Contributor I
I am new to overlanding and need a rooftop box. What's the best budget roof box out there? I sleep in my truck so i plan to keep my sleep gear and extra stuff in the box.
Best rooftop cargo box
- Thread starter Tammym
- Start date
Everything is a trade off. The more expensive the more water proof for longer they are. SKB, Pelican, Seahorse etc. etc. are all prime boxes with a high price tag. You can pickup a less expensive boxes but you might have to double bag the stuff inside. Big dry bags also work.
i use the rubbermaid action packers. work exceptionally well, very rugged and quite inexpensive
here's a smaller one on my cargo basket. no problem with rain or anything
here's a smaller one on my cargo basket. no problem with rain or anything
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Contributor I
Contributor I
Contributor I
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We bought the "tin box" (front left) in the market in Nairobi - cost about USD 10.00 . Perfect!
Having said this, our sleeping bags and extra clothing were/are stored below the bed inside the vehicle.
Contributor I
That looks perfect. I don’t have a “bed”, so far I have been sleeping on a sleep mat and blankets...working great for now.
Enthusiast I
We have A few Thule and Yakima boxes of different sizes from long and narrow to XL to meet our varying needs as sometimes I solo and sometime take our family of five. All boxes were picked up on Craigslist for less than $200. Our beater slim Yakima is awesome for carrying wood for the fire or carrying long stuff like tents, sleeping pads and chairs. We also have some of the front runner wolf boxes and stack them on the rack. They stay dry inside and relatively dust free despite not having a real seal.
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We use a Yakima Box...Lots of room, easy to put up and take down, and I got it cheap on Craigslist. Be patient and get a good deal :)
Contributor I
Thanks...will definitely start checking Craigslist
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I followed our founders (Michael) lead and use these:
Buy some weather-stripping tape and put it in the lid grooves, BAM! watertight, been using them for years, love them, durable, cheap and readily available....... I keep them pre packed, and when time to go, throw them on the roof rack, strap down and go.
Jim
Buy some weather-stripping tape and put it in the lid grooves, BAM! watertight, been using them for years, love them, durable, cheap and readily available....... I keep them pre packed, and when time to go, throw them on the roof rack, strap down and go.
Jim
Contributor II
Before I fell victim of the Overland - YouTube Craze and decided to go all in with Roam Adventure Cargo Boxes, and Pelican Vault Cases I used the Rightline Cargo Bags for my SUV. I had one mounted on the Roof and one mounted on the rear hatch. 100% waterproof, they did the job from AZ to FL and back, AZ to NY over 6 years.
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I use a Thule box, it was made for Pep Boys to sell, but I have had it since around 2010 and it still works fine.
RatAssassin
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Enthusiast III
Rooftop cargo boxes can be found all day long on Craigslist and market type social media groups.
I got my Yakima Skybox for $200 and it still had the stickers attached.
Also, I don't get the love for the overly expensive rifle cases strapped all over the roofs of vehicles. For what one pays and the configuration of the cases, one could do a lot better without being limited to items just 5 inches thick.
I got my Yakima Skybox for $200 and it still had the stickers attached.
Also, I don't get the love for the overly expensive rifle cases strapped all over the roofs of vehicles. For what one pays and the configuration of the cases, one could do a lot better without being limited to items just 5 inches thick.
But , but, but what about fashion? I do own Seahorse, SKB, And Pelican Boxes. They ride inside, the stuff in mine is far more expensive than the cases. Please feel free to you and do what you want. I had a wooden box on a sedan 40 years ago for hauling stuff. It was know as the wedge. It was NOT fashionable.
