learn me: cargo carriers for long distance road trip

I could use some help...  Ms. ClearwaterMS and myself are planning a road trip from our home in the suburbs of Chicago to Cape Coral, FL at the end of December.  We have done this trip in the past and the last time we did it we took our two dogs and luggage in my Audi S4 which was perfect, comfortable, fast, quiet, etc.  

This time however we now have 3 large dogs and 3 dogs in the backseat of a compact sedan for 2 days of driving does not a pleasant experience make.  This leaves us with the largest vehicle in our fleet (a 21 Mercedes GLB250) which is still not a very large vehicle.  To maximize room for the dogs I was thinking the best option would be to add a cargo carrier to the vehicle for our luggage, fold down the seats giving the dogs all of the room behind the front two seats to spread out.  I have some experience with a cargo carrier but it was over 20 years ago and we used ratchet straps that went through the interior of the car to attach it.  

My needs are something that is easy to install/remove with just two people that minimizes impact to the drive down (can keep up with traffic at 75+ mph, minimize additional NVH, etc.)

I was looking at the Thule and Yakima as those are two brands of accessories that I recognize and hoping to pick one that will ensure the hatch will still open and won't extend too far over the roof of the car.  

Here are some pictures for everybody to appreciate 

Your car has fore/aft rails but does it have side/side rails?  You'll need those..

Buy used if possible.  

Sears used to sell a brand under the name Xcargo.  Search for that on FB

Even better, borrow if you can.

I'll second buy used. Even the discount price on these is high. My son picked one up for $100 which gets the job done. 

You will need the cross bars. 

Another option is to look into the cargo bags that strap on the roof. They are frequently a good bit cheaper. 

Samples

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/766159002191811/?mibextid=dXMIcH

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/766159002191811/?mibextid=dXMIcH

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/243335735181744/?mibextid=dXMIcH

If you're hooked on new this is cheap for new, $300.  Seems to be where Xcargo went after Sears.  It will also show you good pictures.  

I have a Thule and we use it for the exact same reason, it gives the dogs way more room in the car. We usually put mostly dog paraphernalia in it - crates, mats, toys etc - things we won't need at the hotel or on the drive till we get to our destination.

It works well, doesn't seem to affect the drivability or fuel mileage or make noise when used on top our Audi Allroad wagon. I've even used it on top of my MINI Clubman.......worked a treat.

I agree with buying used. I got mine new for a hugely discounted price including the cross bars, but as little as we've used ours all you'd need to do is maybe clean the bugs off the front of a used one - it's rare to see one damaged.

My 95lb wife and I can easily put it on top of the car.

Storage may be an issue because of the size and the few times you use it, I hang mine off a wall in the basement.

One other consideration, the ones in the ads above appear to only open from the back, mine opens from either side, which might make loading /unloading easier.

If you have a trailer hitch, you could get one of those hitch carriers......

I've got a soft bag that is awesome.  It will clip to side rails or to the door frame if you don't have side rails.  Doesn't need cross rails.  Waterproof.  Holds a ton of stuff.  Stores very compactly when you're not using it.  Easy to put up and take down.  Pretty cheap.

I'm pretty sure that mine is a Rightline.  Got it as an emergency at a Walmart a couple years ago for about $150 or so and have used it about a dozen times since.

John Welsh said:

Your car has fore/aft rails but does it have side/side rails?  You'll need those..

Buy used if possible.  

Sears used to sell a brand under the name Xcargo.  Search for that on FB

Even better, borrow if you can.

i don't have the cross rails so I know i'll need the cross bars and I've read that the aftermarket cross rails are better than the factory ones.  

in terms of used i did a quick search and all of the ones that look aerodynamic and clean were 1/2 the price of a new one and at least an hour+ away.  so i'll probably buy new as my time and the peace of mind that a new one brings is worth the extra few hundred dollars.  

Is there an REI Coop close by you? They rent these things, at least in Seattle, might be worth investigating. 

I have a Yakima that may be available for sale or loan, in Elmhurst. Won't be able to get pictures for a while, probably until tomorrow. Let me know if you're interested. it is a long one, my parents used it on a 2001ish Honda Oddity. 

In reply to ClearWaterMS :

Borrow really is the dream scenario since these units are cumbersome to store.  We borrowed this Sears model from friends twice.  

Two adults and one baby.  The box was filled with baby stuff like portable crib, portable high chair, stroller, etc. 

I did a lot of research when I bought my roof box, and narrowed the field to the Yakima Skybox and the Thule Motion. They both offered a large capacity version for the van, but have smaller versions as well. I liked the butch look of the Thule, but the lower cost and streamlined look of the Yakima won the day. I have used it for a few years now on several long trips and the added capacity is a game-changer. A long box is more aerodynamic, holds skis and pipes and boards if need be, and can even be mounted on one side of the rack to allow space for more things on the other side. I cannot honestly say it dinged my fuel mileage any more than the added weight of extra people and cargo, but it is quiet on the highway and doesn't affect the ride at all.  I recommend going long and skinny over fat and boxy if you can. 

Slippery said:

Is there an REI Coop close by you? They rent these things, at least in Seattle, might be worth investigating. 

thats a great idea and i'll look into it.  We had planned to buy on at REI as we are members the problem is that our road trip will last 3-4 weeks (we are driving down for hopefully the full month of January) but i'll check into that for sure.  

mtn said:

I have a Yakima that may be available for sale or loan, in Elmhurst. Won't be able to get pictures for a while, probably until tomorrow. Let me know if you're interested. it is a long one, my parents used it on a 2001ish Honda Oddity. 

let me know; as you may remember we played golf last year and i think you only live a few miles from me.  

You should be able to get cross bars pretty easily online. My wife bought some cheap ones for her Telluride, and they worked just fine. The rails looked similar to your car. I have a cheap XCargo unit like mentioned above, it has served just fine. If I was buying one to use frequently or leave on the car for longer periods, I'd spring for one of the much more solid offerings from Thule or Yakima. One tip. Buy a small folding stool to leave in the car, it will make access much easier. 

I've borrowed a buddy's hitch cargo carrier a few times. It worked well for me and is out of the wind.

dyintorace said:

I've borrowed a buddy's hitch cargo carrier a few times. It worked well for me and is out of the wind.

the glb SUV is the smallest SUV mercedes makes and has a tow rating measured in ounces, as such it doesn't have a hitch.  

I got 2 soft bags from dicks sporting goods for exactly this.  Has plenty of straps.  Doesn't need cross rails.  They were like $50 each.

Mostly waterproof (make sure the zipper flap is down!).  The entire bag unzips and makes it easy to take stuff in and out.

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Rooftop-Cargo-Carrier-Black/dp/B072ZHRDMZ/ref=asc_df_B072ZHRDMZ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241915008172&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6969616295856392398&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1025666&hvtargid=pla-400785220292&psc=1&mcid=2e1e2ab18f163ec3984f6872491f8118&gclid=Cj0KCQiApOyqBhDlARIsAGfnyMrGx30QgAk2FsTVo3y1rzfdN0d6fF3VSnU_uFlDV7G83bPIAgbhYq8aAo8eEALw_wcB

Let me know if you're interested - you're welcome to borrow it, but I think I'm going to rescind the sale offer. 

mtn said:

 

Let me know if you're interested - you're welcome to borrow it, but I think I'm going to rescind the sale offer. 

Are you sure?  This is super generous.  I am going to be in Florida for most of the month of January, we leave Thursday/Friday the 28th/29th of December and plan to return on the 20th of January.  If you're okay with it, i'll shoot you a text and we can work out the details on when I can come over and make sure it fits on the car (in the meantime i'll order rails/etc.)

P.S.  I will happily rent it and if you won't accept money please let me know your favorite beverage/charity that accepts donations/etc.  

In reply to ClearWaterMS :

Yeah, I'm sure. It hasn't been used since 2004; it has been stored here since my parents moved in 2020 or 2021. We don't have crossbars for the van yet anyway and have no plans for them in at least the next 6 months.