Roof-top cargo carriers

[Gumball]

Does anyone have thoughts on a roof-top cargo carrier? A guy local to me has a Yakima Skybox 18 that is a year old and in great shape. MSRP new is $550 + shipping and I can get this one for around $300.

[Al_C]

sounds like a great deal. too bad you don't have a roof! (sorry, couldn't resist :) )

[Jeff Kleiner]

Just don't forget that it's on there and loaded when you pull in the garage like my brother in law did! Made a mess of his Mazda's roof. For anyone keeping score---yes, this is the same brother in law who ran the exact same Mazda through my garage door when he started it in gear. :(

Jeff

[WIS89]

Jeff-

That sounds like a brother-in-law that shouldn't be allowed to visit any longer! HA

Chris-

I have used a rooftop carrier before, and it is very handy. Keep the obvious in mind; weight restrictions, secure tie downs before you close the doors, make sure important things requiring quick access remain in car, not on roof, etc. I travelled with two boys, all their lacrosse gear, my wife, and two dogs, and it would have been impossible without the carrier. I think it will serve you well.

If you have any specific questions, please let me know!

Regards,

Steve

[Jeff Kleiner]

Jeff-

That sounds like a brother-in-law that shouldn't be allowed to visit any longer! HA



He's gone. ;)

Jeff

[jceckard]

I went with an Inno box. They are a bit expensive, but they provide good storage and I can pull into the garage with it on the car. What I found with the Yakima and Thule boxes was to get it short enough to get through the door, it would interfere with the tailgate. The models that didn't interfere with the tailgate were too tall. The Inno (whatever the 16 cu ft is) works in all regards. The clamps are easy to work with too. I rigged a couple of bicycle hoists in the garage to pull the box off the top of the car and store it above the garage door when it isn't being used.

[billjr212]

I had a roof top basket on my old wrx wagon and a hitch mounted basket for my wife's suv. Combined each with a waterproof bag. Found that I preferred the hitch basket because it is a lot easier to load and had less impact on gas mileage. Also, it let me pull the suv in the garage to unload (but didn't quite clear the garage door to allow it to close)

Obviously this doesn't help you if you need to tow at the same time, in which case feel free to ignore me :-)

[Gumball]

Bill is the winner - the Yakima was a bit too large for my 4Runner... it interfered with the spoiler on the hatch so I couldn't open the hatch all the way. Plus, the factory cross bars are a bit too low - although the clips would go on, they wanted to rub the roof. Combine that with the flimsy factory cross bars that I've heard cause a bit of bounce, I was concerned about the bottom of the clamps banging on the roof. So, I took a pass.

But, based on Bill's comments about the hitch mounted basket, I checked those out on e-trailer.com and bought a Curt folding version at more than 50% off - combine that with an anti-rattle locking pin, a weatherproof bag, and free shipping and I was out the door for under $200 delivered to my house.

This is the answer to my need for a little extra space from time-to-time, as well as a place to carry dirty, bulky, or other stuff that I don't want to put inside my truck.

Here's a file photo from the manufacturer of the bag, but not the same carrier - mine is similar, though. The bag is actually one-piece, but with three compartments. Size is 20" x 60" overall.

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/cargo%20basket%20bag_zpsuav0xjv2.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/cargo%20basket%20bag_zpsuav0xjv2.jpg.html)