Cargo box on roof.

I picked up a mtm mule cargo box cheap the other day. It's about 11 wide and 11.5 tall. Thought about mounting it to my roof rack using some rubber washers and a plastic handled nut to keep it somewhat dust and water tight.
It's not aerodynamic at all...it's a box. I see roam makes cases that are about the same size. Anyone use anything like that? Does it feel like you have a sail on your roof? Would only be used if I need the extra storage.

 

I went with the Roam box for its robust construction. But at the time they didn't have a roof mount and i didn't want to drill holes in it so I made my own aluminum base and some long screws with wing nuts to hold it down. Now Roam has a mount but my setup is doing just fine for now, maybe this season ill get it.

 

Are those Lfd cross bars? That's what I have at the moment. I wouldn't feel too bad drilling holes in this box. $75 out the door at a local shop that had them sitting for way too long.
As far as wind resistance it shouldn't be much different than the soft cargo bag I've used in the past.

 

I've used the Eylar case mounted to my LFD Cross bars. Works great.

 

Ive looked into knock off pelicans to mount to the roof. Much shorter and less drag I suppose. The reason I like this box is, I think our kids pack and play crib fits in it...dad life...

 

^Even with a low profile box I did notice a little bit of wind noise and wind resistance at high speeds.

Mounted it with carriage bolts and wing nuts so it's a tool-less install. Rubber gaskets and fender washers under the wing nuts so It's still weatherproof.
It's also theft proof since to access the wing nuts you'd have to open the locked case.

*Not my picture but this is a simple setup. 3/8-16 carriage bolts work very well with the LFD cross bars.

Honestly I like the setup a lot but the extra wind noise keeps me from running it most of the time.

 

That's what I'm planning to do with this case. I'll have to get it mounted sometime and see how loud it is.

Doest save cargo room, but it fits perfectly between the wheel wells right behind the back seats. May use it for recovery stuff and air compressor when I don't have the whole family along.

 

Do you have a rear mounted spare? If not, I'd get a hitch carrier for that if it's not needed fulltime. For another $75 you can save a couple mpg and keep it more accessible. Just my .02

 

I agree with this. If you're not wheeling or worried about clearance in the rear it's a better solution.

 

Ive thought of that too and do have a aluminum hitch carrier. It just hasn't been used for years because we usually have a bike rack on back when we go somewhere. Almost anywhere we vacation we're going there to hike and bike.

 

If the backend doesnt work it doesnt work and should work fine the way you thought of it. I dont want to awaken the Viper Cut Gods but another user gained back 9mpg only by removing a basket and spare tire. Just something to be aware of when stacking bricks on bricks

 

Yeah I don't like taking a hit on mpg but it'll only be on extended family trips when we have a ton of luggage and camping stuff. I used a roof basket and big cargo bag this summer and still got about 18mpg, family of 4 woth a bunch of luggage and bikes on back.

I'll have to mess with it. If I makes noise I'll maybe spend the money on an actual cargo pod like a Yakima to match the bike rack.

 

I think they are from Victory 4x4. With just the aluminum mounts and no box its noisy, but i like my music loud and it's only me. It's not overly noisy so you should be okay, just keep in mind you are going to have to reinforce how you mount it. The plastic alone may tear with the wind drag if you just drill holes at the bottom and mount it. It will need to be reinforced from the inside.

 

I could use a strap of metal as a big washer inside the box. Should keep it from destroying its self.

 

Those boxes are cheap compared to ROAM. I have been doing a bunch of research on boxes for my roof rack and did not come across these. Good find. Any one use them yet?

I have some of the plan boxes and the side walls just aren't strong enough.

$50 Plano Storage Trunk with Wheels, Gray, Lockable Storage Box, Airline Approved Sportsman Trunk, Hunting Gear and Ammunition Bin, Heavy-Duty Containers for Camping, 108-Quart

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017N98OGC

I had 4 of those plano boxes on my roof rack in November and it was noticeable, but I was still driving 70+ any chance I could get.

 

Dude, you got a load on!

 

Haha...yea, almost an embarrassing amount. I was down in Baja for 15 days, half the time racing the Baja 1000 and the other time exploring with my family, so I had to pack for 2 types of trips.

 

You load tested the WD rack for me.

 

Sounds like fun!

If you were wondering about the mtm mule box I got I really don't know how it'll hold up.

Side walls aren't very stiff but I think once the lid is closed and latched it'll work. I'll use a couple zip ties or a couple locks as a backup to the latches.

I'll get it on the roof sometime but it'll probably be later this summer till I need it. Crossbars aren't even on my roof rack right now.

 

They're cheap enough, I might pull the trigger on a couple. I'm currently packing my garage up for a remodel of our house, so worst case, I'll use them to store tools and what not. Those Plano cases worked, but the sidewalls definitely crumble under any type of strapping load across the top. You can see the front one is smushed down in the pic above.

 

Yea, that roof rack is stout. I was even up top standing on the rack at times while loading/unloading.

 

Plano boxes work great! Like anything mtd to the roof they are noisy and kill a few MPG’s. At least there cheap!