If you are planning on going on a trip sometime soon, then you want to make sure that you have the ability to haul all of your luggage with you.
Those who are planning on driving somewhere on vacation or who want to go camping often like to make use of roof cargo boxes. These cargo boxes allow you to store your luggage and other items on the top of your vehicle.
There are many different types of roof cargo boxes out there and there is a lot of information to digest. This article is going to help you learn all about these cargo boxes to see if they’re a good fit for your needs.
Take the time to read through the information and all of your questions about these cargo boxes will be answered thoroughly.
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Are Roof Cargo Boxes Worth it?
Roof Boxes are a great investment because:
- They increase the amount of luggage you can carry
- Are great for camping equipment
- Provide Safe and Secure storage
- They're designed with Aerodynamics in mind to reduce drag
- Available in a range of sizes for your needs
Determining whether or not roof cargo boxes are going to be worth it for you is simple. It just comes down to how often you travel or go camping. If you need to be able to haul a significant amount of stuff to a campsite or to your vacation destination, then it makes sense to want to have access to a roof cargo box. These boxes make it so much simpler to transport your luggage and other essential items.
Before going out to buy a roof cargo box for your car, you should try to make sure that you need one. Will your belongings comfortably fit in your vehicle? Is there going to be enough room to transport everyone with your luggage in the car? It might wind up coming down to how large your family is or how many people you’re taking on a trip.
If you regularly go on road trips with four people or more, then having a roof cargo box is certainly going to be beneficial. They aren’t incredibly expensive and they make it more practical for you to travel while taking everything that you need with you. These cargo boxes are popular among both campers and vacation-goers for a reason. It’s a safe way to transport your belongings that also frees up space in your vehicle.
Most of the roof cargo box options are going to be fairly cost-effective as well. You should expect to spend at least $300 or more on a normal roof cargo box. This is certainly a reasonable price and you will be getting something that will be useful to you for many years to come. There are some cargo boxes that come in at more affordable prices too, such as the Thule Sidekick Cargo Box.
You should be able to find a cargo box that will suit your needs and your budget. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, then it might be beneficial to consider a rooftop cargo bag. These work very similarly to the cargo boxes but they’re not made to have a hard shell as the cargo boxes do. These are bags that are made out of waterproof materials in order to keep your belongings safe on the road.
Just take the time to consider all of your options and then you will be able to find a cargo box that will work for you. If you’re on a budget, then something such as a rooftop cargo bag may work perfectly. If you need to transport a lot of stuff, then buying a large cargo box is going to be smart.
As long as you consider your needs, it will never be tough to use your money wisely.
Do You Need a Roof Rack?
There are many people who aren’t aware that you need to have a roof rack in order to make use of a roof cargo box. If you don’t already have a roof rack on your vehicle, then you’re going to need to get one of those installed first. There are many vehicles that come with roof racks as a standard feature. It is also possible to buy them and install them on your car without it being too big of a deal.
There are many different aftermarket roof rack systems that you can consider. When you are picking one out for your vehicle, you simply want to make sure that it can handle the right amount of stuff.
These roof racks are going to be rated for a certain amount of weight. For example, a roof rack might be capable of supporting up to 150 pounds.
As long as you buy a roof rack that is going to work for the amount of stuff that you want to haul, you’ll be doing just fine. The roof rack also needs to be compatible with your specific vehicle. Some vehicles are going to be too small for certain roof racks and others will be too large.
It should not be hard to find a roof rack that will work superbly for your vehicle, though. You just need to take a bit of time to do some research. Once you have your roof rack installed, you’ll be able to secure a roof cargo box to it whenever you are ready. The roof rack can be used for other purposes too.
Some people simply tie luggage down to the top of the rack by using heavy-duty straps. People also often transport things such as bicycles on top of these roof racks. You’ll definitely get a lot of use out of it.
Many of these roof racks are not all that difficult to install on your own. They typically include all of the mounting hardware that you need as well as detailed instructions. So long as you buy a rack that is compatible with your vehicle, you should have an easy time.
Are Roof Cargo Boxes Secure?
Roof cargo boxes are designed to be as secure as possible. They are actually going to require quite a bit of assembly in order to get them installed on top of your car. These cargo boxes are going to make use of sturdy bolts as well as reinforcement plates in order to secure the box to your roof rack. This keeps the cargo box from moving around while you are driving and it should be really stable.
The more cost-effective cousin to the roof cargo box is the cargo bag. These are not going to be as secure as the cargo boxes. Roof cargo bags are secured to the roof rack by being strapped down. Typically, the included straps are going to help to secure the bag nicely and they will be rather sturdy.
If you want to have the safest experience possible, then buying a rugged roof cargo box is the right way to go. Your belongings are going to be more secure and you will be able to have peace of mind while traveling. It does take a bit of an effort to install these cargo boxes but they will be very safe once you are done.
You will be securing them with the sturdiest bolts possible and should have no trouble even when you hit bumpy sections of the road. Also, these cargo boxes are generally designed with multiple locks. If you are at all worried about anyone getting into your cargo box while you are sleeping at a hotel, then you should put your mind at ease.
Options such as the Goplus Cargo Box are designed with a double lock that is guaranteed to keep your valuables safe. You will be able to store your items in the cargo box without having to worry about anyone stealing from you or tampering with anything.
Are Roof Cargo Boxes Waterproof?
Of course, if you are going to be traveling a long distance, it is going to be important to think about the weather. When you are driving across the country, there is a good chance that it will rain at some point in time.
When this happens, you want to be able to feel confident that your belongings will be safe. Thankfully, these roof cargo boxes are designed to be either waterproof or water-resistant.
You will be able to use your roof cargo box in pretty much any weather situation. These boxes are made to stand up to heavy rainfall, snow, and more.
You will be able to count on your belongings staying dry and safe even when it is raining hard outside. This makes it a lot easier to take a trip during a rainy season without having to fear for the safety of your belongings.
You will also want to know that roof cargo bags are made to be water-resistant too. When you are buying a rooftop cargo bag, it will be a good idea to try to buy a high-quality one. The best roof cargo bags should be very water-resistant or waterproof and will also do an admirable job of keeping your stuff dry and safe.
They might not be as practical for large amounts of stuff but they will be able to stand up to rainfall without giving you a problem. Not all roof cargo boxes and roof cargo bags will be as good when it comes to being waterproof. Do your best to look through all of the available options. You should be able to find one that will be great for you.
Are Roof Cargo Boxes Noisy?
Some people are concerned when they look into buying roof cargo boxes for their vehicles. They worry about whether or not the cargo box is going to be overly noisy. It is true that some cargo boxes might add to the noise factor while you are driving.
Most of the popular cargo boxes that are on the market today are designed to be very aerodynamic, though. The more aerodynamic roof cargo boxes are going to make less noise. The noise really comes from the wind hitting the box.
Sometimes these noises can be very pronounced and other times they will be something that you will barely notice at all. This is why it is very important to take your time to buy a quiet roof cargo box.
The Yakima SkyBox is an excellent example of an aerodynamic cargo box that is as quiet as possible. The overall shape of this cargo box reduces wind noise significantly. Most drivers do not even notice the wind noise when using a roof cargo box that is this aerodynamic. There are many other cargo boxes on the market that will offer you a similar experience too.
You should be able to find an aerodynamic cargo box option in just about any size as well. Whether you need a smaller cargo box or you are looking for something truly large, you will be able to keep wind noise to a minimum.
If you are going to be driving a long distance, then having less wind noise assaulting you is definitely going to be a good thing. Pick out a good cargo box that is as quiet as possible to have the most relaxing experience while driving.
In Conclusion
Now that you know everything that you need to about these roof cargo boxes, it is going to be a lot simpler to make a purchasing decision. There are many fantastic roof cargo boxes on the market. You should not have any trouble finding one that will help you to transport your stuff safely. These cargo boxes are secure, easy to use, and very convenient.
For many people, this is going to be the most practical way to transport luggage on a road trip. It frees up space in your vehicle so that everyone can ride comfortably the entire way. It also simply allows you to know that your luggage is safe and that it will arrive at your destination without having any problems.
As long as you buy a high-quality roof cargo box, you will not have anything to worry about. Just keep the information above in mind when you are shopping for a cargo box. You can try to buy one that is water-resistant and aerodynamic.
This will ensure that you have the easiest time possible while on the road. If you need to find a solution for transporting your stuff for your next vacation or camping trip, then a roof cargo box is well worth your consideration.
