Video Transcript for In-Depth Review of the Yakima MOD Topper for HomeBase SUV Storage Drawer

Hey, there, it's Evangeline here at etrailer, and today we have the Yakima MOD System Large MOD Topper. This is going to fit your large and extra large MOD HomeBases, giving you some extra storage capacity, some extra height. That way, we can carry your different cargo, but still have it safe, secure, but also accessible. (drawer clicking) If you're not already familiar with the MOD System, it's a storage organization system where you can install this into your vehicle, put your different cargo. And because of the different add-ons, (drawer thudding) you can then mix and match whichever accessory makes more sense for your cargo. So you first need a HomeBase.

We have the extra large HomeBase here, but you can also use the large base if you want something that's a perfect match for your large topper. The external specs for this is gonna be 33 1/2 inches long, 18 inches wide, and nine inches tall. For different vehicles, you're gonna have different fits, so that's gonna be a good measurement to know to see if you're able to fit around your wheel well, have space for your rear seats if it doesn't go up against them or if you need to fold them down, or if you can open and close your hatch with the MOD Topper installed. For your internal dimensions, though, that's gonna be different. That's the actual space you have for cargo to fit in here.

So what I do is I measure from the back drawer to the latch, and your length is now going to be 30 inches. That's also your depth measurement. For your width, it's gonna be 14 inches wide. And then for your height, you have seven inches of height for your cargo if you still want to be able to close that drawer. (drawer clicking) Just like the HomeBase, this locks into place.

To open it, you have this side latch, which you can open up. And when you close it, you have these rubber pads that can slide around. This makes for a very smooth system. And when you bring this out, since it does have a weight capacity of up to 50 pounds, it's a good thing that it has some strong slides there. Pulling it out all the way, those slides lock into place.

So it does require a good amount of effort or good push to undo those latches, and that way you can bring this back in. So if you feel like your drawer feels stuck, just give it a good push and you can go on your way. (drawer clicking) There's also this plastic lock core that moves a latch. So if you want a super secure fit of that drawer, just use a flathead screwdriver or the back of your key to make that close. You can also replace this plastic latch with a metal lock core, although if you are gonna do that, I recommend packing or picking a bundle that's large enough for enough lock cores to switch out all of your Yakima accessories. That way, everything can be keyed alike. While I was using the MOD Topper, I noticed that I had to be very mindful of what type of cargo I was carrying because this is made of aluminum. So if you have some metal cargo or things that can roll around easily, what might happen is that they'll roll around the inside of your MOD Topper. Every time you hit the brakes, you'll hear all your cargo slide, too. So a way to fix that is to purchase the MOD System GearTotes or MicroTotes. These are gonna arrive in two different sizes, and this will help you store your items a little easier. Plus, this will cushion that cargo and then you'll experience less rattling and sliding around. When you get your MOD Topper, it's gonna arrive fully assembled. All you're gonna need is a tool that's already included inside the drawer. And to install it on your HomeBase is very simple. It utilizes four bolts and springs, and these push into the mounting nuts that are already on the top of your HomeBase. So just get your MOD Topper onto your HomeBase, line up that bolt with the nut on the bottom, and then use your tool to push down on that bolt and tighten it down, so you'll know you have things lined up once you start feeling tension there. It's important you use the tool included with this. By the way, this tool is gonna be the four-millimeter Allen key that you get with most of your Yakima roof racks. But this tool is also a torque tool. So once you get to the required torque, (tool clicking) your tool is gonna click, letting you know that you've achieved enough tightness of that bolt, but also preventing you from overtorquing it. When you've tightened down all four corners, (tool clicking) that will check that they're all torqued. Another thing I like to do is good-old shake test, shake it side to side, make sure it's secure, and that's it for setting up your MOD Topper. If you needed to move this to the other side of your HomeBase, take it out, put it on. It's simply a matter of loosening those bolts, sliding it over, tightening it right back down. So very simple, you really don't have to deal with messy hardware or loose nuts and bolts. And that's the thing with the MOD System. It's very straightforward, very easy to set up. Compared to build outs and DIY builds for your vehicle using milk crates and plywood, yes, it might feel a little bit pricier, but the amount of time and energy you save in getting this all set up could be priceless. And that's another thing, too, with the different accessories. You do get more height with your MOD Topper compared to the four inches of storage height you get on the HomeBase. For things like canisters, or larger totes, or helmets, the MOD Topper is the spot to put that cargo. And for even larger cargo, like soccer balls that don't fit in the MOD Topper, that's when you can start looking at the GearTotes or the GearCrate, which has even higher height and cargo capacity. So mix and match as you desire. The MOD Topper is gonna be the one that's gonna be more durable and more secure. Plus, it has the ability to lock things down with a key compared to your more open Totes and Crates. For your HomeBase, you actually have some different options here. If you have the large HomeBase, it can only fit the large MOD Topper. But, if you have the extra large HomeBase, you can fit both the large MOD Topper and the extra large MOD Topper. They do have mountain points that work for both sizes on the extra large HomeBase. Some people like to get creative and do the setup, so that they can carry their longer and bulkier items here in the center, like their tripods, their lawn chairs, or different poles. So that is an option available for you if you have the extra large HomeBase. And if you're curious about any of those accessories and add-ons, things like MicroTotes or GearTotes, you can find more information about that right here on our website. But today, we took a look at the Yakima MOD System Large MOD Topper, which can fit on a large and extra large HomeBase systems. You saw it at etrailer.com.