Better buckles. Easier to tighten, stay tight when adjusted. Metal.
Gotta admit,
metal buckles and sliders would be great. Putting the snap buckle joint right at the bottom of the bag might make it more accessible by putting them under the spare tire instead of behind it. And a single tightening fixture right there on the lower backside would get all that hardware out of the sun as well. That would just leave the straps over the top getting sun exposure, and encasing the straps in a sleeve on the top of the tire (just a longer version of the current buckle sleeves) would serve two purposes... UV protection for the straps themselves, and allowing the straps to slide easier across the tire for easier tightening. In my dreams I'd like that single tightening point at the bottom of the tire to incorporate some form of ratchet so I could keep from getting all blackened-up by my spare every time I put the Trasharoo on, but then the price point is probably shot. Maybe for the de-luxo, heavy-duty version? And speaking of better UV-resistance, I love my Trasharoo, but I'm starting to wonder how long before I have to buy a new one because of the way the straps are aging...
Still not sure what caused this spot as it's nowhere near any hot spot on the vehicle and it's not like I've ever carried a lit BBQ pit on my cargo carrier.
I know that UV exposure in the AZ/CA sunshine can't be any milder than here in TX, but I'm figuring I need to find some kind of UV-resistant spray-on coating for the next one I buy.
And I
will be buying another because I love my Trasharoo. Heck, I've had it long enough that I get in trouble with my compadres if I don't have it when we go shooting/to the beach/cookouts/whatever... "
Dude, WTH? Did you forget THE trash bag? Why don't you just leave that thing on?" OMG, you mean we're just gonna have to use a normal bag now? Oh no! :ylsmoke: Nobody else has a rear-mounted spare either, such is my lot in life, lol.