bajadock
Super Nomad
Posts: 1219
Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
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Rooftop Carrier?
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
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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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]
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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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]
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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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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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
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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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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.
Knowledge is good. - Emil Faber
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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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]
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Folding carrier
These are cool........folds up out of the way when empty:
http://www.discountramps.com/folding-cargo-carrier.htm?CAWEL...
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bajadock
Super Nomad
Posts: 1219
Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
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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!
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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Just keep in mind that on a vehicle that low, you want to avoid major dips or it can drag.
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ElCap
Nomad
Posts: 281
Registered: 1-22-2010
Location: Montara CA, or San Ignacio BCS
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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?
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Hitch Hauler
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
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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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.
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