Best Cargo Bars Of 2024: Top Models & Buying Guide

Sara Ryan By, Sara Ryan
Updated
StayThere Roof Rack Crossbars,
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: StayThere Roof Rack Crossbars,

A great way to upgrade the look of your car and make sure your roof racks can't be stolen, this self-locking system will keep your roof rack bars secure. Comes with 2 PCS unique keys for every roof rack crossbar. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: BougeRV Car Roof Rack Cross Bars

BougeRV Car Roof Rack Cross Bars are made of high-quality aluminum and have a good appearance and excellent durability. They are easy to install and remove, so you can carry them on with your car. Read Review

3. Best Convenient: CargoLoc 2-Piece 52" Aluminum Roof Top Cross Bar Set

CargoLoc 2-Piece 52" Aluminum Roof Top Cross Bar Set is the perfect addition to your SUV. It's a heavy-duty clamping mechanism that ensures that the crossbars will remain firmly fastened to the existing side rails, and keyed locking mechanism will make sure they stay put! Read Review

4. Best Quality: ECCPP Roof Top Cross Bar Set Roof Rack Luggage Cargo

ECCPP Roof Top Cross Bar Set Roof Rack Luggage Cargo Sets are perfect for your next adventure. Whether it’s traveling by car, on a kayak, or just going on a bike ride, these crossbars and accessories are designed to accommodate all your adventures. Read Review

Do you need a roof rack for your car? Most vehicles these days come with a standard hitch that can easily accommodate most cars. If yours doesn’t have the standard hitch, then you need a roof rack. A roof rack will allow you to safely and securely mount different gear onto your car.

With a roof rack, you can load up your vehicle with camping gear, bicycles, or anything else that won’t fit in the trunk or cabin of your car. This article will discuss some important things to know when buying accessories for your new roof rack.

Before making our recommendations, our specialists spend substantial time researching and analyzing your requirements. Then we found the StayThere Roof Rack Crossbars, is the greatest choice for its high-quality performance. If you're looking for another one, consider BougeRV Car Roof Rack Cross Bars.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 StayThere Roof Rack Crossbars,
Our Score:
9.7
Stay There
  • 🚙 Anti-theft locking system to protect your bars, Comes with 2 PCS Unique Keys for every Roof Rack Crossbar, no one have the same. Keep the other spare key in your vehicle's Tool Box or ask someone else save it for missing.
  • 🚙 Less Wind Noise -- Two new anti wind and noise rubber strips are added, You can cut the length of the rubber strips at will and install them on the roof frame suitable for your model.
TOP Choice #2 BougeRV Car Roof Rack Cross Bars
Our Score:
9.5
BougeRV
  • 【An Addition to Jeep Grand Cherokee】BougeRV luggage rack crossbars fit for 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee with Grooved Side Rails Fits Limited, Overland, Upland, Trailhawk, Summit, North Edition models. If you're looking for cross bar for Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude and SRT and Altitude and Trackhawk models, please search "BougeRV cross bar for Jeep Grand Cherokee + Your vehicle model".
  • 【No-hassle 12-Month Warranty】 BougeRV roof rack crossbars come with a 12-month warranty. If you have any concern or questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
TOP Choice #3 CargoLoc 2-Piece 52" Aluminum Roof Top Cross Bar Set
Our Score:
9.3
CargoLoc
  • RAISED SIDE RAILS WITH GAP REQUIRED – Fits most vehicles with existing raised side rails with gap (maximum 46” span between side rails)!
  • HIGH QUALITY ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION – Our design features a rigid aluminum body that cuts down on weight without sacrificing strength!
  • 🚙Excellent Design:the holes will highly align,eliminate installation problem and save time;low profile streamline design,efficiently reduce wind resistance and noise.
  • 🚙 High Quality Materials and Durability:Made of aluminum,light weight and durable and supremely corrosion resistant.
  • 【Outstanding Load Capacity】: The maximum support weight is up to 165LBS(75KG),It provides a good base and convenience for surfboards, camping gear, canoes, kayaks, bicycles, skis and other rooftop accessories.
  • 【Warranty and Services】 : All FLYCLE Roof racks are covered by 2 years warranty,Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding our products and services.
6 MOSTPLUS Roof Rack Cross Bar Rail
Our Score:
8.8
MOSTPLUS
  • 【Attention】Please check fitment before purchase.
  • 【Easy installation】Bolt-on installation. All hardware are included, No drilling/cutting is required.
  • Molle system
  • US Patent 877037
8 JinsanityPerformance  Universal Roof Rack Cross Bars
Our Score:
8.5
Jinsanity Performance
  • 【Easy Installation】 - According to the buyer's opinion, we printed the instruction manual for the product and added it to the package. Only need to use a screwdriver to install, no need to drill.
  • 【Universal Crossbars】 - The Roof Rack Crossbars is adjustable. As a universal crossbar, it is suitable for most SUVs with side rails (Such as Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Suzuki, Oldsmobile, Volkswagen ). Car Rack System Rack Adapters.
  • 【Compatible Vehicle】Tailored feature for 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Toyota RAV4, with a full range of all editions, including XLE/LIMITED/LE/SE/PLATINUM/ADVENTURE/HYBRID, with the perfect dimensions, it's specially adapted for your vehicle. We also have cross bars for 2019-2022 Toyota RAV4 with side rails, ), please search "BougeRV cross bar for Toyota RAV4" and you will find the one.
  • 【Warranty Commitment】BougeRV is dedicated to providing premium products for you. BougeRV's 12-month warranty is applied to the cross bar sold by BougeRV. If you have any questions during use, please contact us for further information. This product is upgraded with a locking feature from 2022/6/16.
10 XG Cargo Wrangler Gama Adventure JL
Our Score:
7.9
XG Cargo
  • PERFECT FOR ALMOST ALL JEEP WRANGLERS: Fits 4-door Jeep Wranglers JL. DOES NOT FIT: One Touch Sky Top Option

What should you know before purchasing best cargo bars?

Our website is an online source that provides clients with a diverse selection of best cargo bars. Many items on the site perfectly suit the demands of clients and serve their intended function.

So, how can you determine which of the best cargo bars is the best fit for your needs? Don't be concerned! This article will walk you through all you need to know about the best cargo bars before you buy it.

 

Weight Capacity

To find out the maximum weight for your roof, you will have to consult the owner's guide. The maximum weight of a car roof is typically 75kg or 165lbs. This includes both the container and the racks/rails it's attached to. Boxes typically weigh between 30-40 pounds so you will need to leave around 120-130 lbs of cargo.

Fuel Economy

A roof storage system will have an adverse effect on fuel economy. Even though you don't have any cargo, the extra weight of your box and the mountings can affect how much gas you get. Although aerodynamic designs may reduce the impact, you'll still get a decrease in miles per gallon.

Ease Of Use

You might only use the box once a year, so you should consider how simple or difficult it will be to attach and take down. There are many attachment methods available from different manufacturers, so some may be quicker and easier than others.

Access

Ideal worlds would see us load our belongings and not have to go back until we get to our forest hideaway. You will likely need access to your stuff along the route so ensure you choose a carrier that is easy to use.
Others only permit access from one side, while some others allow you to open from both sides. Some will only allow you to access the back, so you must be aware of traffic and not stop at the curb.

Looks

This is probably not the most crucial criteria. If you are looking for a sporty and sleek car, adding any type of roof box to your vehicle will make it look less elegant. You can minimize any negative effects by sticking with more aerodynamic designs.

Aerodynamics

You should consider the aerodynamic design. The most aerodynamic design will generally be the most expensive and have a lower capacity to hold certain shapes.er boxes, on the other hand, are less concerned about aerodynamics and will offer more freedom when it comes to the size and shape of items you can transport.

Price

"Rooftop carriers can be very expensive. The price of a rooftop carrier is unlikely to play a major role in your buying decision, unless you are Bill Gates or Warren Buffett.
Storage capacity is generally more expensive. You will also pay more for extra features and a well-known brand.
You can expect to pay $300-$400+ for a good quality carrier made by reputable manufacturers. Unfortunately, if you require something more, then the cost will go up."

Size

When deciding what items to store on your roof, you should consider the size and shape of the container.
Beyond the size, you should also consider whether the volume in cubic feet of space is adequate for your requirements. There are sizes that range from 8 to 22 feet. You can likely find the right size box for you. You should avoid purchasing something too large for your car.

Security

Your items' value will determine the level of security that you need. You should not dismiss theft from the roof box or even the entire package.

 

FAQs

Can You Drive With An Empty Roof Box?

Yes. However, you should not use your roof box for a prolonged period of time. It could have a negative impact on your fuel consumption and create extra noise.

How To Storage A Car Roof Box?

You have several options when it comes to where you store your roof box. You can either keep the roof box in your garage or place it in your backyard with the raincover on. If your vehicle is large enough, you could even store it inside of your car.

What Is A Good Size Roof Box?

The best size of roof boxes is the one that suits your specific needs. If you have a small car, it's not worth buying a 22-L roof box. If you are looking to transport skis, you will need to consider the dimensions of your skis when buying a roof cargo container.

Do I Need Anything Else Apart From Roof Bars And A Roof Box?

No. Every roof box that we sell comes with a pair of standard and box fittings, along with a set straps for keeping luggage in place. Because the boxes are secured to roof bars by the fixings inside, they can not be lifted from their bars once locked.

How Much Gear Can I Load?

Three things will determine this:
- Carry capacity of your fitted roof rack
- How the cross bars and roof style are attached to your vehicle
- Size of your rooftop carrier

What Is The Best Position For A Roof Box?

This is the ideal position for the roof box to be centrally located when you look from the front. The weight should be evenly distributed. To avoid roof boxes that extend too far from your windshield, you should set it so that your hatch can be reached.

Will Roof Racks Scratch My Car?

A rack that is properly attached to a clean roof will not cause damage or scratch to your car. To remove road grime and dirt buildup, we recommend you regularly take your roof rack off of your vehicle.

Do I Need A Roof Rack?

Yes. To mount the rooftop cargo boxes, you will need to have a properly fitted roof rack. All boxes can fit on most roof rack cross bars, and the mounting system is universal. To find the best roof rack for your vehicle, check out our Roof Rack Buyers Guide.

I Have A Full-length Box And It Seems To Overhang The Bars A Long Way. Is This OK?

Yes. The boxes have a design that allows approximately 1/3 to hang out behind the rear bars. One third of the roof bars supports the third and the third rests on the front bar.

Will A Cargo Box Affect My Fuel Consumption?

You will experience an increase in fuel consumption. It's very minimal. Fuel economy begins to decline when you drive at highway speeds. Fuel economy can drop by 6-10%

Conclusion

In short, you have just been shown all the things related to best cargo bars, including the top models, buyer’s guides, and the comparison between products as well. At this moment, it’s obvious that you acquire the mentioned information and are ready to pick one among the list of best cargo bars above. In case there is no model that suits your needs, then TOOENJOY 47" Universal Roof Rack Cross Bar will be the best to pay attention to. Hopefully, our sharing today will help you choose the best item for your requirement. 


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About Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan is a freelance writer for CampFireHQ and avid diver. She first discovered her love for diving while on vacation in the Caribbean and has been hooked ever since. Sara loves exploring new dive sites and observing the fascinating creatures that live beneath the waves. As a native of Colorado, Sara enjoys spending her free time hiking and camping in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. She also enjoys writing about her adventures in diving and wildlife conservation.

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