Find the Best Roof Rack Basket for Your Next Road Trip
An adventure out on the road wouldn’t be complete without a bad ass roof rack basket up top your auto.
And if you’re reading this right now, I’d like to assume that you’re after more than just a nice roof rack. You want something premium… Something that you’ll be proud to own.
Luckily, I’m going to make your decision making easier with this detailed, in-depth review of the best roof rack baskets of 2016.
How to Find The Best Roof Rack Basket
I know… This list can be pretty overwhelming.
We managed to give you the top roof rack baskets in this review, but we also gave you 10 awesome choices to choose from. And that’s gotta be hard on your part.
Don’t worry about it though, because if you read through everything, you’ll be able to find what you really need. To help you with that, here are some of the factors you have to consider before you buy a roof rack basket.
- Quality
- Pricing
- Reviews
Quality – Every product on this list has top-notch quality. But for you to get a better understanding of it, you can check the product details further. Find out the materials used, the mechanics and structure of each roof rack. This will give you an idea of the quality and durability of the product you’re buying.
Quality should always come first, because you are making a long-term investment, and you wouldn’t want to be cheap when doing that.
Pricing – Price will always have to be considered. We have listed racks that are at various price points. If you have a fixed budget, then you have to stick with it. Consider the quality versus the price. Those things should come into play before you make a purchase.
Reviews – Who better to consult than the thousands of other people who have tried the products right? Check out some of the customer reviews of these roof racks to give you a better idea of how it fares in real life use.
At the end of the day, you’re making a very important purchase, and you have to be sure that you’re making the right one. So, let’s get started!
Top 10 Best Roof Rack Baskets :
#1 – Pro Series 63153 Rambler Hitch Cargo Carrier for 2″ Receivers
The first thing you want to look for in a roof rack basket is its durability; and trust me, this tough cargo carrier would not disappoint.
With nearly 1,000 positive reviews on Amazon, this roof rack basket by Pro Series is truly one of the best in the market right now. Its main calling card is its durability and strength.
It boasts a robust 500 lbs. capacity on its 60” x 24” platform. It also has 5.5” side rails that make the cargo completely secure and intact. Whether you’re planning a camping trip or just the usual road trip, this Pro Series hitch cargo carrier can handle your load.
What most customers love about this rack is that it can literally hold a whole lot of things. Most racks are smaller in size, which limits the number of items it can handle. But with the Pro Series Hitch Cargo Carrier, you will never have to worry about that at all.
With its easy set-up, proven strength and durability; and on top of that — a very affordable price clip, you can’t go wrong with the Pro Series 63153 Rambler Hitch Cargo Carrier for 2” Receivers.
This is the perfect pick for people who are on a budget but still want the best quality possible. Don’t hesitate in giving this tough cargo carrier a try.
#2 – CURT 18153 Basket Style Cargo Carrier
If you want something a slightly cheaper, yet still provides you the weight capacity you need for your long trips, then you must consider the CURT Basket Style Cargo Carrier.
This CURT basket-style cargo carrier can easily be hitch-mounted on your vehicle to add much-needed storage area. No matter the size (and weight) of your items, this roof rack basket can handle as much as 500 lbs.
And that’s not all… Imagine a 6-inch high wall which gives you more security and peace of mind, no matter how bumpy the road gets.
One important thing to keep in mind is that this cargo carrier by Curt Manufacturing is one of the heaviest ones in the market. The good news is that its weight is one of the reasons why it’s one the best buys. This extra weight ensures durability and a sturdy companion that fits your vehicle like a glove.
If you love the great outdoors and you’re looking for the right cargo basket for your van, crossover, or SUV, then there’s no reason for you not to place an order right now.
#3 – Highland 1041900 U-Venture Steel Rooftop Cargo Basket
You won’t find a better bang for your buck deal than Highland’s rooftop cargo basket.
Don’t be fooled by the low price tag though, because this rooftop basket is flexible, durable, and has a very economical and stylish design.
Unlike the other items featured in this review, this basket only weighs a shade under 30 pounds. This makes it very lightweight and can be carried and set-up even by women or young teens.
It has great size, and despite being lightweight, it is made for heavy duty. The best part? It can even make your car look sexy and sleek. Of course, this is huge thanks to the sleek aerodynamic design by Highland.
Another reason why this is a favorite of consumers is that it is very easy to install. You wouldn’t even need to go through the manual to figure it out.
All in all, what separates the Highland U-Venture Steel Rooftop Cargo Basket from the rest is its crazy affordable price. At this price range, you just can’t go wrong.
So if you’re not looking to shell out much cash, then this is the roof rack basket you should buy today.
#4 – 3pc Roof Rack Cargo Kit with Roof Basket, Load Bars & Storage Bag (Bundle)
If you’re the type who enjoys a great deal, then this is one you should consider.
This roof rack cargo kit from Rage Sports has just about everything you would need in one bundle. The package includes matching vehicle roof cross bars, a durable roof cargo basket, and a stylish roof luggage bag.
All of that in one big bundle! Talk about a great deal, huh?
The RB-DLX-V2 roof basket can support up to 150 lbs of items while measuring 43.5” x 39” x 6”. It’s big and strong enough to handle your heavy cargo.
As for the RB-1001-49 roof bar pair; it perfectly fits vehicle side rails ranging up to 1.75”W x 1.5”H, up until a maximum 50” distance between bars. It has 2” minimum side rail height as well.
The RBG-01 roof luggage bag, on the other hand, is weather resistant. It measures 38” x 38” x 18” for 15 cubic feet of the covered storage.
This package may not be the cheapest, but for an all-in-one bundle, this is as good as it gets. Buy this if you are in need of a roof rack basket that covers everything you need, from start to finish.
#5 – Stingray Low-Profile Roof Rack Cargo Storage Basket
Here’s another remarkable product from Rage Powersports. The Stingray Low-Profile Roof Rack Cargo Storage Basket is a budget lightweight option that you should give some consideration.
As one of the most reputable roof rack basket manufacturers, Rage Powersports comes up with another product that is getting a lot of love from customers.
Instead of spending over $500 on a roof rack, the Stingray can outdo and outlast most of the products in the market. It is a solid, top quality rack that is built to last.
Its product dimensions are: 52.5 x 43.5 x 5.3 inches. It only weighs 33 pounds but can handle as much as 150 lbs extra. This cargo basket is perfect for long road trips where your family (or friends) just brought enough items for a weekend stay.
It’s not perfect by any means, but if you just need a solid, reliable, and affordable rack, this one is an excellent choice.
#6 – Heavy Duty Vehicle Roof Cargo Basket with Wind Fairing
You’d be surprised at the number of Rage Powersports roof racks on this list, but that’s just really a testament to how great they are at producing high-quality products at very reasonable price points.
The Heavy Duty Vehicle Roof Cargo Basket with Wind Fairing is a great pick for DIY enthusiasts. One of the main sentiments of customers is that this rack needs to be assembled first before usage. The hardware and materials are included, but you’d need to spend a few minutes putting some of the parts together.
For people who love building their own stuff, this is an excellent pick.
Just like all the other products in this roof rack basket review, this Heavy Duty Vehicle roof cargo basket by Rage Powersports comes with high-quality standard materials and specs.
#7 – Heavy Duty RB-DLX-V2 Roof Rack Cargo Storage Basket
Similar to the product above, this roof rack is one of Rage Powersports’ finest.
One main selling point of this roof rack is its easy installation and setup. Customers claim that it can be in and out of your car’s roof within seconds. No screws, no permanent mountings, just plain plug and play.
Now if that’s something you’re in to, then you have to give this cargo storage basket a look.
It features a 1″D steel tube frame coated in pure black paint; coupled with a 1/2″ and 3/8″ mesh weave. Storage capacity can go as high as 150 pounds. Although some claim that it can withstand over 200 lbs, it’s better to stay on the safe side.
Easy installation and easy removal… If that’s your kind of thing, then look no further.
#8 – Rhino-Rack XTray Large Roof Mount Cargo Basket
Considered one of the most popular brands in the roof rack industry, Rhino Rack makes it on our list of the top roof rack baskets in 2016.
This Rhino-Rack XTray Large Roof Mount Cargo Basket is a high performance, low maintenance durable beast that can give you all you need and more.
Built in a steel 2 piece construction while featuring a heavy black powder-coated finish, this Rhino Rack roof basket is as durable, strong, and classy as it comes.
It fits all aero bars thanks to its maximum bar size of 90mm width x 33mm height. It’s carrying capacity can reach up to 165 lbs.
Truly one of the most eye-catching roof racks on the market, this Rhino Rack masterpiece is one you should definitely consider. If you happen to be driving huge crossovers, or perhaps a Jeep, this cargo basket will look so good up top your auto.
Buy this Rhino Rack cargo basket now.
Look here for our rocker panel reviews.
#9 – Draw-Tite 59504 Roof Mounted Cargo Basket
One of the lightest roof rack cargo baskets on this list is the Draw-Tite 59504 Roof Mounted Cargo Basket.
Weighing at just 28.7 pounds, this basket is stronger and sturdier than it looks.
As they say, looks can be deceiving. Because despite it’s weight, it can hold up to as much as 150 lbs in capacity. The best part about this rack is that even your child or wife can put it up easily on your car. Not only is it easy to use and setup, but it’s also light enough to be transferred from one car to another.
If you’re going camping or off to a long road trip, it’s always best to pack light, and although you’re technically using this roof rack to help you carry those things, it’s a great consolation that your hardware isn’t causing you any problems in terms of additional weight.
For consumers that prefer light weighted products more than anything, this is a good selection.
#10 – 62.5″ Roof Luggage Cargo Storage Rack with Wind Fairing
Last, but not least, is our 62.5” Roof Luggage Cargo Storage with Wind Fairing by Rage Powersports review.
The main calling card for this cargo storage rack is security.
With it, you can add a vehicle roof storage area to carry as much as you can with the added blanket of security given by the numerous tie-down points of this product. This ensures that your cargo is completely secured no matter how bumpy the trip gets.
It is meant for heavy duty, as can be seen from its 1”D steel frame. Not to lag behind on its aesthetics, this roof rack basket also features a classy black paint finish.
Another feature that makes this an in-demand product is its wind fairing. Because of this, wind resistance is high and unnecessary noise can be avoided. So even if the weather isn’t cooperating, or if your car finds itself in the middle of a rough terrain, this rack can manage to hold together without even making a sound.
Because of its very budget-friendly price, it is “one of the top roof rack baskets in the market today”. With so many features and benefits, you can’t go wrong with this roof luggage.
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