Cargo Boxes - Why you do. Why you don't

[robert]

I've got a Yakima Space Booster I use on occasion. It primarily gets used when I'm doing a trip where I'll go through multiple climates and need to pack an assortment of clothes i.e. ski/winter clothes and more than one sleeping bag. I throw the unused equipment and clothes in the box so it doesn't take up my sleeping area in the back. I also have used it on paddling trips for the same reason. I could care less about it looking like a mall crawler, the Tacoma gets such crappy gas mileage to start with that the (semi)aerodynamic shape of the box is welcomed over a plain rack with Pelican cases (which I also have). Normally I just have the Yakima racks on the truck though; I don't cruise around with the box on.

This thread reminds me I need to clean it off and wipe it down with 303 again.

 

[brushogger]

The only thing keeping us from going this route is the cost and durability of the box. It would kill me to spend a lot on a box and have a tree limb kill it. I'm actually working on a design that will cost a bit to build, but should be waterproof and more durable than plastic or fiberglass. I'm building a new rack and plan to integrate them together with the box being attached using tractor pins.


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[Christophe Noel]

Cargo Boxes - Why you do. Why you don't


If we were to be honest with ourselves, the majority of our travels could probably be successfully accomplished in a crossover SUV. .

Agreed. We sold the Rover and bought a Patriot. We've driven that little Patriot over Ophir Pass, Engineer Pass and it's been bizarre how perfect it is for our needs. Sure, it's about as "overlandy" as a pair of pleated pants, but it works. Set the cruise at 80, turn up the tunes, and settle in. Then head down a remote road and just pick your lines well. We have a lift and sliders to be installed just to give it a bit more capability, but as it is, it's great. Cheap too.

 

[transporterjr]

We bought one at the last moment before a month-long western trip year with 2 sub-5 year olds for the Ford Escort wagon we had at the time.

One month, tent only - box was great, although I wished I had bought a slightly bigger one. It held the tent, tarp, poles, 4 sleping bags, 4 ground pads, solar shower, basically everything for accomondations, with just a bit of room for some boots and odds & ends.

Bonus - on the Escort wagon, the roof top box, mounted as far back as possible actually increased our gas mileage we had multiple tanks over 43 mpg:Wow1: while on the long leg of the trip (MA to Cody WY in less than 48 hours - perhaps a record for 2 kids less than 5 ) This was a long, low Thule box.

 

[goodtimes]

Sure, it's about as "overlandy" as a pair of pleated pants, but it works.

ha! That's a nice way to put it!

Which lift & sliders did you get? We put the 2.5" RR lift on Marisa's Patriot last year, & aside from the alignment issues (no one wants to listen when I tell them how to adjust the camber on the rear end . . .), we're very happy with it. It gives us just enough clearance to take it anywhere that we actually want to take it.

Of course, it doesn't have standing room, a built in kitchen, fridge, or queen sized bed - so we still take the truck & camper for most camping trips, but the Patriot is great for road trips that find hiking/biking/paddling/exploring during the day & staying with friends/relatives at night.

 

[Christophe Noel]

Brian, I have the updated Rocky Road Outfitters lift kit ready to be installed. The sliders arrived yesterday and they're crazy beefy. I'm also going to install the very slick RRO winch bumper that places the winch behind the grill and fascia. Should look a bit like this:





Hey! I just hijacked my own thread. Sweet.

At any rate, the point about a crossover SUV with a little added storage being a great overland platform is spot on. We have a need to knock down 500 miles at a whack. Doing that in a lifted and build Rover was a PITA.

 

[AFSOC]

Your post, if sarcasm was intended, is very funny!

Crom, just curious; what is your impression of my post if you were to find out that sarcasm wasn't the intent?

 

[transporterjr]

Your post, if sarcasm was intended, is very funny!

I think it was not meant to be sarcastic and he speaks the truth! That's my take anyway. However, I can still see someone finding it funny.
Happy trails!
JR

 

[spikemd]

The boxes are definitely good for lighter items but hard to hold down heavier items or things that will shift around. Plus they are expensive and could get whacked with a good tree branch. It is nice having the piece of mind of a lock, but generally on the trail noone is going to steal your stuff. Boxes work great in more populated areas.

I personally would rather have a few large pelicans or other sturdy containers up top. A full roof rack for me is more practical since my gear and needs change for each trip, but yes, a full roof rack is quite expensive.

 

[Christophe Noel]

Pelican boxes, and the token jerry can sure do look like an adventure is in progress.

I've never been one to load my roof with heavy items anyway. Not only is it a PITA to secure all that stuff, it makes most vehicles handle poorly. So, filtering all of the light stuff to go on the roof is a no brainer. Plus, common sense just tells me it's easier to toss a bunch of feathers and foam on the roof rather than a 20 pound fuel can or a Pelican box that weighs nine pounds empty.

 

[southpier]

i'm having one custom built for the Tacoma in titanium.




sorry; that came at the end of a tough day in the metaphorical cubical.

real question: how stable are the Thule or Yakama units? the mounting clamps/ closing latches i've seen make me want to lash the whole unit to the racks.

do the covers ever pop off at highway speeds? most racks offer capacity of around 100#, so does the wind force against the pod make the remainder of rack space unable to be utilized?

and to load, how does the loader - loadee?- access the pod?

i see a value, but don't understand the mechanics or construction & use.

 

[Christophe Noel]

i'm having one custom built for the Tacoma in titanium.

Show off. Mine is "titanium" in color, does that count. On a serious note, there was a company in France years ago making boxes with an aluminum base and a reinforced fiberglass top. Very nice. Seriously burly.

 

[Flagster]

At any rate, the point about a crossover SUV with a little added storage being a great overland platform is spot on. We have a need to knock down 500 miles at a whack. Doing that in a lifted and build Rover was a PITA.

What mileage do you pull from the patriot?
We have a full race schedule planned for 2013 all over the west and there will be 4-5 1500 mile trips...between a land cruiser and a lifted tacoma neither of which see much dirt other than the road to my house...I am seriously considering a crossover/wagon or making the sprinter jump...
Still like the 4wd crossover option

I love my cargo boxes...have a thule something or other on the land cruiser and a yakima rocket box on the tacoma...both big enough for all that crap you don't want to find room for inside...long enough for skis...and low profile enough to go in my garage...even with both vehicles being lifted...

 

[NMC_EXP]

Zeiglar container

Coleman's Surplus has many different types of storage containers.

This one ought to be water and air tight, and might fit a large roof rack:

http://store.colemans.com/cart/us-g...ntainer-zeiglar-mortuary-container-p-217.html

It's not aerodynamic, I don't know the empty weight and there is the issue of being "morbid and creepifying" as Jayne Cobb would say.

Regards

Jim

 

[Christophe Noel]

What mileage do you pull from the patriot?

We have pretty consistently clocked about 24 mpg on the highway with the box and one bike. Honestly, the bike doesn't appear to make any difference. The new box we have is a Yakima Skybox LoPro. That sucker is sleek. I can't see it impacting mileage at all, really. The best way to crush that mpg number is to set the cruise at 80. We can sometimes push 26 mpg with that roof load if we stick to 65-75 mph as we often do driving across the reservation to Durango, etc. Blasting across the plains states on I-80 and I-70 at 80 mph our efficiency dropped to about 23 mpg.

For a vehicle with leather, sat nav, heated seats and also capable of driving over mountain Passes like Engineer and Ophir, I think that's impressive. All with a 90 pound pooch in the back. Great little car, that Patriot.

Can't wait to get the lift, sliders, and winch on it.