Roof rack recommendation

Title says it. Planning a summer climbing trip with a hatchback (Subaru). Normally I wouldn't need the extra space, but it's a bit of a combo trip in that I'm moving cross-country at the same time. The catch is I also have a bike to bring with me that I mount on a narrow roof rack. Is there an option for a cargo-carrier to mount on the roof that isn't so large (wide) that would allow to mount both? Thanks for any insight. Cheers. 

I did something similar last summer. Just added Thule cross bars and a narrow ski box (16cubic feet). But you could also use wide cross bars and mount a bigger volume box. Having the extra space up top was a huge help. 

However, if you're not planning to use your bike you can ship it with bikeflights.com or via Amtrak for a pretty reasonable price, which is what I ended up doing rather than dealing with bikes on the roof for my whole trip. 

Thule and Yakima both make narrow boxes you can fit on most racks with a single bike carrier.   The Yakima Skybox 12 is only 24"' wide.  Scoot you bike rack as far to one side as you can and then measure how much room is left.

https://www.yakima.com/skybox-12-carbonite

I've seen a few vehicles out there that use bars that are longer than their car is wide. The end result is that they can get 2 skybox 16s up there. I imagine the same principle could apply to your car..... Don't know what it would do to your gas mileage though. 

Thanks for the input so far. Linnaeus, I've actually used bikeflights before and it's great. I won't be needing my bike on the trip so it's likely I'll end up shipping it, heck I could probably even fit the bike rack in the box with it. Adam, it's funny you mention the wide bar option b/c I saw a car on my drive home from work today with that exact setup. I do wonder how having the cargo box off-set from the center effects gas milage, certainly wont help. Based on my preliminary research a decent cargo rack is wayyyy more expensive than I would have guessed. I'm thinking I might as well ship all my non-climbing relating items it this rate.

Cron wrote: Thanks for the input so far. Linnaeus, I've actually used bikeflights before and it's great. I won't be needing my bike on the trip so it's likely I'll end up shipping it, heck I could probably even fit the bike rack in the box with it. Adam, it's funny you mention the wide bar option b/c I saw a car on my drive home from work today with that exact setup. I do wonder how having the cargo box off-set from the center effects gas milage, certainly wont help. Based on my preliminary research a decent cargo rack is wayyyy more expensive than I would have guessed. I'm thinking I might as well ship all my non-climbing relating items it this rate.

Yeah they aren't cheap. If you're only going to use it once or twice then shipping is probably better. I use mine just about every climbing, camping, or canoeing trip so it was kind of a no brainer for me. 

Cron wrote: Thanks for the input so far. Linnaeus, I've actually used bikeflights before and it's great. I won't be needing my bike on the trip so it's likely I'll end up shipping it, heck I could probably even fit the bike rack in the box with it. Adam, it's funny you mention the wide bar option b/c I saw a car on my drive home from work today with that exact setup. I do wonder how having the cargo box off-set from the center effects gas milage, certainly wont help. Based on my preliminary research a decent cargo rack is wayyyy more expensive than I would have guessed. I'm thinking I might as well ship all my non-climbing relating items it this rate.

Good racks aren't cheap, they boost your fuel consumption (especially on those long stretches out west with 75-80 mph speed limits), and all those miles on top of a car won't do your bike any good, either. Then there's the risk of getting stuff stolen off your rack... 

Having the roof box on top at all certainly hurts gas mileage, but I don't think having it favored to one side vs in the center matters. Since my box only opens from one side, I have always left it favored to that side of the car. Both situations increase the size of the frontal area equally, so they are likely the same to any reasonable level of accuracy when calculating the drag of your whole vehicle. However, having a longer box should not be significantly worse (potentially better? any aerospace engineers here?) so you always want a full ~2m long box to maximize your storage. If it's there you'll use it!

Regarding cost, I got one box on Craigslist for $50 (16 cubic feet, Thule) and another used for $125 (21 cubic feet, Yakima) both in the greater Boston area. I did look and wait for a deal though.

Good luck with whatever route you go, and have fun on your trip!

I didn't read the whole thread, but I have experience with the RocketBox by Yakima. I only had my Camry wagon for 4 years, but the RocketBox never came off. It is thin enough that I could fit a bike carrier and the RocketBox next to each other, or a playboat....canoe/full size kayak wouldn't fit with the box on. I used it mostly for ski's and boots when doing a Summit county road trip, but it will hold anything. New they are $400, but you can always find used, especially if you have a Subi.

We bought a soft carrier for a trip.
Obvious drawbacks, like less secure and less aerodynamic, but much cheaper.
Also easier to store off the vehicle.
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Automotive-Vehicle-Soft-Shell-Carriers/zgbs/automotive/491446011

Thanks for all the input so far folks. I recently found that Outdoorgearlab did some comprehensive reviews for roof cargo boxes last year, I've found this really informative. Link here for anyone else who may be researching. https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/travel/best-cargo-box

It was also brought to my attention that AAC members have a 40% Yakima discount through Experticity.com. The trouble with buying these things online is that you still have to pay freight shipping, which is typically upwards of $100+ and nearly negates the discount. 

Looks like the limiting factor for hatchback vehicles is the roof clearance. The 2008 Outback has a clearance of about 52", that limits me to some of the mid-size models like the Thule Force XL and Yakima Skybox 16. It's a toss up between those two, both get great reviews from Outdoor gear lab. Just a matter of finding a local retailer or a lucky craigslist add.

Cheers.

Cron wrote: Thanks for all the input so far folks. I recently found that Outdoorgearlab did some comprehensive reviews for roof cargo boxes last year, I've found this really informative. Link here for anyone else who may be researching. https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/travel/best-cargo-box

It was also brought to my attention that AAC members have a 40% Yakima discount through Experticity.com. The trouble with buying these things online is that you still have to pay freight shipping, which is typically upwards of $100+ and nearly negates the discount.

Looks like the limiting factor for hatchback vehicles is the roof clearance. The 2008 Outback has a clearance of about 52", that limits me to some of the mid-size models like the Thule Force XL and Yakima Skybox 16. It's a toss up between those two, both get great reviews from Outdoor gear lab. Just a matter of finding a local retailer or a lucky craigslist add.

Cheers.

amazon prime?

The last few years EMS has had all Thule on sale Memorial Day weekend at 20% off. Join the rewards program and you’ll get $10.00 back for every $200.00 spent in the form of a coupon within a couple weeks. 

Cron wrote: Thanks for all the input so far folks. I recently found that Outdoorgearlab did some comprehensive reviews for roof cargo boxes last year, I've found this really informative. Link here for anyone else who may be researching. https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/travel/best-cargo-box

It was also brought to my attention that AAC members have a 40% Yakima discount through Experticity.com. The trouble with buying these things online is that you still have to pay freight shipping, which is typically upwards of $100+ and nearly negates the discount.

Looks like the limiting factor for hatchback vehicles is the roof clearance. The 2008 Outback has a clearance of about 52", that limits me to some of the mid-size models like the Thule Force XL and Yakima Skybox 16. It's a toss up between those two, both get great reviews from Outdoor gear lab. Just a matter of finding a local retailer or a lucky craigslist add.

Cheers.

I've been wondering if someone had experience bringing out both cargo and mountain bikes. In my case, it is for a Toyota Camry. Don't want to reinvent the wheel, just wanted to know how do you work with such setup? I've been using a trunk carrier, but then decided to switch to roof racks (like these) and it seems to me that there are no recent threads about them.
So, for those of you that have Thule and Yakima, I have questions:

Do you leave them on all the time or take them off when you are not using them?
How long does it take to take them off?
Do they leave any marks/do any damage?

Thanks in advance.

Regina,

For what it’s worth, I ended up getting a Thule Force XT. It’s great, fits way more cargo than you’d think. Ultimately I decided having both bike and cargo on top wasn’t practical for me. I either slam the bike in the car or ship it for extended trips.

When I was living in the southwest I left the box on at all times, since I’d use it nearly every weekend. It did cut 2 mpg from my gas efficiency.

Since moving back to the northeast I found clearing snow off the roof to be pain in the ass, so I’m keeping it off for the winter.

Surprisingly easy to take on and off. No tools needed. I can do it in 2 minutes flat by myself. No damage that I can see after 2+ years of use.

Buy the best system you can afford. I still use the Yakima towers and crossbars that my parents purchased 35 years ago. Use locks, my buddy had his "locked" bike stolen when someone just threw the latch on his and slid off the bike and lock together. Another buddy of mine recommends aero-shaped bars as being much quieter. 

My racks go on and off my truck every time they're used. I carry a canoe plus windsurfer or bikes. Takes about ten minutes to put the system together, less to take it apart. I really like the cam--lock straps instead of the trucker ratchets. My Mrs. leaves her Yakimas on the Forester so that she can find the car in big parking lots. Might get skuff marks if you let sand get under the pads.