Cargo Bag for use in the bed

In the two and half years that I've owned my truck I've rarely needed to really pack my RL to the extremes. This weekend my fiance and I ran to New Hampshire for a bridal shower and found ourselves with more gifts than we'd expected. The weather called for rain (which never materialized) and we struggled to everything so it would be protected from the elements. Pulling the spare and tray out of the trunk helped, but there were several items that found themselves triaged to "if it gets wet, it gets wet". It didn't help that the dog called dibs on the rear seat.

This was not an ideal situation and I'd like to avoid repeating it. So I'm looking for some suggestions. I don't really want a tonneau cover. Ideally I'd like a waterproof cargo bag that would sit in the front of the bed, provide the most storage space possible, and not interfere with the operation of the trunk. I'm thinking something the width of the bed, the height of the rear window, and stopping short of the front edge of the trunk. I've always thought that one of the car top bags would work, but all the one's I've seen have size limitations (too small).

Let the suggestions roll in.....

I have a water resistant cloth unit with a large zipper that is covered to keep rain out. It is intended for the top of a luggage rack, Walmart sells for $30.00 - I use 4 bungee cords to keep it next to the passenger compartment and it leaves 3 inches to the trunk lid. I do have to undo the bungee that cross the trunk to get in the trunk, but it only takes a few seconds to undo and redo them. It has rained on it on previous trips and the contents did not get wet inside it. ( it holds 2 full size samsonite suit cases and a small amount of things like coats, towels, dirty laundry bags.

Any chance you have pictures?

Any chance you have pictures?

I don't have any - there are 6 loops on the sides that make it easy to keep it from moving. I attach the ones on the left side to the right side of the Ridgeline and vise versa. I might be able to get a picture of one at Walmart or an auto parts store. This is similar but mine is square http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/bully-waterproof-roof-rack-cargo-bag.aspx?a=548912 mine is shaped like this http://www.cargogear.com/OneItemInfo.aspx?partnum=HIKPW

This one works great: http://www.shopbags.com/Sports-Duffles/Everest-Bags-40-Cargo-Gear-Duffel.asp cost $28.00. :)

I'm kinda lucky in that within the industry in which I'm employed, plastic resins are shipped in "gaylords" - big, heavy-duty cardboard boxes. Inside these boxes that most often contain 1100lbs of resin (sometimes up to 1500lbs) are plastic liners - essentially large plastic bags that keep the resin clean and moisture-free. These bags are ~ 4'X4'X4'.
Most of these liners are so thin that they can't be cleaned and saved, but once-in-a-while we'll get a few that resemble a "metallized mylar" composition. These are usually from overseas suppliers that wish to protect their resin from the ravages of the sea air while crossing on a ship.
I managed to "score" one a couple years ago, and used it to transport my son's stuff back to school. In the bed, I secured it with rope and bungees (IIRC), and it did a great job at keeping things dry, even though we'd gone through some pretty bad downpours along the 300 mile trip. I think I may have thrown a tarp over it and used the cargo net for extra measure, though.
It was easily folded and placed into another dry bag, then into the trunk for the trip back. It was a "less-than-elegant solution", but hey... whatever works! ;)

I like your idea of a bag, perhaps zippered canvas, or even waterproof "rip-stop" nylon, that would fit and be secure-able using the tie-downs at the front of the bed. Something that an internal frame could be made for, to keep it from flapping when empty, or simply something that could be folded-up and fit into the trunk when not being utilized would be ideal. :cool:

Good luck in your search!

there are a few different waterproof cargo carriers at www.etrailer.com I bought the one for $59 and it is plenty big enough and sits nicely across the front of the bed

Our daughter and soon to be son in law drove down from cinci for our church wedding shower.Well they got so much stuff that they left it here and wanted us to bring it when we went up there for there wedding.I went to k-mart and got two of the biggest plastic storage containers thy offer(96 gallon).They both fit in the back and thy are water tight.Just the one would fit up against the cab and still be able to open the trunk.I think thy were only $17.00 each.inexpensive and reusable for anything else.

My brother has a Roof Top Carrier from Cabels's that I was planning to use in the bed of my Ridge, but I bought a Ridgebak tonneau cover instead. It is 37" x 45" and holds 15 cu ft of luggage. This is at the upper end of the scale for these carriers, keeps things dry, and he really likes it. I also have a carrier that I picked up for a few bucks at a yard sale. It is 36" x 36" x 18" and is handy to fill in if I do not have the cover on the truck. It folds to a fairly small package so I keep it in my trunk in case I need it.

I'm kinda lucky in that within the industry in which I'm employed, plastic resins are shipped in "gaylords" - big, heavy-duty cardboard boxes. Inside these boxes that most often contain 1100lbs of resin (sometimes up to 1500lbs) are plastic liners - essentially large plastic bags that keep the resin clean and moisture-free. These bags are ~ 4'X4'X4'.
Most of these liners are so thin that they can't be cleaned and saved, but once-in-a-while we'll get a few that resemble a "metallized mylar" composition. These are usually from overseas suppliers that wish to protect their resin from the ravages of the sea air while crossing on a ship.
I managed to "score" one a couple years ago, and used it to transport my son's stuff back to school. In the bed, I secured it with rope and bungees (IIRC), and it did a great job at keeping things dry, even though we'd gone through some pretty bad downpours along the 300 mile trip. I think I may have thrown a tarp over it and used the cargo net for extra measure, though.
It was easily folded and placed into another dry bag, then into the trunk for the trip back. It was a "less-than-elegant solution", but hey... whatever works! ;)

I like your idea of a bag, perhaps zippered canvas, or even waterproof "rip-stop" nylon, that would fit and be secure-able using the tie-downs at the front of the bed. Something that an internal frame could be made for, to keep it from flapping when empty, or simply something that could be folded-up and fit into the trunk when not being utilized would be ideal. :cool:

Good luck in your search!

Pug...do you use the resins in extrusion?

I use the plastic cover that came with my mattress. Works great.

Also check out the Softopper (http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27363).

A group buy (http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27423)is being organised as well.

I've got this one from E-Trailer.com. Works great and the price is right.....

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-CCB~988501.htm

I also have a few Rubbermaid "Roughneck" plastic tubs that I use and cover with my cargo net to keep in place...

Our daughter and soon to be son in law drove down from cinci for our church wedding shower.Well they got so much stuff that they left it here and wanted us to bring it when we went up there for there wedding.I went to k-mart and got two of the biggest plastic storage containers thy offer(96 gallon).They both fit in the back and thy are water tight.Just the one would fit up against the cab and still be able to open the trunk.I think thy were only $17.00 each.inexpensive and reusable for anything else.

I did the same thing when we drove from Mass to Disneyworld. The ones I found had handles and wheels. I did end up running duck tape to hold down the cover, but that was for my own piece of mind. I also used a 8' cable lock which I ran through the handles and locked to the cleats....didnt wan't anyone walking away with it at a rest area. When we check in to the hotel I just unlocked it and rolled it away. cheap and easy

Just saw this in Amazon's Warehouse (http://www.warehousedeals.com/Highland-10391-Kar-Pak-Rainproof-SoftSided/M/B0002MA8TE.htm) on sale. Looks pretty big, but would probably fit nicely under the rear window in the bed. 15cu.ft. "Kar-Pak"
I think it's used, but in "mint" condition. 1/2 price.