hi,
we are setting off on our rtw trip in a couple of months and i have not yet solved the problem of needing 2 extra 10l or so cases/boxes for the top of the main panniers, one for the kitchen and the other for extra camping equip that wont fit elsewhere.

i know touratech does some zega cases for £50 each but am trying to save everything i can for the trip, and am fed up with having touratech etc plastered all over the bike. I am trying to think of some cheap diy alternative. so far i have thought of those soft cool boxes (for cans etc), but they dont have enough length for cutlery really, then tupperware boxes, but i think they may crack, and i cant get the dimensions right to fit between the top hooks on the panniers. does anyone know how to solve this one? anyone had the same problem?

it doesnt matter if they are waterproof really as could just get bigger dry bags to fit the box/case in, (with the sleeping bag which is the only other thing that needs to sit on top of the box). if they were waterproof though i could keep the dry bag size small to just hold the sleeping bag, and the kitchen would then be more accessible. god ive just realised what a boring post this is unless you know exactly the problem i'm talking about! sorry. hope someone is as obsessive as me about packing stuff.

cheers
nicky

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Far From Home, U.K - Oz and beyond.
http://www.globegallivanting.blogspot.com/

How about a tool bag or tool roll for the extra kit. There are hundreds to choose from and they're pretty cheap...

Tool Rolls & Bags : Tooled-Up.com - Tools, Equipment & Accessories

try plastic boxes in ikea. various shape and color. waterproof as well..

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ozhan u.
website under construction

How about a cash box
RYMAN CASH BOX
You may be able to get them bigger then 12" but check the weight before ordering them or try Argos as you could return them if no good.

thanks guys, cash box thing is a v good one, lockable etc! was thinking about those ikea type boxes myself, but thought they might crack as we bounce along.
sorted the problem now (without any expenditure! phew!) using a couple of old oxford small soft luggage panniers i found in the shed that i've cut all the straps off of. Coincidentally they seem a near perfect fit for the top of the lids and have little hooks to bungee the whole thing down, and they are extendable too (though prob a bit dodge to extend that much more upwards) and we can even fit out plastic plates and cutlery in there, so its pretty much solved. now i just need a free idea for extreme waterproofing each side. so far found some ebay 70L rucksack raincovers (two for £4.95 inc postage). anyone got any free-er ideas? maybe we should start a thread for equipping your whole rtw bike and trip for free for the cheapskates like me! already signed up to couchsurfing our way across the world, though havent tried it yet. seems like a very culturally involved and fun cheap way of doing it though. anyone got any more free/ cheapo ideas?

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Far From Home, U.K - Oz and beyond.
http://www.globegallivanting.blogspot.com/

Heavy duty black bin bags, they work every time!

did the same with flyingdoctor. i have used bin bags (not heavy duty-black) to cover my tent and sleeping bag that i put top of my pannier. when i camped i put them under my tent so that they dont let any water in. heavy duty's are expensive as well. you only need them when it is raining. so, dont spent that much!

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ozhan u.
website under construction

aaah yes did use bin bags for the last trip, but that was for a week, which seems about the time a bin bag lasts us, heavy duty or otherwise. this time its for a year, and they are going to be covered by them every day, and there will be monsoons etc. and i dont know if they sell bin bags in pakistan etc. actually they probably do. still not sure about them though.

thinking of buying a cheap tarp for £3.50 and cutting it into two, then we have extra mini-tarps, which i reckon will come in handy for many an other thing. only thing is then is how to tie down securely so they dont blow off or let water in.

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Far From Home, U.K - Oz and beyond.
http://www.globegallivanting.blogspot.com/