Car Top Carriers?

[Barry1955]

I'm planning a cross-country car trip (next year) and want to carry two sets of clubs and two pull carts. My car can't handle that and luggage. Years ago I borrowed a Sears X-Cargo but no longer have access to it. Is this the best way to go or is there anything better?

[billchao]

I'm planning a cross-country car trip (next year) and want to carry two sets of clubs and two pull carts. My car can't handle that and luggage. Years ago I borrowed a Sears X-Cargo but no longer have access to it. Is this the best way to go or is there anything better?

I'm interested in hearing some input from some others as well. I have a family trip planned next year and I've been thinking about getting a carrier for my clubs, cart, and other assorted luggage. Last year I managed to stick everything in the cargo space of my SUV, but it was a tight fit.

[Golfingdad]

Like Bill, I am also nearly in the market for one of these carriers, so I'm subscribing to this thread as well.  We onw a Chevy Traverse, and it has had more than enough room inside in the past, but now that there is a thrid kid and they're all getting bigger, the interior space is shrinking.  I suspect that we'll need a carrier like this for our Christmas trip up north.

In addition to the ones that go up top, I've also seen people with carriers that attach at the rear, similar to a bike rack on the trailer hitch.  Curious about those as well.

[mdl]

My wife and I did a few cross country trips with a soft car top carrier, something vaguely like http://www.amazon.com/Rightline-Gear-100S20-Sport-Carrier/dp/B007WR25GG/ref=sr_1_6?s=automotive&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1436905029&sr;=1-6

The one we had didn't have the hooks that are supposed to hook inside the door frame, but I'm not sure I would have trusted that anyway.  We just got some super strong climbing rope/webbing and wrapped that all the way around through the front doors and back, threading it through the carrier up top.  Worked perfectly both times.

This is a good option if you don't have a rack on top of your car to put a hard top carrier on.  If you do have railings on top of your car, I'd personally go for a hard top carrier that you can lock, especially if your clubs are going to be in there.

[fr0sty]

I put this on top of my wagon (Audi A4) for trips in the summer and it has been great for the past few years: Thule Evolution 1600

It is quiet on the highway (a little extra wind noise, but no whistling) and doesn't ding me too badly on gas mileage and allows me to pack about twice as much stuff.

[mdl]

General tip with strapping in car top carriers:

Twist the rope/webbing a decent number of times in the sections that will stretch taut in the open air.  If you don't you'll get some super loud buzz/thrum/drum sounds.

[Golfingdad]

I put this on top of my wagon (Audi A4) for trips in the summer and it has been great for the past few years: Thule Evolution 1600

It is quiet on the highway (a little extra wind noise, but no whistling) and doesn't ding me too badly on gas mileage and allows me to pack about twice as much stuff.

Looks like a nice one.  I think the first trip I made with one of those, though, I'd store only the least valuable things I'm bringing - i.e. not the golf clubs - just to make sure I don't get punished too badly if I screw something up installing it. ;)

[fr0sty]

Looks like a nice one.  I think the first trip I made with one of those, though, I'd store only the least valuable things I'm bringing - i.e. not the golf clubs - just to make sure I don't get punished too badly if I screw something up installing it. ;)

It probably warrants a shake-down cruise to make sure it's installed right, but the attachment systems for these things are pretty reliable these days. For me, I leave the clubs up there because they only fit in the back diagonally and that makes packing the other things a bit of a nightmare.

[No Mulligans]

I bought something like this about 12 years ago from costco...http://www.sportrack.com/p/skyline-xl-cargo-box?pp=24

Most common use is taking our golf bags and walking carts up to our cabin in Big Bear Lake.  Can fit more than just the golf stuff in it.  With two medium large dogs in the 4runner, the storage box has been very handy.  Also, it's very easy to install.  Have used it countless times with no problems.

Golf bags and walking carts can take a surprising amount of room, make sure they fit right after your purchase so you can return the item if they don't.

[DaveP043]

Looks like a nice one.  I think the first trip I made with one of those, though, I'd store only the least valuable things I'm bringing - i.e. not the golf clubs - just to make sure I don't get punished too badly if I screw something up installing it. ;)

I agree, golf clubs IN the car, sweaters in the rack on top of the car

[Wadess]

I bought the Thule Sonic last year to carry clubs on a trip.  I've used it for three trips since and it has worked great.  I can easily fit two sets (in cart bags) and assorted other golf items no problem.  There is no way 2 pull carts would fit in the small Sonic model that I have though.