Thule Terrapin Cargo Carrier?

[TOYSTRY]

Anyone seen one of these in person or own one? I've been looking at the rooftop carriers but given how tall our 4R's are, I don't see it being very user friendly to gain access for loading/unloading gear.

Thanks.........oh, and if you know of better options, I'm all ears!

 

[TOYSTRY]

I also found this one:

Rola Swinging Enclosed Cargo Carrier for 2" Trailer Hitch Rola Hitch Cargo Carrier 59109

Looks very versatile as it's two parts in one (Cargo Carrier) and (Portable Tray). Materials look cheap though compared to the Thule and I haven't found any SOLID reviews (Amazon and etrailer had a couple decent and couple bad reviews).

 

[IceNomad]

Pretty easy. But you do need to open the passenger door to gain access to the roof top storage. Unless you have sliders or steps, then you can leave the door closed.

 

[Will733]

Yeah, it isn't hard at all to access the roof top carriers, since the roof rails are so strong... Just grab ahold with one hand while you step up onto the floor of the back seat while the passenger side door is open.

I just didn't like the look of pulling a box from the trailer hitch, which is why I went with the roof top box:

 

[TTown]

Yeah, it isn't hard at all to access the roof top carriers, since the roof rails are so strong... Just grab ahold with one hand while you step up onto the floor of the back seat while the passenger side door is open.

I just didn't like the look of pulling a box from the trailer hitch, which is why I went with the roof top box:

Is that a pic of Mammoth?

 

[Will733]

Is that a pic of Mammoth?

Yeah, I was just up there over NYE.

Was able to fit 4 Snowboards in bags stuffed full of gear, luggage and 4 people in the 4Runner (With a little help from the roof cargo box).

Really would have sucked with my old truck since the bed would have just gotten filled up with snow... I think Mammoth has the most snow of all the US resorts right now.

 

[TOYSTRY]

Yeah, it isn't hard at all to access the roof top carriers, since the roof rails are so strong... Just grab ahold with one hand while you step up onto the floor of the back seat while the passenger side door is open.

It's more so for my wife who has bad wrist from an accident. If I go the roof rack option, I'll be stuck being the only person climbing up and down every time it needs loaded, unloaded or something accessed.

 

[Will733]

It's more so for my wife who has bad wrist from an accident. If I go the roof rack option, I'll be stuck being the only person climbing up and down every time it needs loaded, unloaded or something accessed.

Pretty sure, even if her wrist was fine... you'd be stuck with loading/unloadng duties. Comes with being the man in the relationship I guess.

But if you can get it in writing, that she will load and unload as long as the cargo box is accessible for her... then go for it!

 

[TOYSTRY]

Pretty sure, even if her wrist was fine... you'd be stuck with loading/unloadng duties. Comes with being the man in the relationship I guess.

But if you can get it in writing, that she will load and unload as long as the cargo box is accessible for her... then go for it!

True but it's more convenient to access from ground level. Hopefully "someone" here had one and can speak to it.

 

[Neil]

Hi,
I have this thule carrier on my 04 4runner and bought it about 2 years ago from REI with the 20% discount coupon. I looked for 6 months trying to find a used one but no one was parting with on. We bought it because we had a son born in 2009 and we needed room for the baby stroller that came with our chico car seat. We drive up to colorado from abq every month and it holds the stroller, dog food, 24 pack of bottled water, and various small items that I can stick in there that don't have another place to go. I also have a thule that goes on the roof that will carry our bags and the cargo area is used for the 2 65 pound dogs. There is a pin that holds the carryer upright that you release in order to swing the carrier forward and then the hatch opens all the way. With the pin intact you can open the hatch enough to let dogs in or out and you can put the leashes on through the rear window and then have it slide through the hatch bottom with the dogs as they come out. There is a video on youtube that shows how it works and there is also a different thule that has a swing out carrier that will move completely out of the way so the hatch will open without anything being in your way. Hope that helps.

quick edit: I have the terrapin 665c which doesn't swing away from the vehicle. The other kind is the 684 terrapin. REI didn't sell that one and I didn't want to pay that much for it so that was the reason I didn't get the swing away design.
http://www.thule.com/en/US/Products/CargoCarriers/HitchCargo/684 Terrapin.aspx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcQLdn9lKEU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1SjXVErwL4&feature=related

 

[quakah]

Really disappointed about a couple things on the the new 2011 T4R factory rack. The Thule cargo box does not clear the sirius sat antenna, and you can only open the rear door halfway since the LE spoiler hits the bottom of the box (with all the rack/box adjustments moved forward).

Looks like I will be getting the new fit kit that mounts to the actual rails, just not looking forward to extra money or the increase in wind noise just to gain a couple inches.

With that said, I would still never put one of those lawnmower bagger looking things on the back of my truck.

Quakah

 

[TOYSTRY]

With that said, I would still never put one of those lawnmower bagger looking things on the back of my truck. Quakah

Good for you......now quit hijacking my thread since nobody asked you whether you'd put one of these on your 4Runner :moon:

 

[Glenn_Law]

The Thule carrier looks nice, but seems awfully expensive. I've looked at the standard $100-150 cargo racks with the $70 bag to put on it.

It seems that all of these carriers cover the license plate. Do people get ticketed by the police for using them?

Glenn

 

[TOYSTRY]

The Thule carrier looks nice, but seems awfully expensive. I've looked at the standard $100-150 cargo racks with the $70 bag to put on it.

It seems that all of these carriers cover the license plate. Do people get ticketed by the police for using them?

Glenn

You made a good point. My biggest issue is I need something that swings away from the rear hatch as my dog lives in the back of the vehicle and needs to get in and out on road trips. Wonder if there is a cargo carrier with a swinging mechanism.

 

[Neil]

The 684C does swing away from the vehicle.

How big are your dogs?

 

[w6000]

Stowaway

Check this out.

Cargo Carriers | Cargo Carrier | Stowaway Cargo Carrier