Car Roof Cargo Boxes - Suggestions? (1 Viewer)

[Fat Nick]

The wife and I both drive mid-sized SUV's (recently looted during the last "white people are outraged" incident). We just had a kid, and are realizing that space can get tight for longer car trips. Both our families live 4+ hours away, so we make a lot of road trips.

We're considering a roof-top cargo box and are looking for suggestions on either specific models, or at least features to look for. I'm guessing most will recommend Yakima or Thule.

Must have's

-Needs to be able to hold at least 2 snowboards for our winter trips

-Ideally low profile to not overly impact mileage

-Something that can hold more than JUST snowboards, i.e. a few duffle-bags, etc. would be good.

-Lockable

Also, any thoughts on best places to get good pricing is welcome as well.

Thanks!

 

[odin33]

Either car have a trailer hitch? If you're worried about wind resistance on a long trip, get one of those rectangle metal platforms to hold waterproof dufflebags and such. The nicer ones have a pivot point that allow it to fold close to the back hatch when not in use. Just another option.

As for lugging all the kid stuff, once they are old enough to sit up, go the umbrella stroller route. Folds down to about the diameter of softball and is usually adequate for whatever you may need. If this is your first kid, and your wife is like mine, you'll adapt to work with less when you get tired of packing up the entire nursery each time.

Oh and I hear the Ford Raptors have a lot of room.

 

[E-Z Glider]

Yakima Rocketbox is the most cost effective option unless you have a specific requirement (doesnt sound like you do). Ive had two of them. Amazing the improvements they made from my older one to my newer one.

 

[Statcruncher]

When I was looking for a bike rack for my SUV I explored all the options and decided a roof is really not a place to put anything. Bought a used factory hitch for $40 on Craigslist, bolted it on my SUV in 5 minutes, and then bought a hitch mounted bike rack. Very glad I did.

I don't know what's out there for hitch mounted cargo carriers but I would highly suggest you explore that as an option. It would be easier to install, load, alleviate any mileage concerns, and you won't have to worry about increased vehicle clearance.

By the way I bought a Thule 4 bike rack and it's rock solid.

 

[Fat Nick]

Thanks all. Neither car currently has a hitch. My LR2 doesn't even have a roof rack, but we do most of the travelign in the wife's RDX which has the roof rack.

Our next car will have a hitch as I want to be able to tow equipment...maybe a boat some day. That car will also be bigger, but that's down the road...My only qualm with the hitch racks is that I feel like whatever you put back there is goign to get absolutely disgusting, especially if it rains.

E-Z Glider, It sounds like the Rocket Box may be the winner. I wasn't sure what the quality differences were between the Thule and Yakima, but for the price, Yakima probably wins.

 

[beer 30]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/SportRack-Skyline-XL-Roof-Mount-Cargo-Box/23578501

I have one of these we bought in the 90's $100. Has been a workhorse. Not waterproof but enough that it doesn't bother anything and you can fit a ton of stuff in there. I had all the luggage for a 4 person week long vacation and managed to stuff a small desk in there as well. It looks like hell so if you're going with one of those cool, expensive Thule carriers this ain't one of those. Not sure why so high for this one but I was going after the picture, not the price.