Rooftop Cargo Carriers

Choosing a roof-mounted cargo carrier can be daunting, especially if you can't load all of your gear and throw it on your vehicle before making a purchase. This is where we come in. We have the hands-on experience and industry professionals that can help with any situation.

There are three different types of rooftop cargo carriers designed to mount to your roof or roof rack

Cargo Box

Cargo Basket

Cargo Bag

For the most part, choosing between the different types of rooftop carriers depends on your gear and personal preference. For example, if you are carrying luggage, golf clubs or skis that you want to remain secure, dry and clean, a cargo box is your best bet. If, however, you have camping supplies that aren't particularly valuable or fragile, you can use a cargo bag. And if you don't have a specific application in mind - you just know that you need more cargo space - try a basket - it's relatively low profile and you can add accessories, tie-downs and even a cargo bag to it.

Our Top Picks

	# 1	# 2	# 3	# 4	# 5
	Inno Wedge 624	Thule Hyper XL	Yakima ShowCase	Thule Motion XT - 22 cu ft	Rhino-Rack Roof Basket
Storage Capacity	13 cu ft	17 cu ft	20 cu ft	22 cu ft	See internal dimensions below
Internal Dimensions	66 x 25.5 x 11	81 x 32.5 x 14.5	82 x 35 x 16.5	91.5 x 37.5 x 18	50.75 x 38 x 5
Snowboard and Ski Capacity
Expert's Rating
Expert's Opinion	The easy-to-use memory mount hardware and the rigid lid and base caught our attention first. Its size may not be ideal for large families or extended trips, but the quality is immediately noticeable. Read more/less	The "X" design stands out from the solid black, white and silver lids of traditional boxes. It will catch everyone's attention. Thule also hit a homerun with their AcuTight mounting hardware. It can't be over-tightened and you know it has a secure grip every trip. Read more/less	This box loses a little ground with the lack of rigidness in the lid, but... the push buttons and locks make this box very easy to open and close. Read more/less	This is one big box. You can pack a week of supplies for a family of 8 and have plenty of room to sprawl out in the car. For a box this size, Thule did a great job with the quality of the construction, mounting clamps and finish. Read more/less	This basket challenges common designs of roof baskets. The sliding mounting clamps are not limited to specific crossbar spreads and... it can match the weight capacity of almost any vehicle roof out there (165 lbs.). Read more/less
Access	Dual Side Opening	Dual Side Opening	Dual Side Opening	Dual Side Opening	Open
Ease of Use	Memory mount hardware – No-tools required	AcuTight mounting hardware – No overtightening, no-tools required	Push button opening, Quick-release cam-action levers – No-tools required	PowerClick quick-release clamps – No overtightening, no-tools required	Universal u-bolt brackets, tool included
Construction	3-Layer ABS Plastic w/ SPM Injection Molded Base	5-Layer ABS Plastic w/ Acrylic Cap	3-Layer ABS Plastic	5-Layer ABS Plastic w/ Acrylic Cap	Steel
Finish	Gloss	Two-Tone High-Gloss w/ X-design	High-Gloss Automotive Finish	High-Gloss Automotive Finish	Black Powder Coat
Weight	41 lbs.	53 lbs.	60 lbs.	55 lbs.	38 lbs.
Crossbar Compatibility	Round, Square, Aero and Most Factory Bars	Round, Square, Aero/Elliptical and Most Factory Bars	Round, Square, Aero/Elliptical and Most Factory Bars	Round, Square, Aero/Elliptical and Most Factory Bars	Round, Square, Aero/Elliptical and Most Factory Bars
Locks Included?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

How to Choose the Best Rooftop Carrier

Whether your family of seven is going on a vacation or you're just planning a weekend camping trip with some friends, cargo space can be a premium in any vehicle. Adding a cargo box, bag or basket is a popular option for most adventurers. With so many options on the market, how do you know which one is best for your situation? Hopefully this guide will help. We broke down the three types of carriers for you below.

Cargo Boxes

Cargo boxes are the total package. They offer security, storage capacity and weather protection. Most cargo boxes include locks to keep your gear secure during bathroom breaks or over-night rest stops. The hard shell design deflects the elements and debris that can go flying over your roof. Although they aren't waterproof, they are weatherproof. Everything will stay dry for the most part, but if you are carrying electronics, paper or something that absolutely cannot get wet, it would be a good idea to pack it in sealed plastic bags. Hard rain or dust in a windy climate can leave a small surprise in any exterior carrier.

Storage

Skis, snowboards, suitcases, and sleeping bags are a few examples of gear you may want to carry in a cargo box. These rooftop catchalls can hold anything from golf bags to golf balls and they come in a variety of sizes. Many cargo boxes have dual-side-opening lids and models with single-side-opening lids open to the passenger side for safe loading and unloading on the side of the road.

Extra-long cargo boxes such as the Thule Sonic XXL or the Yakima SkyBox Lo are great for winter trips to the slopes. They can hold up to 6 snowboards and 8 pairs of skis. If you are going on a road trip or camping, then you may prefer more volume instead of length. Our extra-large capacity cargo boxes can hold 15 to 22 cu ft of cargo.

Mounting

A roof rack is required for a cargo box. The good news is cargo box manufacturers designed their own unique versions of universal mounting clamps to fit all types of crossbars.

• Round crossbars
• Square crossbars
• Most factory crossbars
• Aero style crossbars

Since the mounting clamps remain protected, manufacturers have made them extremely easy to use. Thule's AcuTight hardware prevents over-tightening and Inno's Memory Mount hardware allows you to set the clamps once and never worry about them again.

Rear Hatch Clearance

Rear hatch clearance is another factor that most don't think about until they open their rear door and it hits the cargo box. The mounting clamps on these boxes can be adjusted so that the box is positioned more toward the front of your vehicle, leaving enough room in the rear for your hatch to open fully. In addition to the adjustable clamps, a box designed specifically to ensure clearance will be sloped or contoured in the rear to provide a little extra space.

Click here to see rear hatch clearance dimensions for our cargo boxes

Here are a few cargo boxes to consider

	Economy	Value	Premium
Skiing/Snowboarding
	Yakima RocketBox Pro 11 – 11 cu ft	Thule Pulse Alpine – 11 cu ft	Thule Motion XT Alpine – 16 cu ft
Camping/Roadtrip
	Car Top Cargo Box – 18 cu ft	Thule Force L – 16 cu ft	Thule Motion XT – 22 cu ft

Rooftop Cargo Baskets

If you need extra space, but you aren't ready for the expense of a cargo box or you just don't like the look, a cargo basket might be the way to go. Cargo baskets don't offer the same level of protection as a cargo box, but they will get your items from point A to point B. Their open design won't limit the height of your cargo, so they are great for coolers, suitcases and spare tires. They can also give you a rugged look that is popular in the off-road and 4-wheeling communities.

Cargo baskets come in different sizes and styles. Among Rhino-Rack's many offerings you'll find basic steel mesh baskets. And Thule carries stylish contoured tubular steel baskets. You can choose from lightweight rustproof aluminum construction or more economically priced heavy-duty steel construction depending on your needs.

Mounting

Like cargo boxes, rooftop baskets require a roof rack on the vehicle. Cargo basket mounting brackets are mostly universal, fitting round, square, factory and aftermarket aero style crossbars. The simple u-bolt and bolt and strap designs make the installation pretty straight forward.

Accessories

Cargo baskets do not come with lids or locks, but you can use tie-downs, cargo nets and cargo bags to keep everything from flying away.

Here are a few cargo baskets to consider

Economy	Value	Premium
Curt Roof Cargo Basket – 41.5 x 37 x 4	Rhino-Rack Roof Basket – 47 x 35 x 5.5	Kuat Vagabond X – 73 x 41 x 7

Cargo Bags

Cargo bags usually aren't the first choice when it comes to a rooftop cargo carrier, but it is hard to beat the savings compared to a cargo box or basket. Most bags do not require a roof rack. They are extremely lightweight and do not take up too much room in the garage or basement when you aren't traveling. They collapse, roll and fold for easy storage. The overall weight capacity will be lower if the bag is not supported by a roof rack and cargo basket because a vehicle's roof cannot support as much weight as a roof rack.

Roof-Rack Compatibility

Cargo bags can attach to almost any style roof, whether it has a roof rack or not. Typically, a bag will attach to your roof with integrated tie-downs and can mount to the following roof configurations.

Naked Roof

Installation may vary depending on the model of the cargo bag that you choose. Cargo bags designed for naked roofs will attach in one of the following ways.

• Tie-down straps are run through your vehicle to secure the bag to your roof
• Included clips hook around your vehicle's door jambs

Roof Rack

Bags designed for use with roof racks have integrated tie-downs that can be attached to either of the following configurations.

• Factory-installed raised side rails
• Full roof-rack system with crossbars - aftermarket and factory

Roof-Mounted Baskets

A cargo bag can be used with a rooftop cargo basket to better contain your gear.

• Attach bag to basket with integrated tie-down straps
• Prevent scuffs and scratches to your vehicle by keeping the bag up off your roof

Note: If you are concerned about the bag scuffing your vehicle's roof, you can use a protection pad. Simply place the pad beneath your cargo bag when it sits on your roof to keep any sharp objects within your bag from scratching the roof as well as to prevent wear on the paint that could occur from shifting the bag around.

Weather Protection

Most cargo bags on the market provide some sort of weather protection for your gear. The construction of these bags varies. Nylon is typically water resistant and will offer sufficient protection in light rain or fog.

For more intensive weather protection, choose a bag with a PVc undercoat or one that employs a more environmentally friendly weatherproofing process that is aimed at creating waterproof fabric. These bags will keep water out even in driving rain.

Note: No cargo bag is entirely waterproof. It is possible for moisture to seep into the bag through zippers and seams. Some of the features that are available to help keep this from happening include:

• Taped seams
• Specially coated zippers
• Reinforced flaps that cover the zippers

Here are a few cargo bags to consider

Economy	Value	Premium
Rightline Ace Cargo Bag – 15 cu ft	Thule Outbound Cargo Bag – 13 cu ft	Rhino-Rack XL Rooftop Cargo Bag – 21 cu ft

Rear Hatch Clearance Dimensions for Cargo Boxes

*Note: Inno measures from the rear crossbar to the rear edge of the cargo box.

Part #	Name	Rear Clearance*
INBRA220R-BK	Ridge Box	11 3/8"
INBRA766BK	Stream Box	12"
INBRM660	Wedge 660	12"
INBRM624	Wedge 624	12"
INBRA1170CA	Shadow Carbo Fiber	12"
INBRA585BK	Low Down Cruiser	20 1/2"

Part #	Name	Front Clearance
TH682	Sidekick	35"
TH624	Force M	47 7/8"
TH614	Pulse M	42 5/8"
TH634	Sonic M	43 7/8"
TH615	Pulse L	46 3/8"
TH628	Force L	47 1/2"
TH612	Hyper XL	50 5/8"
TH635	Sonic XL	50 7/8"
TH606	Flow	51 7/8"
TH623	Force Alpine	52 1/4"
TH633	Sonic Alpine	52 7/8"
TH625	Force XL	53 5/8"
TH636	Sonic XXL	54 3/4"
TH613	Pulse Alpine	55 1/4"
TH626	Force XXL	58 1/8"

Part #	Name	Front Clearance
Y07191	RocketBox Pro 12	40"
Y07193/Y07192	RocketBox Pro 11 & 14	45"
Y07327/Y07326	ShowCase 15	45"
Y07335	SkyBox 16	52"
Y07328/Y07329	ShowCase 20	54"
Y07334/Y07336/Y07337	SkyBox 12, 18 & 21	57"
Y07338	SkyBox Lo	57"

Part #	Name	Front Clearance
WB-700S/WB-700B	Aero Compact	47"
WB-701S	Aero Mid-Size	51"

Part #	Name	Front Clearance
RRRMFZ66	Zenith Master Fit 14 cu ft	49 1/4"
RMF440/RMFB440	Master Fit 16 cu ft Silver & Black	49 1/4"
RRRMFZ86	Zenith Master Fit 17.5 cu ft	54"
RMF550/RRRMFB550	Master Fit 19.5 cu ft Silver & Black	54"