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mulegemarylynn
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 7-29-2011
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Auto roof cargo carriers
Any recommendations for a secure cargo carrier? Looked at Thule, Yakima and the Sears brand - can't decide which is best. Need to increase the cargo
capacity of my RAV 4 when I come back in October.
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willyAirstream
Super Nomad
Posts: 1786
Registered: 1-1-2010
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Welcome to Nomads MoolaMary! ( sorry, couldn't resist)
I've used Thule racks and pods and they are top quality and Yakima also has a great reputation. The Rav 4 OEM rack is rated at 100 lbs, so only store
light weight items up there.
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mulegemarylynn
Newbie
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Registered: 7-29-2011
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Haha WillyAirstream! I've read where that the Thule 1600 is good, but it seems so long for a little bug like a RAV. Do you know what the max length
can go on a RAV?
I'll be coming through Tecate. Wonder if anyone has had them broken into - doesn't seem so hard to do that.
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willyAirstream
Super Nomad
Posts: 1786
Registered: 1-1-2010
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Here is a discussion on the Thule Atlantis on a Rav4
http://www.rav4world.com/forums/97-4-3-exterior/65482-thule-...
Don't park in dark alleys, you'll be fine
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mulegemarylynn
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 7-29-2011
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Thanks for the link. Looks like the Atlantis 1800 will work just fine. Now to find a dealer close to me......
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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Here's the ol Rover with our rack. The first rack we ordered thru the web....was junk. Was rated to hold only 150 or so pounds. Hell...we collect 200
pounds of dust went we are on the road!
Make sure you get a heavy duty rack...spend a good buck on it.
http://www.prolineracks.com/cartop-safari-basket-racks.html
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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capitolkat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 510
Registered: 3-9-2006
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We have the Thule on our Jeep Liberty and love it. buy the locking hubs for the cross bars. Otherwise the cross bars with the carrier can just be
loosened and lifted off. REI sells them and has a good idea of what will work best on your vehicle. They have a once a year sale for members and it's
the only time I've ever seen Thule on sale. Membership is about $25 and we saved about $150 on the carrier and mounts.
Life is too short to drink bad wine
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El Camote
Senior Nomad
Posts: 514
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Above the clouds
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Mood: y Blues
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Loaded roof racks on an SUV raise your high COG even higher. As a cargo-hauling alternative, why not consider a small, enclosed trailer. Maybe
something like this: http://www.trailersplus.com/California/Fillmore/Trailers/Int...
You'll be able to haul almost half a ton, much more securely, with access while you travel. For the overinflated price of Thule and Yakima roof rack
systems, you could easily buy a used trailer.
Knowledge is good. - Emil Faber
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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In my experinece, the Thule black boxes will only last a few years in the sun.
They tend to crack at the mount to the racks.
Yakima makes the best boxes although also the most expensive.
Their white fiberglass boxes will last twice as long as the Thule's.
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mulegemarylynn
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 7-29-2011
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El Camote - that sounds like an interesting alternative. You're right about the overinflated price of a Thule - the 1800 Atlantis, with Thule racks,
locks, etc. comes to just a smidge over $1000 here in Michigan. This will be 1st year in new casa, so need to bring a half a ton of stuff and I've
been trying to figure out just how to do it. But a couple of probably stupid questions - would the trailer have to be unpacked at the border and
checkpoints? Would I even be allowed to bring a trailer in? And if there was a half ton available, I could probably get everything and more into
it...but would there be duties to pay at the border? I'd be bringing in stuff like linens, dishes, electronics and such. And backing up a
trailer.....uhhh, that's a little difficult for me, but I suppose it could be accomplished 
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mulegemarylynn
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 7-29-2011
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Thanks Diver, at the Thule price, it's doesn't seem to be worth it - lasting only a few years. McFez, your Rover is a lot more substantial than a
RAV; I don't think my little bug would stand up to the challenge. WillyAirstream also said that given the weight limits of a RAV, the cargo carrier
would only be able to hold about 60 pounds or so.... doesn't look good for a Thule
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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[Edited on 8-6-2011 by mcfez]
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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capitolkat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 510
Registered: 3-9-2006
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Thule has a lifetime warranty on it's products. That is one thing I looked at when buying. Also, the silver top models are same price as the black and
take the weather better as far as heat and sun wear occcur. Of course the warranty doesn't cover damage caused by dropping or having an accident. Mine
is a year old and looks just like new. I don't keep it on the vehicle when I'm not using it, as it does cut down on milage. No problems in backing or
other trailer problems and I just carry light stuff like bedding, suitcases and twice coming through customs they didn't even make me open it. Norm
Life is too short to drink bad wine
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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I have the Yakima Light Silver SKY BOX on my Nissan X-terra and it has been a dream. It does not seem to effect our gas mileage at all at 65 mph.
The light Silver one does not seem to get as HOT as the others, so that is why we went with it. The Titanium and Black SKY BOX'S really get hot if in
the sun very long, and not moving down the road. It opens from both sides of the vehicle, and seems very secure. I mount it directly on the big
Factory bars, and load it up heavy even tho they recommend only 150 lbs. I know I have had well over 200 lbs in it, and gone on some terrible rocky
roads with no problems. It is pricey at about $600 but I think it is worth every penny. I do NOT leave it on the vehicle when not on a trip-----the
sun would ruin it eventually, so I put mine in a shed out of the sun.
I have a second Yakima Black long skinny "SPACE BOOSTER" cargo box that is 15 years old with no problems at all except it gets really hot in the sun.
I paid $30 for it at a garage sale.
I love Yakima boxes!!! I can relate no negatives about them.
Barry
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rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
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welcome to the Nomads, Marylynn.
you specifically asked about a locking system, so I didn't respond earlier. but, since you mention carrying linens, household stuff, etc and that
price is an issue, you might consider a soft carrier. I can't remember the brand of the one I bought when I brought a lot of stuff like that down in
an Explorer Sport, but it cost maybe 100-150. strapped on, no need for anything but gutters of some kind. I stuffed that thing full of linens,
towels, pillows, clothes, my inflatable kayak, etc, all in heavy plastic bags because I was paranoid and did actually unpack it and take the stuff
into the hotels at night.
I had looked at the hard carriers and was unimpressed with their capacities plus I didn't feel I'd use a hard one enough to justify the price.
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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AmoPescar
Senior Nomad
Posts: 835
Registered: 7-15-2006
Location: North San Diego County
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Mood: Need a Fish Taco and a Pacifico!
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Welcome Marylynn...
Here's another VERY WELL BUILT rack for you to consider. ARB products are off-road tested and tried! The one in the link below is
ALLOY, but they also have a STEEL version.
http://www.arbusa.com/Products/Roof-Racks/Alloy-Roof-Rack/12...
Michael (aka Miguelamo)  
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Curt63
Super Nomad
Posts: 1171
Registered: 3-28-2009
Location: San Diego, Ca.
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Mood: Fish tacos and Tecate
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Fez is right. Spend the $ for quality. Lots of rough dirt roads leading to amazing wonderful fantastic places.
You dont want a cheap one to break on you.
Good luck!
No worries
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Save space
We use those vaccum bags. Pack 'em full of clothes, towels, bedding, pillows, blankets, the cat (just kidding) then use the vaccum cleaner to suck the
air out. Works great, saves space.
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AmoPescar
Senior Nomad
Posts: 835
Registered: 7-15-2006
Location: North San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Need a Fish Taco and a Pacifico!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
We use those vaccum bags. Pack 'em full of clothes, towels, bedding, pillows, blankets, the cat (just kidding) then use the vaccum cleaner to suck the
air out. Works great, saves space. |
bajaguy...
So when you get to your destination...do you unpack the cat and fluff him up? Or...do you have to re-hydrate him for an hour in some warm water??
Miguelamo    
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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I just dont get spending 500-1k on a rooftop carrier. Yeah, they are sleek and pretty and aerodynamic and all that.
Garage sales, PennySaver, Recycler, amigo. You can get decent ones (not in the class of Yakima and Thule, of course) for 20-50 bucks. I did. It's a
Canadian model that is probably 3 foot wide by 4 foot long by 2.5 foot high. It is a bit aerodynamic as it is a bit lower in the front than the back.
But it still DOES cost about 1.5 mpg on the Jeep. I also use it on the Lance, when necessary.
The construction is thin polypropylene or something. It does flex a bit. Has a locking mechanism. It attaches to any rack with U-bolts, so it doesnt
lock but a thief will have to take the time to ratchet off all 8 nylock nuts.
But I'm not too worried about it..............they will be working on those pretty Yakimas and Thules on the expensive SUVs anyway.
I guess it's a pizza carrier.
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