Amazon Basics Rooftop Cargo Carrier Bag, Black, 425 litres

Product Information

If you find your vehicle’s current carry capacity limited and want to expand by a few cubic feet, then a rooftop cargo carrier can be worth the investment, depending on the price from the retailer.

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. Size:83.5 x 34.5 x 14 inches (external) | Weight:59.3 pounds | Capacity:13 cubic-foot | Access: Dual | Load capacity: 165 poundsNot quite as waterproof as we had hoped. Our things got wet, we are assuming from wind-driven rain.” Cargo carriers are getting better and more popular every year, but too many are difficult or unwieldy to mount, add too much weight or drag to the vehicle, or are impossible to access with convenience. So until we can perform our own evaluations of rooftop cargo carriers, we turned to the people we know and trust: the Good Housekeeping Institute. How GHI Tested Rooftop Cargo Carriers If you need more cargo carrying capacity for your car, there are a lot of practical options for you that can be installed right on your car’s roof. When looking for the best roof cargo carrier, you need to first figure out what kind of cargo you’re going to be carrying. Not all cargo carriers are the same and there are different products out there for different purposes: there are travel bags, roof baskets, and cargo boxes. Single-side : These cargo carriers only open on one side, typically the passenger or driver side of the vehicle.

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. 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. Dual-sided : The best rooftop cargo carriers open can open from either the driver side or passenger side for easy access. Sizes:63 x 38 x 19 inches | Weight:28 pounds | Capacity:18 cubic-foot | Access: Rear | Load capacity: 100 pounds

5. Tire Pressure Adjustments

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

The SkyBox is also available in four other sizes—Lo, 12, 16, 18—so most needs, and car sizes, are catered for. You can find cheaper and bigger roof boxes, but we're not sure there's a more versatile, user-friendly choice, whatever your load needs or type of vehicle.

Many customers say the Arksen is easy to assemble and attach to their vehicle. We found the cargo carrier less cumbersome than the larger Thule or the multi-strap system most cargo bags use. They take up a lot less than a car roof box as they can be folded and stored away without taking up much room. This casing also goes a long way to protect your belongings from harsh weather conditions and moisture. Size: 40 x 38 x 16 inches | Weight:10.2 pounds | Capacity:15 cubic-foot | Access: All sides| Load capacity: Depends on vehicle 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?