend $$$ on one so I bought some material and some bungee and sewed it to the pattern I needed.  I think a standard Kayak cover would be too small, the typical kayak (touring kind) would have a cockpit size of somewhere around 31"x17" give or take a few inches and that would probably not be big enough for you, but if it is and you don't want to make one, you can try to find a large kayak cover and just adapt it to your trailer.

jay

[driftlessregion]

I felt the same way in my first trip with the BOB last year. I solved it this year by adding a handlebar bag and a rear rack trunk. The trunk carried all the rain and/or warm clothes, tools, first aid kit, while the handlebar bag had lots of room for food, camera etc.

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

I use a high-capacity hydration pack. Mine happens to be a Salomon Raid pack (popular with adventure racers) with a 100 oz. Camelbak "Unbottle" bladder. Other examples would be the Camelbak "Trans-Alp" or Jansport "Odyssey 38." My Raid pack also has two zipped belt pockets. Digital Camera goes in one and Topeak Alien goes in the other. Cell phone and/or FRS/weather radio clip to the chest strap, and my rain gear, survival (I am off-road most of the time) and first aid kits go inside. One mesh side pocket holds spare tube and tire changing stuff, the other has high-energy foods (Clif Bars, dried fruit, Clif Shot). Compass, bandaids, bandana, glasses, headlamp, etc. are in the top pocket, and sunblock and bug dope in the front. BoB then carries all the camping and cooking gear and food. This set up has worked great for me for the past couple years. When I am using panniers, I may throw on a small handlebar pack for small stuff.

Hans Erdman, WEMT
Backcountry Trail Patrol-MN
www.trailpatrol.org

[pmspirito]

It is easy to get aggravated at that dry-sack until you have ridden a couple of days in the pouring rain.  Dry bags work very very well.  Add an outside bag or handlebar/trunk bag for the things you have to get at during the day. If it starts to rain you can put it in to the dry bag.



best wishes from the back of the pack,  Peter & Judy Spirito

[burleyrider]

Some use a Rubbermaid action packer for a waterproof cargo area on
their BOBs. BOB at one time made such a trailer called the COZ. People
I know who own a Yak have use the waterproof totes too with great
success.

Derek