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tarol 
Well I never!
Group: Members
Posts: 10298
Joined: Mar. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 03 2013, 6:55 pm |
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So when we take the kid camping, and his stroller, we've found we need to put some gear atop our Jeep Compass. We've experimented with strapping the stroller on top (created a lot of drag) and buying a cheap car top bag and filling it with gear (did okay, but don't think it's very durable so we returned it). Thinking about getting a hard car top carrier - Thule seems to be the brand most available, but there are some cheaper ones out there. If you have one, which model did you buy, and how do you like it? We would like one that's easy to get on/off, aerodynamic for better gas mileage, and affordable.
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Got elevation? www.tarol.com
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| Post Number: 2
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big_load
Group: Members
Posts: 21837
Joined: Jun. 2004
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Posted on: Jan. 03 2013, 7:24 pm |
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I have an old Thule Weekender. I don't use it much, but it's just right when I need it. The new ones have nifty clamps that make installation and removal a lot easier than threading a bunch of long screws through holes.
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| Post Number: 3
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ponderosa
Group: Members
Posts: 3990
Joined: Jul. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 03 2013, 7:30 pm |
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We bought one at Sears about 10 years ago. They also had Thule available, with demo models of each. We looked at them both very closely and couldn't see a bit of difference between them, so we bought the significantly cheaper Sears brand. We use it a lot and it's still in good shape.
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The harder the toil, the sweeter the rest.
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| Post Number: 4
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bad knees
Group: Members
Posts: 2383
Joined: May 2007
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Posted on: Jan. 03 2013, 7:36 pm |
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Thule or Yakima. I have an old Thule. Big enough to carry a couple bodies in. Depends on what bars you have. Although they are adaptable. Both are good.
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There's a story behind that!
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| Post Number: 5
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hikerjer
Group: Members
Posts: 9144
Joined: Apr. 2002
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Posted on: Jan. 03 2013, 10:56 pm |
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I have an older Thule that I bought for a $100 at a garage sale. Not as convenient as the newer ones as far as attachment is concerned, but it works fine. It's just the right size to fit my body in comfortably, so I have requested that I be buried in it. Perfect fit and a whole lot cheaper than a coffin.
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"Too often I have met men who boast only of how many miles they've traveled and not of what they've seen." - Louis L'Amour
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| Post Number: 6
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Tigger
Woods Pouncer
Group: Members
Posts: 10514
Joined: Apr. 2005
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Posted on: Jan. 03 2013, 11:53 pm |
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I have a soft top carrier and hard top. The hard top is easier in bad weather to load. Otherwise, I actually prefer the soft top one. It holds a bit more and can handle awkwardly shaped items much easier. The hardtop one I have has straps instead of being bolted to the frame. I got it cheap on Craigslist but it still works. It's apparently some model they used to sell at Sears.
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If I'm going to be lost, in the woods is where I want to be...
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| Post Number: 7
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johnq62
Group: Members
Posts: 379
Joined: May 2009
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Posted on: Jan. 03 2013, 11:59 pm |
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Sears Xcargo 70?/thing has been used 10,000x of miles of travel... I spent maybe 6$ to replace all attaching bolts to stainless steel about 3 years ago.... waterpruf cheaper then Thule/Yak toppers.
Last summer we added a hitch hauler and love the bag that Amazon had to offer for most bags(huge watertight bag,dub zipper water tight as heel... well worth the back -up problem my g/f has 
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| Post Number: 8
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| Post Number: 9
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wcolucci
Group: Members
Posts: 1761
Joined: Feb. 2005
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Posted on: Jan. 04 2013, 10:01 am |
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Do they make an ultralite version for the gram weenies out there??
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| Post Number: 10
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skinewmexico
Group: Members
Posts: 1878
Joined: Sep. 2008
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Posted on: Jan. 04 2013, 10:11 am |
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Do you have a receiver hitch? In a case like that, I like the platform carrier that goes on the hitch, and it doesn't screw your mileage. Plus they're WAY cheaper than anything with Thule or Yakima printed on it; <$100.
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Con men understand that their job is not to use facts to convince skeptics but to use words to help the gullible to believe what they want to believe. - Thomas Sowell
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| Post Number: 11
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ogg
Group: Members
Posts: 470
Joined: Jul. 2006
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Posted on: Jan. 04 2013, 11:59 am |
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I use a soft sided carrier made by Inno that has some of the advantages of both hard and soft sided carriers. It has a folding, hard floor and collapsible frame. It can be folded flat while on top of the car if it is empty or folded in half when off the car for easy storage. It has a mounting system that is very easy to use and was cheaper, lighter and more aerodynamic than most of the hard carriers in my price range that I looked at.
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| Post Number: 12
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mossy
Group: Members
Posts: 733
Joined: Aug. 2007
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Posted on: Jan. 04 2013, 12:16 pm |
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Browse your local CL for one. I picked up a once-used Yakima Skybox for $200.
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| Post Number: 13
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| Post Number: 14
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johnq62
Group: Members
Posts: 379
Joined: May 2009
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Posted on: Jan. 05 2013, 12:14 am |
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skinnewmex, Yes, thats why I upgraded to a "hitch hauler" with a "water proof" bag.... amazon.
I think I paid around 150$ for the hauler,bag,netting on a combo deal.
I found hooked rachet straps cut straps to where I need them(4 for8$) work better then a single net to hold all or anything we use it for!
BTW: that bag they kick into the deal is really waterproof and dust proof on dust coveres forest roads
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| Post Number: 15
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tarol
Well I never!
Group: Members
Posts: 10298
Joined: Mar. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 06 2013, 3:43 pm |
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We thought about the hitch kind - we'd have to get the hitch, and then I'd be worried about it blocking access to the hatchback. Seems easier to put stuff on top.
I'm going to start browsing Craig's List...
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Got elevation? www.tarol.com
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| Post Number: 16
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