Cargo Bags/Racks

[sheik]

I've been doing some research for additional storage on our T4R. When we travel we will be hauling my wife and I, an infant, a miniature dachshund, and a Weimaraner.

One of the largest things I will be hauling is a BOB stroller and so I've started looking at a cargo bag to put it, and whatever else will fit, into it and throw it on the roof.

I have looked at Thule, Yakima, Rola, etc.

Questions:

Why is it so hard to find a waterproof bag? We live in Duluth right by Lake Superior and will be dealing with snow/rain/mix all winter.

If you use a bag without a basket, will the bag stay off of the roof? I want to keep the bag off the roof, and will buy a basket if necessary but really want to go with just a bag (easier to store).

Who makes a cheap basket?

 

[4runr30]

I've been doing some research for additional storage on our T4R. When we travel we will be hauling my wife and I, an infant, a miniature dachshund, and a Weimaraner.

One of the largest things I will be hauling is a BOB stroller and so I've started looking at a cargo bag to put it, and whatever else will fit, into it and throw it on the roof.

I have looked at Thule, Yakima, Rola, etc.

Questions:

Why is it so hard to find a waterproof bag? We live in Duluth right by Lake Superior and will be dealing with snow/rain/mix all winter.

If you use a bag without a basket, will the bag stay off of the roof? I want to keep the bag off the roof, and will buy a basket if necessary but really want to go with just a bag (easier to store).

Who makes a cheap basket?

Im not sure about who has the cheapest basket. Im sure there are a ton of them out there. As for a bag, Ive used a cheap $30 bag from Target (Ill have to see who makes it) for the past two yrs and it has worked great. I have strapped it down to the roof, between the cross bars and have used it with my Yakima Loadwarrior and it works well either way. I would think that trying to put a soft bag on the cross bars wouldnt work very well since the middle is still going to settle on the roof. Just M2C hope it helps.

 

[Larry77]

I love my Thule box...I think they hold up a lot better than the bags, but are big to store. I store mine upright on the wall of my garage on a shelf I built.

 

[chaz]

try here

http://www.etrailer.com/c-ccr.htm

 

[sheik]

Thanks for the info and the link. I never knew about etrailer till now. Great site!

So if I wanted to stick with a soft bag still, is there such a thing as crossbars that run the between the factory crossbars (ie, the length of the vehicle) that would keep the bag off the roof?

 

[43242code1]

bully cargo bag

I bought this one for our trip from SoCal to big bear;

http://www.etrailer.com/p-CG-03.htm

I bought it from our local 4x4 shop on a Wednesday because i needed it by that friday. It was about 110.00 USD out the door. I think it has 4 year manufacturer warranty. Fabric feels like gor-tek but i dont think it is. Rain resistant. I love how you can roll it up like a duffel bag. It is always in the back of the 4runner in case of emergencies. I did not have a roof rack or flat surface under the bag when I used it; it lay fully on the roof of the 4runner.
Mine zips 3 out of the 4 sides, so we had to orient it facing passenger side. Stock height and we needed to stand on the tires or running boards to reach the far corners.

on a scale of 1-10 i would personally give this type of cargo bag an 8, for what it is.
Previous roof storage experience is a hard case yakima rocket box on a late 90's yukon. The rocket box has a key and lock system and is more aerodynamic but the stuff inside the box can bind on the locking bars inside.
The rocket box is more secure if you are worried about theft. My cargo bag is attached by straps only, no lock either.

-J

 

[Merle]

There are plenty out there. I picked one up from Big-5 for $20, but it's claim is "water resistant". Wal-Mart carries the same style for under $50 which is water proof.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2656404

 

[alaskaman]

Check this link.

http://www.shopwiki.com/Waterproof+Roof+Top+Cargo+Bag


I use the Thule Quest bag. It is not waterproof though and reading the fine print helps with these products.

 

[Tejas_Runner]

I've been doing some research for additional storage on our T4R. When we travel we will be hauling my wife and I, an infant, a miniature dachshund, and a Weimaraner.

One of the largest things I will be hauling is a BOB stroller and so I've started looking at a cargo bag to put it, and whatever else will fit, into it and throw it on the roof.

I have looked at Thule, Yakima, Rola, etc.

Questions:

Why is it so hard to find a waterproof bag? We live in Duluth right by Lake Superior and will be dealing with snow/rain/mix all winter.

If you use a bag without a basket, will the bag stay off of the roof? I want to keep the bag off the roof, and will buy a basket if necessary but really want to go with just a bag (easier to store).

Who makes a cheap basket?

I've been looking for a basket as well and after an hour or so of searching it seems the best deal is a Black Widow roof rack. Personally, I prefer a roof rack that extends the entire length of our factory rack and somewhat low profile.

The Black Widow rack goes for $109 and the extension is $39, which extends the rack perfectly across our rack IMO.

Search black widow and i'm sure you'll find the same posts I came across. Only drawback the owners have found is that it comes with a cheesy "Rage" sticker on one of the sections...can be removed though haha

Good luck!

 

[4-Legged-Runner]

Sheik:


I also have a BOB for our 6-month old. I could not get it in any of the Yak or Thule streamlined boxes - they do not open largely enough. I did not go the bag route. I did this: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02872020000P?vName=Automotive&cName=Accessories+for+In-store+Pick-up&sName=Car+Top+%26+Hitch+Carriers

Not the sexiest, but it easily gobbled 20 cu ft. of cargo. Attaches directly to the crossbars. Easy on and easy off. I drove through some rain and had no problems with leaking. This was a cost effective box. Much less than a Yak or Thule.

 

[sheik]

Did you try to fit it into the bigger 15+ cubic ft. cargo boxes? I was planning to get the Thule Ascent 1700.

Dimension wise it should fit in most of the bigger ones on Yak/Thule's site and I've more or less decided I am going to go the cargo box route since I don't want a bag sitting on the roof and don't wanna spend the money to get a basket.

Have you had a chance to see how your mileage is affected with the X-Cargo from Sears?

 

[4-Legged-Runner]

Did you try to fit it into the bigger 15+ cubic ft. cargo boxes? I was planning to get the Thule Ascent 1700.

Dimension wise it should fit in most of the bigger ones on Yak/Thule's site and I've more or less decided I am going to go the cargo box route since I don't want a bag sitting on the roof and don't wanna spend the money to get a basket.

Have you had a chance to see how your mileage is affected with the X-Cargo from Sears?

I was looking at the Yak SkyBox 16 - and I could not get the BOB's wheels inside. If you search around on this site, there is a guy who put a Yak SB 16 on top of his SE - and it looks good - so I thought I would try that route. We have a BOB Evolution. I took it to a local shop and could not get it in the Yak. I did not try very many different angles and approaches to get it in - because I figured if I could not just throw it in - how in the world would I get it in a box that is perched on top of my 4Runner? No problem with the XCargo - it clamshells from behind and has plenty of opening.

We recently did a trip to NC Outer Banks from PA in September - majority highway, staying around the speed limit (65 MPH). 2005 T4R SE V8 with approx. 50,000 on the clock - moderate AC running - and clocked an average of 20.9 MPG per the computer. I was very happy with those results.

 

[4-Legged-Runner]

Not the sexiest, but easy to mount and access.

 

[sheik]

Thanks for the information and photos. I was pretty much planning on having to take the wheels off the BOB in order for it to fit into one of the smaller boxes - we also have the Revolution.

Awesome stroller if I do say so! (never thought I would ever utter that phrase)

 

[sheik]

I test fit the BOB in a Thule Ascent 1500 and it fits fine (no issues with the size of the opening). It doesn't leave much room though and I'm looking to get the Ascent 1700. I like how this box opens from both sides.

My wife isn't convinced we need more cargo room so we'll see how our first trip with our son and two dogs goes next weekend. :naughty:

 

[geenowalker]

Anyone consider or have a Hitch-haul? Basically a metal platform that attatches to the trailer hitch. I am looking for one of these and plan to add a 30" high basket. Want to carry snowboards, but do not want to take them out of the bags, and do not want to put them on top. Cabelas, Walmart sells for about $90. With the basket attachment and the 3 bike carrier attachment I can be out hte door for $150. I hate wasting money on both the Thule/Yakima bike rack and the snowboard rack or attahcment.

http://www.masterbuilt.com/prod-hh-cargo.html

 

[sheik]

The hitch carriers are a great option.

Things to consider, and reasons I didn't go that route:

Depending on how full you pack your hitch carrier, you may not be able to open the rear hatch.

You won't be able to tow anything.

Will get covered in snow/rain if you're driving in it.

 

[matoolie]

We had good luck with the Rola Pursuit. Soft material like a bag but has a rigid frame that collapses to 3" height when not in use.

http://www.amazon.com/Rola-59150-Pursuit-Folding-Carrier/dp/B000PEQMNAh

 

[4-Legged-Runner]

Remember what I said: make sure you can easily toss the stroller into the box. Unless you are TALL (I am 6'1" - and that folded stroller is still awkward) you may have to stand on the wheels. Unless you take a little stool.

Good luck with Wife, Child and Two Dogs. We had myself, Mrs. 4-Legged-Runner and the little one and barely had enough space!!!! With the box. We had to leave the dogs at home. It is amazing how little you pack for yourself when you have a 6 month old.

 

[enzomorales]

I've successfully used a Thule Ranger 90 cargo bag to transport my kids stroller around.