Best Cargo Racks in 2022

Last update: November 24, 2022

Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier Review:


Our old carrier, which was not a Thule, was too long for our current car, so we couldn't fully open the back gate without hitting the window. It was simple to knock your head because the hatch wouldn't fully open (ouch!). This brand-new Thule Cargo carrier fits the vehicle significantly better and is broader and somewhat deeper. It also opens from either side. Now we can walk beneath it while fully opening the hatch. In comparison to our old black carrier, the silver gray tint on top absorbs less heat.The manner Thule stands behind their goods most pleased us. One side of the carrier required significant effort to latch, making it difficult to close. Thule replied quickly when we contacted them. After we emailed them the needed video of the problem, they offered to send a replacement part, which eventually showed up. It was installed, however it didn't fix the issue. We spoke with them once again. They delivered a brand-new, fully upgraded freight carrier. It didn't cost us anything. Excellent Thule support was provided. The new carrier operates as anticipated and latches effortlessly from either side.We have nothing but praise for Thule's Cargo Carrier and outstanding customer service and are extremely happy.



Highland 2006200 Black Heavy Duty Bar Carrier Review:


To replace the dated and damaged crossbars on my 1999 Jeep Cherokee, I purchased these crossbar roof racks. My new roof rack is of excellent quality, and it is very sturdy. I've placed two 10 foot kayaks on them, as you can see in my photos. Even with the weight of two kayaks, they didn't even move. Additionally, my kayak racks mounted on them properly.I can't wait to put some lumber on them to really see how sturdy they are! Given their low price, they are unquestionably a terrific purchase. From reading the directions to tightening the last bolt, it took them around two hours. I should point out that even with my slow motion and complete lack of haste! However, they do necessitate some mechanical familiarity and fundamental tool use. I used my dependable cordless drill, a deep hole 1/2" socket, a 1/2" open ended wrench, and a 5/16" drill bit. I'm done now! To make putting them on your car easier, just make sure you have a small step ladder on standby.



Buyers LT12 3-Trimmer Landscape Truck & Trailer Enclosed Rack Review:


These were bought for the enclosed trailer for my lawn care business. The instructions were very straightforward to understand and follow. The rack has held up thus far. Put an edger, trimmer, and hedge trimmer from Stihl on it. There is good clarity. Although it is fine, there could be an inch more between the racks. As long as you align the handles with the clamp's trigger, they won't spin. Before installing, be careful to measure the location on your equipment where you want them to line up.



ROLA 59504 V-Tex Rooftop Cargo Basket Review:


I purchased the Rola basket and extension for my Toyota Tacoma Double Cab. It's a blessing to find high-quality welds and coating for the money. The product does have a few minor drawbacks, though.The fit of the components was my biggest issue. The holes were reasonably aligned, and the front, back, and centre (the basket extension) fit together roughly. Even so, a little bit of warping around the ends that connected me to the need to purchase gasket sealant in addition to the supplied gaskets to prevent water from getting inside the pipework.The quality of the gaskets, washers, and screws that keep the device together was my second largest worry. The gaskets were made of moulded plastic and easily tore when the screws were installed. In order to keep all three sections securely linked, I ultimately went to a hardware store for REAL screws and gaskets.Overall, given the price, the wind fairing, extension, and basket are really great. The crossbar-grabber clasps that come with the kit are reasonably durable. My is attached to a Yakima 58 "Roundbars are attached to by Yakima Q towers using size 128 and 127 Q clips, respectively, for the back set of towers. Additionally, I attached the Yakima spare tire carrier to the basket, and a 30 "tire on the basket's back half.



Oanon 20 Cubic Car Cargo Roof Bag - Waterproof Duty Car Roof Top Carrier - Easy to Install Soft Rooftop Luggage Carriers with Wide Straps 20 Cubic Feet (Thickened - 20 Cubic) Review:


I've used this on three somewhat long (2–3 hour) trips in less than ideal weather and have been quite happy. I haven't fully loaded it (mostly with big soft stuff) and I haven't driven at a high pace, but I found that neither the handling nor the fuel economy were noticeably impacted. The level of security shocked me positively. Although I am a tall person (5' 10") and my car isn't exceptionally high, I succeeded on my own (Honda Civic).Everything was kept dry thanks to the bag's durability. The straps attached easily and were simple to tighten to secure the load because it was squishy.has already paid for itself by saving me from making a round-trip, but I'm sure I'll use it again. It has the benefit of folding into a small bag for storage and cost a fraction of what bars and a roof box would have. My roof has been protected by the mat provided, but clearly you would need to be more careful around objects that are heavy or have sharp edges. The only sound I heard was a strap tapping, but once it was tucked in, everything was fine. It has a firm zip. Before placing the bag up on the roof, I learnt to reposition them such the opening was on the side I would load from.... longish travels (2–3 hours) with this in not very comfortable.



MaxxHaul 70275 52-1/2" x 29" Aluminum Cargo Carrier with 60" Folding Ramp Review:


I purchased one from Amazon with free shipping for my wife's mobility scooter since I wanted one that wouldn't corrode and could be removed when not in use. I examined many different platforms, and this one seemed to suit my needs the best. Other metal platforms required adjustments for scooters on the ramp and the platform. There are also other heavier, steel carriers with ramps that can rust. This has a strong, substantial, and well-built appearance. The receiving tube was bolted together, and the rope mounts were attached to the platform. The assembly is simple, but the directions are inadequate. If you are disabled, take note of the shipping weight of 55 lbs. You will require assistance. When the scooter is not on the platform, the ramp may be folded flat to the platform, stored vertically, and fastened with two pins when you carry the scooter. The anti-rattle adaptor that comes with this item is a plus. Although I initially thought it was an unnecessary gadget, I ultimately gave it a go and was blown away by how successfully it steadied the platform. I'll use it whenever I plan to leave the platform on the car for an extended period of time. I am largely satisfied with Amazon and the product as a whole.



MaxxHaul 70107 Hitch Mount Compact Cargo Carrier - 53" x 19-1/2" - 500 lb. Maximum Capacity for 2" Hitch Receiver Review:


The last several trips we took, I used a roof-mounted luggage rack, and it was fantastic for freeing up storage within the car. However, I could clearly see how my gas mileage had decreased (avg. 30 mpg without, 20 mpg with). I therefore made the decision to test a hitch-mounted cargo carrier after reading a number of evaluations. One of the more cost-effective carriers with a respectable weight rating was the MaxxHaul. In particular, I was searching for one with a higher frame so that baggage wouldn't slide around as much or fall off the rack.It arrives in a respectably big box and requires the assembly of around 7 pieces in total (might be a few more if you count the support bars as extra pieces). It's fairly easy to assemble. Place the right and left cages on either side of the main bar in a straight line. To keep everything together, thread the bolts through the center piece and hand-tighten them. Tighten all of the bolts after adding the support pieces to keep the left and right sides connected at the top. The two reflectors should then be added, and you are then good to go.Make sure to position the metal where the reflectors mount toward the back, as a side remark. I installed them backwards the first time since I wasn't paying attention. It just took a few minutes to undo the nuts and bolts, but it would have been easier to prevent making the mistake in the first place!Excellent size is provided. I can place a full-sized Igloo cooler and a sizable luggage next to one another, side by side. The cooler is on the left in the attached photo, the suitcase is on the right, flat on its back, and I have a grass cultivator behind the cooler, coming across the top of the suitcase, which is the bulge hanging off the right (in case it rains). We'll be taking a couple more luggage next time, so I'll turn them on their sides so I can fit at least two (maybe all three; I haven't measured yet) in the carrier and then one on top of the others.Even though the carrier weighs a little, you can still easily raise it to the top shelf for storage when not in use or take it around with you. I put it in my car's hitch, walked on it, and then made a few solid jumps to test its strength. Even though I'm a rather large man (I won't disclose how much I weigh exactly, but suffice it to say that I follow a regular diet), the carrier felt incredibly robust. Actually, I was more concerned about damaging my car than the container.The carrier sways a little bit when it is first mounted and empty of any luggage to add weight. I had a small worry that this may occur when I was driving and make a lot of noise on the road. I considered ordering a stabilizer, but I realized that it wouldn't arrive in time for the trip, so I opted to forego it and observe the results. I'm delighted to report that by simply adding one fully-packed luggage, the hitch is enough weighted to prevent noise or rattling when driving.The power coating was not done very well, which is the sole reason I docked one point. I had 2 distinct areas that weren't completely coated and had the beginnings of rust. The rust was simple to remove with some moderate sanding, and I was able to use metal spray paint to cover those areas without any problems. However, I would have preferred to have a good, even powder coat on the entire carrier when I first pulled it out of the box.Overall, I think this carrier is wonderful and that it has outlasted my expectations for durability. Since there is no direct wind drag from being placed on the back, my gas mileage on my most recent trip averaged just under 29 mpg, thus there was very little loss. I would absolutely recommend this hitch mounted carrier if you're searching for one; however, if yours is anything like mine, you might need to do a little touch-up painting.



MAXXHAUL 46" x 36" x 4-1/2" - 150 lb. Capacity - NOT Assembled 70115 Steel Roof Rack-150 lb Review:


I'm really delighted with the purchase, and because the rack I received does not resemble the one shown, it must be a newer model. It just took around 15 minutes from the time the package was opened until everything was fully assembled for the installation.The rack's maximum weight is listed at 150 pounds, which is a great deal for the money. The rack weighs about 30 lbs.Although the assembly screws are shockingly little, the craftsmanship is surprisingly high-quality. If lifespan is a concern, I would recommend drilling your own holes and using bigger bolts to join the front and back halves. The provided knobs for mounting the rack to your crossbars are small, so as I already mentioned, for longevity, you might want to head to Home Depot and make your own mounting gear.Congratulations there for the rack's after-assembly solid weight and lack of flimsiness. Fit flawlessly and looks fantastic on my 2001 Toyota 4Runner!If you want to install a light bar on this, pick one between 28" and 32" so you won't have to worry about overhang because it can't accommodate a 42" light bar with side mounting. Regarding the light bar, I was at fault, not the rack vendor.



Coleman MadDog GearSoft Ride Utility Rack Single - 2000007472 Review:


To make them fit on the roll cage of my Honda Pioneer, I had to modify them using pipe hangers. But after I mounted them, they hold incredibly well. It does not move at all when holding my AK with a 30rd magazine, and it is not a lightweight. even remained firmly in place after I added air to the machine. Now, I'm sure it can support some of my more expensive equipment.



Saris Bones 2-Bike Trunk Rack Review:


When it comes to putting together or operating mechanical things, I am a grade-A fool. Yes, that's me over there, perplexedly examining the small, unintelligible instructions produced at a factory in China. Yes, that's me glancing back and forth between the assembly items and the diagram while pondering why they don't resemble one another. Yes, I ruined my new buy by assembling it incorrectly. Yes, I posted a rant on Facebook about how nothing now comes with clear directions.To make matters worse, I'm not really an experienced rider; in fact, before purchasing this, I had never previously carried bikes via rack. I purchased this because I was sick of riding my daughter's bike on our neighborhood's same-old streets and I wanted to move away to a place where we wouldn't have to cross traffic every few pedals.In other words, I would have discovered a method to screw up the installation of this bike rack. I would have followed that by publishing a critical assessment of it. But even I could do it since it was so impervious to error. Because I am a top-notch fool, when I claim something is failsafe, I really do mean it is infallible.The rack just consists of three legs that attach to the bumper and trunk of the car; they are incredibly simple to lock into place and modify. Then, there are tiny clips that are affixed to the top, sides, and bottom of your trunk, respectively. Finally, each bicycle can be secured using one of three connecting points. The rack mainly fit into place without any issues on my end. During the test run, I discovered that the side straps had not been pulled tightly enough, causing the rack to move about excessively. However, I was able to correct it, and the further shipping of our equipment seemed to have gone pretty smoothly with the rack remaining firmly in place.The straps used to hold the bicycles to the rack receive the greatest grades out of all its design components since they are well thought out, simple to use, and keep the bikes safe. Of course, I still managed to get things wrong at first, misplacing the second bike on the initial run (had a little issue with the girl's bike's curved bar). But after the second run, I realized that.The rack's pair of clips for fastening to the sides of the trunk is its most difficult (relatively speaking) component. Making sure that straps are secure requires some effort. Additionally, inserting and removing the clips from the slots requires some skill. Now, this was when my inherent incapacity really showed; after removing the rack, I only then realized that the clips have obvious "TOP," "SIDE," and "BOTTOM" markings. Of course, I had the top and side clips reversed. It makes sense why it was difficult to remove those side clips as they were actually the top clips, designed to attach to a completely different location! Next time, I'll get that right.Anyway, it's well-designed, impenetrable, and simple to keep and travel. Very simple to separate, fold, and store in a trunk. I'm very pleased with this!