Table of Contents

Summary

However, you will need to ensure that you have enough supplies for the trip – like a sleeping bag, tent, camping stove, campfire pit, cooking pot, and utensils, etc. Using rooftop cargo carriers is a great way to add extra space to your car for putting in the stuff while leaving enough room for the passengers to stretch legs during the long journey.

Let’s explore the six safety tips for traveling with a rooftop cargo carrier on your vehicle.

  • Using rooftop cargo carriers is a great way to add extra space to your car for keeping extra stuff while leaving enough room for the passengers to stretch their legs and enjoy the journey.
  • They are easy to install and come in different sizes.
  • While traveling with a rooftop cargo carrier, one must ensure that car tires are inflated to the recommended level.
  • That the cargo carrier must stay within the prescribed limit.
  • After adding the cargo carrier, the height of your car must be at most the level permitted by the state you plan to travel.
  • Mounts of the cargo carrier should be checked before traveling or loading anything in the cargo carrier. Moreover, things must be adjusted smartly and evenly in the cargo carrier so that steering and brakes do not have to bear extra pressure.
  • Be watchful of overhead bridges and signs indicating low overhangs.

 

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Rooftop Cargo Carrier

A rooftop cargo carrier, an external storage box, is a durable weatherproof container that sits securely on your vehicle’s roof rack. It comes in various shapes and sizes and can be used on any vehicle, from cars and trucks to SUVs and vans. Rooftop cargo carriers are made of durable materials that make them last for years and are a great way to add extra space to your car.

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Generally, it can carry load up to 75kgs/165lbs.
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Advantages of Rooftop Cargo Carrier

The advantages of using a rooftop cargo carrier are as follows:

  • They are easy to install, store, and remove;
  • They are available in different sizes, depending on your needs;
  • They are versatile and can be used for many purposes;
  • They are made of strong and durable material and protect against theft as they can be locked like other compartments of your car

 

The global automotive roof cargo carrier market is estimated to reach USD 3.39 billion by 2028.
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Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.

6 Helpful Tips for Traveling with a Rooftop Cargo Carrier

1. Check The Weight Limits

Cars have limited capacity when it comes to holding weight on their roof. Putting weight more than its capacity can damage the roof and roof bars. Therefore, before loading stuff in your car’s rooftop cargo carrier, ensure it is within the limit of the roof. To check the weight limits, consult your car manual.

2. Know the State Regulations Regarding Height

One of the basic principles of equity is: “Ignorance of the law is not an excuse”. Therefore, you must know the permissible weight and height limits before traveling with a rooftop cargo carrier.

Every state has laws and regulations for vehicles; therefore, familiarising yourself with them can save you from any possible trouble.
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Some states don’t allow SUVs to travel with a rooftop cargo carrier. Being already higher off the ground, SUVs cannot afford heavy weight on its roof. In addition, while having an extra height and weight, SUVs are vulnerable to wind resistance and tend to sway, leaving the driver with chances to lose control over it.

3. Pack Smartly

Cars have limited capacity to hold weight in their rooftop cargo carrier. Therefore, you have to arrange things smartly in the rooftop cargo carrier for your safety and for carrying maximum stuff.Here are some tips for packing things smartly in the rooftop cargo carrier.

  • Pack heavier items at the bottom of the roof rack, so they don’t shift around while you’re driving.
  • Place lighter items like suitcases in the middle of the rack.
  • Tie down loose items with rope or straps to resist their movement around during travel.

4. Be a Watchful Driver

Generally, a car is only sometimes driven by a rooftop cargo carrier. Therefore, drivers must keep the average height in mind while adding a cargo box. Consequently, it is recommended to be careful and watchful in parking garages, overhead bridges, and signs indicating low overhangs.

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5. Ensure the Correct and Firm Mounting of the Cargo Box

Before leaving for the trip, ensure that your rooftop cargo carrier is correctly and firmly mounted to the roof of your car.

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Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Before leaving for the trip, ensure that your rooftop cargo carrier is correctly and firmly mounted to the roof of your car.

6. Considerations When Loading Cargo

While traveling with a rooftop cargo carrier, a few factors must be considered.

  • The weight of the item being loaded;
  • The size and shape of the item being loaded;
  • The placement of the item in the carrier;
  • The type of conveyance being used with the rooftop cargo carrier;
  • Tires are inflated up to the recommended level or not;
  • Be mindful of liquids in the rooftop cargo.

 

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Cost

Various rooftop cargo boxes come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. You can fix the cargo box by yourself to avoid labor costs. You will only have to pay for the cargo boxes. Here is a list of cargo boxes and their average price in the market.

Rooftop Cargo BoxesAverage Cost
Thule Motion XT L$900
Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite$719
Jegs Rooftop Cargo Carrier$300
INNO Wedge 660$690
Yakima SkyBox 12 Carbonite$669
Thule Force XT L$750
Yakima RocketBox Pro 14$579
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You should remove the rooftop cargo box when not in use because it dramatically impacts a vehicle’s fuel economy.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.

Conclusion

A rooftop cargo carrier is a practical way to make more room inside your vehicle. It is more than just a storage space for luggage because it can accommodate items too large to fit in the car. However, traveling with a rooftop cargo carrier can also ruin your trip if preventive measures are not taken before the journey.

FAQs

To save your rooftop cargo carrier from falling off, ensure it is mounted firmly to the vehicle’s roof. The rooftop cargo carrier has a limit of holding weight. Loading weight more than its capacity to store makes it vulnerable to causing damage to the rooftop and mounts.

Here are some tips for packing stuff in a rooftop cargo carrier.Pack heavier items at the bottom of the roof rack, so they don’t shift around while you’re driving.Place lighter items like suitcases in the middle of the rack, so they don’t shift around.Tie down loose items with rope or straps; therefore, they don’t move around during travel.

It is recommended that lightweight items be packed in the rooftop cargo carrier. Heavy weight on the rooftop increases the chances of accidents and significantly impacts your car’s steering and braking.

While traveling with a rooftop carrier, you can only afford to go a little faster. This is because increased weight and height cause an increase in air resistance. Due to the rise in air resistance, the chances of accidents also increase. So you cannot drive much faster while traveling with a cargo carrier; however, driving at 80 miles per hour is considered safe in normal conditions.

Yes! While driving with a roof rack, drivers can hurt mpg. It is recommended to uninstall them when not in use, as even an unoccupied rooftop rack can increase up to 15% of the gasoline bill.

They are safe if not overloaded and are mounted firmly. An overloaded carrier increases the chances of rooftop and mount damage. When the mounts are damaged or broken, the chances of accidents increase. Therefore, before leaving for the trip, it should be made sure that the cargo carrier is correctly and firmly mounted and that it is not loaded more than its capacity.

If you want to preserve the integrity of your cargo carrier so that it can be used for many years, it is recommended that it should be removed while not in use. Moreover, you cannot always be conscious of its presence on your roof. Therefore, chances of getting into things that are low in height or low hanging increase.

About Author

Andrew Ray

Andrew is an automotive technician with 10 years of experience mainly in American and Japanese cars, covering everything from routine vehicle maintenance and engine inspections to tire rotation.