Hi,
We are dropping our daughter off at college and then going on vacation, so we need more room to haul stuff.
I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and was thinking about getting a large car top carrier from Sears, but they look so cheap. Can someone give me advice about a good car top carrier?
I do have a hitch on the back, and was thinking about getting a cargo carrier also or instead of the cartop carrier.
Thanks for any help.

I've found that just strapping a rocking chair to the roof of the old family truckster works well for us. My Aunt Edna didn't complain one bit.

Actually, that's not a bad. If we strapped one kid on the roof, then we wouldn't have to listen to them bickering for 8 hours!

Is your concern that it looks cheap and/or unattractive? If so, I can't give you any help. However, if your worry is about durability, here's our experience: 10 years ago we bought a car top carrier from KMart, probably similar to the Sears one. Shortly after that I accidentally drove into the carport at our vacation rental house, forgetting about the carrier on top of the car - I ran into the roof of the carport and smooshed in the front of the carrier. We just took it off the car and pounded it back into shape, almost as good as new. Later, during that same vacation, we got caught in a hurricane and part of a tree fell on top of the car - the carrier got all bashed in, but it saved my car (which was brand new) from that fate. Once again, we pushed it back into shape. We've been using it ever since, two or three times per year, and it's great - gives us the extra room we need for our stuff, and has held up just fine.

Thanks for the feedback. I didn't know KMart sold the car top carriers too. I thought the Sears one looked flimsy, but I want to check other to compare.

I have one of those Sears type luggage racks--it's hard plastic; but the other day I was at a friend's house and she and her mom were getting ready to order some wonderful luggage rack that someone had and loved--it was a soft one, which could be convenient because storage wouldn't be such a problem. Plus, she is able to put it on the car by herself, which is pretty hard to do with the big plastic one. I wish I knew where it came from--perhaps someone here has some insight?

Marybeth,

About ten years ago we purchased a car top carrier from Sears for our trip to California. About half way there, one of the strap buckles failed (right where it connects to the car door frame). We were on a major freeway at the time and, needless to say, the carrier flew off the car and went skidding across the road at about 60mph.

Since the strap that failed was the one hooked to the driver's side door frame (where I was sitting) I saw it give and actually tried to grab it with my hand (stupid, I know but it was all reflex). Well, I caught the buckle as the carrier was flying backward off the roof, only to have the weight of the packed carrier yank my arm swiftly backward, wrench my shoulder and then the buckle gash my hand.

We immediately pulled over and when we did our son (eight at the time) jumped out of the car and tried to run into the traffic to get the carrier. I managed to grab him and pull him back right before a semi blew through where he was standing. I realize this is an extreme story bu this was our experience.

I don't know how they're constructed now, however, we swore if we ever did a road trip of that distance again, we would rent a minivan and never use another carrier.

Hope this helps,

Davidcs

Topping for Marybeth.

We have a Sear roof-top carrier that we have had for I think about 15 years. It's one of the hard plastic (or whatever) kinds. We have used it frequently as we have two large dogs who ride in the back of our wagon necessitating the luggage going on top. Never a problem and it has held up very well.

Dang,
That cartop carrier flying off is pretty scary. I'm looking on renting one of those mini Uhaul trailers!

Try a Thule. They are more expensive but you get what you pay for.

www.thuleracks.com/

Marybeth: If you want another opinion, I personally steer clear of anyone that has those strap-on luggage racks or bicycles hanging on the backs of their vehicles for precisely what happened to David. They scare the hell out of me. I don't want anything flying off someone else's car & going thru my windshield. As they say, watch out for the other guy.

Try REI. Probably will pay more, but their quality is good.