On a long trip, the rubbish piles up fast, and so does the dirty gear: wet towels, muddy recovery straps, sandy thongs. None of it belongs in the car. A spare wheel bag gives it a home on the outside, and the Kings Premium 48L Dirty Gear Bag is the one that lives on the spare wheel of our Prado. I paid about $50 for it a year ago, and it has been on the car ever since and come with us on every trip. We’re very happy with it.
What’s in the box
A black bag made from 400GSM PVC, with a Kings logo and a reflective strip across the front. The main compartment holds 42 L and closes with a big zip, and two mesh pockets on the sides bring the total to 48 L. Straps with buckles go around the spare wheel and adjust to different tyre sizes.
Amazon also sells a 2-pack of the Kings Dirty Gear Bag, if you want one for rubbish and one for dirty gear, or one for a second vehicle.
What we like
- 42 L main compartment + side pockets
- Super strong 400GSM PVC
- No wear after a year of trips
- Zips shut, so possums stay out
- Mesh side pockets with buckles
- Sits tight on the spare wheel
What we don’t
- Straps can be a bit fiddly
- Vent can block with dirt
- Not fully waterproof
Quick Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Adventure Kings |
| Capacity | 42 L main48 L with side pockets |
| Material | Waterproof 400GSM PVC |
| Weight | 1,120 g |
| Size | 56 × 45.5 × 20 cm |
| Closure | SBS #10 zip |
| Features | 2 mesh side pockets |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Fitting it to the tyre
The bag hangs on the outside of the spare wheel, held by webbing straps with plastic buckles that go around the tyre. They adjust to suit different tyre sizes. Getting the straps right takes a bit of fiddling the first time, but once they’re set, the bag sits tight against the tyre. Even on bumpy roads it doesn’t flap around.
The main compartment
The main compartment is one big space with a heavy-duty SBS #10 zip across the top, so it opens wide. We keep a roll of large black garbage bags at the bottom of the bag, so there’s always one to pull out at the start of a trip, and we fill that as we go. The zip is big and easy to work, and dust hasn’t jammed it. Being able to zip it shut matters more than you’d think: at many campgrounds the possums come looking for your leftovers, and they can’t get into this one.
It isn’t only for rubbish. We carry firewood in it as well, which is exactly the kind of thing you don’t want inside the car. The dirt and bark from the wood end up in the bottom of the bag, though, and that’s where a small metal vent lets water drain out. When dirt builds up, it can block the vent, so every now and then the bag needs a clean-out to keep it clear.
Side pockets
The two mesh pockets on the sides each have a strap with a quick-release buckle over the top. We use them to carry kindling, so it’s kept apart from the firewood and the rubbish and is easy to grab when it’s time to light the fire.
Build quality
The bag is made from 400GSM PVC, a heavy-duty material that Kings calls waterproof, and it’s super strong. After a year on the back of the car, on every trip and with firewood in it, it doesn’t show any wear, only dirt. It’s very rigid when it’s new, so it takes a while to soften up, and it isn’t a fully waterproof bag, so don’t count on everything inside staying dry in heavy rain. For such a tough bag it isn’t heavy: empty, it weighed 1,120 g on our scale.
Which Spare Wheel Bag?
We’ve tested three spare wheel bags. This Kings bag is the lightest and cheapest; the Bushranger Wheelie Bin is the most rugged, with a stiff base, a divider and buckles, and the San Hima is the biggest at 70 litres.
This one Kings | Most rugged Bushranger | Biggest San Hima | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | 400 gsm PVC | 1000D PVC | 1680D polyester, PVC coated |
| Capacity | 48 L | 67 L | 70 L |
| Weight | 1.12 kg | 2.3 kg | 1.85 kg |
| Price paid | $50 | $120 | $85 |
| Our score | 9.1 | 9.0 | 8.9 |
Conclusion: Kings Premium 48L Dirty Gear BagConclusion
The Kings Premium 48L Dirty Gear Bag keeps rubbish and dirty gear outside the car, on the spare wheel. It has a 42 L main compartment with a big SBS #10 zip, two mesh side pockets that we use for kindling, and straps that adjust to the tyre and hold it tight, even on bumpy roads. The straps are a bit fiddly to set up, it isn’t fully waterproof, and the drain vent needs keeping clear of dirt. After a year on every trip it shows no wear, the zip keeps the possums out at camp, and we’re very happy with it. For the $50 or so I paid, it’s a solid buy that keeps the car cleaner.
A super strong bag that keeps rubbish, dirty gear and firewood outside the car.
Ours has been on the Prado's spare wheel on every trip for a year with no wear apart from dirt, and it zips shut so possums can't get at the leftovers. The straps are a bit fiddly, it isn't fully waterproof and the drain vent can block with dirt.
- 4WD tourers
- Campers
- Beach & picnics
Yes. I paid about $50 a year ago, and it has been on the car and on every trip since, carrying rubbish and firewood, with no wear apart from dirt. We’re very happy with it.
