Will the Curt Roof Mount Cargo Basket Fit a 2013 Toyota RAV4 with Factory Roof Rack

Updated 09/06/2013 | Published 09/04/2013

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Roof Mounted Cargo Basket - 41-1/2" Long x 37" Wide x 4" Deep - 150 lbs

(389)

$235.79

Extension for Curt Roof Mounted Cargo Basket - 21" Long

(33)

$86.42

Question:

I have a 2013 Rav4 and am considering the Curt Cargo roof basket. I have a Thule Apex4 swing bike rack on its way for the back which will carry the bikes but I have overall storage issues for a 3 week camping/road trip. Inside the car, Ive got the space all planned out for the food, the boxes with camp kitchen gear,coolers, guitars, etc. Now, I just need to pack up the tent, the sleeping bags, the sunshade, the 2 person blow up kayak, paddles, foot pump, etc. Hence Im looking at rooftop storage. Im not a tall person, and have used boxes before, but am leaning toward a cargo box and possible cargo bag or tarp system, so Im not confined by box lid/size. I have no after market rack system installed yet on top of the Rav4, and Im not clear from this site whether I need one, or if the Curt Cargo basket will just attach to the factory roof rails and cross bars. Also, how does the cargo basket extension work.

asked by: Joan

Expert Reply:

You will not need to add an aftermarket roof rack to your 2013 Toyota RAV4 since it already has a factory roof rack with crossbars. You will need to measure the crossbars though to determine if the Curt cargo basket # C18115 will fit. Measure how thick or wide the bars are. If they are under 3 inches wide then the mounting hardware for the basket will fit.

Next measure the bar spread by measuring from the center of the front bar to the center of the rear bar. That distance will need to be at least 15 inches.

The extension, # C18117, will install in between the 2 halves of the basket. Normally I recommend holding off getting it until you get the basket and can determine if the additional 21 inches of length is even needed. Adding the extension will make the basket 62-1/2 (more than 5 feet) inches long overall.

Before loading anything on the roof be sure to consult the vehicle owners manual and/or Toyota to determine the capacity of the roof and rack.

expert reply by: Michael H