Best Rooftop Cargo Boxes: Storage Wars

Top 8 Best Rooftop Cargo Boxes

Installing a rooftop cargo box is the vehicular equivalent of donning a backpack before heading into the woods. Its extra space either frees up other areas of the car for humans or permits the purchase of every Elvis bust you find between here and Graceland.

It’s worth keeping in mind the soft-sided bags on this list are easily accessed by thieves with long legs and a sharp knife. Removing the bag and taking it into a secure area during overnight stops is a good idea. Whether the thief decides to cut into the bag or slice off the straps and make off with the whole this, your stuff is at risk.

Any accessory that is lashed to the exterior of a vehicle needs to be well-secured and tightened down in such a way as to rival security measures at Fort Knox. Anything less than a solid and thorough install can result in roadway calamity if the rooftop carrier lets go and flies off into traffic. Best not test the legalities of that situation.

Here are an array of rooftop storage boxes which, like an Old El Paso kit, contains both hard and soft shells.

It would seem that, for once, an off-brand replica of an expensive product is actually worth considering. Ratings on this totally-not-a-Thule rooftop cargo container are overwhelmingly positive from the handful of customers who have chosen to leave a review. It is consistently praised for providing the type of functionality usually found in products that are much more expensive.

Made from heavy-duty ABS plastic, it opens over a foot wide and has a total of 10 cubic feet of storage capacity. The lid opens from the side and apparently stays open until the operator closes it, preventing knocks to the head or scythed digits. Overall dimensions are generous and the styling makes it look like more than just a box on the roof.

Inscrutable brand name aside (can I buy a vowel, Pat?), this carrier has a lot going for it as described. Made from heavy-duty coated tarpaulin with a welded dual seam, its urethane coated zippers and hook & loop closure located on the flap should keep out most weather. Also helpful in that regard is a PVC inner liner.

A soft-shell luggage solution, the MeeFar XBEEK Rooftop Cargo Carrier is designed to provide 15 cubic feet of extra storage space, roughly equivalent to 4-6 suitcases. Constructed from 700D PVC tarpaulin using high-frequency voltage technology, it is advertised as a heavy-duty, waterproof, and tearproof bag.

Featuring universal compatibility for vehicles with or without roof racks, it utilizes six security door hooks and eight reinforced straps for attachment.

The complete set includes an anti-slip mat to protect the car’s roof, a storage box for when the bag is folded, and a combination lock to secure the zippers.

Pros: Large storage capacity.

Cons: Poor strap durability.

Bottom Line: Spacious temporary storage.

Offering 18 cubic feet of interior space, the JEGS Rooftop Cargo Carrier is a high-capacity American-made storage solution. It is constructed from HDPE plastic with an aerodynamic profile to maintain fuel efficiency and is designed to hold up to 110 lbs., including bulky items like golf bags.

Security features include a four-corner locking system, a weather-tight seal, and a front latch for enhanced protection. Engineered to mount onto roof racks with horizontal crossbars without the need for tools, the carrier also supports dual-side loading for easier access.

Pro: Large 18cf storage.

Con: High return fees.

Bottom Line: Big, light storage.

Capable of holding 5–7 suitcases plus additional camping gear, the Sailnovo Rooftop Cargo Carrier is a high-capacity storage solution that offers 20 cubic feet of space. Featuring double-stitched seams and widened zipper flaps for enhanced weather resistance, the carrier is constructed from 1000D Oxford cloth, which the manufacturer claims is twice as strong as standard 500D fabric.

The bag is designed for versatility, fitting vehicles with or without roof racks using six built-in reinforced straps and six door hooks. The soft-shell material allows it to be folded into a compact storage bag when not in use.

Pros: Massive 20 cubic feet capacity.

Cons: Not 100% waterproof in heavy rain.

Bottom Line: High capacity, but best for light-duty travel.

Engineered to expand your vehicle’s carrying capacity for road trips and moving, the FIVKLEMNZ 21 Cubic Car Rooftop Cargo Carrier is an extra-large, soft-shell storage solution constructed from high-density 700D PVC. The manufacturing process includes heat-sealed welding and stitching to create a waterproof structure designed to shield 6–8 suitcases, tents, or sleeping bags from the elements.

The bag is universally compatible with any car, SUV, or truck, utilizing a system of 10 reinforced adjustable straps and 6 safety door hooks for vehicles without roof racks.

The bundle comprises a dedicated anti-slip mat to protect your car’s paint, a security combination lock for the zippers, and a compact carrying case for easy storage when the bag is not in use, ensuring a secure journey.

Pros: Has a large capacity and includes a lock and mat.

Cons: Seams and buckles often fail on long trips.

Bottom Line: Good for short-term extra space.

This carrier has a square footprint of 51 inches by 39 inches, providing about 20 cubic feet of storage atop your car or crossover. Designed to be lashed to an existing roof rack, or simply plopped on the roof itself, this unit uses adjustable straps for attachment. When it’s not in use, just remove it and fold the thing up for storage.

The ad touts heavy-duty zippers but, as with most soft-sided units on this list, it can be defeated with a sharp knife. Keep that in mind if you’re leaving the bag mounted atop your car during an overnight motel stop. The entertainingly-named Midabao is rated as waterproof, but it’s never a good idea to put valuable electronics up there if you plan on driving through a rainstorm.

In a shocking moment of honest branding, this soft-sided carrier constructed out of tarpaulin materials is actually called a bag. The bright orange branding right on its forward-facing surface not only shouts the company name but also features a cheeky outline of a Beetle that’s just different enough from reality to avoid the copyright lawyers. Maybe.

There is no shortage of reviews, racking up a 4.6 out of 5-star rating from very nearly 2000 customers. Pricing is reasonable is not stellar, though this does seem to be a segment of product in which (most times) a person gets what they pay for. It boasts dual seam technology and a water repellent double coating.

Your author is tossing this unit in at the end of our list because those of you who decide to pop for a hardshell cargo carrier are likely to take the time and store it properly when the thing is not in use. This goes double if you spend four figures on a Thule unit.

Basically, a suspension rig that cradles a hard-sided cargo rooftop box from the ceiling of one’s garage or storage unit, this thing has a built-in winch-style lifter that can bear up to 220 pounds. It is preassembled but don’t forget to mount this item into joists when installing it on the ceiling; simply punching through sheetrock just won’t do.

FAQs

Which roof box is most aerodynamic?

All roof boxes are made keeping aerodynamics in mind so they can comply with the market needs. However, while some of them are manufactured in a way that they have more drag when the vehicle is moving, others move swiftly through the air, thus consuming less fuel when in use.

With that said, the following points explain what makes roof boxes more aerodynamic:

Dimensions

A roof box that is short in height is more aerodynamic as compared to the taller one. If you need more storage capacity, consider preferring a longer box. This will reduce a significant amount of drag while you’re driving.

Shape

Make sure that the roof box that you are planning to buy is tapered at the front. This makes your car move swiftly, with less drag. To understand the physics behind it, you can take the example of a paper plane that is pointed from the front and has a broader rear portion. Such a shape makes an object aerodynamic, and the roof boxes are not any exception either.

Form Factor

In addition to having a long roof box rather than a taller one, you may also want to ensure that it is thin and not too wide.

Simply put, a long and thin roof box with a tapered front is the most aerodynamic container that you can find on the market.

Additional Tip

After installing a roof box, make sure not to put cargo in it to its full capacity. This will not only make your car overloaded but will also add more drag to the air resulting in more fuel consumption.

How do I choose a rooftop box?

If you want to have a rooftop box that is spacious, aerodynamic, and easy to store when not in use, you must look for the following characteristics while buying one:

Measurements

Measurements of a roof box are most important because the one with the correct shape and size not only helps your car to drive smoother but also consumes less fuel. Therefore, you must ensure that the roof box is long (not tall), is tapered at the front, and is thin. A container with all these attributes will have enough storage capacity to accommodate a sufficient amount of cargo.

Economic on Real Estate

Check if the roof box that you are planning to buy is flexible enough to store in your garage when not in use. With this in mind, a soft cargo box would be a good choice as it can be folded and expanded as needed.

Durability

Check the material the roof box is made of and make sure that it is of good quality so it isn’t prone to wear and tear, at least not that easily.

Ease of Accessibility

Before buying, confirm that the roof box can be installed and uninstalled easily so you can save your energy and time for the journey.

If the rooftop box that you are planning to buy has all the above attributes, you can safely go for it.

Are rooftop cargo bags safe?

Yes, they are, as long as they can check the following boxes:

They are made of quality material

They are not overloaded with the heavy cargo

The cargo isn’t sharp or too hard to damage the roof of the car

They are properly strapped to the car

Which cargo carrier is best?

Some of the best cargo carriers with a decent number of positive reviews on Amazon are listed below:

Thule Motion XT ( Buy here!)

This is a spacious carrier with a perfect aerodynamic shape. The rooftop box comes in three sizes, namely Large (16 Cu Ft), XL (18 Cu Ft), and XXL (22 Cu Ft).

Yakima – EasyTop ( Buy here!)

This set of rooftop racks is best suited for sports lovers and athletes as it can easily carry surfboards, skis, snowboards, etc., and is even easy to install and uninstall.

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(Editor’s note: This post is meant to both help you be an informed shopper for automotive products but also to pay for our ‘90s sedan shopping habits operating expenses. Some of you don’t find these posts fun, but they help pay for Junkyard Finds, Rare Rides, Piston Slaps, and whatever else. Thanks for reading.)

[Main photo credit: alexfan32 / ShutterStock.com. Product images provided by the manufacturer.]