Outdoor / Camping

Best Cargo Box for a Family Road Trip

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Road trips are great. They offer a perfect family time filled with adventure. The USA luckily has a wide network of roads which allow you to visit every corner. With that, you can visit different monuments, eccentricities, wonders of nature, and so on. The best thing of all, you can do it with your family.

The main benefit of such a road trip is that it doesn’t require a lot of money. Most of us have cars, and that is all you need. However, there is one difficulty which becomes obvious as soon as you start packing, and that is space. Regardless of the type of vehicle you drive, you could always use more room for your luggage.

Although you can’t expand the interior of your vehicle, you can get more room by purchasing a cargo box. They are a great invention that will allow you to double the cargo capacity. But, that is not their only benefit. One of the main advantages is that you’ll be able to improve on the comfort of your passengers.

Your cargo will also be protected from all weather conditions thanks to the sturdy design and use of the quality materials and seals. One of the unexpected benefits is improved security. If thieves see a car filled with bags, and different valuables, there’s a chance that you might be a victim of their crime. This will not only cost you in lost personal items but also in the damage to your vehicle, which can be extensive in some cases.

Lastly, cargo boxes are designed with aerodynamics in mind. While they will increase the drag, and the fuel consumption slightly, they are devised in such a way to minimize the wind resistance. This, in the end, makes them efficient, and they won’t hit your wallet too hard in that regard.

Without any further ado, let’s check out the best cargo boxes.

1. Goplus Cargo Box

Goplus Cargo Box

We’ll start our list with a Goplus cargo box. It comes in three colors – white, black, and titanium gray. This product is a perfect fit for any small car, van, or even a large SUV. When it comes to capacity, you will get an additional 14 cubic feet of space, while the maximum capacity is 165 pounds. This should be more than enough for any road trip.

It is characterized by robustness and strength which is ensured by the use of high-quality materials like ABS and PC. Thanks to the mentioned materials it will last you for years to come. One of the clever features is the easy access, meaning that it can be opened from both sides.

As most of the products on our list, this one is designed to minimize the drag, which in return results in efficiency. The best thing of all, it is very easy to install, all you have to do is install the four quick-connect anchors. When it comes to dimensions, it is 63 inches long, 31 inches wide, and 15 inches high.

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2. Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box

Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box

Thule is the main player in Europe, and this next cargo box and our overall winner is made by them. Thule Force XT is the largest cargo box on our list and with that the most expensive. It will offer you additional 22 cubic feet of space. It comes only in black color, which might be its only drawback.

Just as our previous contender, it also offers access from both sides, and although larger, it offers the same weight capacity at 165 pounds. When it comes to dimensions, it is 75 inches long, 25 inches wide, and 17 inches high.

One of the clever features is the power click quick-mount system which allows for easy installation with only a few steps. As mentioned above, it is the most expensive, but it is also a great value for the money. For that reason, it deserves to take the title of the best cargo box.

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3. SportRack Vista XL Cargo Box

SportRack Vista XL Cargo Box

The next one on our list is SportRack Vista XL Cargo Box. One thing that differentiates it from the rest on our list is the access. Instead of opening it from the side, this one opens from the back. Whether that’s an advantage or disadvantage, you be the judge. Capacity wise it offers 18 cubic feet of additional space, which should be more than enough for any road trip.

It is made from UV-resistant ABS which is not only durable but also easy to maintain. As you might have guessed, it is a bit smaller compared to our previous contender. It is 63 inches long, 38 inches wide, and 19 inches tall. Its smaller dimensions also dictate its capacity which maxes out at 100 pounds.

Its main advantages are ease of installation and price. If you are looking for something decent that won’t leave your wallet empty, this is the one to go for.

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4. Car Top Carrier Roof Bag

Car Top Carrier Roof Bag

If you are looking for something on the budget, we got you covered. It is not a cargo box, but rather a roof bag which will cost you much less. It comes in two sizes- 15, and 20 cubic feet. While it has many disadvantages compared to a cargo box, it is still a viable solution, if you need something fast that won’t break a bank.

The best thing of all is the versatility. it can be installed on any roof, with side rails, cross rails, or no racks at all. Thanks to the straps, you can install it pretty much anywhere in just a few minutes.

While it is made from quality materials, which ensure durability, and weather resistance, it is still not a hard shell. This means that it would be an easy target for thieves.

That would be all for our list of best cargo boxes. Hopefully, we’ll make your choice a bit easier, and your future road trips much more enjoyable, and comfortable.

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Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API