When you’re headed out of town on a road trip, room for your luggage and gear can be
at a premium. Cargo roof bags are a great way to gain additional space so that all of
your passengers will be comfortable for the trip ahead.
Cargo bags are soft, zippered carriers that fasten to the roof of your car, SUV or van
with built-in straps to hold them in place on the vehicle’s roof rack. They come in
many different sizes, and most are made of PVC coated nylon to keep their contents dry
and protected from rain, snow and dust.
Hard car top carriers are another option but tend to be more expensive, heavier to install
and bulky to store.
Most roof bags require that your vehicle has a roof rack or cargo bars, though a cargo
basket may also be used. Some cargo bags are designed to fit hitch-mounted carriers.
The amount of gear your roof bag can hold will be determined by your vehicle’s rooftop
load limit. While most vehicles can safely carry 100 lbs, we recommend consulting your
owner’s manual for verification. Remember to include the weight of any cargo bars or
baskets you have added when calculating your weight requirements.
In preparation for installing your roof bag, wash the roof of your car to remove any dust
or dirt particles. This minimizes the potential for scratches or other damage that could result
from the filled carrier shifting.
In addition, you may want to consider using a non-skid pad or mat between the rooftop
and the cargo bag; this also minimizes scratches in addition to helping hold the filled carrier
from sliding forward or backward on the rooftop. You should never use a blanket or towel for
this.
Installing the roof bag onto your vehicle can usually be handled by one person, but
the job will be easier if you enlist some help.
If the cargo rails or bars are adjustable, start by opening them as wide or long as possible.
Place the bag onto the roof of the vehicle with the closed-zipper end toward the rear
of the vehicle. Even though most roof bags are rated water-resistant, having the opening
to the back reduces the chance of rain getting in.
Position the roof bag to fit between the rails for the best aerodynamics and to prevent the
bag from flapping once you are in motion.
The same goes for the roof bars. If the bag is longer than the car rack, place the bag
directly behind the front bar, and let the excess overlap in back of the vehicle, not
in front.
When loading your items into the roof bag, start with the largest or heaviest items first,
placing them in the middle. Continue to work out from there, trying to keep the cargo relatively
balanced.
Finish the loading process by zipping the roof bag closed, making sure the zipper flap
is completely flat against the zipper.
It is best to fill the roof bag as completely as possible in order to keep flapping and
noise to a minimum. Built-in cinch straps help secure any loose fabric, and it’s also
helpful to tuck in any loose strap ends.
With all your gear and equipment loaded into the roof bag, tighten up all the slack in
each tie down strap.
When adding a substantial amount of weight to your vehicle, both inside as well as the
contents of your roof bag, you may notice a difference in the car’s handling and responsiveness.
Check your owner’s manual for information on the vehicle’s gross weight rating to
make sure you are not overloaded, and adjust the tire pressure as necessary.
Once you are on the road, it is important to check your tie down straps periodically.
Stopping after your first (30?) miles to make sure everything is still secure is a good
idea, then every 100 miles after that.
When you’ve arrived at your destination, have someone help remove the roof bag for
easy unpacking.
After you’ve returned from your road trip and are done using the roof bag, you’ll
notice a lot of bugs and dirt that have collected. Take the time now to wash and thoroughly dry
the roof bag. Store the roof bag where it will remain dry and out of direct sun.
This will further the longevity of your roof bag, and it will be ready to go for your next
adventure.