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springoflife's avatar
springoflife
Explorer
May 10, 2016

Rooftop Cargo Carrier - Advice Requested

I have three young children who absolutely love to go camping. I have a popup, and a minivan tow vehicle. I do not have funds to upgrade either of those. But as the children get older, it seems I need to pack more stuff (bigger kids = bigger clothes = bigger suitcases, not to mention more food!!) So I need a relatively inexpensive way to conserve space and haul more items.

My minivan has a factory roof rack that I have never used. Weight limit is 110 pounds. I have heard that regardless of what type of rooftop carrier is used (hardside or softshell), rain will penetrate the seams, the seals, or the cloth itself to make clothes damp. But what is to prevent me from putting firewood or coolers up there? Or maybe put the clothes inside shallow plastic totes first, then put the totes inside the carrier?

I would be open to suggestions for:
What type of carrier to buy (hard, soft, brand, model, etc)
What kinds of items to haul in a rooftop carrier.
Tips for how to haul the items in the carrier.

Thanks in advance!
Seeking Advice

10 Replies

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  • petrel's avatar
    petrel
    Explorer
    May 11, 2016
    We used Cabelas Dry Bags (duffle style) in a rooftop basket (thule). Just make sure the bag's roll top is pointed away from the direction of travel.
  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    May 10, 2016
    springoflife wrote:
    DavidP wrote:
    I also have a hoist in my garage to lower it on the car.

    How do you unload/reload it at the campsite?

    toedtoes wrote:
    Forget suitcases and plastic totes - use packing cubes.

    Packing cubes?


    Packing cubes

    They really do work great.
  • DavidP's avatar
    DavidP
    Explorer
    May 10, 2016
    springoflife wrote:
    DavidP wrote:
    I also have a hoist in my garage to lower it on the car.

    How do you unload/reload it at the campsite?

    toedtoes wrote:
    Forget suitcases and plastic totes - use packing cubes.

    Packing cubes?



    I don't use mine camping. It is used for holiday travel or road trips when the car is used. If I did use it camping I would open it, load, close and go. Upon leaving I would open, load, close and go. It would not come off the vehicle until I retuned home. They also hold a large amount of gear which is easily accessed while traveling.
  • subcamper's avatar
    subcamper
    Explorer II
    May 10, 2016
    A few years ago we took a SUV-only trip to Florida (no trailer) with the kids. I used a hitch-haul box on the hitch and this rooftop carrier from Sears:

    Sears X-Cargo 20cu ft

    It's well made and was waterproof the whole time, and is reasonably priced.

    Steve
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    May 10, 2016
    springoflife wrote:
    I have three young children who absolutely love to go camping. I have a popup, and a minivan tow vehicle. I do not have funds to upgrade either of those. But as the children get older, it seems I need to pack more stuff (bigger kids = bigger clothes = bigger suitcases, not to mention more food!!) So I need a relatively inexpensive way to conserve space and haul more items.

    My minivan has a factory roof rack that I have never used. Weight limit is 110 pounds. I have heard that regardless of what type of rooftop carrier is used (hardside or softshell), rain will penetrate the seams, the seals, or the cloth itself to make clothes damp. But what is to prevent me from putting firewood or coolers up there? Or maybe put the clothes inside shallow plastic totes first, then put the totes inside the carrier?

    I would be open to suggestions for:
    What type of carrier to buy (hard, soft, brand, model, etc)
    What kinds of items to haul in a rooftop carrier.
    Tips for how to haul the items in the carrier.

    Thanks in advance!


    I see part of the problem, stop hauling firewood.

    I have a bag type rooftop carrier that doesn't leak and I have had hard shell carriers that didn't leak.

    If they do start to leak, double bag; put things in a trash bag and then into the carrier.

    To minimize vehicle handling problems, only put lightweight items on roof.
  • springoflife's avatar
    springoflife
    Explorer
    May 10, 2016
    DavidP wrote:
    I also have a hoist in my garage to lower it on the car.

    How do you unload/reload it at the campsite?

    toedtoes wrote:
    Forget suitcases and plastic totes - use packing cubes.

    Packing cubes?
  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    May 10, 2016
    I agree that firewood would get real heavy real quick on the rooftop. Forget suitcases and plastic totes - use packing cubes. They are soft-sided and can be squished together to make more room. Use them for clothes, toiletries, linens, kitchen tools and utensils, first aid supplies, and so on. There are lots of different sizes, colors and shapes to work for most everything (I even use them for electrical cords and water hoses).

    My favorites are the ebags brand, but you can find them in water resistant styles also. Pick a color for each family member, plus a different color for kitchen, bathroom, etc. Easy to find what you are looking for that way.
  • rekoj71's avatar
    rekoj71
    Explorer
    May 10, 2016
    If you have the budget for hard sided, it would be the way to go if you are hoping for weather proof. I use a soft sided one, and it is very weather resistant. We could use it for transporting clothes if they were in a plastic tote or similar, but we mainly use it for bulky or lighter weight items like boogie boards or lawn chairs that won't get damaged if left wet for awhile.
  • wanderingbob's avatar
    wanderingbob
    Explorer II
    May 10, 2016
    Firewood , many states will not allow alien firewood to be transported , bad insects , plus might get heavy quick !
  • DavidP's avatar
    DavidP
    Explorer
    May 10, 2016
    We have a Thule Atlantis we use on our Outback the rare times we travel without our TT. It has never leaked in any conditions. Rain, Snow...anything. It has been through extreme conditions and never a drop of water inside. The good hard carriers will be more expensive but much more functional and easier to load. I also have a hoist in my garage to lower it on the car.

    http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz183/Ratherbecampin1/sub%20box.jpg

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