Roof Rack vs Tow Hitch Cargo

I recently bought a 2021 4runner sr5 premium. With 2 dogs and extra passengers, for long road trips I want to utilize extra cargo space. The 2 most practical seem like a roof rack or tow hitch cargo basket.

I want something that is easy to install and take off since I only need the extra cargo space for longer road trips. Easy to store would also be nice so it doesn't take up a lot of space in my garage when not in use.

I asked ChatGPT and for a roof rack it recommended the Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite and for a tow hitch it recommended the Mockins Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier with Bag and Net but I want to rely on my fellow 4runner experts for advice. Please help!

 

There are many pro's and con's to each. You have to decide what you can sacrifice.

1) Roof Rack pro's: You can store more, because the roof is going to be bigger than a box mounted to the hitch. You can also store longer or odd shaped objects; such as ski's or small canoe.
Roof Rack con's: You'll make your vehicle top heavy and will make it even more of a brick. All that stuff will create drag. The rack will also increase over all height and you may have issues getting it into your garage or other spaces with low ceilings.

2) Hitch basket pro's: Most boxes are true boxes, so you have some security from thieves and from the elements. When not in use you can easily unmount it and store it elsewhere. A roof rack is always on or not as easily to remove.
Hitch basket con's: Smaller area to store your items. The basket will block access to the rear cargo door when it's in place.

 

I had a Skybox a few years ago, and it was pretty nice. However, loading and unloading stuff on the roof can be a bit awkward. I usually stand on the back tire, or the sliders, when loading stuff up there, which can get uncomfortable if you're up there for awhile.

Another consideration is that anything on the roof will significantly impact fuel economy. Whereas, I wouldn't expect a trailer hitch basket to me a notable difference. The hitch basket will also be easier to access.

But, the trailer hitch basket will also be in the way of accessing the cargo area.

So, there are pros and cons to both.

 

We have a Skybox 16. It’s light but big. It’s a 2-person job getting it on the roof. And of course indoor parking is an issue. To store it, I have some hooks on the garage wall and, with a broomstick through the front “claws”, the Skybox gets hung vertically on the hooks. It provides a lot of storage and is weatherproof.

The hitch cargo basket (no personal experience) could probably be mounted on the car by one person, but storing it might be more problematic. It isn’t practical for me as I have a steep driveway and the basket would certainly drag at the bottom. It might obstruct the rear hatch as well unless it is of the swing-away variety. Also, not waterproof.

Edit: Borracho and bassguy beat me to it.

 

I wonder if you could use a hitch extender with one of those baskets. That would at least allow to to open the rear hatch for sure. Just be extra careful backing up.

I find etrailer has some great stuff. Check out these extenders.

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Hitch_Adapters-sf-Hitch_Extender.aspx?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_vMtmsEoa3YguSXu5UWtf2bvpl1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1-jbzIP5iQMVaGZHAR2QhADcEAAYASAAEgIgQvD_BwE

 

Picture of my Skybox just for grins. I built fishing rod holders for it. Mine was one of the biggest ones, around 90" long IIRC.

 

There are swing-away cargo baskets that allow access through the hatch.

 

Thanks for all the help! I don't think this would fit longer items such as golf bags, but something like this stores in a smaller bag which could be nice. Any thoughts?

$140 MeeFar Car Roof Bag XBEEK Rooftop top Cargo Carrier Bag 20 Cubic feet Waterproof for All Cars with/Without Rack, Includes Anti-Slip Mat, 10 Reinforced Straps, 6 Door Hooks, Luggage Lock

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GLY3XF1

 

That's an interesting cargo basket.

 

A roof bag seems to me like it would be a royal PITA to load, but I have never used one. Could be wrong. (wouldn't be the 1st time). I have a Yakama sky box. That works very well for any gear I want to carry. Toss my stuff in the box and close the lid.

 

I like the dry bag for flexibility. Often times I don't use it because of no rain in forecast. 1 trip I guessed wrong and pulled over loading the dry bag up in 15 minutes back on the road entering a storm.

I put stuff on roof as last resort when need the Interior cargo space. Always trying to reduce my wind drag. This is the reason I went from full size steel rack to a low profile.

I have both the hitch mounted basket and roof rack.

 

You bought a 4Runner W/2 Dogs & Extra pax?!?!

 

Roof bags are not bad, easy to fold and store. Flexability to store odd shapes. We had a cargo box on the roof once, took it cross county and ditched it in denver for a bag. It was bouncing too much when on the highway. Could have been user error, But I spent a bunch of time trying to get it to stop. I will say that using door straps when raining is a wet idea, my kids where not happy with the water running in through the straps.
I have pack one in the vehicle on a trip before, so if we need it, we have it.

 

The hitch carrier will be much easier to load and unload. It will have a much higher weight rating too. It will take up less space in the garage than a roof rack or box.

Ease of use, storage and carrying capacity all favor the hitch carrier.

 

I use both the roof rack and the hitch rack on long trips. They sell the hitch racks at Harbor Freight very reasonably priced and I have had mine for 10 years with no issue. I have a large marine cooler that fits in there perfectly, its water proof, and holds a lot of stuff. I use the rear window to access back of vehicle. The roof rack came from etrailer and I use 3 large dry bags that fit perfectly horizontally across the rack. All clothes get loaded in the dry bags. Couple of bungees and we are good to go. Dogs have plenty of room with the double seat split folded down.

 

On the occasions when I have to load multiple dogs and passengers into mine, I always find myself wishing I had gotten a suburban instead, haha.

Me, my girlfriend, and her sister often go on hikes with the dogs, we have four between us. Those are always two car trips.

As far as the original questions, I think a hitch mount would be more user-friendly and economical, unless you need departure angle.

Just make sure you buy a quality basket. A YouTuber I follow, JonDZ. Adventuring, actually had one fail while he was on the road. I would probably secure the basket to the safety chain mounts on the hitch as a secondary connection in the off chance something goes wrong with the hitch mount.

I always secure my bike rack in that manner when it's mounted.

 

I've carried kayaks, canoes, ladders, lumber on the roof rack (not a box). I have a roof box for packing plenty of soft sided stuff, like tents, sleeping bags, tarps, even soft sided luggage. And, I have a hitch attach cargo carrier without box that I carry dirtier things, including deer from the woods. It folds up when parking space is the premium.



Also have a hitch attach bike carrier, motorcycle carrier and an extension for integrating with the roof top carrier to make a very long base. But, I've found the best of all worlds is an Aluma trailer with a built in ramp. I haul all manner of things, like tractor, motorcycles, ATV, mulch, fuel, splitter, snowblower, kids on a hay ride. . . . The trailer could easily replace all the rest of my carrier space.

 

Is that for the dogs or extra pax?

 

Who are we to go against the $10 billion ChatGPT?

 

Whoever wants to sit back there.

 

Yakima evo is an awesome hitch box

 

Curt makes a folding hitch mounted cargo carrier that you can stack two 27G black and yellows on and still clear the liftgate opening (can also do 2 side by side for a total of 4). I would recommend a Skybox first though. Put the least accessed stuff up there. We have done trips with one or the other and trips with both. Even with the hitch carrier clearing the liftgate, still prefer the Skybox