Amazon Basics Rooftop Cargo Carrier Bag, Black, 425 litres

Product Information

Dual-sided : The best rooftop cargo carriers open can open from either the driver side or passenger side for easy access. Some people who have a roof box leave it on the car but two things to mention: they greatly increase fuel consumption and might be a problem with low bridges (depending where you live!) Price Shape and Storage Capacity: If you plan to tote longer gear, like skis and golf clubs, you'll need a longer cargo carrier. For luggage, you'll want a cargo carrier with enough height to fit suitcases. Carriers generally range from around 8 to about 22 cubic feet, so for an average load you want to be somewhere in the middle. Even SUV owners may run out of room for that fifth or sixth suitcase. Folding rear seats to expand cargo space isn’t always an option with a full load of passengers. Lightweight cargo carriers strap to the top of your vehicle, store bulky items and easily fold away when not in use, unlike hard-shell rooftop cargo carriers. A good cargo bag adds storage options without adding unnecessary weight—many vehicles cap rooftop load at 150 pounds—but remains sturdy enough to handle whatever wet or snowy weather. Look for a cargo bag that will be lightweight, waterproof and sit securely on the roof. The last thing a driver wants to see in their rearview mirror is an unsecured cargo bag sliding off the top of their vehicle.

How do they justify the high price? Well, the lid is reinforced and features a smooth, reduced-wobble, dual-sided opening for ease of access, and internally there's not only LED lighting for visibility at all times, but a felt-lined base offers unrivaled gear protection. Load it evenly. Even weight distribution of gear is crucial. Experts recommend tying down stowed items to keep your gear from sliding around inside the pod. It is so easy to install. Minimal noise. I am 5-foot-3, 119 pounds and was able to assemble it and put it on my SUV with minimal help. It’s pretty lightweight.” The RoofBag is another bargain buy that will serve certain types of travelers well. It costs hundreds less than most box carriers on the market while still providing a generous 15 cubic feet of storage. Plus it's much easier to store when not in use compared to a bulky rooftop pod (18-inch diameter storage bag sold separately). Being a Thule, it has been tested to withstand impact, is streamlined and fits a wide range of crossbars thanks to its simple twist-to-close mounting system. This isn't the most premium design in the Thule range—something reflected in the price—but it is made in the USA, the textured finish helps conceal dings and daily damage and the slender width also means there's space left on the roof for other mounts, such as a slimline basket or bike mount.We've got hands-on experience with many roof boxes this year, but the one we want on our car is the Thule Motion XT. It's a premium design built incredibly well, features a no-nonsense installation system that all brands should adopt and has masses of usable storage space. Some customers find the Fivklemnz isn’t adequately waterproofed, which leads to soaked belongings. It’s hard to know if these reviewers received defective products or if the waterproofing didn’t work because the bag wasn’t properly secured. We've thoroughly research and tested a vast assortment of rooftop storage options to discover the best rooftop cargo carriers, baskets and bags for your needs. And to bolster our research with expert insights, we also sat down with Mike Kreis, an REI sales and service specialist, for his invaluable advice on how to buy and use the best rooftop cargo carriers.

We tested the products we recommend in this review and evaluated them based on storage capacity, ease of installation, aerodynamics, and durability. We chose products designed for carrying additional luggage and stowable items. This isn’t a review of the best rooftop cargo carriers for specialty equipment such as skis, bikes, and snowboards.This setup also ships with a handy cargo net for keeping contents safe, and while it works when fully loaded, we'd suggest using your own straps and bungee chords for added peace of mind.

The loading point of a rooftop cargo carrier tends to vary between manufacturers. Below are the most common iterations:

5. Best for Storage: Thule Sidekick Cargo Box

Safety should be a priority if traveling with a rooftop cargo carrier. Most manufacturers advise customers to drive under a certain speed limit when a carrier is installed. This ranges from 75.0 to 90.0 mph. What are the carriers on top of cars called?

Sizes:88.5 x 25.5 x 12.5 inches | Weight:30 pounds | Capacity:11 cubic-foot | Access: Passenger side | Load capacity: 110 pounds Our analysts start by surveying the current marketplace to identify top-selling rooftop carriers that you’re most likely to find at stores and online. We then work with our product experts to identify brands that have performed the best and proved the most reliable through years of auto-related product testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute. We also consider newer brands with unique features or innovations. With so many options out there, how did Good Housekeeping choose the six that made this list of the best rooftop cargo carriers? The answer is simple: research.

1. Weight Ratio

Size:83.5 x 34.5 x 14 inches (external) | Weight:59.3 pounds | Capacity:13 cubic-foot | Access: Dual | Load capacity: 165 pounds It's a practical and impressively affordable storage solution, albeit when the weather is fine, but do be prepared for a little more drag, and some wind noise while driving compared to the more streamlined hard-sided roof boxes. My go-to items are bulky things like sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tents and camp chairs,” says Mike. “But the biggest influence I have seen when it comes to choosing what cargo box you are looking for is if you need it to carry skis, where length is critical.” Many roof boxes will fit most lengths of downhill skis and snowboards, but do pay close attention to the box’s internal dimensions to be sure they fit. The larger boxes can have capacity for up to six pairs. How Can You Be Sure You're Not Overloading Your Cargo Box Or Vehicle? Single-side : These cargo carriers only open on one side, typically the passenger or driver side of the vehicle.