Anti-MPG Mod. Roof Rack Carrier or Roof Bag Suggestions Needed.

[backpacker3]

Just FYI there is a big sale on Thule at moosejaw and backcountry now.

[UltArc]

Same for us, we can only rescue. Except, when I get my Caucasian Shepherd, it's nearly impossible to find one that is tame (by tame I mean like the tigers at the zoo who don't kill you when you go in their pen) and in need of a home.

I'm sorry for your situation, but it seems like a good home for your new gentlemen.

The way mine works, there is space between it and the vehicle. If it looks like this:

< VAN
The a bag could be secured in the open wedge between the van and it, and the other portion could be secured inside the bike holders. Here is the inside of my boattail.





Definitely enough space for a modest haul. A large duffle bag and two medium to smalls should be easy to fit in. A few cable ties combined with the lack of turbulence from the shield would make it pretty secure. I wouldn't leave it out over night, though. Will bring attention and people would have an easy time pulling your stuff out- especially if you design it for ease of access.

[sarguy01]

Originally Posted by UltArc

Same for us, we can only rescue. Except, when I get my Caucasian Shepherd, it's nearly impossible to find one that is tame (by tame I mean like the tigers at the zoo who don't kill you when you go in their pen) and in need of a home.

I'm sorry for your situation, but it seems like a good home for your new gentlemen.

The way mine works, there is space between it and the vehicle. If it looks like this:

< VAN
The a bag could be secured in the open wedge between the van and it, and the other portion could be secured inside the bike holders. Here is the inside of my boattail.





Definitely enough space for a modest haul. A large duffle bag and two medium to smalls should be easy to fit in. A few cable ties combined with the lack of turbulence from the shield would make it pretty secure. I wouldn't leave it out over night, though. Will bring attention and people would have an easy time pulling your stuff out- especially if you design it for ease of access.

Wow. The bag in a boat tail is a great idea.

I'd like to put a bubble in place of the trunk lid on my Civic, so we could fit the dogs and kids on a little road trip. It wouldn't be very aero, but at 42ish mpg on the highway, the bubble would only lower my mpg's a bit. But, I don't know how well a bubble would work...

[serialk11r]

I always thought that the Thule boxes might be more aerodynamic if you mounted them backwards considering the shape...

[vskid3]

What about a cargo bag that straps on the back? Something like this. Shouldn't hurt mileage, but I'm not sure how it would effect opening the rear hatch.

[UltArc]

Not a bad idea. I, personally, would rather build something than buy it. That does seem like a good product, though. Make sure you have a lock for the zippers, if you stop overnight. I would guess it would be harder to open, but a boattail can get heavy depending on build, I would imagine it would be worse to have a loaded boattail than that loaded.

[Thenorm]

do you seats fold flat?

I understand the dogs are taking alot of horizontal space, but are they using all the vertical?

is there a way you can pack everything and have the dogs sit on it? or have built some sort of floor above the luggage for the dogs?

I've done some road trips with lots of luggage and dogs, and the dogs just had to sit up high.

[Fat Charlie]

Originally Posted by Thenorm

I've done some road trips with lots of luggage and dogs, and the dogs just had to sit up high.

Effective, but bad for future presidential runs.

[The Other Andy]

Summit Locking Roof Cargo Box

12 cubic foot hard shell roof box. Heck, it might be pretty aerodynamic mounted backwards too!
$119 + $50 S&H.


They have some really inexpensive roof bags too:
Roof Top Cargo Bags Starting at $34.99

[bryn]

i like to fill my boats with gear on the roof.
no rack to buy.
a few cheap foam blocks work fine.
you have a canoe/kayak/sailing dinghy to play with when you get there.