Showing posts with label car top. Show all posts
Showing posts with label car top. Show all posts

8/27/2012

Yakima SkyBox 21 Rooftop Cargo Box Review

Yakima SkyBox 21 Rooftop Cargo Box
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The box works great for us. It is easy to install (even on a SUV) because it is leight weight, and once you have installed your crossbars at the right distance it takes less than one minute to fasten. No wind noices on the highway, no shaking or wobbeling, and we only lost 1 mile per gallon on gas. It is very spacious, and even large suitcases and a stroller and bassinet easily fit in there. I would definitely recommend this box.

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Family camping trips can be a little cramped, as even the smallest tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks take up a ton of space in the car--and that doesn't account for the coolers, camping chairs, canopies, and family dog. Enter the Yakima SkyBox 21 rooftop cargo box, which stores a ton of your gear in a single, out-of-the-way location. Designed to fit crossbar spreads as short as 24 inches, the SkyBox 21 includes quick-installation mounting hardware that accommodates round, square, and most factory crossbars. More importantly, the SkyBox 21 offers 21 cubic feet of storage space, so you don't have to cram everything in the trunk or back seat.
Thanks to the drag-minimizing aerodynamic shape, the cargo box won't dramatically boost your gas consumption on long road trips. Other details include a dual opening system that unlatches on both sides for maximum convenience; an extra-stiff lid that vibrates less than other cargo boxes and is easier to open and shut with one hand; an integrated track system for such accessories as a cargo net or base pad; a new lid shape that's easier to grip; an improved security latch that keeps your stuff safe; and a black matte anti-scratch finish. Also equipped with SKS locks, the SkyBox 21 measures 92 by 18 by 36 inches (W x H x D).


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8/13/2012

Thule 665C Transporter Combination Hitch Mount 2011 Review

Thule 665C Transporter Combination Hitch Mount 2011
Average Reviews:

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This did what I need it to on a 2000+ trip through the mountains. It was solid but did often scrape on driveway entrances/exits. I agree with another reviewer who thought it sat back too far. Also, it doesn't accomodate a hitch lock. Pretty odd; I guess I don't have that much faith in my fellow man. I ended up getting the thickest elongated padlock I could find and used it as my hitch lock. I had no problems. It's a little awkward to fit in but still doable by one person. It's a very good product

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7/15/2012

Thule 667TT Excursion Rooftop Cargo Box Review

Thule 667TT Excursion Rooftop Cargo Box
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Perfect size for our small SUV, (Hyundai Tucson). I'm sure there's an MPG loss, but it's in the noise and less than running the air conditioner. It's reasonably sturdy, unnoticeably quiet and has a couple of spring loaded devices that hold it open. From the pictures, I expected something a little more "squat" but it's "right" for the car and easily sits far enough back to nominally fit the aerodynamic profile of the car, such as it is. Doesn't look as "dorky" as some of the others on the market. It's also light enough that I've been able to hang it on the wall in the garage.
The pleasant surprise is how roomy the carrier is, more than I imagined.
I'm not to crazy about the "universal" mounting system that hooks to the roof rack crossbars. It's solid, but has four knobs that stick up into the carrier. It's just a little crude, but effective and in most cases wouldn't be a purchase decision factor. I'll probably cut some bolts to the proper length and install self locking acorn nuts, but that's just personal preferance and would work since I leave the carrier mounted on the crossbars even when it's off the vehicle. If you're mounting to factory crossbars, the Thule system works well, though you'll probably want to install some thin padding on the metal hardware. Also a small handle on the top at the back would help to open it and I may add one. One person can place it on the vehicle, and though it's light it's a little awkward and much easier with two. When I install it myself, I put a packing blanket on the roof rack first to protect the surface of the car, then slide it out from under before tightening down the carrier.
Comes with a 5 year warranty too. I missed that in the product info.

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The Thule 667TT Excursion Rooftop Cargo Box brings back a classic design that has been proven to work by the test of time. The Thule Excursion is the same straight-forward, rooftop cargo box that has been designed to carry loads of gear, only this time it is available at an all-time low price.
The Excursion utilizes quick-release hardware that mounts directly to most after-market and factory-installed roof racks. The opening has not only been designed for safe curbside access, but is easy to open and close with Thule's Central Locking, One-Key System, which includes the lock cylinder. And perhaps best of all, the Excursion compliments the looks of any vehicle and comes with a load capacity of 13 cubic feet.
What's in the Box? 667TT rooftop cargo box, 4 x quick-release saddles, 4 x 5-hole interior plates, 4 x reinforcing plates, 8 x carriage bolts, 8 x threaded knobs, a vinyl hole cover, 2 x keys, and instruction guide
Manufacturer's Warranty Limited lifetime warranty


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6/21/2012

Thule 866 Escape II Rooftop Cargo Bag Review

Thule 866 Escape II Rooftop Cargo Bag
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I used this bag on a trip from NH to NJ and back.
Feedback on said bag, after roughly 600 miles = A-
It held a baby stroller, Four decent sized gym bags, and my sneakers. I had a LOT of room to spare. I really could have gotten away with a smaller bag for this particular trip, but once I fill it up with camping junk, the larger size will definately come in handy.
I attached it via the factory rack on a 2005 Subaru Outback. I attached two front strap to the front, and the to rear straps were in the "holes" at the way back of the OB side rails.
I had to pull over a couple of times as the excess on the straps worked they way loose and would slap around in the wind. I am going to work out a better system for securing the excess on future trips.
Wind noise was minimal. MPG only suffered about 1 mpg (on board computer based calculations).
I can't speak for it's ability to repel water as it never rained on the trip. I had brought trash bags to put stuff in just in case.
Pros:
- Cost- a HUGE bonus for me over the black boxes
- Easy to use
- VERY easy to store vs the black boxes
- Fairly quiet
- No significant (IMO) gas mileage loss.
Cons:
- Not that secure from theft as you can just cut the bag to steal stuff. Not an issue for us, because since we had the dog with us, we never left the car alone anyway.
- Had to remove the bag once I got to the destination as it was empty and had no weight in it to hold it down. The install/ removal, once I got used to the bag, was about 5 minutes each. Really not that big of a deal.
- Straps and the factory rails were not a good match imo, as I couldn't get everything REALLY tight, but the bag never moved at all during the trip, so it did work. I need to work on a better way of securing the excess. The straps that were tucked under the heavier gym bags stayed, but the lighter gym bags and the wind resistance made the straps come loose. I had to tie them around themselves to get them to stay.
All in all, I'd buy the bag again.


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The Thule 866 Escape II Rooftop Cargo Bag has a great new styling with the same great weather protection. With Thule's Escape II your next adventure is within your reach, no matter the size of your car or your budget.
The Escape II has a rugged, updated styling that is consistent with Thule's cargo bag family, and mounts directly to most after-market and factory-installed roof racks. This cargo bag features an oversize rain flap to protect its zippers from weather, easy-to-grab handles for easy bag handling, and internal foam-insert construction that helps maintain the bag's shape for easier packing. Constructed of heavy-duty tarpaulin with taped seams for solid water resistance, the Escape II provides you with the storage capacity of a cargo box without the storage dilemma. This rooftop cargo bag is equipped with interior cargo-management pockets and netting, and has a load capacity of 15 cubic feet.
What's in the Box? 866 Escape II rooftop cargo bag, 4 x attachment straps, and instruction guide
Manufacturer's Warranty Limited lifetime warranty


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5/24/2012

Yakima Rocketbox 11 Roof Top Box Review

Yakima Rocketbox 11 Roof Top Box
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I have a subie like the pix and liked the look. I thought it would fit, but it's too long. I can only open the back 2/3 of the way. But no worries, it's not like I keep it on there all the time. It was nice to put all the beach stuff up there, and easy to wash out at home. While driving, no noise, no wobble. Didn't notice any impact to MPG. Box was easy to set up, worked well. Totally happy with buy, Yakima is worth it!

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3/22/2012

Thule Mountaineer ES Review

Thule Mountaineer ES
Average Reviews:

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I had no concept of how long this box was when I bought it. To give you an idea of how large this box is, it is as long as a twin bed and almost as wide. My roommate thought it was some sort of coffin when she saw it sitting on my bed. I bought this box because it was on sale and I was looking for a cargo box to carry skis/poles/boots or paintball equipment. This was overkill for what I needed. (Though probably still the cheapest option at the time.)
Anywho, I own a 2002 Volvo V70XC and this box, though large, works fine. There is a slight overhang in the front to compensate for the clearance for the rear hatch, but nothing that compromises visibility. The only thing that is not so great is that it does not have any sort of quick release clamp system. It has the usual bolt/plate/nut getup. However, my boyfriend and I still installed it with minimal stress in 45 minutes. Our strategy was to pull the cross bars off of the car, attach them to the box (hand tight) and then lift the whole business onto the factory rails and adjust from there. It worked out great. No tools are needed for the installation aside from what they ship with the box.
I would recommend this box for anyone who needs to double their car capacity (by volume), but not for the average camper/skiier. It is a huuuuuuge box, and probably not worth the hassle if all you're packing is a few pairs of skis or some sleeping bags and a tent.

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3/21/2012

Thule 604 Ascent 1600 Rooftop Cargo Box (Black) Review

Thule 604 Ascent 1600 Rooftop Cargo Box (Black)
Average Reviews:

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I just used this carrier on a 1600-mile round trip from northern Illinois to North Carolina (on a 2005 Astro Van). On the return trip (September 14), we went through extreme hurricane force winds (aftermath from Hurricane Ike) of 75 MPH from all directions in Louisville, KY. The wind downed trees on the interstate, but the carrier held firmly and no rain entered despite an incredible amount of buffeting due to the winds. I was concerned that the sideways and up-and-down effects of severe buffeting might loosen the grips on the crossbar, but the grips were as tight when I arrived home as they were when I left home. I saw two top carriers that had separated from their vehicles and had been run over on I-65...that's how bad the wind was.
When I first got it it fit up well, but one of the saddles that sits on the cross rail broke. I called Thule customer service and they were very nice. They immediately sent four new saddles and said that I must have received one of their earlier units that had substandard saddles. They apparently discovered this recently and were very accommodating. I appreciate their fine customer service, although I am glad I had time to get the saddles before my trip. Suggest that you make certain that you have the most recent saddles.
Shipping service and tracking through Amazon was great, and the price was the best I could find!Thule 604 Ascent 1600 Rooftop Cargo Box (Black)

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Thule's new Ascent series is designed to reflect the styling of today's vehicles and handle the carrying needs of active outdoors people and travelers alike. The addition of the Quick Grip mounting hardware adds to the long list of features this box series offers. High grade impact & scratch resistant material sets the Ascent series apart from all the rest. NEW! Quick Grip hardware for easy on/off attachment to roof racks. Access gear from either side of the car using our patented Dual-Side opening feature. Smooth, aerodynamic design for minimal wind resistance. Easy opening and closing with Thule's NO-GO Central Locking, One Key System. Mounts to most factory installed and aftermarket racks. Four box sizes available.

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2/03/2012

Thule Ascent 1700 Cargo Box Review

Thule Ascent 1700 Cargo Box
Average Reviews:

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Well worth it for the extra space or skis and boards. Out-of-the box had it on my Nissan Pathfinder in 5 minutes, great latching design. My guess is that it will fit almost all autos with cross bar roof racks. Loads of space, does seem a but long, the 1600 is a bit shorter and might look more proportional to my Pathifinder, this 1700 is probably best for the Tahoes, Escalades, and Yukons out there. In any case, awesome product, and Amazon has the best price and arrived (via some shipping company, not UPS) in about three days, pretty fast. No shipping issues for me.

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1/17/2012

Thule Thule Ranger 90 Review

Thule Thule Ranger 90
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We bought this to go on our Buick Rendezvuous for our trips back home to Michigan. It has went through almost 10000 miles and still looks like new. It has weathered 105 degree heat in South Dakota, a freezing snowstorm in Michigan, and one of the worse rainstorms I have ever seen in Minnesota. It has never leaked. It does take a little practice to get on correctly and don't do it in the parking lot like my girlfriend and I did! It comes with all the tools you will need. It gives us so much more room on the inside!

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11/21/2011

SportRack A90095 Explorer Roof Box Review

SportRack A90095 Explorer Roof Box
Average Reviews:

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I have only a few complaints about this product.
First the material it is made of is thin and flimsy. It is certainly not as strong as some of the boxes made from ABS plastic. If you park in the sun for any time the plastic softens to the point where you may have trouble getting the hinges to engage to hold the top up. Another result of the softened plastic is the sagging of the hinge side of the lower portion of the box. This causes the top to sag down slightly reducing the clearance for loading items.
Another issue is the assembly. It was painfully cumbersome, and I am very mechanically inclined. It's definitely a two man job, one to hold the top while the other attaches and tightens the nuts and bolts.
Attaching to my vehicle (04 Dodge Durango) was a pain as well. The height of the vehicle made it challenging enough but attaching the "U" bolts on the hinge side was a real pain. If you have a smaller vehicle like a sedan or a Subaru Outback or something like that it may be easier
But, this thing is huge and holds a lot. We had 2 larger rollaway suitcases, two large duffle bags, 2 sleeping bags and 2 pillows and had room for coats and toiletry bags. It really hold quite a bit. But one of the biggest advantages is has is the price. For the cost of a competing unit from yakithule you can by 5 of these things.
I highly recommend this unit if your budget is tight, especially if you can get someone else to assemble and install it...

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Tough and spacious, the SportRack Explorer rooftop cargo box is an ideal accessory for people who need more storage space than their car can provide. The Explorer is made of high-density polyethylene, a sturdy, long-lasting material that stands up to bumps, rocks, and any other obstacle a road can provide. The box's 18 cubic feet of storage space, meanwhile, gives you plenty of room for extra luggage and sports gear. And despite the generous capacity, the Explorer isn't unwieldy enough to obstruct your vision while you drive. The Explorer, which offers a capacity of 100 pounds, measures 54 by 19.5 by 39 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 32 pounds without gear. The box comes with a U-bolt mounting bracket.


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11/01/2011

SportRack A90275 Aero XL Roof Box Review

SportRack A90275 Aero XL Roof Box
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Was very easy to mount on the Sequoia, and feels pretty sturdy (and watertight). Absolutely no wind noise or rattling could be heard inside the vehicle at 75 MPH. I bought it because the width and height makes it better for carrying family stuff than comparable size Thule or Yakima boxes, though it's not long enough for skis. Low price is a huge bonus. I also like that it opens from the back instead of the side, since on my tall vehicle the easiest way to reach the box is standing on the rear bumper. I looked at the big name boxes, and I can't see how they are worth 2.5x as much.
**UPDATE** Have now taken on a few long trips. It did not seem to affect gas mileage at all, and stayed dry inside through 300 miles of downpour. I have to take it off to fit in the garage, which would be true of any box, but I can get it on or off in less than 10 minutes. I fit 2 carry-on suitcases, 4 sleeping bags, a stroller, a full-frame baby backpack, and a small baby bouncer seat inside.

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Tired of taking up space in your car with camping gear, sports equipment, and other items when driving to your destination? Turn to this SportRack A90275 rooftop cargo carrier, which offers 18 cubic feet of space--plenty of room for luggage, tents, golf bags, boots, and other gear. The rear-opening cargo carrier mounts to any rooftop crossbar, and includes a U-bolt mounting bracket for easy attachment. The ABS single-shell construction, meanwhile, is durable and long lasting, helping it hold up to bumps in the road, swipes from branches, and general tough handling. The A90275 carrier--which includes a single lock mechanism in the rear--measures 38 by 19 by 63 inches (W x H x D) and offers a maximum load of 110 pounds.


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9/17/2011

Keeper 07203 Waterproof Roof Top Cargo Bag - 15 Cubic Feet Review

Keeper 07203 Waterproof Roof Top Cargo Bag -  15 Cubic Feet
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My wife and I purchased this product for a trip of 500 miles across Texas to go on the existing roof rack of our Toyota FJ Cruiser. It is advertised to fit most racks and it fit ours perfectly. I think we had more than 15 cubic feet of luggage, dog food, and bedding stuffed into it as we were also bringing our two huge dogs (no, they weren't in the carrier!). Loading was easy and the zippers worked fine. The only problem we had was adjusting the straps. It took forever to take them up the first time we tied it down, but on the return trip it went much easier. The strap configuration seems awkward, but possibly can be adjusted before loading, which I'll try next time.
On several reviews of similar products wind noise was mentioned, like it was to be expected, but we noticed NO noise even when driving 80mph through west Texas. The ties never loosened and the load was just as secure when we arrived as when we started. But the best thing about this product is that it REALLY IS WATERPROOF. We drove through 100 miles of pouring Gulf Coast rain on the trip home, the kind where cars on the interstate are driving 40mph with their flashers on and waiting under overpasses for it to slack up. I just knew that everything was going to be soaked when we got home. I was amazed to find that NOTHING got wet - not even damp. The design of the zipper compartment(with flaps closed by velcro) worked perfectly. We were very pleased considering that some of the similar carriers cost alot more than this one.

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8/06/2011

Thule 682 Sidekick Rooftop Cargo Box Review

Thule 682 Sidekick Rooftop Cargo Box
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I bought this with some skepticism, having read other reviews that gave it low marks, and also having bought Thule products in the past and cursed them as I tried assembling and installing them, what with missing pieces and the like.
Happily, this box is fine. It does seem flimsy when you're assembling it, and it even seems that way when it's open on top of the car. It seems to be engineered to be as light as possible, which it is, and that can be unnerving until you get it fastened down and locked closed.
Assembly: It's awkward. It took two of us, me and my 2 year old! Seriously. It's a bit hairy for one person to get it right, since you have to match the hinges with the sides of the "clam shell", and their fit doesn't seem quite right until you tighten them up well. Still, it went OK, about 20 minutes for me to do, far better than a Thule roof racks I installed some years back, where I was dealing with bent and missing parts. If you do this alone, you need to brace it well at an angle as you hook the top and bottom together. Much easier with two people.
Installation: Dead easy on the factory roof rack. (We have a Pontiac Aztek.) THERE IS NO NEED TO BUY ADDITIONAL BRACKETS, though when viewing ads for this, you might think so at first glance. The package includes 4 U-brackets which attach to your roof racks and are held inside by hand-swivel bolts (whatever they're called). One thing I added while doing the installation was to put duct tape over the inside holes for the U-brackets. There are several holes in each sequence, and you only use two out of 4 or 5; the others are exposed. Covering with tape might help keep spray out.
Performance: Pretty good! We drove 2300 miles with this unit, of which about 300 were in driving rain. During the worst rain, we did have dampness and some droplets of water at the bottom front inside, but the gear was sitting up on ridges and was fine - bag in front was damp but not wet. If you have cloth bags that press to the very bottom, I'd put them in plastic if you'll be hitting heavy rain (and ours was VERY heavy, and at 70 mph driving speed).
We noticed an increase in wind noise at high speeds, and in our rough tests, it knocked about 2 mpg off our gas mileage at 75 mph, but on a 50 mph stretch of several hundred miles we couldn't tell a difference.
Removal takes literally five minutes. You undo (by hand) four pairs of swivel bolts, and lift it right off the roof. Reinstallation is about the same.
Overall, we're extremely happy with it and very glad we bought it.

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The Thule 682 Sidekick Rooftop Cargo Box is compact roof box tailor-made for small vehicles that need to conserve space. The 682 Sidekick allows for 8 cubic feet or up to 110-lbs of cargo per box makes it ideal for carrying small loads such as camping gear or golf clubs. The box is constructed UV and impact-resistent ABS plastic, ensuring years of durable wear. It is compatible with all Thule base racks, as well as most any aftermarket or factory roof rack, and installs/can be removed from your rack in minutes without the use of tools via the Thule U-bolt/knob mounting system. All the necessary mounting hardware and straps are included, and the unit is covered by a lifetime limited warranty.
A compact roof box tailor-made for small vehicles that need to conserve space.View larger.

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6/25/2011

Thule Complete CrossRoad System Review

Thule Complete CrossRoad System
Average Reviews:

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This product is straight forward easy to install as advertised. My roof rails are foolishly body colored rather than something more wear forgiving. The soft rubber mounts allow for tight installation and full removal with no marks left or paint abrasion.
The weight gives you confidence that it'll take the load. This sucker is solid.
If I had one gripe it would be that the gear for tightening/loosening requires too many turns.
If I needed a second set, I would not hesitate to buy another set.

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