Rooftop cargo pods / bags

Anybody here have one of those rooftop cargo pods / bags? Thinking about getting one for my move to FL. I was leaning towards the waterproof bag due to it being able to be stored easily after use. It's not bulky like the big plastic ones.

I have a Thule, never used it.

I had one of those Sears XCargo carrier, back in the day. Watch CL they are usually given away or very cheap.

tom

http://nh.craigslist.org/pts/3768767674.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/pts/3820159381.html

http://worcester.craigslist.org/for/3819095220.html

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/for/3799687254.html

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/for/3794804424.html

http://southcoast.craigslist.org/for/3815873356.html

I have a cheapy that is supposed to be waterproof. It is not. I have a thule rack that mounts on the factory rails. Then the bag mounts to them. If I put plywood in or under it, it works well otherwise It tends to sag on mark the roof. I usually put it vertical on my rear hitch carrier. We put our clothing in plastic bags and then in the large roof top bag. Seems to keep everything dry.

I found one local to me for $50. It's an xcargo XL. How does this attach to our rails? Cost needs to be minimal.

Going to use it for our clothes as the cargo area will be holding a 4l60, large flat box, 47" tv some other baby stuff. Pretty well packed, with seat up due to baby in backseat.

http://capecod.craigslist.org/pts/3826788513.html

You might want to check into just shipping some of your clothes. They don't weigh much, so it does not cost much. I've done that a few times when we moved some stuff from our Pittsburgh house to the Florida house. It really cuts down on the stress level of moving everything all at once. Of course, take photos of your stuff and insure it if you choose to do it. I used UPS the last few times as it was cheaper than the USPS.

The X-cargo with the goofy snail is the most period correct carrier.

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/for/3799687254.html

This one to be exact is just like the one our family had back in the day. We probably still have ours from the nineties rotting away some where outside.

I have a similar cargo box. Haven't used it for at least 10 years, but I'm hanging on to it "just in case". One of the few things I preferred about the old Mercury Colony Park over the Buicks was the CP (with it's side-facing seat design) still had some interior storage space with the 3rd row seats in use. The Buicks have a teensy little wedge between the seatbacks.

So the cargo box was a Godsend when we were hauling 5 or 6 kids, 2 dogs and a cat in the wagon. I wouldn't call it "waterproof", but it is reasonably water-resistant underway in a heavy downpour if the contents are packed in suitcases or even plastic bags. The big boxy style isn't as sexy or aerodynamic as the modern Thule-style units, but a big cube is probably more space-efficient for suitcases or boxes.

Bear in mind that there is a weight limit. 100# seems to ring a bell. The mounting kits are sold separately (and are still available, at least, from Canadian Tire). There are a variety of kits to suit a variety of vehicles. There are u-bolt kits to mount it securely to the factory luggage rack, 'suction cup' style feet for vehicles without racks, gutter hooks and straps for temporary mounting, etc. I sat it on the rubber luggage strips and used hooks to attach it to the 4 eyes on the roof, so I could quickly and easily remove it when not in use. (Note: this was on the 92. The 95 has 2 racks instead of just 1, and I haven't tried it on this car yet. I' not sure if it would be better to put it between the roof racks on the rubber strips or mount it to the racks themselves with this car.)

Mine has a hinge on one side, a pair of key operated locks on the other side, and a catch on the front and back. I never had a problem. However, my brother bought a slightly different model, one with a completely detachable lid held only with 4 catches. One day the lid proved it was completely detachable while driving down the highway. The lid was completely shattered and his family made the rest of their trip with their recovered luggage sitting on their laps.

I bought one of those bags last year,... best investment I made in a long time. Kids didn't have to sit with luggage.

I don't have a whole lot of stuff to take with me. I told my wife to pack like she was going on vacation keep it with us and we sent the rest with my cars.





But I'd like to be able to see out of my back window on the 1200+ mile drive.

We bought a Sherpak bag when the family trips got too cramped in our minivan and haven't looked back. It was either that or add a trailer hitch and one of those rear platform storage jobbies but they add a lot of weight. Stay away from the cheap bags; they will leak and have spindly zippers and such.

If you have time, build an air ramp in front of the bag which will greatly cut down on wind noise and bag rattle.

How bad does the aero thules hurt your gas mileage?

Anything you put on the outside will hurt your MPG.   I had a Jeep Cherokee with Thule racks on it for my surfboards.  I was going to take the Auto train and by removing them I got the car rate for the train.  The happy upside was that my mpg went up a 1.5!  that's empty racks on the top of the car. 1.5 MPG.  I can only imagine what a box on the roof does 

Often haul 2 or 3 canoes on top of my wagon.  Sometimes 17+ feet long.  Generally not hauling them enough to affect the mileage much.  The rack on the "Not-Rod" does not seem to effect it at all when it is empty.  I am sure the bag costs me a few MGP's.

I managed to fit everything inside the wagon. Now, I can't see out of my back window, but that's what I have mirrors for.

perhaps a more streamlined bag with tie downs would be more aerodynamic,..

^ Tim, I can get you a bunch of those. lol

phantom 309 wrote:

perhaps a more streamlined bag with tie downs would be more aerodynamic,..

Cadet57 wrote:

^ Tim, I can get you a bunch of those. lol

You people scare me!!!

Like Aunt Edna...

buickestate wrote:

isn't that for relatives?

I thought of the exact same thing when I first saw the photo!