The Best Rooftop Cargo Boxes You Can Buy in 2023
Roof top storage can get pricey, but it's much more cost-effective than leveling up to a bigger vehicle.
Yakima
In theory, at least, station wagons, SUVs and minivans offer a lot of cargo space. But throw children, dogs and stuff into the mix, and holding all your gear can become difficult. A rooftop cargo box can be an excellent solution for adding storage capacity for skis, snowboards and camping gear. It can also be a more cost-effective option than leveling up to an expensive full-size SUV that may prove unwieldy in real life.
You can score a cheap cargo carrier, but if you travel frequently, investing in one of the best rooftop cargo boxes from brands like Yakima or Thule may make sense. Spending more can get you more durable, lightweight materials, a more aerodynamic design to reduce noise and improve fuel economy and a simpler, more secure setup process.
The Best Rooftop Cargo Boxes
What to Look for in a Rooftop Cargo Box
Mounting on roof racks, roof rails and crossbars
One factor to consider when buying a rooftop cargo box is rack compatibility. Does the cargo carrier work with any roof rack, or does it require a brand-specific one? Another important consideration is size. The last thing you want to do is make a significant investment in a rooftop cargo box and find out it's not big enough to accommodate what you want to carry.
Roof Rails and Crossbars: It's common for cars to come equipped with roof rails. (This is not to be confused with a full roof rack, as the rails provide a convenient spot to mount crossbars and roof racks.) Some cars come equipped with crossbars; for example, some Subaru models are ready for a cargo box right off the lot. Buying crossbars or a rack from the same manufacturer as the cargo box can help ensure they are compatible.
Alternative Mounting Options: If your car does not have roof rails, have no fear. Multiple manufacturers have created adapters that allow for innovative mounting options for vehicles not made with roof rails. Usually, these types of adaptors clamp onto your car by using the space between the top of your car door and roof. There are also a few soft-sided cargo carriers on this list that can be placed on your roof without rails; you feed the straps through your car doors.
Weight Capacity: Something to remember when shopping for roof racks or crossbars is how much weight you intend to transport. Crossbars will have lower weight limitations than a full rack, but depending on what you are carrying, they may work just fine. Getting a full platform rack will be more expensive and less modular, but they can carry a lot more weight. Remember that you do not want to load your roof beyond its limit, but I will touch on this later.
Size: Once you determine how much weight you plan on carrying in your cargo box, you'll need to consider the box size. Typically measured in cubic feet, which is helpful for volume, you will want to dive a bit deeper into the specs for the length as well. For example, if you are rolling in a hatchback, be mindful of how a box could hinder the trunk operation if it has to be mounted too far back on the car.
The Dangers of Overweight Roof Boxes
Keep in mind, during this shopping process, the weight limit of your car's roof. Abiding by this limit is crucial for the general maintenance of your car and should be considered for passenger safety. With too much weight loaded, it can make the vehicle unstable on the road, because it can tip over more easily.
When calculating this, make sure to include both the weight of the box itself and its contents. This may sound silly, but it could easily be overlooked when packing in a rush. No matter how much weight the crossbars can handle, the roof's limit is what you need to follow — specifically if your roof's capacity is lower than the bars.
You can find out how much weight your roof is rated to in your owner's manual. Many vehicles will land around the 150-pound mark, but it is best to check out that information before you buy or load anything up there. When searching for this figure, you might run into two terms: dynamic weight capacity and static weight capacity. Dynamic refers to driving on the road; static applies when the vehicle is stationary. The static weight capacity is less important in the cases of roof cargo boxes and more so in rooftop tents. Also, if you plan on going off-road, it is essential to remember that this rating won't be as high.
