Adventure Jones Blog - Archive for the ‘Cargo Carriers’ Category

Make sure the cargo bag will fit your vehicle and roof rack.

Weekend traveling requires some packing finesse. It’s unlikely you’ll need to rent a truck unless you pack like my 14 year old. More often, your car, SUV, or pickup will be transporting you, your company, and your gear. Add to that the weather this time of year requires extra layers and winter gear too. Space is precious, so if a little snow doesn’t keep you indoors for a great weekend, then now is the time to think about choosing to add cargo space. The extra space in a cargo bag is an obvious value, but there are different styles to fit different needs.

Roof Styles

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Measure the dimensions of your roof and the racks before shopping. Do you have a rack on the roof of your vehicle or do you have a “naked roof”? If your roof is naked, you’ll need a different type of rack system than if you have rails on the roof. Don’t forget to check and see if the cargo box or bag is compatible with your vehicle and roof rack. That’s not something you want to find out the day you’re packing the car.

Aerodynamics and Weather

The Thule Quest Roof Mounted Cargo Bag adds about 13 cubic feet of packing space and has an aerodynamic shape to help with wind drag. It’s made of weather-resistant material, so you can take it out even on a snowy day. If there is a chance for a torrential downpour, however, I might be more inclined to use a cargo box instead. For example, the Thule Transporter Combi Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier can be mounted to the back of your vehicle, also reducing drag.

Environmentally Friendly

For an environmentally friendly option, you can choose a Yakima Get Out Car Roof Cargo Bag, which adds about 13 cubic feet of space. For all of us environmentally conscious people, all of Yakima’s cargo bag material is PVC-free. Yakima’s Planet Payback initiative is focused on reducing waste and making as small a footprint as possible on the environment.

Cargo Bags by Thule and Yakima

There are lots of options for choosing a cargo bag for this winter, so check out our selections to find your perfect bag today.

Use a cargo bag to save space in your vehicle.

You might be wondering how much space you can save with a cargo bag, if it will be annoying to carry on your vehicle, and whether it will be worth the cost. A cargo bag is designed to mount on the roof of your vehicle in a carrier basket, or on the rear of your vehicle with a hitch mount. Here are some great reasons to invest in a cargo bag of your own.

Save Space

One of the biggest reasons to purchase a cargo bag is the improvement in space. Take, for instance, the SportRack Cargo Carrier Basket Bag. This bag holds up to 10 cubic feet worth of stuff. Think of how much space 10 cubic feet would take up inside your car. That’s an entire person! So now your best friend doesn’t have to take another car and your dog won’t need to stay behind. They can fit in the car, with all the things you need for your adventure.

Save Weight

Another good reason to purchase a cargo bag is weight and protection. The cargo bag is much lighter than a hard shell, but still keeps your items protected, and it’s waterproof, so there’s no need to worry about the weather, rain or shine.

Convenience

The cargo bag is much easier to maneuver than a hardtop roof box. The cargo basket, which holds your bag, folds up when not in use. It’s all steel and holds up to 500 pounds, so you can load it up with all your gear and not have to worry about it bending or breaking.

The basket is also good not just for adventure trips, but for a Saturday garage sale adventure, or even a large holiday shopping trip. If you bought more items than your car will carry, you won’t need to freak out when you get to your car. Just unfold the basket, load up your items, and drive home.

Cargo bags free up valuable space in your vehicle.

Want to save valuable space inside your vehicle when you’re traveling? Install a roof rack and cargo bag. A roof rack consists of two rails that are mounted on top of your car or truck, with a cargo carrier secured to the rails. Knowing how to use your roof rack safely makes packing your vehicle that much easier.

Choosing a Roof Rack Cargo Carrier

The first step in choosing a roof rack is to decide if you want to use a hard-shell cargo carrier or a soft cargo bag. Which option you choose will depend on your personal preferences and what you need to pack. A roof top carrier can have a hard top or a soft top. You’ll save money if the roof carrier has a soft shell instead of a hard shell, since soft cargo bags are cheaper than hard cargo boxes. The benefit of a hard-shell roof top carrier, on the other hand, is the extra protection it provides against the elements and against possible theft.

Making Sure the Roof Rack Is Secure

Examine the roof rack on your vehicle and make sure that it’s properly mounted. If one of your rails is loose, then one or more bolts will need to be tightened. Make sure the roof rack is properly installed before mounting a cargo bag or roof top carrier.

Have questions about your roof rack system? Your user manual should come in handy. It’s loaded with valuable information, including the limit of weight that can safely be secured to the roof rack.

Mounting the Roof Rack Carrier

Your roof top carrier or cargo bag should come with straps for mounting and securing the load to your roof rails. The roof top carrier or cargo bag will include mounting instructions as well.

Loading Up Your Carrier

If possible, load the roof top carrier or cargo bag before placing it on top of the vehicle. This will ensure that it is loaded properly when it is mounted and secured. Make sure that the straps are tight and secure by pulling on each one. If you are securing luggage to your roof rack, then cover with netting as an extra precaution in case any of the straps come loose.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the proper use of your roof rack, give us a call or consult your user manual. You can also browse our selection of Yakima, Thule, and other name-brand roof rack carriers.

Free up space in your vehicle with a cargo bag.

Cargo bags are a great option to use for additional storage when traveling. If you do not have the room in your vehicle for extra luggage or other items, then a cargo bag can be used. This is a device that will mount to the roof rack on the top of your vehicle. Securing a cargo bag to the roof of your vehicle is done by following the steps below. Make sure to consult the instruction manual for your cargo bag for specific instructions from the manufacturer.

Method

The method to secure the cargo bag to your vehicle will vary based on the product. Your cargo bag can be secured with straps and buckles or some other type of tie down. This can be done once you have the cargo bag that you intend to mount to the top of your vehicle. Cargo bags come in a variety of sizes for many types of vehicles. Measure the distance between your roof rack rails to determine the ideal size for a cargo bag.

Placement

A cargo bag mounts on the roof rack of your car or SUV. The roof rack should be mounted securely on the roof of your vehicle with the proper mounting hardware. The cargo bag can be packed first and then placed on the roof. You can also pack the bag after it has been secured in place.

Procedure

The cargo bag needs to be opened and then placed on your vehicle. Unzip and open the bag to expand it properly. Set the cargo bag on top of your vehicle in-between the roof racks. The straps need to be on the roof rail side of the bag with the bag opening right side up.

Mounting

Loop the straps on each side of the cargo bag around the roof rack rails. The ends of the straps will need to attach to the buckles that are on the sides of the cargo rack. Secure the cargo bag by pulling each strap tight.

Uninstalling the Cargo Bag

Detach the straps from the buckles when you need to remove the cargo bag. You will need to remove items from the bag before taking it off of the roof.

More Info

Looking for a cargo bag? Browse our selection of cargo bags from Yakima and Thule and SportRack.

Soft car top carriers are budget-friendly and easy to store.

Heading out on a road trip this summer? Keep the clutter out of the car with a rooftop cargo bag. These bags come in soft-sided and hard-sided models. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Soft-Sided Cargo Bag:

One of the biggest reasons to choose a soft cargo bag is the price. Soft bags are cheaper than hard boxes, which makes them more economical, especially if you only use them a few times a year.

Soft-sided cargo bags are easier to lift on and off the roof of your vehicle, since they’re lighter in weight. They’re also easier to store, since they collapse and fold.

Soft cargo bags are flexible enough to accommodate odd-shaped items, since the soft material allows you to change the shape of the bag slightly.

Pros:

• Lighter weight (easier to lift on and off)
• Easier to store
• Some are adjustable in size
• Flexible enough to accommodate odd shaped items
• Cheaper

Hard-Sided Cargo Bag:

One of the biggest reasons to choose a hard cargo bag is durability. Hard roof boxes hold up better under long-term use, so if you want your cargo box to last a long time, hard-sided is the way to go.

Hard cargo boxes are naturally more weather-resistant and waterproof. Because of the aerodynamic shape, they have less wind noise and resistance than soft-sided bags, where extra material can flap in the wind.

Hard cargo boxes are also more secure. Although both soft and hard cargo carriers are lockable, it’s a lot tougher to cut through the top of a hard carrier than it would be to slice into a soft carrier.

Since the hard-sided carrier keeps its shape no matter what, you don’t need to fill it up completely, as you would with a soft-sided carrier.

Pros:

• Shaped—no need to fill completely
• More secure
• More weather-resistant
• Less wind noise and resistance

Roof cargo bags give you more leg room on road trips.

Road trips are fun.

Road trips surrounded by coolers, suitcases, empty pop cans, and your annoying little sister? Not so fun.

Good news: there is a solution to your problem. Mounting a cargo box on your roof or rear hitch can give you more storage space and more leg room. (Unfortunately, you’ll still have to deal with the annoying little sister—sorry we can’t help you there).

Rooftop Cargo

Cargo boxes are split up into two categories: hard and soft.

Hard cargo boxes offer durable protection and security. You can lock them up and leave them on your vehicle at rest stops, diners, and hotels. They also keep their shape, so there’s no need to pack the box full when you drive with the cargo box mounted on your vehicle.

Soft-sided cargo bags are budget-friendly and light enough to easily lift on and off your vehicle’s roof, when empty. It’s best to pack the cargo bag full in order to keep it from flapping in the wind while you’re driving down the highway. Some soft cargo bags are adjustable in size for lighter loads.

Rear Cargo

If you’ve got a trailer hitch on your vehicle, rear cargo carriers are another option. They are easier to access (no reaching overhead) and easier to mount (no lifting overhead). Just keep in mind that they may block rear access to your vehicle.

Use a soft roof bag to free up space inside your vehicle.

When you’ve got a car full of kids and gear to boot, you might need a little extra storage space. A roof mounted cargo bag lets you free up the room around your legs and on your lap for a roomier, more comfortable road trip. And the more room your kids have to move around inside the vehicle, the less often you’ll be hearing, “Are we there yet?”

Here are a few tips on using and installing a roof mounted cargo bag.

• Make sure the straps are tight before and during your trip. Check the tightness of the straps before leaving and every time you stop for gas, food, or a bathroom break. To protect your vehicle’s finish and prevent the straps from flapping in the wind, secure the loose end of the straps.
• Watch the load weight. Don’t exceed the weight limit for your vehicle’s roof or for the cargo bag. If your cargo bag load exceeds 100 pounds, you’ll need to take some of that gear out and store it inside the vehicle.
• If there’s any chance of rain (and even if there’s no chance—heck, might as well play it safe), wrap the cargo in plastic bags to waterproof your gear. Most soft cargo bags are weather resistant but not waterproof. They can hold back a light drizzle but not a steady rain or downpour.
• Don’t drive with an empty cargo bag mounted on your vehicle. Packing the bag full helps it stay in place as you drive, which also helps to minimize scratches on your roof due to the bag shifting.
• Going through a car wash with a roof mounted cargo bag on your vehicle? Not a good idea. Don’t do it. Also, watch out for low clearance when entering a parking ramp or garage.
• If your cargo bag needs to be cleaned, use a damp sponge with water and a mild detergent. No alcohol, chlorine, ammonia, or other additives should be used. These could bleach out the color on your cargo bag. Let the bag dry completely before storage or use.

A roof cargo bag is inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to store.

When it comes to choosing a rooftop cargo carrier, you’ve got the choice between a hard cargo box and a soft cargo bag. Here are a few of the pros and cons of the two types of roof carriers.

Price – The price difference between hard and soft cargo carriers is fairly significant. You can find a soft cargo bag for under $100. Larger sizes are available for under $200. Hard cases start at several hundred dollars for entry-level hard carriers and can run over $500 for higher-end carriers. Besides your budget, you’ll need to think about how often you will use the carrier and the importance of other factors, such as security, durability, and aerodynamics.

Security – Hard cases are more difficult for thieves to break into. Soft cases can be locked, but they are not as secure as hard cases. If you are worried about stolen luggage, use a hard case or remove the soft case from your vehicle overnight.

Weight – Soft cases are lighter and easier to lift on and off your vehicle. If you remove the carrier from the vehicle every night on your trip, you’ll find it a lot easier to handle a soft cargo carrier. The weight of the carrier also affects the load on your roof. The lighter the carrier, the more you can pack without exceeding the roof’s weight limit.

Durability – Hard cases are more rugged and resistant to damage than soft cases. If you use your cargo carrier often or if you want your cargo carrier to last for years of use, we recommend a hard case.

Storage – Since a soft cargo carrier collapses when empty, it takes up less space for storage. A hard cargo box needs a larger storage space.

Size – Both hard and soft cargo carriers are available in various sizes. Soft cargo bags perform better when they are filled to capacity. A half-empty cargo bag is more likely to flap in the wind.