Where to start with roof storage

[csprinkle]

Hello, wondering which route to go for storing cargo on the roof of my '02 LE. I'm not particularly good with DIY and to my understanding there's no way to just slap a cargo basket on the roof and call it a day, so would it be better to just go for a roof bag with straps instead? I don't think I'll be doing any off-roading, this is mostly for camping/road trips. I have a gift card for REI so I looked there for roof bags and saw they have a Sherpak Go! 15 Roof Bag but I don't think I've ever seen a roof bag out on the road before. All opinions are welcomed. Thanks!

 

Edit: My pathfinder has factory roof rails and crossbars.

Edited December 24, 2024 by csprinkle
Additional information

[csprinkle]

Found this at home depot but I'm a bit skeptical
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Mockins-250-lb-Roof-Rack-Basket-with-16-CF-Roof-Bag-Roof-Rack-Cargo-Basket-Adjusts-from-43-64-in-L-x-39-in-W-x-6-in-H-MA-34/323073945#overlay

[R50JR]

15 hours ago, csprinkle said:

Hello, wondering which route to go for storing cargo on the roof of my '02 LE. I'm not particularly good with DIY and to my understanding there's no way to just slap a cargo basket on the roof and call it a day, so would it be better to just go for a roof bag with straps instead? I don't think I'll be doing any off-roading, this is mostly for camping/road trips. I have a gift card for REI so I looked there for roof bags and saw they have a Sherpak Go! 15 Roof Bag but I don't think I've ever seen a roof bag out on the road before. All opinions are welcomed. Thanks!

 

Edit: My pathfinder has factory roof rails and crossbars.

 

If you have the factory crossbars, you can use any standard roof basket with the included hardware to install it. The those storage bags seem to do better on baskets anyway. 

[Slartibartfast]

I had not seen that bag solution before. Looks like a solid option for an occasional-use light-duty sorta thing. For extended use, I'd expect the straps to dig into the door seals, and the bottom of the bag to chew up the paint on the roof, especially if dust gets in between. Sounds like they flap around if you don't fill them completely. I would also expect anything heavy to roll around in there. If it's that or a basket, I'd trust the basket more.

 

Might also be worth looking at the clamshell ski boxes. My dad's Audi had one when he got it. It was not what I would call solidly built (the lid flexed like the plastic toboggan I had when I was a kid), but it bolted to the factory rails, could be locked closed, and seemed like it would keep the contents at least mostly dry. Might have slightly better aero than the bag. Again, not sure I'd trust it for heavy stuff, not least as I don't remember it having any tiedown points inside, but it might be worth a look depending on what you're planning to fill it with.

 

If you park in a garage, and especially if you're planning to lift the truck as well, I would measure the garage door height and consider that when designing your roof storage. I'm not sure who would win if a roof rack fought a garage door, but it probably wouldn't be you.

[csprinkle]

My SportRack basket just arrived yesterday, pretty excited but I'll have to wait until the weekend to install it because those bolts in the rear where the recovery hooks are won't budge at all and I don't have a breaker bar at the moment (although I'm sure I could borrow one from a friend). I also got a matching cargo bag from SportRack, so I should be all set for roof storage.

 

Good point about the garage; I usually park outside though so I shouldn't run into any problems there.

 

Thanks for the input!