Hitch (can you open rear door?) vs roof cargo rack

[Scotttyd]

Just got my first 4 runner and traded in my beloved Taco as I am now a family man . Have a SR5. We do a lot of trips to the beach and mtns in NC (hiking, etc). We probably are going to need just a little more storage for our trips, plus it will be nice to keep the sandy stuff out of the back. Debating hitch vs roof top storage.
A couple of questions that can help me decide. With a hitch rack are you able to open the rear door with any of them? If not, this would be a royal PITA for hiking trips, and thus have me lean towards to roof rack. I see many of the options that are much cheaper, but also not really lockable (bungee down items or plastic bins) - which is also a negative. Seems like this is a good option for traveling with your gear, but not necessarily using it once you are on site (makes sense for a beach trip where you unload your items but not as much for a hiking trip where we need in and out of it throughout the day - or if we want to use the back as a staging area for lunch, etc).
The roof top containers are lockable, don't impede access to the back, BUT especially without running boards, are actually going to be hard to access, even with me being 6'2", I will likely need some sort of step stool.
Everybody's thoughts - think I know the pro's and con's but could use the answers to the questions above to make sure.

thanks!

 

[pumacat24]

Just got my first 4 runner and traded in my beloved Taco as I am now a family man . Have a SR5. We do a lot of trips to the beach and mtns in NC (hiking, etc). We probably are going to need just a little more storage for our trips, plus it will be nice to keep the sandy stuff out of the back. Debating hitch vs roof top storage.
A couple of questions that can help me decide. With a hitch rack are you able to open the rear door with any of them? If not, this would be a royal PITA for hiking trips, and thus have me lean towards to roof rack. I see many of the options that are much cheaper, but also not really lockable (bungee down items or plastic bins) - which is also a negative. Seems like this is a good option for traveling with your gear, but not necessarily using it once you are on site (makes sense for a beach trip where you unload your items but not as much for a hiking trip where we need in and out of it throughout the day - or if we want to use the back as a staging area for lunch, etc).
The roof top containers are lockable, don't impede access to the back, BUT especially without running boards, are actually going to be hard to access, even with me being 6'2", I will likely need some sort of step stool.
Everybody's thoughts - think I know the pro's and con's but could use the answers to the questions above to make sure.

thanks!

I'm not sure if this will help you or not, but I have both the single and double 1 Up USA hitch mounted bike racks and I have no problem opening my rear hatch loaded or unloaded.

It's difficult to tell on their website, but you can tilt the bike rack down and it looks like you can do the same with the cargo carrier since they are built exactly the same.

Product link: 60″ Hitch-Mounted Cargo Carrier – 1UP USA | OFFICIAL SITE

However, I did find someone's really good review of the bike rack and if you follow this link, about halfway down the page you will find an example of how it tilts down so you can open the hatch while it's loaded.

Review link: 1UP Quik Rack in Review – 44 Bikes

These guys make a really, incredibly solid product and I would not hesitate to buy this cargo carrier if I needed one after having 2 of their bike racks.

There is literally NO PLAY once this thing is on the car. No wobble, no shake, no nothing.

Just buy it.

 

[ProfessorP]

Roof rack storage boxes are a pain to access. They also negatively impact fuel mileage.

We’ve had a Stowaway2 Max hitch mounted cargo box for five years. Hitch Cargo Box - Max | StowAway

Pull a latch and unscrew a security “T” bolt and simply swing the box out of the way to access the T4R hatch. It holds 200 pounds of weight and is lockable.

We’ve probably traveled 40,000 miles of road trips with the Stowaway2 with no problems. We do a lot of hiking and it works perfectly to store hydration backpacks, muddy hiking boots, hiking sticks, dirty hiking clothes and camping gear, etc. We’ve done some mild off road driving to remote hiking spots and it did just fine.

The Stowaway2 comes with a u-bolt like stabilizer that clamps down to keep the box from flopping and wobbling around like inexpensive trailer hitch cargo racks. It’s rock solid and so much easier to use than roof storage boxes.

It’s not cheap, but it’s been a great purchase for us so far.

 

[nglayton]

I have on several occasions used a cheap Harbor Freight hitch mounted Cargo Carrier. It depends on how high you stack/pack it, but a 5gal Jerry Can, still clears the hatch door.

If somebody wants the stuff bad enough, placing it on the roof rack won't slow them down much. I've never locked anything down and haven't had any issues. Just a ratchet strap or bungee cord.

 

[Scotttyd]

I'm not sure if this will help you or not, but I have both the single and double 1 Up USA hitch mounted bike racks and I have no problem opening my rear hatch loaded or unloaded.

It's difficult to tell on their website, but you can tilt the bike rack down and it looks like you can do the same with the cargo carrier since they are built exactly the same.

Product link: 60″ Hitch-Mounted Cargo Carrier – 1UP USA | OFFICIAL SITE

However, I did find someone's really good review of the bike rack and if you follow this link, about halfway down the page you will find an example of how it tilts down so you can open the hatch while it's loaded.

Review link: 1UP Quik Rack in Review – 44 Bikes

These guys make a really, incredibly solid product and I would not hesitate to buy this cargo carrier if I needed one after having 2 of their bike racks.

There is literally NO PLAY once this thing is on the car. No wobble, no shake, no nothing.

Just buy it.

thanks - offta - that is a pricey for a hitch rack- but I do appreciate good quality - I just wonder if I can open the hatch with it loaded up?

 

[Scotttyd]

I have on several occasions used a cheap Harbor Freight hitch mounted Cargo Carrier. It depends on how high you stack/pack it, but a 5gal Jerry Can, still clears the hatch door.

If somebody wants the stuff bad enough, placing it on the roof rack won't slow them down much. I've never locked anything down and haven't had any issues. Just a ratchet strap or bungee cord.

I looked at a review of one (Can't remember) and it basically allowed you to stack 10.5 inches high on the carrier and still access the hatch - which isn't really practical to get to much stuff. agree that items on the roof rack won't slow people down, but if it is locked, it at least keeps honest people a little more honest

 

[Scotttyd]

Roof rack storage boxes are a pain to access. They also negatively impact fuel mileage.

We’ve had a Stowaway2 Max hitch mounted cargo box for five years. Hitch Cargo Box - Max | StowAway

Pull a latch and unscrew a security “T” bolt and simply swing the box out of the way to access the T4R hatch. It holds 200 pounds of weight and is lockable.

We’ve probably traveled 40,000 miles of road trips with the Stowaway2 with no problems. We do a lot of hiking and it works perfectly to store hydration backpacks, muddy hiking boots, hiking sticks, dirty hiking clothes and camping gear, etc. We’ve done some mild off road driving to remote hiking spots and it did just fine.

The Stowaway2 comes with a u-bolt like stabilizer that clamps down to keep the box from flopping and wobbling around like inexpensive trailer hitch cargo racks. It’s rock solid and so much easier to use than roof storage boxes.

It’s not cheap, but it’s been a great purchase for us so far.

that looks like exactly what I want - but dang!!! some $$$$