Rookie Question - Roof - Cargo Box

[Mark4runnar]

Just looking for any feedback on brands and experience on how to add cargo capacity to the LE. I have the OEM rails and cross bars.

Here is the background:

Can't fly - need to haul a 80 lbs Lab -----
I plan to drive the 4runner from Boston to our house in Ft Myers. With the dog consuming most of the cargo space, or chewing anything that is in his domain, I need to come up with some external storage capacity.

I have looked at the "overlander site" and they are better matched for serious off-roading and endurance equipment that is beyond my requirements.

I have seen 4runners with Thule / Yakima " sarcophagus (s) on the OEM roof rack systems.

Any thoughts? - does anybody have a preference between the two of them?

I have also seen "soft bag versions"......but sense that they are better suited for day trips. We plan to take 3 days - 2 overnights to get there.

The other option is to rent a suburban and dump it in Ft Myers......I have a audi wagon in Ft Myers that we use once we are there. We had a suburban back in the day, and they have really improved them, but .......

Thanks
.mc

 

[sn_85]

Both Yakima and Thule are good options. I've owned a Thule Force and now the Thule Alpine. Never an issue. Go with whatever is on sale.

 

[fkheath]

Just looking for any feedback on brands and experience on how to add cargo capacity to the LE. I have the OEM rails and cross bars.

Here is the background:

Can't fly - need to haul a 80 lbs Lab -----
I plan to drive the 4runner from Boston to our house in Ft Myers. With the dog consuming most of the cargo space, or chewing anything that is in his domain, I need to come up with some external storage capacity.

I have looked at the "overlander site" and they are better matched for serious off-roading and endurance equipment that is beyond my requirements.

I have seen 4runners with Thule / Yakima " sarcophagus (s) on the OEM roof rack systems.

Any thoughts? - does anybody have a preference between the two of them?

I have also seen "soft bag versions"......but sense that they are better suited for day trips. We plan to take 3 days - 2 overnights to get there.

The other option is to rent a suburban and dump it in Ft Myers......I have a audi wagon in Ft Myers that we use once we are there. We had a suburban back in the day, and they have really improved them, but .......

Thanks
.mc

The OEM cross bars are too close to the roof for the Yakima or Thule cargo boxes; I have a Yakima Skybox that I love, but the attachments hit the roof when I put it on

My suggestion is to rent a UHaul trailer. They would be a lot less expensive than a Suburban. All the latest 4Runners come with a hitch receiver and plug in wiring; all you would need is a ball mount and ball.

 

[ads2539]

I have a Thule cargo box (18 cubic ft) that I use with my OEM roof rack. I have a 4th gen. The Thule box is great! It’s 7 feet long, just short of 3 feet wide, and ~18 inches tall.

I forget what the weight limit is for my roof rack, but even at weights below the limit the moonroof wouldn’t function properly. For example, if the weight limit is 100 lbs, the moonroof wouldn’t function properly with 50 lbs of cargo. Moral of the story - don’t use the moonroof when carrying cargo on the roof! I rarely use my moonroof, so it’s not a big deal for me.

 

[Mudhorn]

I use a Rightline Gear soft bag for a lot of long trips. It works great, stores easily at home, easy to put on/off, and has held up really well. No complaints for a soft option.

 

[SilverFox2020]

What about a hitch mounted basket. I have a good quality aluminum one that holds a ton of cargo, is easy to load and unload and easy to mount.

 

[John in NC]

Silver fox is right. Aluminum hitch carrier. Holds a bunch and minimal impact on mpg. I got the harbor freight one.

 

[John in NC]

I replied just above. I would add a roof box plus a rear hitch carrier could give you a lot of space and options. A lot cheaper than renting a suburban or towing a U-Haul.
Lots of good deals on roof boxes on Craigslist and Facebook marketplace.
I’d opt for a new vs. used hitch cargo carrier, like I mentioned the harbor freight aluminum one is pretty nice. I painted all the nuts and bolts silver to match the aluminum and they have not rusted.

 

[Eitek1]

Here is a pic of what I used. The rack it sits on is one I designed (NiseRack.com) but will fit on the standard crossbars. I think I bought it for 75 bucks on Craigslist but I think you can purchase them new for 150 or so.

It worked really well and provided a lot of room.

 

[Deuxdiesel]

Hitch carriers are great, but getting the dog in and out every time they need a break is a pain. Towing a trailer is a pain, period. Roof boxes are great (I have a giant Yakima one that I can literally sleep in, plus a narrower Thule), but an upgrade of the crossbars is a pretty good idea. A pair of LFD ones and you are all set. The soft bag makes a lot of sense if you don't have the space to store a roof box. I have never used one but they seem to be well reviewed on e-trailer.

 

[Mark4runnar]

good suggestion !

 

[Mark4runnar]

I replied just above. I would add a roof box plus a rear hitch carrier could give you a lot of space and options. A lot cheaper than renting a suburban or towing a U-Haul.
Lots of good deals on roof boxes on Craigslist and Facebook marketplace.
I’d opt for a new vs. used hitch cargo carrier, like I mentioned the harbor freight aluminum one is pretty nice. I painted all the nuts and bolts silver to match the aluminum and they have not rusted.

thanks for the suggestions-------I did not think of looking on craigslist...but these suggestion all sound good.

 

[Mark4runnar]

Hitch carriers are great, but getting the dog in and out every time they need a break is a pain. Towing a trailer is a pain, period. Roof boxes are great (I have a giant Yakima one that I can literally sleep in, plus a narrower Thule), but an upgrade of the crossbars is a pretty good idea. A pair of LFD ones and you are all set. The soft bag makes a lot of sense if you don't have the space to store a roof box. I have never used one but they seem to be well reviewed on e-trailer.

I will look into the LFD's!
Thanks
.mc

 

[Mark4runnar]

Here is a pic of what I used. The rack it sits on is one I designed (NiseRack.com) but will fit on the standard crossbars. I think I bought it for 75 bucks on Craigslist but I think you can purchase them new for 150 or so.

It worked really well and provided a lot of room.

great looking rig.......I just missed out on a ventura - barcelona red / with sunroof... they are hard to get in new england. I may try FL once I get there... need to dump the audi.

 

[Mark4runnar]

thanks --- will check harbor freight -they just opened one in the area

 

[Cadesun]

The OEM cross bars are too close to the roof for the Yakima or Thule cargo boxes; I have a Yakima Skybox that I love, but the attachments hit the roof when I put it on

My suggestion is to rent a UHaul trailer. They would be a lot less expensive than a Suburban. All the latest 4Runners come with a hitch receiver and plug in wiring; all you would need is a ball mount and ball.

This.

A good cargo box is $400+, then add another $400 for good bars and towers because the factory crossbars are too low. If you ever want/need this gear in the future, buy it... If not, it is expensive and annoying to store.

That said, I have the Thule Force (large) with the aeroblade crossbars. I have driven thousands of miles with this setup with zero problems.

 

[John in NC]

If you need additional height and rigidity on the cheap, get the LFD ruggedized crossbars. You'll likely clear the shark fin and can fit a roof box that won't work with the stock crossbars.
But they'll howl without a fairing and without the roofbox on....
edit- LFD makes a lead bar with an integrated fairing now, but that may force you to move the box back a few inches. Worth looking into though as an option!