So, just how much weight can a roof box hold?
If you’re looking for the perfect rooftop cargo carrier, it’s good to research them first so you get the best one for your needs. Most carriers are made to fit any type of vehicle that you might own, including sedans, minivans, SUVs, and even pickup trucks.
Does this mean that you can just run out and purchase a carrier without considering how it will fit once it’s installed? Of course not. In fact, one of the things that you’ll have to consider before making your purchase is the weight of that carrier once you get it loaded.
- Best Large Roof Box for Heavy Load - Thule Motion XT Cargo Carrier (paid link)
- Best Large Roof Bag for Heavy Load - LEDKINGDOMUS Rooftop Car Carrier Bag (paid link)
As a general rule, most cartop carriers can hold anywhere from 75 to 250 pounds of gear and equipment but that usually includes the weight of the carrier itself as well as the items inside of it.
You should also check with your car’s manual in case the vehicle itself has any special limitations. Otherwise, strict attention should be paid to whatever the manufacturer of the carrier recommends so the vehicle doesn’t get damaged.
If you’re curious about cartop carriers, both soft-shell and hard-shell, that can handle even the heaviest of items, below are some of the largest ones that will make you proud to own them.
Table of Contents
Our Top 10 Favourite Large Roof Box for Heavy Load
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| Volume | Size | Weight | Type | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 LEDKINGDOMUS rooftop cargo bag | 19 cu ft | L: 47" W: 35" H: 20" | 9.75 lbs | Soft-Shell |  |
 STDY Cargo Bag | 20 cu ft | L: 51" W: 40" H: 17" | 8.7 lbs | Soft-Shell |  |
 JEGS 90098 rooftop cargo carrier | 18 cu ft | L: 57" W: 39" H: 19" | 35 lbs | Hard-Shell (Rear Opening) |  |
 Thule Motion XT Cargo Carrier | 22 cu ft | L: 77" W: 36" H: 17" | 42 lbs | Hard-Shell (Dual Opening) |  |
 King Bird Waterproof Rooftop Bag | 20 cu ft | L: 48" W: 36" H: 20" | 14.6 lbs | Soft-Shell |  |
 Suner Power Roof Storage Bag | 19 cu ft | L: 48" W: 36" H: 20" | 9.6 lbs | Soft-Shell |  |
 SportRack Skyline Cartop Carrier | 18 cu ft | L: 54" W: 39" H: 19.5" | 30 lbs | Hard-Shell (Passenger side) |  |
 P.I. Auto Store Rooftop Carrier | 16 cu ft | L: 12.8" W: 11.9" H: 7.4" | 5 lbs | Soft-Shell |  |
 Midabao Thickened Rooftop Carrier | 20 cu ft | L: 51.1" W: 39" H: 17" | 10.25 lbs | Soft-Shell |  |
 Copsrew Cartop Carrier Bag | 20 cu ft | L: 52" W: 39.5" H: 17.5" | 9 lbs | Soft-Shell |  |
LEDKINGDOMUS Rooftop Car Carrier Bag
Made for all types of vehicles, this car carrier can be placed on either the roof of your vehicle or in the bed of your pickup truck. It holds a full 19 cubic feet of items and is extra sturdy because it is made out of 600D oxford fabric.
The inner section is even coated to make the bag completely waterproof, making it easy to keep everything on the inside dry and in good condition.
This is one of the largest carrier bags that you will find and it comes with everything you need to install it properly as soon as you get it out of the packaging.
STDY Soft-Shell Cargo Carrier
This is yet another extra-large soft-shell cartop carrier and it holds a full 20 cubic feet of items. It is made in an attractive black and teal design and is completely waterproof, being made with 1200D polyester material.
With easy-to-install straps and the ability to withstand even inclement weather without damaging anything inside of it, this cargo carrier looks good, works great, and is built to last.
The carrier is so large that it can hold up to three sleeping bags and two suitcases so it can handle the extra weight of the many items that large families usually have.
JEGS Hard-Shell Rooftop Carrier
With a large 18-cubic-foot capacity, this hard-shell carrier is aerodynamically designed for wind resistance so your gas mileage doesn’t suffer. It can carry up to 110 pounds of items and even comes with the mounting hardware you’ll need to make sure that it’s installed properly.
It is large but not very heavy and it even comes with two keys so that the items inside of it stay secure and safe for the entire ride. Best of all, this carrier is easy to install because you don’t even need tools to get the job done, making it convenient as well as useful.
Thule Motion XT Cargo Carrier
Thule is a well-known brand with a great reputation and this hard-shell cargo carrier proves why. The Motion cargo carrier is available in several sizes and can accommodate either 16 or 22 cubic feet of items.
It also comes in three colors — grey, black, and white — and it has a lid that automatically locks when you close it. It is even aerodynamically designed to save you money on gas.
With the ability to hold up to 165 pounds of items, this is one cargo carrier that will make any trip a lot easier because it will accommodate your weight needs.
King Bird Waterproof Rooftop Bag
This rooftop bag comes in two separate sizes — 15 and 20 cubic feet. It comes with heavy-duty straps to connect it to your vehicle as well as three non-slip mats that prevent any damage to your vehicle.
It is double-coated with a waterproof coating to withstand inclement weather and it even comes with a combination lock to make sure that it stays secure for the entire trip.
The King Bird rooftop bag fits all types of vehicles whether you have a roof rack or not and it comes with everything that you’ll need to put it together immediately after opening it.
Suner Power Roof Storage Bag
One of the biggest advantages of the storage bag made by Suner Power is its selection of rooftop carriers because they are made in 15-, 19-, and 20-cubic-foot sizes to make it easier to find the perfect one.
It also comes with a protective mat that protects the roof of your vehicle and it can be installed whether you have a roof rack or not.
Made out of heavy-duty PVC materials, their bags are waterproof, durable, and built to carry a lot of weight. If you need additional storage space for that next vacation, this is the one you need.
SportRack Skyline Cartop Carrier
Although it does need to be assembled by the owner, the SportRack Skyline is a very sturdy cartop carrier made out of high-quality, high-density materials for extra longevity.
The hardware that you need to install the carrier is included with the product. It even opens on the passenger side to keep you safe from traffic. It is also easy to attach and easy to remove when needed even for those who are not tech-savvy.
The Skyline comes with locks to keep the contents inside safe and secure and it will fit perfectly on most vehicles that have a roof rack installed.
P.I. Auto Store Rooftop Carrier
With the ability to hold up to 16 cubic feet of items, this rooftop carrier fits on all vehicles whether you have a roof rack or not. It is reasonably priced at just under $65 and it even comes with a non-slip mat that keeps the carrier from scratching the roof of your car.
It also comes with extra-wide straps and high-tech buckles to make sure that the carrier is nice and secure at all times.
Furthermore, this rooftop carrier is built to last because it is made with military-grade materials, meaning that it will easily carry the heavy weight of your suitcases and other items every time that you travel.
Midabao Thickened Rooftop Carrier
With a 20-cubic-foot capacity, the Midabao cartop carrier is extra thick and is also much larger than many other carriers at 51” x 39” x 17”.
With a design that makes it easy to install and easy to remove, this carrier comes with all the materials necessary for you to install it as soon as you receive it.
Waterproof because it is made out of PVC materials, it allows you to feel at ease even when traveling in inclement weather.
Copsrew Cartop Carrier Bag
A carrier bag made in a 20-cubic-foot size, this is yet another great cartop bag useful for people who need a lot of extra storage space.
It can accommodate a lot of extra storage weight regardless of where the weight comes from and it comes with enough heavy-duty straps to make sure that it is secure once it’s installed.
This is a high-quality bag that also comes in three different attractive colors, making it easy to get something that both looks good and works great.
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