Rooftop cargo carrier

chuck s · Apr 25, 2018

There should be a sweet spot to mount these for the least aerodynamic drag. Anyone know where it is? I have the roof cross bars slid toward the back for the same reasons. Now that I have garage access, though, the bars will probably be removed to clean up the air flow and I've never used the roof rack in the 16 years I've owned SUVs.

-- Chuck

Black · Apr 25, 2018

chuck s said:
There should be a sweet spot to mount these for the least aerodynamic drag. Anyone know where it is? I have the roof cross bars slid toward the back for the same reasons. Now that I have garage access, though, the bars will probably be removed to clean up the air flow and I've never used the roof rack in the 16 years I've owned SUVs.

-- Chuck

Our vehicles should not make a big difference. Smaller vehicles where the carrier is longer than the vehicle roof is where issues tend to arise.
As long as the front lip is not out in front of the windshield you should not see any issues with gas mileage or fluttering.
Our racks are set way back so it should not matter. I have mine set back so I stand on the tire to load it up.

chuck s · Apr 25, 2018

2000W power inverter

Better get a bigger alternator as well

as in a perfect world 2000 watts at 120vAC is nearly 150 amps at 13.7vDC (alternator output). And that assumes perfect inversion.

There are 120vAC alternators fitted to ambulances (and powerboats). Not sure where you'd mount one.

-- Chuck

Dorzak · Apr 25, 2018

Jimdar said:
Pepboys sells a rebranded sportrack for about $100 less. The direction sheet is Sportsrack and the pepboys sticker comes right off.
https://m.pepboys.com/product/details/9511536/00345?quantity=1#tab4

When I looked the 18 cubic foot sport rack was half the price of the pep boys brand on the pep boys site.

Dorzak · Apr 25, 2018

Barjrob1972 said:
Well it’s on. I’ll need to buy a two or three rung step ladder to take with me. It looks a little small even though it’s the XL but that works for me. It gives me a space in the rear to roof mount a couple of NMO’s for the cell booster and a dual band.
I also learned when I wash Moby Dick that I need to concentrate on the roof a bit more. There’s mold up there.

With the cargo carrier opening in the back, it might work further back, and adding one step in the tow hitch if you aren't going to be towing.

Barjrob1972 · Apr 25, 2018

Dorzak said:
With the cargo carrier opening in the back, it might work further back, and adding one step in the tow hitch if you aren't going to be towing.

We (my wife and I) discussed this exact same thing last night. It's supposed to be stormy today but when I can I'm going to move it completely to the rear to see how that works.

Barjrob1972 · Apr 25, 2018

chuck s said:
Better get a bigger alternator as well...

-- Chuck

Yeppers. I'm thinking a dual battery project might be in the works if I can find the room. The reason I went with a 2000 amp inverter is because it's been sitting on my shelf for years and I need to do something with it. I have no intention of ever pulling 2000 watts.

chuck s · Apr 25, 2018

I think I pulled my pair of 6v T125 "golf cart" batteries dry in 15 minutes running a heavy load thru a pure sine wave inverter I was thinking of putting in my small (23') hybrid travel trailer. Darned if I can recall what I used for a load. Turned out to just be a test and I abandoned the project as impractical but friends have a standard, house type compressor type refrigerator in their 28' travel trailer. No propane, just 110vAC. Never seen one before. There's an inverter in the trailer but it really needs to be connected to a running truck!

-- Chuck

bobmbx · Apr 25, 2018

Barjrob1972 said:
Well it’s on. I’ll need to buy a two or three rung step ladder to take with me. It looks a little small even though it’s the XL but that works for me. It gives me a space in the rear to roof mount a couple of NMO’s for the cell booster and a dual band.
I also learned when I wash Moby Dick that I need to concentrate on the roof a bit more. There’s mold up there.

View attachment 24767

Well, everyone knows that if you had purchased an Expy with the 5.4L V8, you wouldn't need a ladder. The 5.4s come with 2 Oompa Loompa's (they hang out in the glove box), and whenever you park for more than 5 minutes, they pop out and clean your roof.

Geeez....why does all this have to be explained over and over.......

Barjrob1972 · Apr 25, 2018

bobmbx said:
Well, everyone knows...

My 2007 EB EL was shipped with electrical gremlins and they were always messing with something.

Rooftop cargo carrier

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