Rooftop carriers-which do you like?

[disyidkid]

We'll be driving from the Mid Atlantic area to Floriday the last week in December. Our Dodge Caravan will be filled to the brim so I'm thinking about getting a rooftop cargo holder. It will mostly contain sleeping bags and pillows. The van does not have a luggage rack. What do you think about the softside versions like the Samsonite rooftop carrier?
Thanks

[DisneyWorldDad]

We got the cheap Target version that works ok. It is kind of a pain zipping up, but we only use it 1 maybe 2 times per year so we did not see the value in the expensive hard models.

DWD

[disyidkid]

Thanks, I didn't think to check out Target. Does it come with everything you need or will I have to buy some extra attachments?

[westjones]

We have used the soft roof carrier too when we went camping. It worked fine for pillows and sleeping bags. I would suggest putting the pillows and sleeping bags in plastic bags though, just in case of a hard rain.

DJ

[DisneyWorldDad]

Come to think of it, ours attaches to the luggage rack. You may need to do some homework.

Sorry,
DWD

[westjones]

Oh, yes, I forgot, ours did use the roof top carrier too to attach. Here is a link to the one at Target. It does need a carrier to work:

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-1/qid=1070313480/ref=sr_1_1/602-8297673-3307025?asin=B00008O2Z1

DJ

[MACUSER]

Becareful about the one at target i bought one instead of the the hard type for my town & country minivan . It ripped halfway to vegas had a big hole. When we got to vegas i took it back to target went to sears and bought a there hard top one and it is great .

[laurenk]

We have used the soft top before. It is a bit of a pain to pack, and you should pack everything in garbage bags in case of rain. We decided to buy a hard one this year from Sears. We think this is a much better way to go.

[threeboysdad]

We have had a hard shell for about 7 years now. It has been to disney and back 6 times (from New Hampshire). It has also been to the mountains of New Hampshire and to the Carolinas. It has even been loaned to other family members for their trips. I highly recommend a hard shell.

I looked at the soft shell ones recently as I was thinking it might be nice to have one that folded up. I decided against it though as I did not feel comfortable about the three r's - ripping, rolling and rain.

[disyidkid]

Okay, so now I'm thinking maybe the hard shell is the way to go. Any suggestions on where to pick one up? And do you need the luggage rack?
Thanks

[zman]

This link may be of help. It was a thread over on the transportation board not too long ago:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=453021

Paul

[nasmith]

Think Long-term regarding the carrier- We bought one about 8 years ago- and have only used it that one time!!! That ugly monster has been moved twice (Not on the car, but in the Moving van)! and has resided in the rafters of our garage because it takes up so much room! And then it's a pain to get down from the rafters if you do want to use it. I told my Husband to take it to the thrift store - but noticed it today on the side of the house (My DH has a problem with letting go of stuff;) ). Wish we had bought a soft-sided carrier instead----just my personal opinion----Jill

[threeboysmom]

Jill has a point about the storage. Should have mentioned that.

#1 - do you have a place to store it at home (back yard, basement)? I keep mine in the basement.
#2 - If you don't want to drive around with the empty shell when you are at your destination or do you have another place to store it? I used to worry about theft so I brought it in and put it on our balcony.

Definitely pros and cons to weigh.

As far as your question, most of the hard carriers do not require a roof rack. We drove our first 3 trips in a sedan with the carrier on top. No rack, no problem. They have special rubber coated hitches that attach to the edge of the top of the doors (that may be hard to picture but it is simple).

Good luck.

[threeboysdad]

Jill has a point about the storage. Should have mentioned that.

#1 - do you have a place to store it at home (back yard, basement)? I keep mine in the basement.
#2 - If you don't want to drive around with the empty shell when you are at your destination or do you have another place to store it? I used to worry about theft so I brought it in and put it on our balcony.

Definitely pros and cons to weigh.

As far as your question, most of the hard carriers do not require a roof rack. We drove our first 3 trips in a sedan with the carrier on top. No rack, no problem. They have special rubber coated hitches that attach to the edge of the top of the doors (that may be hard to picture but it is simple).

Good luck.

(sorry about the double post, threeboysmom was using my puter. I thought I could delete the first post)

[ryansmom]

We were going to rent a hard roof top carrier earlier this year. When we called a few places we found out for just a few dollars more we could buy one at Sears. Which we did! No complaints. We have even loaned it to friends.

[threeboysmom]

I'm soooo excited that my DH is on the DIS BOARDS!!!!!!!! :Pinkbounc even if he is only talking about boring rooftop carriers instead of Disney!

Hi Hon!:love2:

[Local_Girl]

We've had a hard carrier for years, purchased from Sears. No luggage rack needed. Although it is a bit cumbersome, I think it's more durable. Just an FYI, we discovered that it's best to make sure we put only things up there that can get wet...or wrap stuff in plastic bags. In heavy rain, the carrier leaks and water pools a little on the inside bottom. Light rain was no problem.

[SpecialK]

My sister tried to rent a hard shell for a family vacation. The rental place denied her because she has a luggage rack on her vehicle. She was told that using a hard shell with a luggage rack is dangerous in windy conditions. Don't know if this is valid or just insurance /lawsuit paranoia, but thought I'd pass it on.

[disyidkid]

Thanks everyone for your input. I think I've decided that I'll just tell my kids they can't come!!!!!!!
Also, any dinner suggestions for 12/30 - we'll be at MK but would leave to go to one of the monorail hotel restaurants.

Thanks again

[Local_Girl]

Is that where you were going to put them?? LOL!!

Note to self...consider taking hard top carrier on this trip...;)

Regarding dining suggestions...you may want to try the Kona Cafe in the Poly. I have not tried it myself (would love to though), but it gets good reviews.