Eagle Creek ORV Trunk

Posted: 07/19/2004 In Category(s): Reviews :: Product Reviews

When it comes to travel gear, Eagle Creek remains a dominating force in the market. And the new ORV Trunk makes it easy to see why. This is one of the most refined pieces of wheeled luggage available for those with serious wanderlust.

As the name implies, the ORV Trunk is a big bag with 7,000 cubic inches (115 liters) of capacity (61 inches combined dimensions). A larger sibling (ORV Super Trunk) is available, but that is larger (68 inches combined) than airline size limits (62 inches combined) and practically ensures going over the weight limit even on international flights (70 pounds/32 kilograms) if you get even close to filling it.

Access to the ORV Trunk is through a large hatch operated by a single sinuous zipper that has easy one-handed operation and lockable tabs. The real beauty of this deluxe duffel is its ease of transport, starting with five handles for easy manhandling. The wide wheelbase (14 inches/36 centimeters) and oversized 4-inch/10-centimeter wheels make the ORV Trunk exceptionally stable compared to most other wheeled duffels (including its predecessor the Monster Trunk) that tend to tip over when traversing uneven sidewalks and cobblestone streets. The comfortable handle extends either 10 inches/25 centimeters or 14 inches/36 centimeters with the push of a button. Even when fully loaded, the ORV Trunk parks vertically without risk of falling over; a common nuisance with other wheeled duffels.

Two external zippered pockets are handy for odds and ends needed while traveling. Inside the duffel, six mesh pockets line the sides for keeping small things organized. At the bottom end, a large waterproof compartment (sealed seams and water resistant zipper) can carry wet or muddy gear; when not in use, it flops away but cannot be removed.
Naturally, the construction is virtually indestructible thanks to heavy-duty fabrics and considerable reinforcements at high abrasion areas. The ORV Trunk will simplify your travels for many years, possibly decades.

All of these features come at a penalty of higher weight (10 pounds, 6 ounces/4.7 kilograms); a normal duffel is under 2.5 pounds/1 kilogram. Considering the domestic baggage allowance is only 50 pounds/23kilograms, those lost 8 pounds can be costly ($25 extra per flight). Another nit is the dark interior, which makes it harder to find things. And two buckles instead of four would simplify access and allow better compression when traveling with a partial load.

For outdoors people heading off to distant adventures, lots of gear is a fact of life. Anyone who has traveled with wheeled luggage will never go back to dragging and humping big bags again. Once you've been sold on the wheeled concept, the Eagle Creek ORV Trunk is arguably the best available.

SNEWS® Rating: 4 hands clapping. (1 to 5 hands clapping possible, with 5 clapping hands representing functional and design perfection).

Suggested retail: $240

For more information: www.eaglecreek.com

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