You've probably been there—blasting down a dusty trail, enjoying the wind in your face, and realizing your empty Gatorade bottle just launched itself out of the cab because you didn't have a sxs trash bag to secure it. It's one of those minor annoyances that can actually turn into a bigger headache, especially when you're trying to keep the trails clean and your interior from looking like a landfill.
Let's be honest, side-by-sides aren't exactly known for having a ton of "refined" storage space. Sure, you might have a glove box or a tiny cubby under the dash, but those fill up with phones, wallets, and maps pretty quickly. When it comes to the actual junk we accumulate—snack wrappers, crushed cans, used paper towels, or even broken parts—most of us end up stuffing them into the door pockets or, worse, just tossing them on the floorboards.
The Problem with the Floorboard Method
We've all done it. You finish a granola bar and shove the wrapper into that little gap between the seat and the center console. You figure you'll grab it when you get back to the trailer. But then you hit a few whoops, the wind picks up, or you take a sharp turn, and suddenly that wrapper is gone.
Aside from the obvious littering issue (which we all want to avoid), having loose trash in a machine is just annoying. It rattles around, it gets under your feet, and if it's something like a half-full soda can, it's going to leak and create a sticky mess that's a nightmare to clean out once the dust settles. This is exactly where a dedicated sxs trash bag comes into play. It's a simple, low-cost solution that keeps your cab organized and ensures you're not "that guy" leaving a trail of litter behind.
What Makes a Trash Bag "SXS Ready"?
You might be thinking, "Why can't I just tie a grocery bag to the roll bar?" Well, you can, but you'll probably regret it about ten minutes into your ride. Plastic grocery bags are thin, they flap around loudly in the wind, and they rip the second they snag on a branch. Plus, they look pretty tacky on a machine you spent thousands of dollars on.
A purpose-built sxs trash bag is designed to handle the environment we ride in. Here are a few things that actually matter when you're looking for one:
Durability and Materials
Off-roading is hard on gear. Between the UV rays beating down on the bag all day and the mud, rain, and branches hitting it, a standard bag just won't last. Look for something made from heavy-duty nylon or vinyl-coated fabrics. These materials can take a beating and won't fade or dry rot after one season in the sun.
Secure Mounting Points
This is probably the most important part. A good sxs trash bag needs to stay put. Most of them use heavy-duty webbing straps with buckles that wrap around your roll cage. You want something that doesn't slide down the bar every time you hit a bump. If the bag is bouncing around, it's eventually going to tear or spill.
Leak-Proof Liners
If you're tossing in old coffee cups or empty beer cans (the non-alcoholic kind for the driver, obviously), there's going to be leftover liquid. A bag with a waterproof liner is a lifesaver. It keeps the "trail juice" from dripping onto your seats or your floorboards. Some bags even have removable liners that you can just pull out and spray down with a hose.
Where is the Best Place to Mount It?
The beauty of a side-by-side is that there are usually plenty of spots on the roll cage to attach things, but some spots are definitely better than others for a sxs trash bag.
Behind the Headrest: This is a classic spot. It's out of the way, doesn't block your vision, and is easy for the passenger to reach. If you have a four-seater, mounting one on the back of the front seats gives the rear passengers a place to put their stuff too.
The Rear Roll Bar: If you want the trash completely out of the cab, mounting it on the exterior rear bars is the way to go. This keeps any smells away from the passengers and saves interior space. Just make sure it's not blocking your rearview mirror if you use one.
Side Pillars: For smaller bags, the vertical pillars near the doors can work. It's very accessible, but you have to make sure it doesn't interfere with your arm movement while driving or getting in and out of the machine.
Keeping the Trails Open
We have to talk about the "tread lightly" aspect for a second. We're seeing more and more trail closures every year, and one of the biggest complaints from landowners and the Forest Service is litter. Even if you aren't the one throwing stuff out, picking up a piece of trash you see on the trail and throwing it in your sxs trash bag goes a long way.
It's about more than just being tidy; it's about being a good steward of the sport. When a group of riders rolls through and leaves the area cleaner than they found it, it changes the public perception of off-roading. Having a dedicated spot for trash makes it easy to be the "good guy" without it being a chore.
Beyond Just Trash
One thing I've noticed after using a sxs trash bag for a while is that it often ends up being a multi-purpose storage bag. Since they're usually waterproof and pretty rugged, they're great for holding things you don't want getting lost in the bottom of a storage box.
- Wet Straps: After you've winched a buddy out of a mud hole, your tow straps are going to be disgusting. You don't want that mud all over your clean gear. Toss the wet straps in the trash bag until you get home.
- Dirty Rags: If you had to wipe down a greasy belt or check your oil, that dirty rag needs a home.
- Extra Water: If the bag is clean, the insulated versions can actually double as a small cooler for extra water bottles.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Eventually, your sxs trash bag is going to get gross. That's literally its job. Luckily, because they're built for off-road use, cleaning them is usually pretty simple. Most of the time, you can just turn them inside out and spray them with a garden hose.
If things get really nasty—like a forgotten sandwich from three weeks ago—a little bit of dish soap and a scrub brush will do the trick. Just make sure you let it dry completely before you zip it back up or store it, or you'll end up with a science project growing inside it.
Is It Worth the Money?
You can spend anywhere from twenty bucks to nearly a hundred on a high-end sxs trash bag. While it might seem silly to spend money on a bag for garbage, it's one of those "buy once, cry once" situations. A cheap one will last a few rides before the straps rip or the sun kills the fabric. A good one will stay with your machine for years.
When you think about the convenience of having a clean cab and the peace of mind knowing you aren't dropping litter across the state, it's a pretty solid investment. It's one of those small details that just makes the whole riding experience a little bit smoother.
So, next time you're prepping for a weekend trip, take a look at your floorboards. If you see a pile of crumpled water bottles and old wrappers, it might be time to finally pull the trigger on a real sxs trash bag. Your passengers—and the trails—will definitely thank you.