User Tag List

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 03-11-2019, 12:06 PM #1
tankismyname tankismyname is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 30
Real Name: Andrew
tankismyname is on a distinguished road
tankismyname tankismyname is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 30
Real Name: Andrew
tankismyname is on a distinguished road
Road Trip Luggage Questions

I've read probably 100+ threads on roof racks, cargo boxes, hitch carriers etc but I need some guidance from the experts here.

To keep it simple, 5th gen 4R, LFD 7/8ths roof rack, interior cargo space very limited due to 2 large dog crates.

Everything else is stock.

What is the best route for road tripping in this vehicle?

I am leaning towards a Thule or Yakima cargo box on the roof, plus the Rola Swing-away hitch carrier which would allow easy access to the rear hatch and dogs. I assume these options should be sufficient for a couple suitcases, food and other random gear to take on a trip unless you guys suggest a better route.

In terms of accessing the rooftop cargo box, I am leaning towards some sort of steps. I have seen sliders that have steps but doubt I will ever truly need sliders. I have also seen cheaper options that don't protect the rocker panels which seem more in line with what I'll be using the vehicle for. I guess I could always just throw a fiberglass ladder on the roof and travel with that, but thats seems pretty dumb IMO.

Anyways I am probably overthinking all this but I want to do it right and be set up for future success so any input is appreciated.

Thanks everyone,
__________________
2019 Sr5 Premium - Pupmobile
tankismyname is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-11-2019, 12:17 PM #2
4RExplorer 4RExplorer is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Maryland
Posts: 90
Real Name: Ted
4RExplorer is on a distinguished road
4RExplorer 4RExplorer is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Maryland
Posts: 90
Real Name: Ted
4RExplorer is on a distinguished road
For accessing the rooftop cargo box, you might want to try one of those steps that hooks into the door latch, e.g.

STRATOMAX Vehicle Hooked on U Shaped Slam Latch Doorstep
__________________
2019 4Runner TRD Off Road
4RExplorer is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-11-2019, 12:39 PM #3
crossfire190 crossfire190 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: PA
Posts: 33
crossfire190 is on a distinguished road
crossfire190 crossfire190 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: PA
Posts: 33
crossfire190 is on a distinguished road
i have a Thule rooftop box. I find that i am able to comfortably reach most items out of the box by standing on the rear wheel. For items in the front, i open the driver's door and stand on the sill. Works well enough without having to bring a ladder. I am 6' tall, so factor that in...
crossfire190 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-11-2019, 12:46 PM #4
Cadesun's Avatar
Cadesun Cadesun is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 121
Real Name: Insta: cadeandmollyadventures
Cadesun is on a distinguished road
Cadesun Cadesun is offline
Member
Cadesun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 121
Real Name: Insta: cadeandmollyadventures
Cadesun is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by crossfire190 View Post
i have a Thule rooftop box. I find that i am able to comfortably reach most items out of the box by standing on the rear wheel. For items in the front, i open the driver's door and stand on the sill. Works well enough without having to bring a ladder. I am 6' tall, so factor that in...
Same here, 6' and easily reach most items in my Thule Force (L) from the door or wheel. We took a 3 week road trip with it a couple years back and had zero issues.

I did put these nerf bars this winter on for the kiddos:

Running Boards - Star Armor Running Boards From TYGER Auto

I'm sure they will help but not completely necessary. Keep in mind many cargo boxes can be opened from either side.
__________________
Cadeandmolly.com

2020 Venture
2015 TEP - wrecked
2005 SR5 - sold

Last edited by Cadesun; 03-11-2019 at 02:14 PM. Reason: clarification
Cadesun is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-11-2019, 12:58 PM #5
tankismyname tankismyname is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 30
Real Name: Andrew
tankismyname is on a distinguished road
tankismyname tankismyname is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 30
Real Name: Andrew
tankismyname is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4RExplorer View Post
For accessing the rooftop cargo box, you might want to try one of those steps that hooks into the door latch, e.g.

STRATOMAX Vehicle Hooked on U Shaped Slam Latch Doorstep
While those do seem like the least expensive route to take, I would rather have something a bit more permanent if steps are actually needed. Reading the other two posts so far it sounds like I should have much issue accessing the box while standing in on the tires, though I would like a bit safer approach if possible.
__________________
2019 Sr5 Premium - Pupmobile
tankismyname is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-11-2019, 01:29 PM #6
flyrv9's Avatar
flyrv9 flyrv9 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Clearwater Kansas
Posts: 1,295
flyrv9 is a jewel in the rough flyrv9 is a jewel in the rough flyrv9 is a jewel in the rough
flyrv9 flyrv9 is offline
Senior Member
flyrv9's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Clearwater Kansas
Posts: 1,295
flyrv9 is a jewel in the rough flyrv9 is a jewel in the rough flyrv9 is a jewel in the rough
Small folding ladder or one of those hang over the tire steps.
flyrv9 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-11-2019, 01:51 PM #7
mteolus's Avatar
mteolus mteolus is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 1,509
mteolus is a splendid one to behold mteolus is a splendid one to behold mteolus is a splendid one to behold mteolus is a splendid one to behold mteolus is a splendid one to behold mteolus is a splendid one to behold mteolus is a splendid one to behold
mteolus mteolus is offline
Senior Member
mteolus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 1,509
mteolus is a splendid one to behold mteolus is a splendid one to behold mteolus is a splendid one to behold mteolus is a splendid one to behold mteolus is a splendid one to behold mteolus is a splendid one to behold mteolus is a splendid one to behold
Thule makes great products. I have their cargo box, can't remember which one it is but it will open from either side of the vehicle which is nice. I used it on a Ford Escape once on a road trip and MPG's didn't go down at all so the aerodynamics are good.

I haven't really needed this yet but I have it because the stuff I have in the box I can reach by standing either in the front or back door sides. It seems pretty expensive for what you get. I have tested it and it works. Maybe it will be a little more usful in a 4Runner since it is longer than an Escape.

Thule Step Up Wheel Step - Best Price on Thule 232 Step Up Tire Step

This might also help with stuff in the rear of the vehicle. I just bought one and it works great.

Body Armor Backbone Hitch Skidplate Accessory
__________________
2017 Off-road Premium w KDSS, moon roof, sliding rear cargo deck,3" Toytech Boss lift, SPC upper control arms, Sonoran Steel High Articulation KDSS Trac/PanHard Bar, RCI sliders, RCI skid plates aluminum including gas tank, C4 Fab diff skid plate, SCS Ray 10 Wheels Matte Gray, 285/70R17 Hankook Dynapro AT2 RF11 E-load RWL, Cali Raised LED 3x2 fog-light pods, Lock'r Down EXxtreme console safe with electronic lock, Auto Heat Shield all windows, Raingler rear cargo net, Canvasback rear covers, LFD Off-Road cross bars aluminum, LFD Hybrid bumper, LFD wind fairing, LFD Hi-lift jack mounts, Goat Armor, Blackgate Custom KDSS spacers, Ironman 2.5 awning with quick release mounts, Ironman 12,000 lb synthetic line winch.
mteolus is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-11-2019, 04:08 PM #8
tankismyname tankismyname is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 30
Real Name: Andrew
tankismyname is on a distinguished road
tankismyname tankismyname is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 30
Real Name: Andrew
tankismyname is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by mteolus View Post
Thule makes great products. I have their cargo box, can't remember which one it is but it will open from either side of the vehicle which is nice. I used it on a Ford Escape once on a road trip and MPG's didn't go down at all so the aerodynamics are good.

I haven't really needed this yet but I have it because the stuff I have in the box I can reach by standing either in the front or back door sides. It seems pretty expensive for what you get. I have tested it and it works. Maybe it will be a little more usful in a 4Runner since it is longer than an Escape.

Thule Step Up Wheel Step - Best Price on Thule 232 Step Up Tire Step

This might also help with stuff in the rear of the vehicle. I just bought one and it works great.

Body Armor Backbone Hitch Skidplate Accessory
I like the idea of the hitch step, especially the beaver tail ones that might keep people from doing much damage in a rear end collision. If I go the route of the Rola hitch carrier then that means no step back there. I wish there was an alternative option to the Rola but I cannot find anything with a swing-away arm. The reviews on the Rola aren't great and it costs between $800-900 for a hitch carrier, which seems absurd.
__________________
2019 Sr5 Premium - Pupmobile
tankismyname is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-11-2019, 07:31 PM #9
Bumbo's Avatar
Bumbo Bumbo is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 3,529
Bumbo has much to be proud of Bumbo has much to be proud of Bumbo has much to be proud of Bumbo has much to be proud of Bumbo has much to be proud of Bumbo has much to be proud of Bumbo has much to be proud of Bumbo has much to be proud of
Bumbo Bumbo is offline
Senior Member
Bumbo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 3,529
Bumbo has much to be proud of Bumbo has much to be proud of Bumbo has much to be proud of Bumbo has much to be proud of Bumbo has much to be proud of Bumbo has much to be proud of Bumbo has much to be proud of Bumbo has much to be proud of
Having traveled with both of these items (roof top cargo box and hitch mounted carrier) at the same time… ill throw in my 2 cents.

Roof mounted cargo box.

Pros - Plenty of space, great for long items like fishing poles, shoves, traction pads. Its also nice for bulky soft goods like sleeping bags and clothing duffle bags. Items that conform to share are better than trying to take a packed suit case and throw it in there. It kept stuff clean and dry, and aero was good, I don’t notice it’s up there from a noise standpoint.

Cons - Doesn’t fit in my garage with it on. Can’t put it on until after I get out of the garage which makes occasional use more annoying and you will end up using it less. Limits travel parking options… for example many parking structures will not have clearance to accommodate it. Takes up a lot of space when in storage.

Hitch mounted carrier

Pros – Good for large or heavy items like water cans, gas cans, tires, coolers. Worked well for difficult to load/unload from height items. Easy to access items in place like a cooler without unloading. Its like adding a really small truck bed to the thing.

Cons – Items get pretty dirty trailing behind the truck. Exposed to the elements. Easy for people to steal stuff if you have to leave it unattended. Terrible for off-road clearance as it really jacks up your approach / departure angles. Depending on what is on there, may obstruct opening of the hatch if you have tall items.

Both of them turned out to be pretty useful, but if you plan on doing any off-road driving, leave the hitch carrier at home. I use it for camping all the time, but usually to transport things like tires, coolers, or other items which I typically unload and then drive around. The aluminum one from harbor freight turned out to be a pretty good unit for the price. I would recommend.
Bumbo is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-11-2019, 09:37 PM #10
unsub1 unsub1 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 379
unsub1 will become famous soon enough unsub1 will become famous soon enough
unsub1 unsub1 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 379
unsub1 will become famous soon enough unsub1 will become famous soon enough
The combo of an LFD rack with rooftop box is awesome. SO much room. My sliders are great for loading it but yeah, standing in the driver's door or on the wheel does okay in a pinch.

Throwing back on my Skybox to drive to Taos this weekend, in fact.
Attached Images
Road Trip Luggage Questions-img_2075-1-jpg 
unsub1 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply

Tags
cargo , road , roof , route , vehicle

Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
That time of year... EPIC Road Trip: CO, UT, AZ, CA - Mojave Road and more! 8/22-9/4 00_4runner Off-Roading 11 08-28-2017 01:41 AM
06 Sport 4x4 Questions Before Road Trip OK4Runner06 4th Gen T4Rs 3 12-12-2013 02:58 AM
Road Trip questions/conserns MSBX4RUNNER 4th Gen T4Rs 7 01-10-2011 11:57 AM
Mounting Off-Road Lights to Luggage Rack muddy-in-ms 4th Gen T4Rs 0 02-17-2008 11:45 PM
Long Road Trip - Pre trip maintenance ? joyride Maintenance/Detailing 4 06-14-2005 09:51 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:59 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
***This site is an unofficial Toyota site, and is not officially endorsed, supported, authorized by or affiliated with Toyota. All company, product, or service names references in this web site are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. The Toyota name, marks, designs and logos, as well as Toyota model names, are registered trademarks of Toyota Motor Corporation***Ad Management plugin by RedTyger
 
Copyright © 2020