Cargo carrier for roof rack?
- Thread starter Riser
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I have a Thule carrier that is great. I can mount it to my roof in under 5 minutes. I am always nervous that I am going to pull into my garage with it mounted, but haven't done it yet. I use it on my van. I have been thinking about getting a basket type instead for the 4runner. The baja racks seem like a good price point and, because they replace the factory rails, they don't really add a lot of height to the vehicle.
By the way, the Thule probably robs me of 2mpg; but completely worth it when you are traveling with kids and animals and need extra room.
By the way, the Thule probably robs me of 2mpg; but completely worth it when you are traveling with kids and animals and need extra room.
I use an extended Yakima Loadwarrior, on the factory bars Yakima Shop Cargo Gear Baskets LoadWarrior
With four of these (not four small bags, four systems, with four bags each) Mountainsmith
And I wrap them in two of these Amazon.com: Highland 10391 Kar Pak Rainproof Soft-Sided Car Top Carrier - 15 Cubic Feet: Automotive
This affords a max packout on the roof rack with these little modular bags, which for a family fo five, with two dogs works great. The smaller modular bags, help keep the kids in check too. However, the exterior bags are not truly waterproof. If I know I am driving through rain, then I lay an inner wrap of heavy duty garbage bags or a small tarp.
It seems like too many parts, but it is truly a modular system. I can pack up both the dogs inside, plus stach two of the modular cases and one exterior wrap, with the kayak, or bikes, or whatever...
I could have gotten a hard case, and still can, but I like the flexibility of this system.
With four of these (not four small bags, four systems, with four bags each) Mountainsmith
And I wrap them in two of these Amazon.com: Highland 10391 Kar Pak Rainproof Soft-Sided Car Top Carrier - 15 Cubic Feet: Automotive
This affords a max packout on the roof rack with these little modular bags, which for a family fo five, with two dogs works great. The smaller modular bags, help keep the kids in check too. However, the exterior bags are not truly waterproof. If I know I am driving through rain, then I lay an inner wrap of heavy duty garbage bags or a small tarp.
It seems like too many parts, but it is truly a modular system. I can pack up both the dogs inside, plus stach two of the modular cases and one exterior wrap, with the kayak, or bikes, or whatever...
I could have gotten a hard case, and still can, but I like the flexibility of this system.
Benski
Member
Found a good cargo carrier.
First I added an additional factory crossbar I picked up at a salvage yard for more support. Then found a Sears Xcargo Xtreme box for sale on Craigslist for cheap. It fits nice and is the perfect length for the roof line and doesn't block my sunroof. It doesn't look as big as it really is. I reinforced the inside with small angle iron from front to back and it's really solid. There is only a small water intrusion from time to time but the grooved bottom keeps things up and dry. It seems to be well made and works great. It even matches the window tint!
First I added an additional factory crossbar I picked up at a salvage yard for more support. Then found a Sears Xcargo Xtreme box for sale on Craigslist for cheap. It fits nice and is the perfect length for the roof line and doesn't block my sunroof. It doesn't look as big as it really is. I reinforced the inside with small angle iron from front to back and it's really solid. There is only a small water intrusion from time to time but the grooved bottom keeps things up and dry. It seems to be well made and works great. It even matches the window tint!
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doberman_baby
New member
Thule Force or Sonic
I was looking a various Thule's last year and was thinking about the Thule Force or Sonic.
Ended up with the Force XL which is 17 cubic feet (see pic); no interference with the lift gate. Sonic XL will interfere w/ lift gate. Both Force / Sonic L will not interfere w/ lift gate.
I was looking a various Thule's last year and was thinking about the Thule Force or Sonic.
Ended up with the Force XL which is 17 cubic feet (see pic); no interference with the lift gate. Sonic XL will interfere w/ lift gate. Both Force / Sonic L will not interfere w/ lift gate.
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BigredTEX
New member
I have a Yakima 21 mounted on standard cross bars on my TE rack. It is long and impedes opening the rear hatch without hitting the box, but a strip of duct tape across the back of the box protects the hatch from scratches. It's really bigger than I needed, but I couldn't pass up a great deal. A friend ordered it and it arrived with a scratch on the top. He called Yakima for a RMA and they sent him a new one and told him to keep the old one too. Sold it to me for $200.
