Best Rooftop Cargo Carriers

Rooftop cargo carriers are a good way to transport any sort of luggage or sporting equipment and at the same time, increase the cargo capacity of your vehicle. When the trunk and the back seat aren’t enough, it’s time to consider a rooftop cargo carrier.

There are many to choose from, but it’s good to remember there are two primary kinds of rooftop cargo carriers: soft- shelled and hard- shelled. Soft-shelled are usually cheaper and are basically bags. Many of them fit all cars and do not require any roof racks to mount them. They are lightweight and can accommodate oddly shaped luggage. On the other hand, there are hard-shelled rooftop cargo carriers that look more like boxes. They are heavier than the soft-shelled carriers and more rigid. Their weight capacity, however, also tends to be higher (so you can pack up more or heavier stuff). Some of these hard-shelled carriers can get pretty expensive, but a vast majority of customers are very happy with them because they last a long time. 

There is one more kind of a carrier that should be mentioned – rooftop baskets. They can usually be strapped in with bungee cords and are helpful in transporting items that do not fit any bags or boxes. 

The short answer to that question is no. There are soft-shelled rooftop cargo carriers (bags) that can be strapped to the roof of the car without any rails or racks. Most of them require straps to go through the car, though. Many experts will tell you that this might not be the safest choice, especially if you’re going on a long trip. In addition to rips in the bag, doors or window could get damaged as well. Just make sure you think about this when making a decision about which rooftop carrier to buy. 

Yes, there is! If you don’t want to put a cargo carrier on a roof of your car, there is an option for you as well: hitch-mounted cargo carriers. These carriers are mounted on the back of your car, not the roof. Nowadays, they are not as popular. But, they are very useful if you’re transporting tall items that just won’t fit any other way.

Everyone will probably come up with their own way at some point. It also might be different, depending on whether you have the soft-shelled or hard-shelled carrier. But here are some general rules that you might find quite useful (at least give them a shot): 

1. First, pack up things that are the heaviest. 
2. Put the heaviest items in the middle. 
3. Then put the other luggage/equipment. Do your best to keep it balanced- it helps the cargo carriers stay in place, especially if it’s a soft shell. 
4. Zip up the carrier and make sure that it’s completely closed. Some carriers have extra flaps or zippers, so don’t forget about those. 
5. Ta-da! You should be ready to go. 

Speed

First of all, you have to remember that installing any type of carrier will affect the way you drive. Your top speed might decrease and with some types of carriers – you’ll have to be more careful while maneuvering. 

Weight

Second, think about the weight. Your car’s roof has a weight limit, that can be found in the owner’s manual. Some carriers are heavier than others, so it’s important for you to think about how heavy your load will be. The weight of the luggage plus the weight of the carrier cannot be greater than your car’s roof weight limit. Also, if you overload the carrier, making sharper turns while driving, will require extra caution. 

Even distribution 

With that being said, you also need to think about distributing the weight of the load equally. Don’t place the heaviest items in one corner because that will affect your driving. If you balance the load, your drive will simply be safer. (You can find some tips about packing a rooftop cargo carrier above.)

Height 

In addition to weight, consider the height of your load. There might be obstacles on your way. Think about driving through tunnels, under bridges, or simply entering a garage with your mounted cargo.  Make sure you know the minimum height clearance needed to park your car safely. 

Security 

Once you checked the height of your load and distributed the weight evenly, it’s time to secure it. All the carriers have some types of straps to keep the carrier in place. Make sure you check all sides of the carrier. If you’re not sure if everything is properly installed, check your rooftop cargo carrier’s manual. Sometimes helpful videos or tips can be found on the manufacturer’s website.  This step is important, because you don’t want anything falling off! 

Additional security features

Also, if you have a cargo basket – you might need a cargo net to keep your load secure. Often, the straps the carriers come with are not enough to secure bigger loads. In that case, consider buying additional straps to keep your items secured. After all, safety first. 

Visibility 

In addition to security of the load, it’s also important to think about visibility. It may be obstructed by some types of carriers. Rear-view cameras might also get blocked. Keep this in mind as you’re mounting the carrier. Better yet – check your view before you hit the road. 

Tire pressure

Another thing to consider is tire pressure. Obviously, the heavier loads you’re transporting, the more pressure they will put on your tires. Check to see that your tire pressure is at recommended levels before you start traveling. Here, once again, it really helps to have the load distributed evenly so that the pressure is also even on all tires. 

Here are some factors that are important to consider before you buy a carrier. 

Size

Ask yourself: how much luggage do I have? The more people traveling with you, the more items you will need to transport. So if it’s you, family members, kids or friends – it probably means, you’re going to need a rather big carrier. If it’s just you, maybe pets- then something smaller would suffice. If not sure about how much stuff you’ll want to take, opt for the bigger size of the carrier.

Budget

Think about how much you are willing to spend on a cargo carrier and when do you need it. Some of the carriers take longer to send because of their size. Also, remember that in addition to the carrier, you might also need to purchase roof rails or extra straps. Think about how often you will use the carrier. If you plan on using it rather frequently, then getting a more durable carrier like a box might be the best option. But, if you need it for a trip once in a while, then maybe a bag or a cheaper hard shell will do. 

Sturdiness

It’s important to take a minute to read about the material your carrier of choice is made from. No matter what, it should be waterproof and weather resistant. Hard-shelled carriers tend to last longer than soft-shelled ones. There are even eco-friendly carriers made from recyclables. How green is that?! 

Aerodynamics and noise

Rooftop carriers come in various shapes and may affect how fast you can drive. Roof bags are less aerodynamic because they can fit even oddly shaped items which goes to show how moldable they are. Also, consider how noisy the carrier might be. Read the reviews or ask around to get some real-life information. 

Security

All cargo carriers come with some sort of a security system. Between different types of rooftop cargo carriers, boxes are usually more durable and secure. They come with locks that can be hooked onto your roof rails. Bags, on the other hand, usually have straps. Some may even have double zippers (which makes is safer). Of course none are 100 % theft proof. Although straps are easier to cut through to get to the inside of the carrier. 

Before you decide which one to purchase, think about how often you’re going to leave the carrier on the roof with your car parked. If the answer is quite often, then lean toward getting a hard-shelled carrier or a box. 

Accessibility 

A few words about the accessibility of your carrier. Most of them have side openings; you may even find carriers with rear openings (for those of you who have a strong enough bumper to stand on while you’re reaching into the carrier). Usually side access is the easiest but you do have to make sure the carrier is properly secured. Also remember that if your car is bigger, then getting to the carrier might be more difficult. 

Installation

Most cargo carriers are easy to assemble and install. Many come with instructional pamphlets. If you do not have roof racks or rails, make sure you choose a carrier bag that doesn’t require them (boxes do need to be mounted on roof racks or rails). Also, make sure that the carrier can be easily taken down when you’re not using it. 

Storage

Yet another aspect to consider is how to store a rooftop cargo carrier. Bags, of course, are much easier to fold and put away. Boxes tend to take up more space since they’re rigid. So if you don’t have much stowaway room, consider purchasing a bag.

Reputation 

It’s good to know the reputation of the manufacturer whose product you’re considering to buy. One of leaders in the rooftop carrier industry is Thule. It’s a well established brand with a variety of boxes to choose from. They do tend to be more expensive though. So, if you want to go with a different, lesser known producer, check some reviews. Most of them should be positive. Don’t forget to ask your friends. Their input may be invaluable. 

Favorites

If there are at least two options you’re considering, maybe simply go with the one you like best. Maybe a roof bag might seem enough for you, but you’d really rather check out the box. Go ahead! Remember, you should be comfortable with the carrier, so that you’ll actually want to use it (instead of buying it and keeping in the storage).  

If you still cannot decide on the carrier that would be best for you, we’ve compiled a list of advantages and disadvantages of all the carriers. Check out our Buyer’s Guide!

BUYER’S GUIDE: 

Here are some general characteristics of various types of cargo carriers. This list should help you choose the carrier that best fits your need. 

Pros of Rooftop Bags: 

• They are lightweight. 
• They come in various sizes. 
• They are waterproof. 
• They can fit oddly shaped items or items (like musical instruments) that need to be stored in softer carriers. 
• They can be mounted on most vehicles, even those without racks. 
• They are usually easy to install and are compatible with various lockdown systems. 
• They are easy to store when not in use.
• They are usually cheaper than hard-shelled carriers. 

Cons of Rooftop Bags: 

• They can carry less objects (and less heavy ones) than hard-shelled carriers. 
• They are not recommended for larger items or fragile objects. 
• They are more noisy at higher speeds. 
• They are more prone to rips, tears and leakages than hard-shelled carriers. 
• They are more prone to theft. 

Pros of Rooftop Boxes: 

• They have a bigger capacity in comparison to other carriers. 
• They are recommended for sporting equipment. 
• They fit most vehicles with roof racks or roof rails. 
• Sometimes, they can be opened on both sides, which is very convenient. 
• They include extra locks for safety. 
• They are waterproof and durable.
• They are more weather resistant than other carriers. 
• They have longer warranties, often for a lifetime. 
• Installation often doesn’t require any special tools. 

Cons of Rooftop Boxes: 

• They can be a little harder to install alone due to their size. 
• They require more storage space when not in use. 
• They cannot carry very tall items. 
• They are more expensive than other carriers. 

Pros of Rooftop Basket: 

• They can carry big and heavy items. 
• They have a large load capacity.
• They are easy to load and unload. 
• They do not require much storage space when not in use. 
• They are easy to install on various racks or rails. 
• They are aerodynamic. 
• They are great for transporting oddly shaped items. 

Cons of Rooftop Baskets: 

• The luggage is exposed to various weather conditions.  
• Insecure strapping can result in losing the basket while driving. 
• They are prone to theft. 
• They often require special straps or nets. 

Pros of Hitch-Mounted Cargo Carriers:

• They are easy to access (in the back of the car). 
• They can transport heavier and taller items that don’t fit in the rooftop cargo carriers. 
• They are compatible with many modern vehicles.  

Cons of Hitch-Mounted Cargo Carriers:

• They can obstruct the view of taillights and license plate as well as interfere with sensors.
• They are prone to theft. 
• They require ample storage space when not in use. 
• They are not made for transporting smaller items.