In my recent trip, I decided to try a "cargo carrier" instead of my usual setup with a "roof rack". I removed the roof rack by Yakima, moved the hi-jack to the trunk and put a rather expensive and sturdy "cargo carrier":
http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Cargo-Carrier/Highland/5800200.html
Overall, I like the new setup.
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The weight of the cargo carrier is a little bit more than the weight of the Yakima roof rack. The hitch adds more pounds, so obviously the new setup puts more weight on the vehicle. But the distribution of the weight and the aerodynamics is better with the cargo carrier.
The advantages of the cargo carrier vs roof rack:
1) Better fuel economy. I noticed at least 1 or 2 MPG difference.
2) Better center of mass location. The vehicle is less tippy in the turns and off camber situation.
3) Easier to load. You do not need to put the heavy staff on the top and tie them up.
4) Less road noise. You do not need to turn your CD on and you can drive in relative silence.
5) High-speed driving is easier - you feel less wind resistance. When you have larger tires you feel the air resistance in the highest gear.
6) When you leave the carrier in the camp, your vehicle is lighter off-road than when you are using the roof rack - you cannot leave the roof rack in the camp.
The dis-advantages of the cargo carrier vs roof rack:
1) You have to detach the carrier when you arrive to the camp. Driving with the carrier on the trails is not practical, for obvious reasons (although, I made an easy "Macedonia canyon" trail in Mojave with it). It takes about 3 or 5 minutes if you have the tool with you. This means, that you have to have a base camp, and that the base camp must be easily accessible.
2) The space in the carrier is smaller than the space in a large roof rack. You cannot stack your things high so that they would obstruct the view of your license plate and the signals.
My personal opinion is that the cargo carrier is a good option if you have to drive a long distance, on a family vacation.
My vehicle has very stiff rear suspension - OME929 coils and TLC shocks. I do not feel any problems with the steering. I do not know how a heavy cargo carrier would affect a vehicle with softer rear suspension.
http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Cargo-Carrier/Highland/5800200.html
Overall, I like the new setup.
The weight of the cargo carrier is a little bit more than the weight of the Yakima roof rack. The hitch adds more pounds, so obviously the new setup puts more weight on the vehicle. But the distribution of the weight and the aerodynamics is better with the cargo carrier.
The advantages of the cargo carrier vs roof rack:
1) Better fuel economy. I noticed at least 1 or 2 MPG difference.
2) Better center of mass location. The vehicle is less tippy in the turns and off camber situation.
3) Easier to load. You do not need to put the heavy staff on the top and tie them up.
4) Less road noise. You do not need to turn your CD on and you can drive in relative silence.
5) High-speed driving is easier - you feel less wind resistance. When you have larger tires you feel the air resistance in the highest gear.
6) When you leave the carrier in the camp, your vehicle is lighter off-road than when you are using the roof rack - you cannot leave the roof rack in the camp.
The dis-advantages of the cargo carrier vs roof rack:
1) You have to detach the carrier when you arrive to the camp. Driving with the carrier on the trails is not practical, for obvious reasons (although, I made an easy "Macedonia canyon" trail in Mojave with it). It takes about 3 or 5 minutes if you have the tool with you. This means, that you have to have a base camp, and that the base camp must be easily accessible.
2) The space in the carrier is smaller than the space in a large roof rack. You cannot stack your things high so that they would obstruct the view of your license plate and the signals.
My personal opinion is that the cargo carrier is a good option if you have to drive a long distance, on a family vacation.
My vehicle has very stiff rear suspension - OME929 coils and TLC shocks. I do not feel any problems with the steering. I do not know how a heavy cargo carrier would affect a vehicle with softer rear suspension.
