Distribute the weight appropriately. Heavier things go in the center with lighter items towards the edges. Consider also what you will use first or if there is any cargo you want easy access to. Hardy: Roof bags are made from heavy-duty waterproof and UV-resistant fabrics. Those designed and produced by reputable manufacturers are able to cope with both sunny and wintery conditions for a long time. Cons: Size it correctly. A pod should be just big enough to carry your gear, but not so massive that it adds wind or weight drag to the vehicle. Also, make sure the carrier's load capacity doesn't exceed that of your car. Being a Thule, it has been tested to withstand impact, is streamlined and fits a wide range of crossbars thanks to its simple twist-to-close mounting system. This isn't the most premium design in the Thule range—something reflected in the price—but it is made in the USA, the textured finish helps conceal dings and daily damage and the slender width also means there's space left on the roof for other mounts, such as a slimline basket or bike mount. We've thoroughly research and tested a vast assortment of rooftop storage options to discover the best rooftop cargo carriers, baskets and bags for your needs. And to bolster our research with expert insights, we also sat down with Mike Kreis, an REI sales and service specialist, for his invaluable advice on how to buy and use the best rooftop cargo carriers.

Customers are impressed with this storage bag’s capacity and weather resistance. Several people mention long road trips through harsh weather conditions. It's also important to remember that your vehicle's roof load capacity has to include the weight of the bars and the box before you consider the contents. What Capacity Roof Box Do I Need? This review includes three types of cargo carriers: hardtop, softshell, and basket. A hardtop carrier will provide the most protection, but it’s the heaviest. A softshell bag can still be waterproof, but it may be less aerodynamic and more challenging to load. You can leave a basket carrier on your vehicle, adding a little drag, but you will need a net or bag to secure your loads. Made from 80% recycled plastic, with internal bracing to minimize wobble from such a large lid, it's a two-person job to install, but the fixings shouldn't cause any difficulties, as they just slide over your roof bars, and clip securely from the inside.Size:83.5 x 34.5 x 14 inches (external) | Weight:59.3 pounds | Capacity:13 cubic-foot | Access: Dual | Load capacity: 165 pounds With so many options out there, how did Good Housekeeping choose the six that made this list of the best rooftop cargo carriers? The answer is simple: research. Many customers say the Arksen is easy to assemble and attach to their vehicle. We found the cargo carrier less cumbersome than the larger Thule or the multi-strap system most cargo bags use. With a universal design and metal construction, this luggage carrier is one of the simplest and most durable designs on the market. It represents a solution that is easy to use and even looks a bit retro. Made with a metal frame with a length of 43 inches and a width of 39 inches, the carrier is easy to store when not in use due to its compact size. Editorial Note: This content was researched and produced by Motor1.com‘s expert review team. Links in this article may result in us earning a commission but do not impact our advice or recommendations. Learn More

There's quite a few compromises compared to a hard-sided design, but for the price, you won’t find a more convenient way to haul a huge amount of gear, even in bad weather. The short answer is yes, with the obvious caveat that carrier safety is contingent on proper usage. Here are three key reminders: Far from a cheap option, the Hapro Softbox comes with the reassurance of a TÜV certificate and five-year guarantee, promising sturdy construction and a long life. It is heavier than many bags weighing in at 13kg, but this has the advantage of allowing the Softbox to kept on the roof even when empty, unlike many other roof bags. Size: 40 x 38 x 16 inches | Weight:10.2 pounds | Capacity:15 cubic-foot | Access: All sides| Load capacity: Depends on vehicleThe SkyBox is also available in four other sizes—Lo, 12, 16, 18—so most needs, and car sizes, are catered for. Another important aspect to remember when using a cargo carrier is to secure the load. Regardless of the design you use, there are different straps that can be used to keep the load in place. You want to avoid situations where the load can move when cornering, as this can lead to accidents or things falling out and posing a risk to other motorists. After installing each rooftop cargo carrier, we loaded it with test cargo and took it for a road test, noting the amount of noise the product produced and how much drag it added to our vehicle.

Most customers are happy with the high storage capacity and note how securely the included straps attach the Midabao bag to their roof. Any carrier you put on your roof will add wind resistance to your vehicle and reduce fuel economy. The farther you travel with your carrier, the more significant the impact on your gas tank. A low-profile rooftop cargo carrier designed for aerodynamics can reduce drag and minimize gas-mileage loss. The Fivklemnz rooftop cargo carrier has proven to be incredibly popular with consumers looking for extra storage space. It offers up to 15 cubic feet of additional storage space, enough room to carry four to six suitcases. Although car roof bags are by nature not as weatherproof, many current ones do offer a good degree of protection against the elements. My go-to items are bulky things like sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tents and camp chairs,” says Mike. “But the biggest influence I have seen when it comes to choosing what cargo box you are looking for is if you need it to carry skis, where length is critical.” Many roof boxes will fit most lengths of downhill skis and snowboards, but do pay close attention to the box’s internal dimensions to be sure they fit. The larger boxes can have capacity for up to six pairs. How Can You Be Sure You're Not Overloading Your Cargo Box Or Vehicle?Sizes:88.5 x 25.5 x 12.5 inches | Weight:30 pounds | Capacity:11 cubic-foot | Access: Passenger side | Load capacity: 110 pounds Like our review team, a few people deem the strap system less than ideal. Some find it necessary to use their own bungee cords. One customer says their bag wore away after one trip. While this didn’t appear common, the material of the Roof Master is less robust than some of the other bags we tested. First, the roof rails of your car have a weight limit that is usually found in the owner’s manual, often 100 pounds/45KG. Secondly, the weight of the load impacts car maneuverability when cornering and if the load is too heavy or unbalanced, it can lead to accidents. This is why you need to ensure that the weight of your load does not exceed the maximum allowed weight on the roof of your car.