Trasharoo sits nicely on the tailgate | Photo: Nathan Hayashi
Pack out more than you pack in is a moral law of the backcountry. Driving a 4WD, riding a motorbike, or quad is no exception to the rule as we travel to enjoy the beauty of the mountains, forests and rivers. One of the ethics that we teach at CT4WD is to ensure that everything is left better than when it was found, so garbage that has been left by previous travellers is to be picked up, minor trail damage to be smoothed over and repaired, and leaving barely any trace that one was there. Let's dive into the Trasharoo as this is not your ordinary trash bag!
This isn't an easy task for motorized backcountry user's as there needs to be even more care when traveling on the trails to our self-propelled counterparts; especially during times of spring run-off and rain. Garbage is a universal issue to backcountry users whether a person is hiking, biking, or driving their 4WD. With an increase of 100% year after year in self-propelled backcountry use, garbage is becoming more visible in the "wild." In CT4WD's mandatory Trail Ethics & Safety Course, we have made it a point that every 4WD on the trail with us must have garbage bags ready to go as there is much to pick up along the way. Beer cans, beer cases, shoes, clothing, random automobile/quad/dirtbike parts, wrappers, bottes, etc... we've seen it all and we've cleaned it up while we go.
Remember to keep your fire ring clean after use | Photo: Meghan Williams
Having a plastic bag hanging off the back of our Member's Toyota or 4WD is a very common sight. The other common sight was a ripped plastic bag after putting in a large piece of steel or heavy bottles. Here is where the Trasharoo fits into the equation perfectly. Adventure Duo, David Druck and Yoshin Carter of California Tape Products, created the Trasharoo as a means to keep the garbage that was picked up off the trails secured in a strong garbage bag. Druck, also a Tread Lightly! Tread Trainer, was inspired to create the Trasharoo as garbage that he had picked up was all over inside of his 4WD. Trasharoo's simple mission is: Keep our trails open and land clean. Pack it in and pack it out. Make quality products that will last for years or don't make it at all.
The Trasharoo is a very stout bag to begin with. Thick high quality 900 denier canvas construction, water resistant interior coating to keep the rain/snow out, double stitched buckles and straps, drainage holes at the bottom, nylon covers to protect the buckles from the sun, mesh outer pockets, and additional Molle strap for additional storage add ons.
Olive Drab Trasharoo secured to a spare tire | Photo: Trasharoo
There are many uses for this bag which isn't just for garbage. With the thick water resistant inner coating, carrying timber for firewood in the Trasharoo keeps the water out and helps keep firewood dry. If you've just finished swimming in your favourite lake or just finished surfing in Tofino, it's nice to put wet swimwear/wet suit in the Trasharoo as the drain holes at the bottom will allow the water to drip out of the bag. If your vehicle is stranded or you need to hike out, the Trasharoo turns into a large backpack that can store all your gear.
The Trasharoo can either hang off your spare tire, off your tailgate, or even strap to your rear seat.
This is a great product to have and those of us who've been using them are extremely pleased with how versatile and functional the Trasharoo is. We've put our Trasharoo to the test for a solid year and not one issue with it. Even after getting it stuck in a sled track (long story). The real benefit is we're only going through one garbage back for an entire trip as we can fill a bag completely full without the plastic bag tearing (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!)
If you're looking to get your hands on either a Desert Tan, Olive Drab or Black Trasharoo, look no further as you can purchase them here at the CT4WD Gear Shop!
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