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djkeev
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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 4:30 am    Post subject: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

I have a 1990 tintop.

I have a Hauler Rack on it. This is mostly used for carrying ladders or long building materials.

http://www.haulerracks.com/html/hauler_racks__inc__-_van_racks.html

For my planned Western journey I want to get a rooftop luggage box.

I must say, I'm suffering from sticker shock!

I am slightly stunned by the money charged for the various brands.

So this brings me to wondering, if I'm going to spend 100’s of $$’s on a box, which boxes are good?
What boxes should I avoid?
Are the boxes really water tight?
How do the boxes fasten to the rooftop rack crossbars?

The last luggage box I has was a Sears Xcargo decades ago.

Dave
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ZsZ
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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 4:44 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

I am not familiar with the US market, but I think Thule boxes are available there. They are good quality but pricey. Here in europe there are some good Czech made ones which are for the third/half of the price of the Thule ones.

There are ones which can be opened from only one side, they are cheaper, but I prefer double sided opening for convenience.

The one are sold here are not sealed but have double lips so water ingress is not a real problem. However it is wise to put things in bags up there.

New expensive boxes have some special clamps that close while you crank some handscrew. Old style cheaper ones have U brackets with two hand knob nuts.
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Steve M.
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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 4:47 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

What style of luggage box do you want?
Long narrow style like a Yakima "Skybox" or a wider flatter box or a square type box like the one you had earlier?
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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 4:50 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

Can't go wrong with Thule or Yakima. Worth the money, yes they are essentially as weatherproof as anything can be. A good thing to buy used IME, patience is a virtue even if you don't have the time.
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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 4:54 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

Time for a road trip?

https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=00873226831859670641...zDiUS1BBME
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danfromsyr
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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 4:56 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

one thing to consider if your going to drop $$ for storage and convenience..
consider a rear cargo box.. these pop up time to time.

you will find it MUCH MUCH more convenient to use than having to drag out a ladder.
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/pts/d/doylestown-thule-terrapin-hitch-mounted/7319848407.html

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djkeev
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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 4:59 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

Steve M. wrote:
What style of luggage box do you want?
Long narrow style like a Yakima "Skybox" or a wider flatter box or a square type box like the one you had earlier?


I really don't know.
I guess I'm looking for a fairly low profile?
My trip West will involve some home repairs at various visits with family/friends across the Nation.
I'll probably carry my tools up top in the box. Mitre box, various types of saws, hardware, small air compressor and finish nail guns, hand tools, etc.

I'll be building a tool storage system in the Van for everyday work use.
But come travel time the tools will relocate and the built in storage rack will become space to carry clothing, bedding, food, cooking stuff, etc in the Van.

Dave
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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 5:07 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

Keep an eye out at garage sales I picked up a thule for $35
thule has a 3 point internal locking system
I have a sears style topper as well
the sears style seems to deform a bit in the wind allowing the possibility of some of the latches giving way, rain getting in etc
final analysis =long and low thule is much quieter, thule 3 point is seems more secure and structurally superior
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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 5:29 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

This Thule sportrack SR7018 looks promising.
A palatable price and I can pick it up in Carlisle Pa.

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/thule-horizon-roof-cargo-box/1161

It is rear opening.
Reviews are good too.......

If I were closer to Cape Cod I'd pick up that used one on Craigs list.

Rare is it we do garage sales.

I don't have a receiver hitch on the Van. I put one on my 86 and found a rear carrier to be annoying for engine work and window cleaning.

Big thoughts!

Thanks for the feedback!

Dave
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danfromsyr
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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 5:43 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

the thule swings out to the side.. it's not as inconvenient.
keeps the weight down low.. so it handles better and doesn't impact MPG numbers.
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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 6:17 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

My original plan was to tow a small utility trailer West.

I've been towing that trailer a lot lately and while the Van does absolutely fine with it, a trailer is simply a PITA!

Always being aware of entering situations where backing up isn't fun or at best difficult.

I really don't fancy 8,000 miles with a trailer behind me.
I know some of the houses I will visit don't have trailer friendly driveways.

Hence the switch to a roof top.

I'm going to have the Hauler Rack on anyway for I will have a ladder or two up there so the drag will be there anyway.

In hind sight, I should have opted for the heavier hitch but I had a cheap attack at the time........ oh well.........

Dave
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unplannedbbq
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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 7:49 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

I know you're frugal, so if you're looking used - I've been happy w/ our 25 year old Thule adventurer roof box - long and skinny, continues to serve us well on all vehicles.

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They show up all the time on Craigs down here in NC. ABS plastic, not glossy, tough as anything, new keys can be ordered for $8 on amazon if you can read the lock code off the cylinder.

Just ordered replacement gas struts for our Thule box for annual summer trip w/ the LC100. (our '86 weekender will ride again one day, but so many other projects...).

eTrailer sells a refurb kit https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Thule/TH04997.html.

I've run the Thule on the van, wagons, pop-up camper, and now the land cruiser
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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 8:50 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

djkeev wrote:

which boxes are good?


Thule and Yakima are decent. They nearly all open on either side nowadays, i.e., no choosing driver side or passenger side opening. They are still large, lightweight plastic parts which are flimsy. They’re not like opening and closing a car door or trunk in that they can be opened and closed thousands of times w/out any thought. They require care to open and close and you might be shocked on how grumpy they can be when you’re trying to open or close them and there’s the slightest obstruction twisting them. You may be frustrated at the relatively small opening when fully opened (they don't open 90 degrees).

Packasport boxes are hardshell fiberglass made in Oregon and are three steps ahead of Yakima and Thule but if you had sticker shock before... otyou may appreciate the quality.
https://www.packasport.com/

djkeev wrote:

What boxes should I avoid?

The vinyl bags work but are not fun for accessing regularly to get tools, parts, etc. They’re great to unload to make camp and reload to depart,

djkeev wrote:

Are the boxes really water tight?


If you’re putting the gear in a roof-top box they’re waterproof enough. Don’t put thousands of dollars of camera gear unprotected in the box.

djkeev wrote:

How do the boxes fasten to the rooftop rack crossbars?


The box mfrs. will sell you all sorts of clamps priced similarly to their boxes. A hardware store will sell you u-bolts priced similarly to u-bolts. Each works well.

djkeev wrote:

The last luggage box I has was a Sears Xcargo decades ago.


If that was two plastic clamshells strapped together it’s nearly equal to a $600 Yakima box, minus a glossy finish, a brand sticker and hinges and locks that can be convenient.

Have you considered building a plywood box? Regardless, DuncanS will be along soon to describe how to build a fiberglass box that is far superior to anything available on the market...and he'll be correct.

The swingout hitch mounted boxes are far more convenient although my friend's version of this can require two people to swingout when loaded (one to lift, one to operate the latch).
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Steve M.
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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 9:43 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

You can always cheat on the location of the cargo box!

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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 9:53 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

Packasport boxes......
I'm sure they are great but $2,000 - $4,000 ?!?

Yeah......... that ain't happening!

Dave
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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 9:54 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

Maybe I'm obsessed with cargo boxes?

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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 10:05 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

I have a Thule Mountaineer that's been on the van for 15 years. It's huge and they don't make this model anymore. If you can find one used I would recommend one. Keep an eye on your craigslist. I also have a piece of metal grid on my rack that I can strap things too or put a rooftop cargo bag on.

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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 10:07 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

Here's one in your area: https://newjersey.craigslist.org/for/d/west-milford-thule-roof-box/7323003903.html
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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 10:47 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

djkeev wrote:
Packasport boxes......
I'm sure they are great but $2,000 - $4,000 ?!?

Yeah......... that ain't happening!

Dave


At that price may as well haul another vanagon as your "box" Laughing
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PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2021 11:59 am    Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box Reply with quote

PDXWesty wrote:
Here's one in your area: https://newjersey.craigslist.org/for/d/west-milford-thule-roof-box/7323003903.html

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