Best Vehicle Soft-Shell Carriers in 2022

Last update: January 3, 2023

Are car top carriers safe?

Assuming you are referring to the rooftop storage containers often seen on vehicles: There are mixed reviews on the safety of car top carriers. Some people claim they are perfectly safe and have never had any problems, while others have had them fly off of their car while driving. There are a few things you can do to help prevent this from happening, such as making sure the carrier is properly secured to the roof before driving. You should also check to see that the carrier is not overloaded, as this can make it more likely to come loose.

Are car top carriers worth it?

I used to have a car top carrier and I found it to be really useful. I could fit a lot of stuff in it and it was great for road trips. I don't have one now, but I would definitely consider getting one again.

Are roof bags a good idea?

If you're looking for a way to transport your gear on top of your vehicle, a roof bag is a great option. Roof bags are easy to install and offer a lot of storage space. They're also great for keeping your gear dry and out of the way.

Are roof bags noisy?

Roof bags are not particularly noisy, although wind can make them rustle a bit. If you're worried about noise, try to find a bag that's not too big and that has a soft surface.


MaxxHaul 70209 Hitch Mount Waterproof/Rainproof Cargo Carrier Bag 47" x 20" x 20" Review:


A Reese hitch extender/lift, two stabilizers (one on the hitch extender and one on the cargo carrier), a MaxxHaul 70209 carrier bag, and a MaxxHaul 70107 Hitch Mount Compact Cargo Carrier - 53" x 19-1/2" were also used. These items all fit perfectly. I also used the Cocoweb Chrome C-Lock Heavy Duty Locking 5/8" Inch Hitch Pin with Weather Guard Protection (a little more On the extension, I used the Towever 84701 Super Corrosion Resistant Trailer Hitch Tightener Stabilizer Cross Clamp and the Winnerwell Anti Rattle Hitch Tightener for 1.25" and 2" Hitches. On the cargo ship, there is no wobble.)At total, I stayed in 7 different hotels during the trip.I didn't want to cope with the ear-piercing wind noise the automobile made as it blew over the carrying bag, and from what I gather, the wind resistance also reduced the overall miles per gallon. (If I can find the right place where comfort and cost savings can coexist, I'm all for it.)travelled to Yellowstone in the middle of August, covering well over 3000 miles across the nation.Denver saw mild rain for around 45 minutes, and Oklahoma experienced severe rain for almost an hour. (The top of the bag had some road, car, and rain-related water and dirt residue, but everything inside was perfectly dry.)For each motel stay, I unpacked and repacked. 2 sleeping bags and 4 medium suitcases 3 pillows (Stacking two by two suitcases flat helps shape the carrying bag, and placing the heaviest/widest bags at the bottom adds additional support.)The provided straps are a good length. The top ones don't need to be removed once they are attached to the bag. By lifting the buckle, the top and bottom can be adjusted with ease. By lowering the buckle so the feeder cable slides through, the carrier is quickly removed. Unzip the cover after lifting the zip flap. There is no requirement for any additional ratchet straps.When used with an SUV hitch, the extension with raise makes it possible to lift your back door and prevent the carrier bag from being exposed to your exhaust tubes.I discovered that turning the bag to face the car was both simpler and more appealing. The blank black side then faces backward to prevent you from acting as a mobile MaxxHaul advertisement. Despite the fact that I like their goods, I do not enjoy being a walking or driving advertisement. Although the zipper opens facing the front of the car rather than the back, the extender hitch on the cargo carrier gives you enough space to sit in your SUV and peek inside the bag or bags without letting anyone behind you see what you're searching for. (I'm not being strange, but I don't want everyone to see all my colored underwear if I need to fast find my charging wire in my bag.)I had one area to improve, and I had a recommendation for the manufacturer to nearly perfect their product. The straps have a tendency to dangle excessively long from the waist once they are tightened. Even with the greatest positioning, certain straps still lagged even though top and bottom buckles are connected to strap length. I folded them up and tied them back onto the strap with some rubber-covered bending wire, but this problem can be simply fixed with some straightforward velcro straps. This stopped the straps from flapping in the wind while they were moving and kept them secure.The kids were able to move around the cabin a little more and there were fewer fights between the younger siblings, which contributed to the trip being more pleasurable overall.



Waterproof Rooftop Cargo Carrier - Heavy Duty Roof Top Luggage Storage Bag with Anti-slip Mat + 10 Reinforced Straps + 6 Door Hooks - Perfect for Car, Truck, SUV, Van With/Without Rack - 19 Cubic Feet Review:


I'm so glad that I selected this rooftop carrier from Suner after looking at all the other options and reading all the reviews. It was really convenient for my 3100-mile travel across the nation in my SUV and was made of a good robust material with a clearly defined boxy shape that worked great when I packed it. I wanted to pack lightly because we were taking two dogs on our trip and put all of my extra belongings on the roof. To put the padding and bag on the roof and to pack the bag, I did require a step ladder. The luggage contained a 12-by-9-inch box, a medium-sized expandable suitcase, a huge attache case, all of which were filled with electronics. I also brought some towels for the dogs in case any water got inside, but despite some rain, it never leaked. It is difficult to pack or repack the carrier once it is on the roof, but once packed, it zips up easily, and all the straps were really sturdy and worked beautifully. As a result, after reading about some of the tips, I did not plan to go into the bag and I put anything I thought I would need near the enclosure. A keyed lock I purchased easily tucked beneath the flap. Even at 80 mph, we stayed inside the speed limit and the bag worked just fine. To prevent the straps from flying around, just make sure they are fastened tightly, knot the extra, and tuck it beneath. For more support, I actually tucked the extra back straps into the top of my back door. I think it's a fantastic bag and strongly suggest it.



ROLA 59119 Rainproof Cargo Carrier Bag 59" x 24" x 24" (20 Cu Ft) Review:


We have successfully utilized this on numerous occasions for roundtrips of 600 miles to our holiday property. Lowe's had plastic tubs and boxes that I bought that fit this bag reasonably well. We utilize it along with a cargo container that we also bought from Amazon.60" x 22" Aluminum RV 2" Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier Truck Luggage Basket from Goplus®, 500LBSThe bag is sturdy and ought to last for a long time. I have endured downpours and continuous rain for two to three hours without any leaks.The straps are the one thing I don't like about it. I've never been concerned about them not holding because they seem to be strong enough. But putting them on and taking them off is a real pain. It is necessary to coil the strap around the cargo carrier and then feed it back up through the buckle because there are no snap clips or other quick release attachments. Three of these are on the front and three are on the back. It's a hassle. Before our subsequent vacation, I'll probably try to come up with a better option. because it constantly goes in the same direction.Grandpa45: Do we really need to pack everything up now?Grandma45: That's it, that's all.Grandpa45: Do you know this?Grandma 45: I agree.Grandma45: Hold on, there's one more thing that needs to put in there. Grandpa45: (packs everything up, mutters under his breath about the straps, finishes last strap)



CZC AUTO Hitch Cargo Carrier Bag, 20 cu. ft Waterproof/Rainproof/Weatherproof Cargo Traveling Bag for Car Truck SUV Vans' Hitch Trays and Hitch Baskets, Safe Steady Durable Soft, Black Review:


I purchased this to use on my 2830-mile cross-country journey. I discovered water in my baggage when we arrived at our first layover in Florida and it had been raining for the majority of the journey there. I wasn't sure if the issue was my improper zip-up or something else. The bag was now angled more like 90 degrees in the next lag, as opposed to being laid flat with the covered zipped point pointing roughly to the right. That appears to work. Our three lag - we placed it back in the original location and discovered water in my baggage to confirm that was indeed it. The remainder of the ride back home was spent in the rain, but we kept the zipper half at a 90-degree angle and discovered no water inside. Do yourself a favor and turn your bag to lay more on its side if you don't want your baggage to get wet.When we arrived in Florida, it was scorching hot, so the bag's resilience held up well in the rain as well. I didn't notice any rips, traces of heat stress, or anything else. Just the rain issue, which is easily fixed.



Egofine Roof Cargo Bag Protective Mat for Car Roof Carrier Bags with Extra Padding Car Roof Mat Under Any Rooftop Cargo Bag Review:


Although I didn't utilize it as intended, it still functions fantastically for my current purpose. I used to have a metal toolbox in the back of my SUV that weighed about 20 pounds, and up until I acquired this, it was always sliding around on the carpet and bashing into the sidewalls when I turned a corner. It now stays put after I folded it up to roughly double my toolbox's footprint. I did test it out on my roof by putting the mat there and the toolbox there to see if it would work. I circled in that manner for about 20 miles, and the toolbox remained in place. The mat itself appears to be sturdy so far; even after my "toolbox roof test," there have been no rips or tears. This mat, in my opinion, is the ideal substitute for the market's more pricey neoprene anti-slip mats. It arrived swiftly and according to the description. Would absolutely suggest this company and product!



Rooftop Cargo Bag - (15 Cubic Feet) Heavy Duty Roof Bag - 100% Waterproof Excellent Quality Car Top Carrier Bag Fits All Cars with/Without Rack - Roof Top Car Bag Review:


With the exception of the terrible noise the straps made, the bag worked perfectly for our trip, which involved a 5-hour drive each way. There are no instructions, as stated in every other review. Nevertheless, if you have a roof rack, it's rather simple to set up. But as we discovered, a roof rack with cross bars would be more appropriate. The bag has front and back straps that fit at the back and front onto cross bars, respectively. Since our SUV is missing those, we have affixed them to the side bars. That was the cause of the loudness issue. Due to the straps capturing the wind properly when traveling at speeds greater than 40 mph, there was a terrible buzzing sound. It was terrible. Therefore, we chose to remove the front straps on the return trip, which solved the issue. The bag did not even flinch. It also greatly benefits from the included mat. For the drive, the bag performed admirably. Our luggage was packed to the brim and only one suitcase had a few spots of water on it throughout the hours-long downpours we endured on the journey home. Overall, the bag is excellent and does the intended function. But if you don't have crossbars, be aware of the problem with the front straps.After seeing the issue with the noise, the company emailed me to ask what they could do to make us happier. * ** Adding a revision after initial review. I advised them that I would include instructions with the bag and perhaps mention in the description that crossbars are the ideal mounting location. They said they will add instructions in response. They also provided reimbursement, which I declined to accept because we are so pleased with the bag's quality. Very pleasant and accommodating company to work with



RoofBag 100% Waterproof, Made in USA, Premium Triple Seal for Maximum Protection, 2 Year Warranty, Fits ALL Cars: With Side Rails, Cross Bars or No Rack, Roof Bag includes Heavy Duty Straps Review:


There is a lot of space in this bag! It was relatively simple to install and fill up. I'm 5'2" and with the help of a step stool was able to install and fill it without any help. I ordered the 15 and I was able to fit a medium suitcase, six extra large ziplock vac bags full of clothing, a duffle bag full of shoes, a small laundry bag half full, a makeup case, and a small miscellaneous box of this and that. I only rated it four stars because of how much cargo it can hold. After we are in California, I'll provide an update on how well it performs. Oh, almost forgot, I'm using this on a VW Jetta, which doesn't have side bars or a roof rack.Revision: 10/29/16So we made it from New York City to Central California without any problems with the RoofBag. We drove through torrential rain throughout Illinois and Michigan. There were extremely strong crosswinds in New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The only issue we encountered was that there was a small amount of leakage in the car during the heavy rain, but that was only because I tightened the straps much more than I probably should have. But hey, better safe than sorry. I would recommend using addition straps. I ordered some REAL Only once, in Texas, did I need to scooch the bag slightly toward the rear center of the roof. To everyone, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ROWbag. By the way, the following fit within my RoofBag. The vacum sealed bags really made a world of difference with the amount that bag was able to hold. I recommend the vacum bags if your really trying to fill that bag up all the way. Okay, that's it. 1 medium hard shell suitcase, 7 extra large vacum bags of clothing, 2 small plastic storage cases, 2 medium duffle bags, and 6 large anatomy books. If you want your belongings to arrive DRY AND SAFE to their destination, pick get this bag.



RoofPax Car Roof Bag & Rooftop Cargo Carrier. 19 Cubic Feet. 100% Waterproof Excellent Military Quality Car Top Carrier. Heavy Duty RoofBag. Fits All Vehicle With/Without Rack. 4+2 Door Hooks Included Review:


I was trying to find a simple and affordable way to load camping gear onto the top of our car. I did some quick internet research before deciding on this car roof bag. Despite the fact that it isn't the most affordable choice, the high quality of the materials, the large size, and the simple and secure installation without passing straps inside the car left me extremely satisfied. This made the installation much more practical and secure. Since this bag comes with four door hooks that can be readily attached to the car body and my car lacks roof rails, this is not at all an issue.The bag is sturdy and expertly constructed. The strong waterproof cover entirely encloses the heavy-duty zipper. A substantial built-in mat serves as protection for the bottom of the bag to guard against unintentional roof scratches.Installing this bag on my car only took a few minutes. All of my camping gear fit inside, and there was still plenty of room for more. I firmly fastened the straps and drove it for a test drive. There were absolutely no problems. I hardly noticed the bag was attached to the roof. Quite quiet!Additionally, it required no additional storage space and was quite simple to remove and fold.This car bag went above and beyond what I expected. With this buy, I'm quite pleased.



Keeper 07204 Black Premium Waterproof Cargo Bag (15 Cubic Feet) Review:


For a 3,000 mile road trip across the US, we bought this cargo bag to attach to our Buick Enclave. Overall, I heartily endorse.This review is NOT sponsored or paid for.[...]PROS * Installation is simple and doesn't require much fiddling with straps or repositioning. The roof cargo bag protective mat for car roof storage bags with extra padding and grip is advised. Under any rooftop cargo bag, place the car roof mat. TOP UNIVERSAL ROOF RACK PAD for CAR ROOF RACK PROTECTION* Is indeed WATERPROOF. If you follow the installation instructions and cover the zippered section with the covering flap, your belongings will stay dry even if we had to drive through torrential rain.It can hold a ton. We had no trouble fitting a Pack-n-Play, 2 kids' luggage, 1 big duffle bag, and various other little things in. The back of our automobile was almost entirely freed up.* Quiet; no issues with sounds from the road.CONS * Safety - We emptied it every time we stopped for the night because even though it has two rather little zipper pulls and a tiny little lock that fits through them, it would be easy for someone to break into. Given that this item costs $60 and the hardshell ones cost $600, this is hardly a deal-breaker, but it is still quite inconvenient.* Wear and Tear - After more than 3,000 miles, we did notice little tears beginning to appear along the carrier's front border. Although we could still give it a wonderful life if we took another lengthy journey, that would likely be the end. Not terrible at all for $60.* Car handling and gas mileage - May have an impact on these two factors. When I was driving, I had the impression that the cartop carrier was having an impact on handling, especially at high speeds or in strong winds. Anything you place on top of your car would have the same effect, but perhaps the more streamlined hardtop carriers are more aerodynamic?Overall, I heartily endorse. Without a doubt, we'll get another when this one breaks.[...]



AmazonBasics Rooftop Cargo Carrier Bag, Black, 15 Cubic Feet Review:


We recently downsized from a full-sized SUV to a Highlander with a family of five, so we needed something for trips. I deliberated between this and the Rola brand, which is a similar size. This size wasn't available from Reese. This "Amazon Basics" one had few reviews, and those that were present seemed to come from people who hadn't actually bought the item.I choose this one after looking at the photographs since it appeared to be better manufactured and to have larger, thicker straps. Compared to the Rola, this one appears to have stronger strap attachment points. View my photos of the unboxing, the storage bag that was provided, and the dimensions. If you don't like how the Amazon Basics logo sticks out, you can shade it in with a Sharpie. Although I haven't used it yet, I did take numerous pictures of the item with its measurements. Please click the helpful button if you found my review to be useful.2018-04-07 UPDATEWe've recently returned from our first weeklong trip using this, and I must admit that I'm impressed. The straps are really roomy. As we traveled from Florida back home today, it literally rained the entire time. 7 hours were spent in sometimes-heavy rain. Only a few drops of water from when we had to pack in the rain this morning seems to have made it inside. I'm also including a few fresh images of the item on our Highlander.


Can you install roof basket without crossbars?

If you have a roof rack, you can install a roof basket without crossbars. Most roof baskets come with mounting hardware that is compatible with most roof racks. If you do not have a roof rack, you can purchase a roof rack that is compatible with your vehicle.

Can you put a car top carrier without roof rack?

A car top carrier without a roof rack can be attached to the top of your car using special straps and clamps. This is a great option if you don't have a roof rack, or if you want to save money by not buying one. Just make sure you follow the instructions carefully so you don't damage your car.

Can you put a cargo carrier on a car?

A cargo carrier is a great way to add extra storage space to your car. You can use a cargo carrier to store camping gear, sports equipment, or even groceries. Most cargo carriers are designed to be mounted on the roof of your car, but you can also find some that are designed to be mounted on the back of your car.

Can you put a roof rack on a car without rails?

If your car doesn't have the factory roof rack rails, you can still install a roof rack. There are a few different ways to do this, but the most common is to use a roof rack that attaches to the door frames. This type of roof rack is easy to install and is very secure.

Can you put a RoofBag directly on the roof?

Yes, you can put a RoofBag directly on the roof. You will need to put something down first to protect your roof, such as a tarp or mat. Then, you can put the RoofBag on top of that. Make sure that the bag is secure and will not slide around while you are driving.

Can you use a cargo bag without crossbars?

A cargo bag is designed to be used in conjunction with crossbars. Without crossbars, the cargo bag will not be able to properly secure to your vehicle. Additionally, the crossbars provide additional support for the cargo bag, which helps to distribute the weight more evenly and prevents the bag from sagging in the middle.