Luggage basket v luggage pod?

[Road_Warrior]

I'm currently looking at buying some sort of roof storage solution for my car (BA sedan) and the current Repco sale which includes Rola products has hastened my decision.

Question is - what do I buy? A rack-style rootop cage thing or one of those luggage pods?

I like the idea of the racks because you can fit outsized or bulky items for travel, but there is obviously no protection for the items in bad weather (unless you get one of those covers) and there is no theft protection at all.

But I also like the idea of the pod/box because it's enclosed and secure, but is dearer than the rack and you wouldn't be able to fit oddball shaped or sized stuff in one.

Both are only rated to around 50kg.

Have you used either of these, and why did you make the choice you did? (ie pod or rack)

[Road_Warrior]

Anyone?

[Bushbasher]

I've had a roof rack cage and they are good for what they do plus it only takes a decent tarp to protect everything from the wind but I guess it's about what you are expecting to carry around and how far. If travelling I'd pick a pod because ,if for no other reason, they are more aerodynamic and will use less fuel than a cage.


Bushbasher

[Macca23]

It as you have stated, you can have either choice in security and weather protection vs any size items in a open tray. usually works out to be the same cost at the end of the day.

Have a chat to your local 4wd store. larger range to choose from.

[Road_Warrior]

Thanks guys.

I did have ideas about having the tray because I could put spare tyres up there, now that I have a gas tank in the spare wheel well and travelling with luggage in the boot, etc. But I realise that attempting to lift something like a wheel and tyre on and off a roof rack above head height may not be that good for my back...perhaps a pod would prevent me from injuring myself too...

[Macca23]

Exactly and you will also have a weight limit on the racks, so you have to minus the weight of the tray of the total weight aloud.

[madmelon]

The pods are much lighter than the racks and so will allow you to carry additional stuff. They're also HEAPS more aerodynamic so won't cause nearly as much drag when you're driving along.

[Road_Warrior]

I think I'm gonna run with a pod, mainly for the security aspect. And of course Repco has the Rola ones on sale ATM

[BrisVegas]

I just got a Rola 360ltre pod from Repco. They are good prices at the moment. The quivalent from Thule was $530 or so. Got the Rola for $299.

[Road_Warrior]

BrisVegas what sort of car do you have? How does it look on the roof?

[GTP owner]

Buy a trailer - I don't like to change the centre of gravity on my car, plus roof racks are a pain to install and remove, they make noise at speed, and they leave marks on your car. A cheap 6x4 will cost less than $1000, and serve you for years.

[OLDFORDNUT]

the cages catch the wind so much its like having a hand brake on slightly ,very poor fuel economy and lots of tying gear down go the pod or a trailer

[Road_Warrior]

I've got a trailer, and if I was going to be loading heaps of stuff up I would use it. The rooftop luggage solution is more for the 'overflow' stuff that won't fit in the boot or on the back seat.

I'm also looking at one of those luggage rack things that the seppos use that plug into your Reese hitch...

[BrisVegas]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

BrisVegas what sort of car do you have? How does it look on the roof?

I've got a Focus hatch. I haven't installed the racks and pod yet, been too busy this week. I only got them Saturday. I only plan to use the pod for when we go camping. As for the bars, well I'll see how hard they are to install, but could possibly leave them on, as the car is mostly driven around town. I got the Rola Extreme Sports bars so they should look "ok".

[BrisVegas]

Racks installed last night. Pretty simple setup, once you find the anchor points in the roof channels (buried under paint and gunk).

[Road_Warrior]

Hrrm, thanks for that. Slightly different setup to the BA ones then.