I have a 2011 Outback. I am looking into getting a roof cargo carrier or the extended carrier. I hear all will leak over time. Can anyone with experience or advice clue me in on this? I am looking at the Subaru roof cargo systems since they should mount properly on my rack. I am looking at the cargo basket as well. I have concerns about security though.
Subaru roof cargo carriers
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Are you talking about a soft collapsable cargo bag or a hard shell unit? What exactly do you want to know?
Any rooftop carrier can leak, the hard shell ones included. I use a plastic Yakima Space Booster, and I always wrap vulnerable stuff like sleeping bags in a large trash bag if it looks like a hard rain. I've found moisture on the inside of the lower half plenty of times - the rush of air at the front drives the rain past the seal.
No rooftop carrier or bag is secure, even if it has locks on it. Straps can be cut, the hard lid can be pried open. Don't ever leave anything inside that you couldn't stand to see disappear.
John Davies
Spokane WA USA
Any rooftop carrier can leak, the hard shell ones included. I use a plastic Yakima Space Booster, and I always wrap vulnerable stuff like sleeping bags in a large trash bag if it looks like a hard rain. I've found moisture on the inside of the lower half plenty of times - the rush of air at the front drives the rain past the seal.
No rooftop carrier or bag is secure, even if it has locks on it. Straps can be cut, the hard lid can be pried open. Don't ever leave anything inside that you couldn't stand to see disappear.
John Davies
Spokane WA USA
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22,690 Posts
I have a Thule hard box one of those cool looking sleek silver one's I bought it back in 2004. We use it every time we take the kids some place overnight - use it snow skiiing - camping - or just going to Grandmas for the weekend etc. AWESOME piece of car gear FREAKING LOVE IT!!!!! If ours ever breaks it will get replaced in a NANO SECOND!
Having said that the short FAT boxes sold today would be a big FAIL for me given they would not work with my bikes - canoe or other crap that often shares the roof with the cargo box.
Having said that the short FAT boxes sold today would be a big FAIL for me given they would not work with my bikes - canoe or other crap that often shares the roof with the cargo box.
Yeah, it's a crazy price, OTH you can buy one used, or get a new one at REI when they have their "20% off any item" sale. That will save you a significant chunk of change.
Think of it as a long term investment - you will get twenty or thirty years use out of it if you take care of it. My Space Booster dates from about 1984 and it looks like new.
John Davies
Spokane WA USA
Roof Cargo Carriers
I have just looked at the carriers that Subaru has. They have two solid carriers, one that is76" L x 36"W x 16 H and one that is 56" L x 36"W x 18" H. They also offer a roof cargo basket that is 44"L x 39"W x 6.5"H. It has a stretch net to hold everything down. My main intentions are to keep things dry and secure on trips. I'll have to say, I'm not too tall so loading and unloading will be interesting.
I have just looked at the carriers that Subaru has. They have two solid carriers, one that is76" L x 36"W x 16 H and one that is 56" L x 36"W x 18" H. They also offer a roof cargo basket that is 44"L x 39"W x 6.5"H. It has a stretch net to hold everything down. My main intentions are to keep things dry and secure on trips. I'll have to say, I'm not too tall so loading and unloading will be interesting.
I have a Yakima 16S that works well. I've never noticed it leaking even in heavy rain and snow.
I wouldn't get too hung up on purchasing the genuine Subaru box -- they are often made by one of the regular manufacturers like Yakima or Thule and just have a Subaru label on them.
If you do go with an aftermarket box, consider the measurements and mounting position carefully so you can still open the rear hatch when the box is on the roof. Some can hang over the back of the car far enough that you can't fully open the hatch.
I wouldn't get too hung up on purchasing the genuine Subaru box -- they are often made by one of the regular manufacturers like Yakima or Thule and just have a Subaru label on them.
If you do go with an aftermarket box, consider the measurements and mounting position carefully so you can still open the rear hatch when the box is on the roof. Some can hang over the back of the car far enough that you can't fully open the hatch.
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