Roll Bar Storage

Why use roll bar storage

Open vehicles have little interior storage, and loose gear becomes a hazard in a bump or rollover. Roll bar mounts use the structure you already have to hold small items securely and within reach, without drilling the dash or floor.

Items in this category go from simple pouches to a complete overhead console with several compartments.

Types of storage

Looking at the sample listings:

• Roll bar bags and tube bags strap to the vertical bars. Materials include heavy canvas and PVC-coated mesh, some with welded seams and urethane-coated zippers.
• Overhead consoles, such as the G.E.A.R. type, hang across the roll bar with multiple pouches in polyester with a PVC liner. One listing notes it will not work with a hardtop.
• Equipment holders for a flashlight, a first aid bag, a fire extinguisher, a phone or a drink.
• Accessory kits that combine several holders.

What to compare

Look at size, since a bag listed as 20 by 8 inches takes up space behind your head, and at how it attaches. Straps allow flexible placement, while clamp-style holders need a bar of the correct diameter. Weather resistance matters if you drive with the top off. Color options like black, tan and olive drab let you match the interior.

Check whether the item suits a soft top, a hardtop or both. Overhead storage can interfere with hardtop installation, and bags can block rear visibility if mounted high.

Safety and fitment

Keep heavy or hard items out of overhead storage, since they can become projectiles in a crash. Fire extinguishers should be mounted in a rated bracket and sized for your vehicle, and checked regularly. A mounted flashlight should not interfere with airbags or head movement.

Confirm fitment for your exact year, make and model, whether it has a factory or aftermarket roll bar, and the bar diameter, and check the manufacturer's specifications. Roll bar padding or wraps can change the fit, so check the bar after any addition. Installation is typically tool-free or uses simple straps, and the product's instructions will give the correct placement.

Think about which items you reach for most often. A flashlight and phone holder belong within easy reach, while a first aid bag can sit farther back. Place them so they do not block your view or interfere with the seat belts and head movement.

Mounting and mistakes to avoid

Take time to check how each item attaches. Strap-based bags usually wrap the bar and cinch with buckles, while clamp-style holders fit a round bar of a certain diameter. Measure your bar with a tape or calipers before choosing, and note whether it has padding that adds thickness.

• Place items so they do not block the rear view or the side mirrors.
• Check that anything on the bar does not touch the top or the top's latches when you remove or fit it.
• Do not store sharp or heavy tools overhead.
• After rain or a trail wash, empty bags and let them dry to prevent mildew, and check stitching and zippers occasionally for wear.