rooftop cargo baskets?

AngryScientist · #1 06-13-2018, 07:18 AM

anyone use a rooftop cargo basket?

i'm thinking of putting one on my van, as strollers have to be some of the most awkward users of space. i'd like to just be able to throw the thing on the roof and get it out of the way inside the car.

prices are pretty steep for the big players, thule yakima, etc.

some of the nicer ones even have integrated fork mount bike racks.

there are a bunch of less expensive ones floating around, but i wonder about the build quality and attachment hardware.

the kuat would be my leading choice i think, but the price is high...

thoughts?

p nut · #2 06-13-2018, 07:31 AM

I’ve only had Yak’s: Mega and Load Warrior. Sold the Mega and currently have the Load. Quality is excellent. Easy install/removal (tool less). Usually just hangs on the wall, as our van will swallow everything, but it’s nice for campouts or marshmallow roasts up the canyon for carrying firewood.

They were both about $150 on CL. We had a Subaru when we got this and the Mega was a little too wide. Now with the van. I wish we would’ve kept the Mega.

AngryScientist · #3 06-13-2018, 08:16 AM

good call. i've been scouring craigslist, these seem like an ideal item to buy used.

would you say it increased the noise level in the van a lot when you have it mounted?

Nooch · #4 06-13-2018, 08:25 AM

Nick,

I've used my step brother's rola and subsequently my step father bought the same. Low profile, perfect for what you need, has gotten better since the first years where people complain about rusting, etc.

Honestly, I prefer it to the Thule one that I inherited from a friend that's atop the Outback.

What I did for my step dad: Had him buy it via eTrailer, then had him use their 110% Price Match Guarantee using the listing from Home Depot

It's solid.

My next step is catching up to you, and getting the roof rails installed on our odyssey (again, deciding if I'm buying out the lease before spending the money) so I can do the same for our upcoming trip to the cape. Unfortunately an infant carrier, no-back booster, and standard toddler car seat don't fit comfortably enough in the outback to make it all the way there...

(First pic with the Rola, second with the Thule, Third picture loaded up Rola)

AngryScientist · #5 06-13-2018, 08:30 AM

thanks for that. i've been eyeing the Rola on ebay.

the stroller is the thing that pisses me off the most. with the big wheels and stuff, it just doesnt fit anywhere, stand up, lay down. it's a maddening thing to travel with. lol.

yes, i have the factory rails on my van and rocky mounts cross bars. they are rock solid.

multi hour trip a few weeks ago with bike and kayak up top, didnt even know they were there....

AngryScientist · #6 06-13-2018, 08:34 AM

ahh, i see the pics now - yea - that Rola is way sleeker than the THule.

hows the noise?

Nooch · #7 06-13-2018, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

ahh, i see the pics now - yea - that Rola is way sleeker than the THule.

hows the noise?

I mean, it's roof rack noise. I don't think you'll notice significantly more than with the rails already up there. Especially not if you don't have a sunroof.

The Thule was a freebie and since I didn't have my own, jumped on it. Issue with that specific one is that the spacing on the rails don't mesh will with the spacing on the outback -- so it's really at the extremes to get it to fit 'well enough'.

p nut · #8 06-13-2018, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

good call. i've been scouring craigslist, these seem like an ideal item to buy used.

would you say it increased the noise level in the van a lot when you have it mounted?

Definitely look at used. Most I've seen were hardly used. As long they've been stored inside.

Noise level--like any roof rack or bars, you will hear it. It's not bad, but on windy days, it does get annoying at times. But if you can adjust the bars to the rear of the vehicle and turn the stereo up, no big deal. I wouldn't leave it up there all the time, though. Unless you need it all the time.

As an alternative, Rhino makes steel mesh platform and basket racks. If I had an SUV, I would probably get a large mesh platform. But this would be more of a permanent install.

Here is the basket.
https://www.backcountryracks.com/rhi...-cargo-basket/

HenryA · #9 06-13-2018, 09:18 AM

I have a Thule I could let go if it suits you.

As far as racks go on vans, Ive found that if you mount the rack towards the back of the vehicle the wind noise is much less.

AngryScientist · #10 07-21-2018, 02:17 PM

realized i never updated this:

went with the Rola for the van, and liked the utility so much, i popped for a kuat skinny rack for my jeep, to leave some cross bar room for surf and paddle boards.

both are very well constructed, and i would give the Rola about equal build quality as the kuat, at half the price. kuat has an integrated fork mount in it, which is a nice bonus, but that's nothing that couldnt be retrofitted easily if you wanted to.