what goes in?

[mcpenner]

I'm looking at pelican cases for luggage and I'm just trying to figure out what I will actually be able to fit in them.

http://aviciouscycle.ca/MainPages/Pr...?productid=635

I'm sure the answer is in the forums but I can't find it.

[perterra]

Uhhhh, string, newspapers, golf balls, bottle of wine. I guess maybe it would be nice to know what you want to put in them.

[mcpenner]

Originally Posted by perterra

Uhhhh, string, newspapers, golf balls, bottle of wine. I guess maybe it would be nice to know what you want to put in them.

Guess I deserve that, but come on, it's not so hard to figure out. I want to pack sleeping bag, a few clothes, you know go for a weekend, a week with minimal gear. what do you put/fit in one case while out on a road trip?

[perterra]

Originally Posted by mcpenner

Guess I deserve that, but come on, it's not so hard to figure out. I want to pack sleeping bag, a few clothes, you know go for a weekend, a week with minimal gear. what do you put/fit in one case while out on a road trip?

Well for me, a Hennessey hammock and a lightweight northface bag will almost fit in a shoe box, I have carried them in a tank bag before. In cold weather, my coldweather bag might fit in a trunk but not a pannier, so it goes behind me on the seat along with the tent in a dry bag. Those are close to the size of my happy trail panniers so use your imagination.

[SpaceManSpiff]

ok, maybe this can help.

Those pelicans you are looking at seem to be 35L, right?

I don't have those bags, but ran the Hepco Becker Junior 30L hard panniers on my WeeStrom. IIRC a german mag did a test and they measured out at 28L. But here's and example of what I packed in those bags during a week long trip with camping.

Right pannier: black stuff sack--clothes; grey stuff sack--sleeping bag; chain lube; sleeping bag liner; lid--assorted head garments and shop towels.
[IMG][/IMG]

Left Pannier: (red stuff sack--sleeping pad, brown bag --food (day use and cooking), reading material, oil, latex gloves, lid--warm weather gloves, and empty spot for the rain liners that are in-use), camp stove


the duffel bag on the back seat had the tent and the bulky heated vest, while the tank bag has the daily necessities (camel back bladder, snacks, sunscreen, kleenex, bandana etc)
[IMG][/IMG]

is that the kind of answer you were hoping for?

[Grinnin]

The cases you're looking at are 8cm taller and 8cm longer than these. And my right side case is 5cm thinner to fit beside the muffler and still have the same outside width.

But the pic shows: clothes, shoes, and clothes (I was visiting and helping, not going camping). Usually this side has a single bag of clothes and the front bag would be stove, food, and cook gear.

The opposite side is the wider case and carries tent, poles, pegs, s-bag and has room for more.

You'll note that S.Spiff and I both use stuff sacks instead of liners. I have liners but they bulge and sag and get pinched while closing the lid. Properly-sized stuff sacks stay in place, stay out of the way, and let me grab just what I'm looking for.

It also depends on how many cold-weather layers you take and the bulk of your tent and s.bag. (You can see a bit of a top case in this pic and it's very handy for shedding layers.)

[mcpenner]

Thanks, this is the info I was looking for. the pictures really help. I've only ever packed with those big sissy bar/back seat luggage on a cruiser. I'd hate to spend the money and then not be happy. Looks good though. About the right amount of space for what I need. I pack a hammock, down bag in compression bag, and I'm collecting synthetic hikers cloths. the challenge for me is that in the mountains in BC it can get near freezing at night even in the middle of summer. Need to pack lots of layers even if I get a good warm week and never use them. Don't really like a large top box (sail) but I may need to put one on for trips.

Thanks, now I know what i wanted to know

[hooliken]

I run a set of the 1550's on the SE and I can fit enough for a month in them.

Always making grocery store runs and loading up on a weeks worth of grub no worries.

Love them for commuting because everything I carry fits in their waterproof confines.

On a side not: Each 1550 will easily handle a 24 pack of you favorite canned beverage and a large bag of ice.....don't ask me how I know.

[SpaceManSpiff]

Originally Posted by mcpenner

Thanks, this is the info I was looking for. the pictures really help. I've only ever packed with those big sissy bar/back seat luggage on a cruiser. I'd hate to spend the money and then not be happy. Looks good though. About the right amount of space for what I need. I pack a hammock, down bag in compression bag, and I'm collecting synthetic hikers cloths. the challenge for me is that in the mountains in BC it can get near freezing at night even in the middle of summer. Need to pack lots of layers even if I get a good warm week and never use them. Don't really like a large top box (sail) but I may need to put one on for trips.

Thanks, now I know what i wanted to know

Glad we could be of help. I really liked having the hard panniers on the Wee...even though the bags and the panniers added weight --the bike was much happier carrying the weight low. Sometimes I use a topbox on long trips --starts the day empty but if the weather is variable it is a nice way to have quick access to layers...and to throw any groceries/beer in the topbox at the end of the day.

I would say that those 35L caribous you are looking at are considered "average" size.

[davsato]

2x35ltrs is about perfect. you can fit all the stuff you need, some of the stuff you want, not much of the stuff you will never touch but bought because you didnt like the big gap in the top of your 44ltr monster cases. your bike will thank you too, and if you need extra space a 35ltr topbox or a rolltop bag strapped on top does the trick.

[dfwscotty]

Usually always on the first 2-3 pages of this section is a thread on seeing pics of everything you pack on your bike. Spend some time wandering through there.

[what car??]

Is this a trick question, or trolling???? If you have to ask, don't get them!!!

[Nacho911]

Compression sacks! That way all your cloths don't take up space for camera's and beer

[ktrout01]

I have Pelican 1550's on my F650GS. Loaded them for the CroMag rally a couple weeks ago with tent, sleeping bag, overbag (in case it got cold), clothes, booze, camp stove and misc cooking stuff, toiletries, I also had my usual bike tool kit in one of the cases. The weight handles fine down low. I may use a top case someday but strapping a drybag on the pillion is much easier. The 1550's are about the largest that would fit on the F650GS with width being the real size factor. The next size up is about 3 inches wider.

[mcpenner]

Thank you all for the pictures. They helped a lot. Got my Pelicans yesterday. The are better then I expected and as good as I hoped.