Rooftop Bag Location

Hey all,

I'm reading conflicting info on where best I should place my rooftop bag on my rack- towards the front of the truck or the back. Seems much more convenient for access to the back. It'll be on there for a 2k mile trip in June. Thanks in advance!

Posted this is General accidentally. Mods if you see this, delete other thread. Thanks.

 

How much weight are you talking? On roof rails or in a basket? Across the roof(side to side) or length wise(most aero)? How loaded will the vehicles interior be? All things that will help you make the right call. fwiw

 

- 100lbs
- full roof rack
- it's a rooftop bag, like a Sherpak Go if you've seen one
- interior will be loaded up, 9 day trip

 

The ideal location would be as close as you can get to centered between the front and rear wheels and as evenly spread across the roof rails as possible. Then each tire and roof rail is sharing the load (as evenly as possible). That's the ideal way. imo- others may see it differently.

 

@Moon Landing thanks! It's a delicate balance of safe load bearing ad aerodynamics. At the risk of hubris, I'm not so much worried about safety than I am about aerodynamics. While your solution is definitely in play, do you have any insight on which is more aerodynamic?

Don't say "no bag" ahahaha

 

With an approximate height of 15 inches and width of 35 inches you can't hide it from the wind(shy of adding a wind foil). It will make little difference where it's placed. imo What will make a difference is proper tire pressure/inflation for the load you will be carrying. Too low = unwanted resistance and that resistance will add additional stress on the tires.

 

Thanks. I'll be keeping pressure at tops on the road, low where I need it. Appreciate the help!