Roof Cargo Carrier vs. Hitch Cargo Carrier

Roof is trashy.

What do you drive? You already have roof bars? A receiver for a hitch?

I have a hitch carrier from Northern Tools was about $100 and has the tilt function/option so that when you get where your going and unload your crap you pull a pin swing it up and replace the pin. This way your not backing into other people with that extra 2' hanging off the back. As others have said less drag behind the car than on top. But I would also recommend a good bag/cover. I got mine from etrailer.com I think it's 60"x24"x20" it is made of very thick pliable material, zipper that is covered by the outside material with velcro closure to keep the rain out and has six adjustable straps to attach to the carrier. We've put probably about 6,000 miles on this set-up over the past 5-6 years and it is holding up great.

I don't work for either of the two companies I mentioned but mentioned them because that is where I got my set up. I will say that when I was looking for the carry bag I looked at a bunch and the e-trailer bag seemed to be the best I could find on-line or local. After purchasing and using it I'm not sure you could find a better quality carrier bag for the price. Granted I don't remember the exact price but I think it was around $150-$200 and well worth it. The carrier carries but the bag protects.

We used our hitch carrier a lot. More convenient for sure. Stopping at motels, etc.

Plus we got rear ended once traveling and it absorbed a lot of the impact.

Roof ones are a pain. The straps flap around.

I have used both traveling from Louisiana to California and back. Roof carrier decreases MPG, so get a hard one that is sloped for aerodynamics. The hitch works ok depending on how much you plan to have in the back.

I ended up renting a pull behind U-haul on the way back, because all the weight and stuff on the hitch carrier seemed sketchy at best.

Got this setup and used it for the first time today on the way to the beach

Hitch carrier - LINK
Light kit - LINK
Waterproof bag - LINK
Hitch tightener - LINK
Cargo net - LINK

quote:

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I’m glad you don’t work for those companies you fricking loser

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So, I'm a loser? I just think you're upset because I know that you're not a Mandingo aficionado and you only came for the girl. That's why I threw Broomhilda in the etrailer.com bag, strapped her to the Northern Tools carrier attached to the stagecoach you didn't see and left town before you shot everybody. The studio didn't like that ending so they let you shoot everybody, but I still got away.

Shite, I didn't know any of this existed. I've been riding around like Clark Griswald with the cock-eyed hitch carrier covered with a tarp and ratchet straps.

Thanks for posting this info.

I have both. Thule hyper Xl and a Gearspace 34 from Let's Go Aero. The hitch carrier holds more stuff and is easy to get too, but requires storage space at home, plus if you have to get to the cargo area you have to unlock a couple items and telescope it out. It is not too much of a hassle. The roof carrier puts things out of the way, but holds less. Also you risk the chance of pulling a Clark Griswold and driving it into a parking garage, as it happened to me. Luckily it was just scrapes before I realized and stopped!

Depending on the trip and luggage needs, I alternate.