Rack bags/boxes

[cwlongshot]

OK guys help me out here.

I need a couple rear boxes/bags and I have some Both machines have rear racks. The wifes is a 2000 Trail Boss with a tubular steel rack. Mine is a 2007 Polaris Sportsman with plastic racks.

One friend says stay away from bags. The zippers get full of dust and quit working after a season or two. But I like the idea of them. I see some of the merrits of a hard box but am unsure. So what do you have  and what do you like?

Thanks,
 CW

[Old Syko]

If you're going to spend any time at all in the woods or heavy brush you won't be happy with any of the hard boxes as they will soon be torn up by low limbs and brush whereas the soft side bags are much more forgiving.  The first hard box I had was destroyed in a rollover.  The second was destroyed by a large limb that stuck out into an otherwise clear trail.  It was speared clean through from about 30 mph.  Seems I ducked but it didn't.  I've used a set of bags from Mad Dog now since 2003 on a 2002 bike that now has 27,000 miles on it.  They have never leaked through heavy snow or downpours and the zippers still work just fine.  The only times they have leaked was due to being submerged and even then they didn't leak bad.

One other thing to note is the difference in price between bags and boxes.  You can get 3 or 4 or more sets of bags for the price of 1 box and the bags actually do a better job for those of us who spend a lot of time afield.

Although this isn't where I got mine the link shows what I use.  Mine was bought local.  It even comes with an enclosed cover that will cover your ride when parked.  I've never used it for that but I have slept on it before.
http://www.cabelas.com/link-12/product/0016843521146a.shtml?cmCat=perf&rid=0987654321&cm_mmc=Performics-_-CSE-_-GoogleBaseUSA-_-0016843521146a&mr:trackingCode=14CF1BCD-958E-DF11-A0C8-002219318F67&mr:referralID=NA

[Dave in WV]

I have a soft bag type on my rear rack. I keep a few old towels, my pulley for the winch, the hook for my winch line, and several other things in the side pockets.

[markc]

There are a good number of boxes, cases, and expanded metal containers for ATV racks now days.  I no longer ride an ATV, but when I did I actually simply strapped down plastic milk crates.  Easy to remove, and believe it or not, those things take quite a beating and bend but do not seem to break.  Not visually appealing, but function very well.

[cwlongshot]

Thanks Mark, that's an idea, I also have an abundance of 50 and 30cal army cans I could strap a couple to the rack if I was in a jamb...

UPDATE: I found a very good deal on a brand new POLARIS lock N ride box, 2 Polaris bags and a Polaris cushion so I grabbed it. This will be for the 700 but I'll still be needing something for the wife's 325. I will hold off until I can put my hands on some and make my decision then. The 700 has composite racks for the lock N ride system the 325 is a simple steel rack like most others.

CW

[markc]

Hey CW, I have seen some folks using ammo cans, especially before the after market business began specializing in ATV products.  It seemed that as long as the ammo cans were cleaned of mud and oiled up a bit regulary they worked.  They can rust up pretty easily if neglected for long.  I once cut up a plastic SUV cargo bed liner and fit it on my ATV rear rack, attaching with zip ties. It kept the mud from coming through the rack and covering me, and helped keep smaller items in place. 

[cwlongshot]

For my wifes Trail Boss, I found an unbelievable price oin brand new MadDog soft/hard bags. Just like the ones on my 700 they also have two front mounted soft bags that are easy to reach while riding.




Here is the Lock N Ride on my 700:




CW

[cwlongshot]

I just got a flyer from Cabelas bargain cave. I noticed that the Mad Dog cases are still on clearance!!!

CW