bajadock - 4-11-2012 at 11:30 AM
I have a need to add extra luggage capacity to my vehicle. I just purchased a Pontiac Vibe(aka Toy'Matrix) small wagon. Curious what Nomad
experiences are for adding luggage capacity.
Have seen soft and hard rooftops, as well as the rear hitch "baskets".
Only need the extra capacity for the 200-250 mile round trips between Ensenada and San Diego airport to pick up guests. Golf club(50" length)
capacity is the biggest need.
No, this has nothing to do with my wine "importing/exporting"!
THANKS
DianaT - 4-11-2012 at 11:52 AM
Our hard top rooftop carrier cuts our mileage down about 3 or 4 gpm. We don't keep track, but the computer on the car does.
So we only use it when we really need it. Easy to put on and off.
[Edited on 4-11-2012 by DianaT]
Bob H - 4-11-2012 at 11:56 AM
Thule cagro bags are very popular for adding cargo. They are strapped to the top of your car...
Do a google search on Thule Cargo Bags
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02872018000P?prdNo=...
[Edited on 4-11-2012 by Bob H]
Barry A. - 4-11-2012 at 12:11 PM
We have two YAKIMA roof-top lockable hardtop carriers: One is the old SPACE BOOSTER which is long and narrow and black (reads hot), and the other is
the Newer Skybox Pro 18 which is also hardtop, locable, Silver, and much fatter than the Space Booster. Both are great, and we use them all the time
on trips with our Nissan X-Terra, taking whichever box is appropriate for our trip.. Both would handle golf clubs just fine.
The Space Booster (skinny & long) does not effect our mileage at all, and the Skybox Pro (fat and long) reduces mileage about 1 mpg, near as we
can figure.
Go to YAKIMA for details on line.
Barry
El Camote - 4-11-2012 at 02:08 PM
Have used a receiver hitch carrier for some years now with good results. Much easier to load/unload than a car top carrier and no noticable drag and
mpg drop. One mistake I made once was packing a sleeping back in the corner nearest the exhaust pipe. The whole load was wrapped by a tarp but the
heat from the pipe burned a hole in the tarp and melted a section of the nylon bag. Just have to be careful what's in that corner.
Hook - 4-11-2012 at 05:29 PM
Yep, really like the Hitch Haul receiver platforms. Mine is steel but they make em out of aluminum now and they are much lighter.
[Edited on 4-12-2012 by Hook]
[Edited on 4-12-2012 by Hook]
Folding carrier
bajaguy - 4-11-2012 at 05:42 PM
These are cool........folds up out of the way when empty:
http://www.discountramps.com/folding-cargo-carrier.htm?CAWEL...
bajadock - 4-11-2012 at 05:57 PM
Ilikey! Perrfect.
Thanks, all. Seems like most go with rooftop. Maybe that's so that they can haul toys with hitch. Preferring the hitch style for ez access.
Need to install hitch, but, it's only approx $150, 6 bolt install. cheers!
Hook - 4-12-2012 at 09:08 AM
Just keep in mind that on a vehicle that low, you want to avoid major dips or it can drag.
ElCap - 4-12-2012 at 02:40 PM
I have both rooftop pods (great for fishing poles, spearguns, etc., and discussed in another Nomad thread as a good place to stash stuff since both
Mexican military or US Border agents seem to NEVER look in there), and a hitch-mounted rear basket carrier. A few comments on the rear basket: be
aware that items back there will get quite dusty/dirty, even on the highway. Go off road and they will be caked in dust. And clearance can be a
problem when going over dips & bumps. Another issue can be if you load it up it may obscure your vehicle license plate, which then might be a
reason to pull you over. I have moved my license plate to the carrier to remedy this - just wondering how others have dealt with this?
Hitch Hauler
bajaguy - 4-12-2012 at 02:56 PM
For additional ground clearance I use either a dual hitch extender:
http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/trailer-h...
Or a fold up hitch adapter:
ihttp://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Surco-Products/52015.html
Also made a detachable light bar to add to the hitch hauler for a second set of stop/tail lights (plugs into a flat 4-way light adapter).....can also
add the license plate if necessary
Hook - 4-12-2012 at 04:16 PM
I use mine on my F-350 on a Hidden Hitch up front.
A leetle extra protection up front. Maybe makes the front of my rig a leetle more aerodynamic? No effect on my engine temps.
I love front hitches.