The Best Rooftop Cargo Carriers
No matter how old you are, the prospect of an epic road trip always seems enticing. Unfortunately, planning road trips can be as logistically complicated as planning outer space exploration. One of the main logistical issues that plague would-be road trippers is a lack of storage space. The last thing anybody wants is getting stuck sitting shotgun with a whole suitcase on your lap for 500 miles. But there's a criminally underrated quick fix here. Rooftop cargo carriers are highly convenient storage units that attach above your car and let you stow away whatever you can't fit in the trunk. Your days of sitting in the backseat with luggage poking you in the back are long gone. Read on to discover our list of the best rooftop cargo carriers around.
What to Look For
When researching the best cargo carriers, we considered a few important factors that make these products such invaluable additions to automobile travel. Above all, a rooftop cargo carrier should be durable, featuring material that will protect your belongings from whatever elements they may be exposed to on the open road. A good cargo carrier will also incorporate straps and tie-downs that not only keep your stuff securely in place but also make everything easy to access and remove when you need it. Finally, it’s important to think about how much space you need for your stuff, as cargo carriers come in a range of sizes. With all that in mind, one of our favorite options is from Vetoos, which makes a softshell carrier that offers enough cubic space for a whole family’s worth of belongings. For cars without roof racks, we also recommend the model from Roof Master, which can clip into door hooks inside your vehicle. For more of our favorite rooftop cargo carriers and to find one that’s right for your next road trip, read on.
Vetoos Rooftop Cargo Carrier
Lots of luggage
Long car rides can be fun, but they can also be cramped. With the Vetoos rooftop cargo carrier, you can stow away all of your luggage and personal belongings safely, leaving the cabin feeling open and stress-free. The Vetoos rooftop cargo carrier is one of the biggest carriers on the market, boasting 21 cubic feet of storage space. This kind of extra storage space is ideal for large families, road trips with friends, and pleasing the obligatory “over-packer” in every household. The Vetoos rooftop cargo carrier features triple-layer high-density 700D PVC fabric. This fabric isn’t just exceptionally durable, but it also protects your precious cargo from rain, snow, wind, and sun while you’re out on the open road.
Pros:
- Because this is a softshell carrier, you can fit objects into it that you normally would not be able to in a traditional hardshell model.
- We appreciate the reinforced strap seams, which keep the fabric from tearing when the carrier is fully packed.
Cons:
- The large size is most likely overkill for average-sized families.
RoofPax Rooftop Cargo Carrier
Free up space
If you like the sound of having more cargo space but feel uneasy about the safety aspect, this pick from RoofPax should interest you. RoofPax’s rooftop cargo carrier comes with two extra door hook straps (on top of the four standard straps) for additional precaution. The RoofPax rooftop cargo carrier is made of military-grade materials from front to back. The waterproof double zippers work to prevent snagging, and the water-repellent double coating on the outer layer protects your luggage from the elements as you drive. Unlike some other rooftop cargo carriers, RoofPax works with or without a roof rack. The door hook straps allow you to fasten the bottom of the straps within the car’s cabin.
Pros:
- If you don’t have a roof rack, not to worry — this model can also be secured by clipping onto the inside of your doors.
- We appreciate that this carrier comes in three different sizes, so we can choose one that’s right for our family.
Cons:
- Though durable, the material of this carrier is not 100 percent waterproof.
Fivklemnz Rooftop Cargo Carrier
Strap in
If the sound of doubling your trunk space for your next road trip sounds like an appealing proposition, keep reading. This rooftop cargo carrier from Fivklemnz can do all that and more. This carrier offers 15 cubic feet of storage, leaving you with more than enough space to hold four to six suitcases and as many other pieces of miscellaneous travel bags as you can fit up there. Fivklemnz’s rooftop cargo carrier boasts a quick and easy installation process as well. Whether you have a roof rack or not, you’ll be able to install this cargo carrier in mere minutes using the four door hooks. What’s more, the 700D Oxford cloth covering the outer layer of this rooftop cargo carrier is 100 percent waterproof.
Pros:
- We appreciate the inclusion of the protective mat, which guards your rooftop against scuffs and scratches.
- While many softshell carriers are only water-resistant, this one is waterproof, making it suitable for road trips through inclement climates.
Cons:
- It can be a tight squeeze to fit six suitcases in the carrier.
Roof Master Rooftop Cargo Carrier
Hit the open road
These days, there’s absolutely no need to suffer in an overpacked car cabin on a road trip. For that, we have companies like Roof Master to thank. The Roof Master offers 16 cubic feet of storage, which is more than enough room to stow away all the luggage of even exceptionally large families. This rooftop cargo carrier utilizes a softshell outer layer made of military-grade Cordura fabric. This fabric mixture boasts five times the strength of PVC, which is what many comparable products use. Unfortunately, you need to purchase door hooks if you don’t have a roof rack to clip the Roof Master onto. They are easy to find online, but their absence is sure to turn some folks off. Still, for its durability and vast storage space, we highly recommend the Roof Master to anyone with roof racks looking to travel easier.
Pros:
- Not only is the nylon fabric waterproof, but it’s also extremely durable, so you don’t have to worry about it tearing when the carrier is stuffed to the brim.
- We appreciate the full-length zipper, which makes it easy to peel back the cover and access all of your belongings.
Cons:
- You need to purchase door hooks if you don’t have roof racks.
Tool Guards Rooftop Cargo Carrier
Ultimate protection
When it comes to durability, you’d be hard-pressed to find another rooftop cargo carrier that performs better than this one from Tool Guards. While some carriers have semi-waterproof ratings, this carrier’s heavy-duty coated tarpaulin outer layer is watertight. Just one glance at this carrier gives you an idea of the kind of quality Tool Guards has worked to maintain. Tool Guards offers a 15 cubic feet option along with a 20 cubic feet option. The 15 cubic feet of storage should be an excellent choice for small families or friend groups while the 20 cubic feet option is ideal for large families with a lot of luggage.
Pros:
- The double-layer welded components and freeze-resistant clips make this an especially durable carrier, particularly in cold weather climates.
- The carrier includes a standard TSA lock, which helps keep your belongings secure from would-be thieves.
Cons:
- Though high quality, this carrier is on the pricy side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a roof rack to set up my rooftop cargo carrier?
You can set many of these products up with or without a roof rack on your vehicle. Most companies will provide door hooks for you to secure behind the weatherstripping on the inside of your car door. Either way is equally safe and will keep your luggage secure.
Does a product like this make having a trunk pointless?
While a rooftop cargo carrier is as big or bigger as most car trunks, it’s still convenient to have access to the trunk of your car. A car trunk is particularly handy during day-to-day driving around town, whereas a rooftop cargo carrier only comes into play during long trips.
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