Roof Cargo Basket Guide

Having the ability to go out on a road trip is something that can be a lot of fun. Getting your entire family or some of your best friends together to go on a trip is what life is all about.

You want to be able to make the most of these special moments, and everyone deserves to be as comfortable on the ride as possible. 

Of course, many vehicles are not going to have nearly enough room for everyone’s luggage, so you are going to need to find a reliable solution.

The solution that most people arrive at is that buying a roof cargo basket is going to be a good idea. You can purchase a good rooftop cargo basket and place it on top of your vehicle. 

This gives you a safe place to put your luggage, and you will be able to have more room in the vehicle itself. There are plenty of different options for roof cargo baskets on the market, so you should be able to find the perfect one to suit your needs.

Being able to find the very best roof cargo basket option is imperative when you want your road trip to go smoothly. Take a look at these roof cargo baskets listed below. All of them have proven to be very popular options and will work very well for your vehicle. 

Going over the details about all of them will help you to figure out which one is the right choice for you.

Best Heavy Duty Roof Cargo Basket
Tyger Heavy Duty Roof Mounted Cargo Basket Rack | L47.25 x W36.6 x H5.9 | Roof Top Luggage Carrier | with Wind Fairing
Best for Rugged Design Cargo Basket
MaxxHaul 70115 46" x 36" x 4-1/2" Roof Rack Rooftop Cargo Carrier Steel Basket, Car Top Luggage Holder for SUV and Pick Up Trucks - 150 lb. Capacity, Black
Apex RB-1512 Black Car Top Roof Rack Carrier Mesh Basket
CURT 18115 Universal 42 x 37-Inch Black Steel Roof Rack Rooftop Cargo Carrier
Yakima LoadWarrior Medium Sized Heavy Duty Steel Cargo Basket Roof Rack with Universal Mounting Hardware for All Yakima StreamLine Crossbars, Black
Thule 859XT Canyon XT Basket, Black, One Size
Product
Tyger Auto TG-RK1B902B Roof Mounted Cargo Rack
MaxxHaul 70115 Steel Roof Rack 150 LB Capacity
Apex RB-1512 Black Stingwray Cargo Storage Basket
Curt 18115 Roof Cargo Rack Carrier
Yakima LoadWarrior Rooftop Cargo Basket
Thule Canyon XT Cargo Basket
Size
L: 47.25" W: 36.6" H: 5.9"
L: 46" W: 36" H: 4.5"
L: 52.5" W: 43.5" H: 5.3"
L: 41.5" W: 37" H: 4"
L: 44" W: 39" H: 6.5"
L: 50.25" W: 41" H: 6"
Max Capacity
150 lbs
150 lbs
150 lbs
Limited to vehicle
140 lbs
150 lbs
Weight
30 lbs
25 lbs
33 lbs
29.11 lbs
25 lbs
29 lbs
Price
$199.00
$109.99
Price not available
$156.99
$498.95
$499.95
Best Heavy Duty Roof Cargo Basket
Tyger Heavy Duty Roof Mounted Cargo Basket Rack | L47.25 x W36.6 x H5.9 | Roof Top Luggage Carrier | with Wind Fairing
Product
Tyger Auto TG-RK1B902B Roof Mounted Cargo Rack
Size
L: 47.25" W: 36.6" H: 5.9"
Max Capacity
150 lbs
Weight
30 lbs
Price
$199.00
Best for Rugged Design Cargo Basket
MaxxHaul 70115 46" x 36" x 4-1/2" Roof Rack Rooftop Cargo Carrier Steel Basket, Car Top Luggage Holder for SUV and Pick Up Trucks - 150 lb. Capacity, Black
Product
MaxxHaul 70115 Steel Roof Rack 150 LB Capacity
Size
L: 46" W: 36" H: 4.5"
Max Capacity
150 lbs
Weight
25 lbs
Price
$109.99
Apex RB-1512 Black Car Top Roof Rack Carrier Mesh Basket
Product
Apex RB-1512 Black Stingwray Cargo Storage Basket
Size
L: 52.5" W: 43.5" H: 5.3"
Max Capacity
150 lbs
Weight
33 lbs
Price
Price not available
CURT 18115 Universal 42 x 37-Inch Black Steel Roof Rack Rooftop Cargo Carrier
Product
Curt 18115 Roof Cargo Rack Carrier
Size
L: 41.5" W: 37" H: 4"
Max Capacity
Limited to vehicle
Weight
29.11 lbs
Price
$156.99
Yakima LoadWarrior Medium Sized Heavy Duty Steel Cargo Basket Roof Rack with Universal Mounting Hardware for All Yakima StreamLine Crossbars, Black
Product
Yakima LoadWarrior Rooftop Cargo Basket
Size
L: 44" W: 39" H: 6.5"
Max Capacity
140 lbs
Weight
25 lbs
Price
$498.95
Thule 859XT Canyon XT Basket, Black, One Size
Product
Thule Canyon XT Cargo Basket
Size
L: 50.25" W: 41" H: 6"
Max Capacity
150 lbs
Weight
29 lbs
Price
$499.95

Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Roof Cargo Basket Reviews

Tyger Auto TG-RK1B902B Heavy Duty Roof Mounted Cargo Rack

Those who are looking for a heavy-duty roof mounted cargo rack will be impressed by this offering from Tyger Auto. 

This has a rugged 1” steel frame that is also coated with special substances to make it resistant to rust. Owning a roof cargo basket that will stand the test of time is definitely important.

No one wants to pay good money for one of these, only to have it look rusty within one or two years. You will not have to worry about this so much when you buy a high-quality product like this.

You will also find that this roof cargo basket is very convenient to use. It has a very simple two-piece assembly, allowing you to get this installed on top of your vehicle in a timely fashion. It will not take you a long time to fiddle with this, so you can get it installed and get back on the road quickly. 

As long as your vehicle has roof rails and crossbars, this is going to be so simple to make use of. The roof cargo basket even comes with many different tie down points. This is perfect for when you need to be able to secure larger pieces of cargo with ropes or some type of netting. 

You can drive down the road with full confidence when using this roof cargo basket. It’s one of the easiest to use, while also being durable enough to stand up to regular exposure to the elements. Aside from this, people also enjoy the overall look of this product. 

It has a stylish design that can fit in with many different vehicle styles. With a weight capacity of 150 lbs, this is going to be able to store a lot of luggage, too. It is an option that is both stylish and practical, making it easy to recommend as one of the best roof cargo basket options.

Tyger Auto TG-RK1B902B Heavy Duty Roof Mounted Cargo Rack

MaxxHaul 70115 Steel Roof Rack 150 LB Capacity

This is another roof cargo basket option that is going to appeal to those who are looking for rugged options. As you can tell by the name, it is a roof cargo basket that will offer you a 150 lb storage capacity. 

This is very good, and it means that you will be able to safely carry all sorts of luggage where you need it to go. It can withstand the rigors of the road without giving you any problems, making it one of the best roof cargo rack possibilities on the market.

Those who buy this product will be able to enjoy a smooth experience while transporting luggage on a road trip. The MaxxHaul Steel Roof Rack does many things to help give you the safest possible experience. It goes the extra mile by including rubber caps for the U-bolts to protect your pressure cargo from harm. 

You will not have to worry about one of your bags getting snagged on the bolt, and you will be able to feel much safer about transporting your belongings in this fashion. Installing this roof cargo rack is decidedly simple, too. This is going to come with everything that you need to install this on your car. 

You will receive the assembly and mounting hardware that you need in order to get this installed. Everything feels very straightforward, and you should be ready to get going on your trip quickly. One of the things that sets this particular roof cargo basket apart is the reasonable price. 

Many of the options on this list are going to be priced well, but this one comes across as a particularly good deal. Anyone who wishes to buy a roof cargo basket without breaking the bank is going to be able to see the appeal of this product. It gives you a great deal of storage capacity, while only costing a small amount of money.

MaxxHaul 70115 Steel Roof Rack 150 LB Capacity

Apex RB-1512 Black Stingray Low-Profile Cargo Storage Basket

The Apex RB-1512 Black Stingwray is another really good option that you should be considering. This will allow you to carry up to 150 lbs of cargo just like the other options listed above.

It is a bit different in the way that it is designed, though. This cargo basket is wider than many of the others on the market, and this can make it more convenient to carry certain types of luggage or cargo on top of your vehicle.

This cargo basket has a 3-inch space between each of the rungs. It has a particularly large mesh cargo area, and some people will wind up preferring this. It depends on your vehicle and the type of cargo or luggage that you are planning on hauling. Either way, this is an exceptional option that has proven to be very popular among certain people.

You will need to make sure that your vehicle will be able to support this cargo rack before purchasing it, though. This will fit crossbars up to a maximum of 1.75 inches diameter 1.75 inches square, 4.75 inches x 1.125 inches rectangle, and at least 3.87 inches x 0.625 inches oblong. 

Do your best to take some measurements of your crossbars ahead of time if you are not sure of the exact specs. This will help you to avoid buying it and then discovering that it cannot be used to its full potential by your vehicle with its current crossbar setup.

It is also important to note that this requires 27.5 in minimum distance between the crossbars in order to provide proper cargo support. As long as you know all of this, you should be able to have a really good experience with this cargo rack. In some ways, it is not as simple as the other cargo basket options that have already been presented.

It might be a bit more involved, but it can still give you a good experience. The low-profile nature helps it to avoid sticking out too, so some will prefer it simply due to its unassuming look.

Apex RB-1512 Black Stingwray Low-Profile Cargo Storage Basket

Curt 18115 Black 41-1/2” x 37” x 4” Roof Cargo Rack Carrier

Anyone who wants to have a lot of cargo space to work with will be able to see the appeal of this product. 

The Curt 18115 Roof Cargo Rack Carrier is an exceptional option for anyone who needs to transport lots of equipment using their vehicle. You will be able to enjoy close to 11 square feet of usable cargo space when you purchase this roof cargo basket.

It can make it simple to carry sports equipment for your kid’s soccer games, or you can use it for the big road trip that you have planned. This is a roof cargo rack that is going to be compatible with most roof rails, too. It comes with a simple two-piece assembly that you will be able to put together in no time. 

The unit mounts easily to most roof rack crossbars, and you will not have to fumble around with it for long. It is also very lightweight, making it easier for most people to maneuver this while they are working on securing it to the vehicle.

Despite its lightweight nature, this roof rack is fairly rugged. It is not quite so durable as the MaxxHaul roof rack that was mentioned earlier, but this is going to work well for you. It has a strong steel construction that allows it to withstand a bit of punishment without giving you any trouble. 

You should be able to make use of this for years very easily. Another positive aspect of this roof cargo rack carrier is that it is compatible with an extension. This company produces an extension piece that you can purchase separately. 

This allows you to have even more storage space than you already do with the base model. If your vehicle has more roof space to use and the crossbars extend far enough, then it might be worthwhile to purchase the extension piece.

Curt 18115 Black 41-12 x 37 x 4”Roof Cargo Rack Carrier

Yakima LoadWarrior Rooftop Cargo Basket

Yakima is a name that people have come to trust when it comes to rooftop cargo baskets. This is certainly a product that earns its spot as one of the best roof cargo basket options on the market. 

It has many amazing features that make it the perfect companion for your vehicle on a long road trip. This is also a basket that is pretty simple to make use of, and it should not give you any headaches.

One good thing that you will want to know about right away is the universal attachment system. This is going to make it so that you can use this rooftop cargo basket with pretty much any crossbars. Whether the crossbars on your vehicle are round, square, factory, or aerodynamic, these should be able to fit snugly on top of your vehicle. 

It makes your life a lot easier as you can buy this product and feel confident that it will work well with your setup. This is also made with heavy-duty steel construction in order to stand up to the rigors of the road. It is made to be weather-resistant too so that you will not have to be concerned when things get a bit stormy. 

It is the perfect type of roof cargo basket for any outdoor activities. It will be a good fit for long road trips and will also work great for camping purposes. Interestingly, this unit is also going to be less noisy than many other roof cargo racks. It has custom wind fairing included that keeps things quieter while you are on the road. 

It is quick to get everything installed, and it only requires minimal assembly. This is a high-quality roof cargo basket that will work well for most people who want a premium experience. It is a bit pricier than many of the other options on the list, though, so keep in mind that it may not be the most cost-effective option to consider.

Thule Canyon XT Cargo Basket

The Thule Canyon XT Cargo Basket is another premium option that is going to appeal to many people. It is going to come with a bit of a price tag attached to it, but this is a truly great cargo basket that will make your trips much easier.

It has a low-profile wedge-shaped design that looks stylish without getting in your way. The tapered side walls of this unit make it easier to load and unload your cargo. If you care about the noise level of the cargo that you are placing in the basket, then this is among the best options for you to buy. 

Much like the Yakima offering mentioned above, this is going to come with wind fairing to help the airflow that goes over your cargo. It should allow for a much quieter drive and will really be nice on long trips. Getting everything set up is very simple, too, so you should not have much trouble making use of this right away.

The Thule Canyon XT Cargo Basket also fits a wide range of vehicles. The mounting hardware that is included is very versatile, and it even includes T-track mounting for Thule aeroblade and Thule xsporter bars. 

This will mount to all Thule rack systems, round bars, and even most factory racks. It is one of the most versatile cargo baskets that you can buy in terms of it being easy to mount. You can also buy accessory crossbars for this unit separately if you would like to. 

This can make it easier to stabilize the cargo that you are carrying, and it can also simply allow you to carry additional things. This is a very good cargo basket that will work great with or without the extra accessory bars. 

It may be somewhat pricier than some of the more cost-effective models, but you will get a truly great experience when making use of this cargo basket.

Conclusion

All of the above roof cargo baskets are very good for different reasons. Some of them are more cost-effective, and others offer high-end features. No matter what it is that you are looking for in a rooftop cargo basket, you will be able to find it by choosing one of these options. Take the time to look at what each of them has to offer so that you can make the right choice for yourself.

Getting one of the best roof cargo basket options on the market will definitely prove to be beneficial. You will be able to make your road trips and camping trips that much simpler with one of these baskets. Now that you know about the best options, it will be simple to get out there and make a purchase.

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