Rooftop or Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier?
Pros and cons of both cargo carriers
So
you’re heading off on a trip and you’ve got more gear than your vehicle
can carry. It’s a common problem but there are a number of options to
solve that problem. With all these options, how do you choose?
The most critical question you must ask yourself is: “Where do I want to store my gear?”
You’ve got two basic choices: on your vehicle’s rooftop or on your
vehicle’s hitch. Below is a side-by-side comparison of rooftop cargo
carriers and hitch mounted cargo carriers that will help you decide
which carrier will work best for you.
| | Rooftop Cargo Carriers
| Hitch Mounted Cargo Carriers
|
|---|
Gear Accessibility
| May be difficult to access on large vehicles like vans, SUV’s, and RV’s. | Waist-level access to gear regardless of height of vehicle. |
Truck Compatibility
| Generally not compatible with trucks as the cab is not a large enough mounting surface. | Generally compatible with trucks. |
Installation Considerations
| Often requires additional mounting brackets to attach and secure. | Requires a trailer hitch (already in place on most vehicles). |
Cargo Capacity
| - Up to 20 cu ft
- Up to 200 lbs
| - Up to 16 cu ft
- Up to 200 lbs
|
Functional Cargo Capacity
| Long and angular design will compromise the ability to carry bulky items or suitcases. | Rectangular shape generally offers maximum functionality. Bulky items, suitcases fit better. |
Effect on Gas Mileage
| Increased drag due to rooftop location could decrease gas mileage. | Location in the slipstream behind your vehicle should not affect gas mileage. |
| Durability | Generally made from high-grade ABS plastic (a very light-weight yet durable material). | Generally made from higher-impact plastic polymer (extremely durable material similar to whitewater kayaks). |
Price
| | |