Road trippers...

[Amy loves Bud]

We're heading to Tennessee for a month in just a couple of weeks (need to meet some of you gals while I'm there!)

Anyway, we're wondering if it would be better to get the rooftop cargo thing, or one of those platforms that attaches to a trailer hitch. We drive a Honda minivan.

Opinions?

[shalom22]

Good question, I'm giving you a bump here.

I have never used either one, but looking at the physics of each one, you might get better gas mileage with the platform one than with the one on top of your van. And it will depend on how much weight each one can carry. Be careful about putting too much weight on top of your van.

[Michelle in TX]

We have used a roof top carrier for several years now for our road trips. Up until this last trip, we borrowed someone's Space Cadet by Yakima. No one had them when we were getting ready for our trip so we ended up getting a Sky Box by Yakima from REI. I don't know what it does to your gas mileage between a trailer hitch and a roof top box, but it does reduce it some. We averaged about 16 mpg on this last trip and we drive a Honda Odyssey. Plus we kept it around 70 or just under. We like the roof storage box because it is secure on the rail system, it locks securely and cannot be stolen, and it is weather proof. I don't know how the trailer hitch systems compare as we've never looked into them. HTHs! Have a great trip. We drive from TX to TN/KY often ourselves to see family. I wish there were more (or any) Chick-fil-a's along the way!! ;)

Edit to add: we are careful not to put too much weight on top and usually put bedding, kids toys, pack and play and stroller up there. Maybe a suitcase and diapers!

[gamommy]

We make a twice yearly trip from GA to NH. We purchased a soft carrier for the roof by Thule. It's called a 'Nomad'.

It attaches easily to the standard roof rack of our Pontiac SV6 minivan, no extra cross-bars or equipment needed. It is rain/weatherproof. There are a couple of sizes available, we have the medium as I recall. We spent about $175 on it, but that was a few years back. On our last trip we had a portacrib and three large suitcases up there easily. Dh even thinks we could purchase another one and fit both on top.

It seems secure and does not affect gas mileage noticeably (it really is pretty low profile. No scratches to the roof of the car either. The only potential annoyance seems to be that the straps blow and 'thump' on the roof if the excess isn't wrapped up well. It has a great carry-case for when not in use. I'd say dh gets it on the car (by himself) in about 5 mins.

We bought ours from EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports).