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. After installing each rooftop cargo carrier, we loaded it with test cargo and took it for a road test, noting the amount of noise the product produced and how much drag it added to our vehicle. After weeks of swapping carriers, comparing data, and researching the field, the Institute whittled its list of the best rooftop cargo carriers down to these top six—one for almost every driver and vehicle on the road today. The bag is made of 600D Oxford cloth and sports a waterproof zipper protected by a double flap that keeps the weather outside. The manufacturer boasts this is 100% waterproof and rainproof, so your stuff will stay dry.

Sizes:92 x 36 x 18 inches | Weight:62 pounds | Capacity:21 cubic-foot | Access: Dual | Load capacity: Depends on vehicle Though the job of a rooftop carrier is basic — hauling a bunch of gear from one point to another — you’ll need to balance the following factors to find the perfect model for your needs. When searching for the best rooftop cargo carrier, your ideal option depends partly on how you plan to use the carrier. We tested rooftop carriers intended for holding extra luggage and items. You may want to consider a different carrier if you need to transport bikes or outdoor equipment such as a kayak. 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. 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.Size it correctly. A pod should be just big enough to carry your gear, but not so massive that it adds wind or weight drag to the vehicle. Also, make sure the carrier's load capacity doesn't exceed that of your car. The Roof Master] worked out perfectly. The only bummer is that the included roof protector left a weird faint pattern that still won’t go away. The bag itself held up great and was easy to get on and off. Nothing leaked even the tiniest bit.” 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. 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? Made from 80% recycled plastic, with internal bracing to minimize wobble from such a large lid, it's a two-person job to install, but the fixings shouldn't cause any difficulties, as they just slide over your roof bars, and clip securely from the inside.

The straps provided are utterly useless. I resorted to heavy-duty bungee cords, and everything stayed put. I’ll use it again but with bungee cords. The straps don’t stay tight, and the ends don’t stay put. You have to pull over and retighten and retie everything every 50 miles.” The Tirol roof bag is constructed of heavy-duty waterproof 600D oxford cloth, protecting cargo against road grit, sun, wind and rain. Easy to install with 4 straps for fixing and mounting, plus a scratch-resistant soft layer on the bottom to prevent scratching car paintwork, the bag offers 15 cubic feet of space. Sizes:43 x 39 x 6 inches | Weight:37 pounds | Capacity:N/A | Access: Open | Load capacity: 150 poundsSize: 40 x 38 x 16 inches | Weight:10.2 pounds | Capacity:15 cubic-foot | Access: All sides| Load capacity: Depends on vehicle 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. Lastly, make sure you’re not exceeding the load capacity of the carrier and the weight limit of your roof as well. Available in different sizes to fit all cars, recommended for large amount or cargo or sports gear, versatile openings and universal attachment to crossbars Value: The first thing we notice about roof bags is their value for money over roof boxes of an equivalent volume.

It's also important to remember that your vehicle's roof load capacity has to include the weight of the bars and the box before you consider the contents. What Capacity Roof Box Do I Need? A roof cargo box adds storage space and functionality to your vehicle. Typically, these are useful if you’re taking your car on a vacation and need extra space for luggage. A rooftop carrier may come in handy for large groups or families so there’s enough room for all passengers and their luggage. Can you put a cargo box on a roof basket? This holds a lot! To give you an idea, one reviewer transported four people’s clothing, four sleeping bags, a huge carpet, two double air mattresses, four folding chairs, a pop up beach shelter, two big rolls of kitchen towel and still had room for more. Editorial Note: This content was researched and produced by Motor1.com‘s expert review team. Links in this article may result in us earning a commission but do not impact our advice or recommendations. Learn More 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.Open/close mechanism. The access on box carriers can be one-sided, dual-sided, or rear. Dual-sided is the most versatile, allowing access from either side of the vehicle. One-sided or rear access is the norm on budget carriers. Most cargo bags will feature a zipper that opens to three sides. For better water repellency, look for a bag with a rain flap that covers a sturdy zipper. Although car roof bags are by nature not as weatherproof, many current ones do offer a good degree of protection against the elements. Consider taking extra steps for waterproofing. Try using plastic or garbage bags if there are items you want to remain unaffected by the weather. Size:83.5 x 34.5 x 14 inches (external) | Weight:59.3 pounds | Capacity:13 cubic-foot | Access: Dual | Load capacity: 165 pounds

Another reason for the high marks from owners is protection from the elements. The RoofPax rooftop cargo carrier is outfitted with double waterproof closing zippers, waterproof dual seam technology, and water-repellant double coating. First, the roof rails of your car have a weight limit that is usually found in the owner’s manual, often 100 pounds/45KG. Secondly, the weight of the load impacts car maneuverability when cornering and if the load is too heavy or unbalanced, it can lead to accidents. This is why you need to ensure that the weight of your load does not exceed the maximum allowed weight on the roof of your car. 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. When you’re on the road you can think of your roof box as an additional car boot, with your contents protected from impact. Car Roof Bag I have shortlisted different sized roof bags to cater for anything from single travelers to large families and big vehicles.

Like our review team, a few people deem the strap system less than ideal. Some find it necessary to use their own bungee cords. One customer says their bag wore away after one trip. While this didn’t appear common, the material of the Roof Master is less robust than some of the other bags we tested. Yes, you can put a cargo box on a roof basket. The Arksen roof basket is compatible with many roof boxes, including the Arksen-brand roof box. How do you secure a cargo bag to the roof?