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Cargo racks are one of the most useful pieces of equipment you can buy for your vehicle. They’re great if you need extra room for more gear than you can fit in your car or your SUV, and especially great if you need to use the room you have for kids, dogs, or other passengers. There are three basic types of rooftop cargo carrier. Cargo baskets, hard shell cargo boxes, and soft-sided cargo bags.
Top Pick
This aerodynamic model opens from both sides, giving you easy access to all of your gear.
This aerodynamic model opens from both sides, giving you easy access to all of your gear. Thule
are waterproof, aerodynamic, and you can stuff them with a ton of gear. They’re great for carrying clothes, tents, sleeping bags, and luggage. These boxes aren’t cheap, and they don’t carry bulky objects as well as open cargo baskets do, but they’ll save you money on gas and they’re lightweight and easy to store.
Great Value
This one comes with built-in cinch straps and is easy to store. AmazonBasics
are less aerodynamic than hard shell boxes. They’re also harder to load and unload. But they’re also a lot less expensive, and you can store them in small spaces when you’re not using them. They’re great options if you only plan to carry gear up top occassionally and don’t need to carry bulky items.
Budget Pick
This adjustable but non-waterproof model can carry bulky objects with strange shapes. Leader Accessories
are durable, useful, and versatile tools for carrying lots of gear on top of your vehicle. They’re not waterproof, but they’re easy to load up and give you the fastest access to all your stuff. Pair them with dry bags for storing clothes, tents, and other stuff you don’t want getting wet. Cargo baskets also let you carry bulky, oddly shaped objects that don’t fit into standard bags or boxes.
