Trax Box Carry Handles and Lashing Straps

Some say necessity is the mother of invention. I think it's cheapness. Not wanting to spend either $27.50 for just a carrying handle or $45.50 for a carrying handle with a sub par lashing system, I made my own. Oh yeah, those prices above are for just one handle. So really it's $55 or $91 for a pair, really? No way, I can make them myself.

I took some measurements of my Trax boxes that came on my 2012 V-strom 650. I wanted to straps to be long enough to lash a 40 Liter dry bag to the top of the boxes to carry light gear, like sleeping mats & sleeping bags. I needed them to lash to the boxes for when the wife is in the passenger seat. When shes not there, I use them for small dry bags for gear I want quick access to, like raingear.

So I found some handles, some double side adjustable quick releases, and polypropylene webbing & hit up the sewing machine once again.

As you an see, the straps are fully adjustable & can hold up to a 40 Liter bag (really they can fit any size, but my dry bags are 40 liters so I cut the tag ends.
Also, the tag ends are fully contained in the handles & box lashing points, so no tag ends flap in the breeze or melt on the exhaust.
Finally, I needed a solution to quickly adjust the straps so the tag ends do not flap when not using dry bags, but just using the straps as handles. I sewed in a thin red line (ha) so the straps always are adjusted the same way & super-tight.
Super adjustable, totally funtional, and oh yeah, a lot less than buying them on the web.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HEIgq00P7WwSJTuubTPk9NMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-prlKjCLkMbI/UHwkktfh4TI/AAAAAAAAF_A/6NI2VKT53XY/s144/IMG511.jpg" height="96" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/Dan.Repella/TraxBoxStraps?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Trax Box Straps</a></td></tr></table>
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Yxz7TEuGx8IQ-xXomuzRvNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R_sf1u0GgpE/UH8DLRfVtyI/AAAAAAAAGAk/vkK0hHraQfA/s144/IMG520.jpg" height="119" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/Dan.Repella/TraxBoxStraps?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Trax Box Straps</a></td></tr></table>

Those look great and I agree, $90 for a pair of handles is ludicrous. How much to buy a pair from you?

I posted a similar thread on the Stromtrooper site & seems like there is some interested growing. Looks like after supplies, I could sell a set for $45 shipped.

Ok there seems to be enough interest in the straps to warrant making some for fellow Troopers.

First some info:
I made my strap with Black webbing cause I like the matching look of it. I also used Silver thread to join the pieces of webbing because I thought it matched the Trax box colors well. I used red thread for the red line so it is easy to see in the loop of the quick release buckle.
Also, I left the handle unattached to the webbing so the handle can be moved over the top of the drybag as pictured so it could be carried as a whole unit. Or the handle could be removed if you desire & you can use the straps for other purposes (like clipping the webbing together to make a hanging line for a lantern, a clothes line for drying clothes, etc). I like my gear to have more than one purpose in life! With the handle sewn to the webbing you are limited with what the straps can do.

Given the response, I can offer a PAIR of Black webbing with silver thread or black thread for $45 shipped in the US, $48 shipped to Canada.

If interested you can PM me & get info to pay with paypal (preferred) or a check.
Turn around time would be about 2 weeks (probably less) since I would need to order some more handles & clips as I only intended on making these for my boxes, but I have no problems making more for other Troopers since I enjoyed the process.

Thoughts? If interested in purchasing a set, please PM me for details. I'll send you a paypal invoice or info on where to send a check or money order.
Thanks!

OK, I am moving forward with making these straps as fellow Stromtroopers have asked me to make them some. Please PM me if you are interested in a pair, $45 shipped in the US. Thanks!

First thanks for all the kind words. Second, thank you to everyone who has ordered a pair. I will then purchase all the parts, make them, and ship them out ASAP.
I had a couple inquiries about how I set them up on my bike. Luckily, I'm taking a nice weekend trip so I loaded everyone up on the bike for some photos.

On the smaller 37L box I have a Medium Size Sea-to-Summit eVent Dry Compression sack. In that sack is some clothes I may want to grab if it gets cold. I also face the yellow bottom of the bag rearward for more visibility.

On the larger 45L box I have a Sealline HD 30L Drybag. In that bag is my sleeping bag, bag liner, stuff sack with some clothes, and a Thermarest sleeping mat. There is still room in the drybag, but I pack light.

With the handles fully adjustable I can carry the boxes with the bags strapped to the top so it only takes one trip to bring my gear inside.
The straps are big enough to hold up to a 40L dry bag on each side if need be. When the wife is wife me, I use the bigger bags since we have twice the amount of gear.
Any questions, just ask.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Yxz7TEuGx8IQ-xXomuzRvNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R_sf1u0GgpE/UH8DLRfVtyI/AAAAAAAAGAk/vkK0hHraQfA/s144/IMG520.jpg" height="119" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/Dan.Repella/TraxBoxStraps?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Trax Box Straps</a></td></tr></table>
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uI_GOirweGQeJL2O4SHvJdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gRqEhMMVRTU/UH8DM8g_fVI/AAAAAAAAGA0/Z5hWrt9o-oY/s144/IMG522.jpg" height="139" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/Dan.Repella/TraxBoxStraps?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Trax Box Straps</a></td></tr></table>

Sending you a PM.

Gracias.

Got it, thank you!

First & foremost, thanks to everyone who has ordered a set of the straps.

You can still PM me as I may make some extras with this order. If there is enough interest from members I may run another batch in the future, after I finish this order & figure out prices vs time vs shipping costs so if you bought straps this time, you probably got them as inexpensively as I can make them. I forgot to factor in paypal fees so I am already taking a hit but I was doing this more for fun & to share these with fellow Stromtroopers.

Also a final word on the straps. A need a disclaimer the wifey tells me :fineprint:
They are built with webbing rated for around 600 pounds breaking strength & plastic buckles. I have had a the 45L box loaded with 6 tall 22oz bottles of beer, camping gear, & a bag of wet laundry lashed to the top of the box & had no issues at all. The straps are mighty strong, but don't try to use them to pull a pick-up truck out of the mud. :headbang:
Also I am using my boxes as the model for making the straps & the red-line for quick installation reference points. I am hopeful are boxes our assembled the same, but due to manufacturing differences, the red-line might not end up exactly in the buckle cam. Again, the redline is just a handy reference point. I'm making a youtube instructional video & you'll see how they go on.

Also, these are your straps, cut them to any length you want but the way I have them set up makes having them long work best. If you do cut them, make sure you take a lighter to the tag ends so the webbing doesn't fray.

If you think of something you want done to your straps PM me & let me know. I can also sew things on to them or make some kind of changes as you want. My friends that have seen them think they look super pro and want me to do this for more kinds of boxes. I tell them I just want to ride my motorcycle.

Thanks again,
dan :yesnod:

Strap Handles still available!

Taking for orders for a second run. PM me you paypal address if you would like to order a set.
thanks!

Just wanted to sing the praises here! Received the lashing straps and carry handles last week and they are well constructed and look great too! The youtube video makes the install a "no-brainer" Anyone else contemplating an order should do so. You won't be disappointed!

Still time to order before December 1st. PM me your paypal address for an invoice.

5 days to order before December 1st. PM me your paypal address for an invoice.

Have about 5 extra sets for sale. PM me for a paypal invoice. thanks!

Strap Handles still available!

Merry Christmas! I still have 3 sets of handle/lashing straps available!

How well do you think they'd work on boxes with a lid like this Happy Trails lid?

The handles would work though the sewed in red line wouldn't line up. Not sure on the length between the sets of handles? On a Trax box it is 12".

Thanks for the reply,
I'll take a measurement tonight