Rooftop cargo baskets are the perfect aftermarket utility for people looking to expand their stowage options without compromising versatility. The inside of your vehicle is made for comfortable seating and using it to store large bags, coolers and luggage can make the road trip a little annoying, especially with kids in the back.
Rooftop cargo baskets bring more storage for less money and offer a standard tray to hold any type of cargo. This is great for people who have large bags, and want to avoid cargo boxes, or for people who want to add a little more capacity without upgrading their cars.
There are many cargo baskets that you can choose from, but not all of them will last multiple road trips. This is why we tested and rounded up a list of the best rooftop cargo baskets.
Yakima OffGrid
Yakima OffGrid combines elements of a modern design and rugged construction. It has all the sleek contours and round bars that make it modern but everything on the cargo basket offers function more than aesthetics. The rooftop cargo basket measures 44” by 40” with a height of 7”. It can hold around 165 lbs and there’s a large version with slightly bigger dimensions. The all-tubular steel construction feels rigid and there are two crossbars on top to mount different accessories like fork mount blocks for a bike rack.
The rack is installed using four mounts that have a rubberized steel strap underneath. The strap wraps around your crossbar and tightens into place. On the rack, some ridges prevent the mount from sliding anywhere else, and on the front, there’s a wind fairing designed to be removed when needed, but we recommend you leave it on to reduce drag. In terms of experience, there’s no noise while driving and there’s always the comfort of knowing the rack is locked to your crossbars. You can add a variety of luggage on the trays and even use a few Yakima modules to carry surfboards and bikes along with your cargo. The ability to diversify the use makes this rack a solid purchase for most of our customers.
Pros
-
- Rugged Construction
-
- No noise when driving
-
- Easy installation
-
- Locking mechanism
-
- Looks good when installed
-
- Added crossbars
Cons
-
- Lacks extra attachments for the rack
Rhino Racks XTRAY
The Rhino Rack XTRAY serves all the essential functions of a cargo basket but goes beyond with its sleek design. It is similar to OffGrid in many ways but offers more space to work with. The spec sheet puts its weight capacity at 165 lbs and it measures 58” by 43” with a height of 6”. It’s perfect for storing anything that can’t be put inside your car, like dirty equipment or work boots.
The XTray has an all-steel construction with a low profile, There’s a wind faring on the front that can be removed when not needed. The main function of wind fairing is to reduce drag and noise from the rack. The installation was standard with any roof rack, it installs on the crossbars using padded clamps and bolts, which can take a little time, but provides a very secure connection. You have the freedom to load luggage any way you please and this rack can handle everything.
Pros
-
- Heavy-duty steel construction
-
- No noise when driving
-
- Rugged aesthetic
-
- Freedom to use space
Cons
-
- No locking mechanism
-
- Assembly is tedious
-
- Installation takes time
Thule Canyon XT
Thule carries their recipe of success from bike racks and cargo boxes and brings them to rooftop cargo baskets. The rack has an extremely low profile but fastens any type of cargo really well with its side rails. The construction follows a tubular alloy steel design with a powder-coated finish to make it stand against moisture and weather elements. While the rack measures 50” by 41” and stands off the roof of your car by 6”, it is lightweight and we found it impressive to be able to hold 150 lbs being just 29 lbs.
The cargo basket has a tubular structure and the mounts for installing this basket can be moved on the tubular floor of the basket for better alignment. The cargo basket mounts to the crossbars via U bolts and fly nuts. There’s also the possibility to use a T-track on the crossbar instead of U bolts. The rack can also be extended by almost 20” with an extension sold separately. The low profile not only helps to direct off coming wind from the front but also makes it easy to carry things onto the cargo basket. There’s also a wind fairing that helps with wind noise reduction and aerodynamics of the 41” wide basket.
The mounts come with locks, but the lock cylinders have to be purchased separately which we felt should be included in the price. The mounting hardware doesn’t stand up to the quality of Thule and is simply a piece of thin metal that does the job.
Pros
-
- Heavy-duty steel construction
-
- No noise when driving
-
- Sleek and aero design
-
- Freedom to use space
-
- Locking mechanism
-
- Extendable
-
- Easy to load cargo on the basket
Cons
-
- Mounting hardware feels cheap
MaxxHaul Rooftop Cargo Carrier Steel Basket
MaxxHaul Rooftop cargo carrier is something that will go light on your wallet and be big on use. It is designed to haul your cargo and gear at a low price and has many features that make it worth considering. The rack is lightweight and easy to install. It weighs just 25 lbs. and can haul cargo up to 150 lbs. The rack dimensions are 46” by 36” and the height is just under 5”.
The rack has a tubular design and steel construction with powder coated finish, features found on high-quality racks. It also features a wind fairing that works partially and rubber around connections that prevent water from entering the bolts and protects the screws. Installing the rack is quite simple with four clamps and U bolts that tighten using fly nuts. One thing that might break the deal is how time-consuming the assembly of this rooftop cargo basket is. Most of the additional premium features, like locks and clever mounting systems, have been left out to cut the price. Overall, this is a great budget option, that can efficiently manage space and haul immense weights.
Pros
-
- Heavy-duty steel construction
-
- Sleek and aero design
-
- Freedom to use space
-
- Easy to load cargo on the basket
Cons
-
- No locking mechanism
-
- Time-consuming assembly
Final Word
Rooftop cargo baskets are designed to haul all types of gears and you can find cheaper baskets with a rugged construction, but if you’re looking to make the most out of the basket, it’s better to go with the industry leaders like Yakima, which have the option of turning the cargo basket into a rooftop bike rack with some storage space or mounting hardware that can allow you to carry surfboards. Budget options are great for simply hauling gear without much consideration for future use and diversity