Could you help? Packing an add'l luggage carrier on top....

[dis-happy]

Hi there!
We leave for WDW in 10 days. There will be 8 of us all together, 6 driving down while 2 fly, but all 8 of us to fit into the Landcruiser on the way home. There's not a lot of cargo area in there with all the seats filled! Plus, we are bringing 4 teenage girls for my dd's high school graduation gift.

So, I purchased one of those soft sided luggage carriers that straps on the top, thinking that we would need it for the ride home (even with the stern warnings I've given the teenagers about overpacking, lol).

DH is a little (actually, a lot) on the obsessive compulsive side, and he's bugging me about the top of the roof getting scratched. I know it has to be clean. But here's my problem....

a while ago I saw on a website a mat that can be put down underneath the carrier to keep the roof from being scratched. I can't find it anywhere on line anymore! Does anyone know where to find something like this? Does it work? Will dh spend the rest of my life saying "I told you so" when the top of the car rusts out due to getting sratched?

If you have any advice, I'd really appreciate it.....

 

[ftwildernessguy]

This really doesn't answer your question, but I would advise you to be VERY careful with the weight. Car top carriers are designed to carry surprisingly little weight, and you would be surprised how quickly that weight will build up. Weigh your bags before loading and keep the weight limit in mind, or you will have more damage to the roof of your vehicle than a few scratches.

 

[BillyRayJimBob]

We've got one and don't use a mat. I've never noticed any scratches. Its basically a nylon bag with some weather proof coating and nylon straps. The only issue is that you've got to tie off the excess lenght of the straps or they will flop around in the wind. I could see that wearing down the paint.

They say these things are waterproof. They are not. If you put a suitcase or duffel bag in it, put a big garbage bag around your bags case it rains. It will help. Its a good place for lighter items, especially dirty clothes on the way home. I think the weight restriction for our van's roof is 80 pounds, evenly distributed. That's maybe two suitcases. Best to put the light bulky stuff up there. You may consider not using traditional suitcases if weight is a problem and go with collapsable duffel bags. Those roller suitcases can be heavy.

I wish someone would have brought me teenage girls for my graduation gift!

 

[bradisgoofy]

You didn't say whether you were camping or staying in a cabin, so I assume you don't have a trailer. Therefore I have a suggestion...if your vehicle has a trailer hitch, go to a local Uhaul in Orlando and have them get you, if they don't already have one, one of their small pod trailers. Not the metal sided standard trailer but the small fiberglass ones. That would be perfect for hauling home the extra stuff. Also, there is a storage box that fits into your receiver hitch, but you would have to buy one of those.

 

[Escape Artist]

...if your vehicle has a trailer hitch, go to a local Uhaul in Orlando and have them get you, if they don't already have one, one of their small pod trailers. Not the metal sided standard trailer but the small fiberglass ones. That would be perfect for hauling home the extra stuff...

If you're not already using your hitch, this is a great idea! I did this for Girl Scout camporee last year when the other driver's van broke down, and couldn't believe how much I could carry in the little U-Haul trailer and how cheap it was! If you don't have a hitch, you can have one installed pretty inexpensively, and the little trailer was very easy to tow. You might even want to get one round trip. You wouldn't believe how much easier it is to travel with a gaggle of teenage girls when you've got a little trailer to throw all their stuff in!

Of course, if your hitch is already busy, then nevermind...

Sue in Texas
...FW bound in 2 WEEKS!!!!!!!

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

We've got one and don't use a mat. I've never noticed any scratches. Its basically a nylon bag with some weather proof coating and nylon straps. The only issue is that you've got to tie off the excess lenght of the straps or they will flop around in the wind. I could see that wearing down the paint.

They say these things are waterproof. They are not. If you put a suitcase or duffel bag in it, put a big garbage bag around your bags case it rains. It will help. Its a good place for lighter items, especially dirty clothes on the way home. I think the weight restriction for our van's roof is 80 pounds, evenly distributed. That's maybe two suitcases. Best to put the light bulky stuff up there. You may consider not using traditional suitcases if weight is a problem and go with collapsable duffel bags. Those roller suitcases can be heavy.

I wish someone would have brought me teenage girls for my graduation gift!

Excellent idea

I cant see anything sitting on a painted surface not marking it up somehow. The only way IMHO you could pull that off without damage is if the vehicle had the rails attached to the roof (between the outer racks) that protected the paint.

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

I think the weight restriction for our van's roof is 80 pounds, evenly distributed.

Actually the Landcruiser is rated for 165 lbs. Most of your SUVs will be around that. My Venture van is rated for 150 lbs. We carry almost 100 lbs. of camping equipment in our carrier (hard-shell).

Edited to add.....this weight may be different if you don't have the rack with crossbars. Maybe one of the guys will know

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

Here it is:
http://roofbag.com/mat.asp