Roof Rack Storage Box Of 2024: Buying Guides

Katie Finn By, Katie Finn
Updated
Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box, X-Large
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Of The Best: Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box, X-Large

Thule Force XT is a robust, aerodynamic vehicle roof cargo box with a unique dual-side opening for easy access to all areas of the box. This strong roof cargo box can fit up to 5-7 pairs of skis or snowboards and features full trunk access with no roof contact and a sleek design that doesn't compromise aerodynamics. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box

SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box is a great storage solution to keep your gear organized and accessible. This cargo box has an easy-open rear panel that easily folds down for rear entry. The SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box is the perfect solution for a wide variety of uses, including carrying gear on the go, transporting gear while camping or on a long trip, storing gear in your vehicle or garage when not in use. Read Review

3. Best Economical: Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box, Medium

Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Boxes are designed to take on any challenge. With a rugged and durable design, these rooftop boxes are built to last. And with the fastGrip Quick-Mount System, it assembles in minutes. With a passenger-side opening, loading and unloading is easy while keeping your cargo safe from the elements. Read Review

4. Best Comfortable: Sailnovo Housewives 20 Cubic ft Car Roof Bag Top Carrier Cargo Storage

This is the perfect carrier bag for people who love to travel. It has a capacity of 20 cubic feet, which is incredible and can also be used as a backpack. Built with a strong waterproof material, this car top carrier bag is ideal for outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, traveling, backpacking and more. Read Review

Roof racks are a great way to carry gear on the back of your car for short trips or when there isn’t much storage space. But with so many models and configurations, it can be difficult to find something that will work with your car without adding unnecessary bulk or expense. If you're looking to get more out of your roof rack, then a storage box is what you need.

These boxes fit in certain types of racks and are designed specifically with your gear in mind. Their size allows tons of storage space while keeping weight down and giving you easy access when you need them.

We think Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box, X-Large is the best of the best among the top models. If you were dissatisfied with the preceding item, you have the option of selecting SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box as an alternative. You may relax knowing that its quality is also good per what we researched.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box, X-Large
Our Score:
9.8
Thule
  • Full trunk access with no roof box contact
  • Quick-mount system "clicks" when roof box is secure and properly mounted
  • A versatile roof-mounted cargo box for everyday use
TOP Choice #2 SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box
Our Score:
9.7
SportRack
  • Made from durable UV-resistant ABS material
  • Fits SportRack Rack Systems, square bars, round bars and most factory racks (check fit guide)
  • 18 cubic foot (510 L) internal cargo capacity
TOP Choice #3 Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box, Medium
Our Score:
9.6
Thule
  • Fits 3-5 snowboards (max length: 155 cm)
  • Thule Comfort Key can only be removed when all locking points are securely closed
  • Rugged and durable design keep contents protected
  • 【Waterproof and robust:】The car top carrier is equipped with an oversized zipper with flaps for water repellency and light-resistant, keeps your things dry and protected from dirt, rain, sun, wind and snow. More capacity, more robust, more fun to travel!
  • 【Cost effective: 】The rooftop cargo bag is made of 1000D waterproof high quality material with strong stitching; Foldable for compact storage; You don't have to spend as much money as buying a roof box, but you have a bag with all the features of a roof box.
  • 【Travel】Our foldable roof box is for your family outing, road trips, weekend adventures, luggage transport or vacation travel this summer! If you have any problems with thevehicle cargo carriers, please feel free to contact us!
  • ▶️ It is constructed of rugged, impact-resistant ABS material to ensure a long lasting life in outdoor conditions. More, it can open from the side and stay open till you close it with the strong support arm.
  • ▶️ Opens on the passenger side to 14 inches wide to store bulky items from the side and stays open till you close it, and it is very easy to install without any tool required to assembly.
  • ▶️ Overall Dimensions: 53" L x 34" W x 15" H | Capacity: 11 Cubic Feet and up to 110 LBS
  • QUALITY MATERIAL FOR DURABILITY & BETTER PROTECTION: Made from ABS material for long-lasting use. And it can protect your luggage or equipment from being exposed to sun, rain or dust. And it is protected with 3-Year Warranty. Any problem, please feel free to contact us.
  • FAIR CAPACITY: With 14.85 cubic feet maximum storage capacity and 150lbs loading capacity, the roof cargo carrier can allow for more space in your car. What’s more, its streamlined design will reduce drag and noise during driving.
  • LOCKING SYSTEM FOR SAFETY: It is designed with locks on both sides and comes with keys for protecting your valuables. And the stiffeners at the bottom of the roof cargo box strengthen its stability.
  • Robust and Security Design---The roof cargo box is designed to withstand heavy use in different types of weather conditions. The metal lid stiffeners at the bottom makes the roof box more stable and safer. With the double-lock design for protecting your valuables. 【Note】This product is suitable for vehicles with rack (the width of the luggage rack is adjusted to between 16.1 inches and 24.8 inches, and the width of the roof crossbar is less than 3.1 inches).
  • High Quality Material---The roof box is manufactured from sturdy ABS and PC material for long-lasting use, able to protect your valuables from exposure to the elements and can load 165 lbs capacity, suitable for round, square, factory and most aerodynamic bars.
  • CONSTRUCTION: Constructed of Rugged, Impact-Resistant ABS Material with Black Texture Finish for Durability
  • CAPACITY: 110 lbs and 11 cu. ft.
  • OVERALL DIMENSION: 53" L x 34" W x 15" H; Opens to 14" Wide to Store Bulky Items
  • SECURE LOCKING SYSTEM - this car top carrier secures your luggage with a four-corner cam locking system to ensure that the lid won't blow open while you're on the road with a keyed theft-resistant lock for peace of mind at stops. Includes 2 keys
  • WATERPROOF & UV RESISTANT - proudly made in the USA, this waterproof rooftop cargo box is manufactured from durable, all weather high-density polyethylene material that includes a built-in UV stabilizer that resists cracking and fading
  • 🚙【Secure & Convenient Use】In order to keep your belongings secure, this vehicle cargo carrier is designed with the security lock that has keys. More importantly, the passenger-side opening design is convenient for you to load or unload the inner items effortlessly.
  • 🚙【A Hassle Free Trip】With equipped hardware and detailed instruction, the car rooftop cargo carrier is easy to be mounted to the car top. Then you can start a hassle-free trip with your family and friends to appreciate the wonderful scenery along the way. What’s more, the roof cargo storage box is applicable to most vehicles with cross bar, such as SUV, truck, RV, and more.

What to Look For in a roof rack storage box?

You may have some trouble making a purchase if you don't research it thoroughly. You are expected to invest time and focus on roof rack storage box before investing in them. Usually, it will take you a long time to research a favorite product. But rest assured, we are here to assist you with your roof rack storage box issue, no matter what time of day or night.

Although choosing a product is complicated, it will be more accessible and more available to everyone with today's information technology network. You are now given available sources of information such as famous websites, sale forums, or even customer's feedback. It can be said that information from these sources about roof rack storage box will be beneficial to you.

So now you are expected to focus on needed criteria about roof rack storage box. All of them will come with your investment. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

In general, our information is accurate because we are product consultants with a wealth of experience. In addition, we constantly update the roof rack storage box information. Since the data is current and accurate, you can rest assured.

Any problems with roof rack storage box should be reported to us so we can improve your experience. Please don't hesitate to contact us! We are all available to give you help. 

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.

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.

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 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%

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

2 ratings

About Katie Finn

Katie Finn

Katie Finn is a freelance writer who loves to explore the world and go camping. She's also an editor for CampfireHQ, where she enjoys writing about wildlife and camping tips. She also has a passion for reading and learning new things, which she often incorporates into her writing.

Read Katie's full bio