Author Topic: looking for a roof carrier (Read 6483 times)

Ex-airbalancer · « **on:** June 03, 2010, 08:42:49 pm »

would like to get a roof carrier for the Prius
would also need a rack
any suggestion?

tortoise · « **Reply #1 on:** June 03, 2010, 09:42:19 pm »

Make sure your heart's in good shape before looking at the prices.

Thule or Yakima are the two most popular. If you don't need a ton of space the low profile carriers are nice. Better fuel efficiency and less likely to be damaged in a garage.

Ex-airbalancer · « **Reply #2 on:** June 03, 2010, 09:49:16 pm »

Seen the pricing

Costco did have a Swiss cargo box for $300 but they no long have it
Tried KIJIJI but there was nothing there

bridgecity · « **Reply #3 on:** June 03, 2010, 10:15:55 pm »

How often will you be using it? If only occasionally, by a cheap one from Canadian Tire or Walmart for less than $150. I bought one for $110 (18 cu.ft.), have used it several times over the last 5 years, and it has served me well. Its more floppy than the Yakima or Thule models as its not ABS plastic, but it does the job and keeps items dry.

quadzilla · « **Reply #4 on:** June 03, 2010, 10:19:16 pm »

If you aren't against shopping in the States head over to Buffalo and pick one up. Check out ems.com online for pricing plus you can do in store pickup.

Also check mec.ca in the buy/sell section for used ones.

johngenx · « **Reply #5 on:** June 03, 2010, 10:47:30 pm »

I have a Mont Blanc Aspen box that is many years old now, and despite being a fairly entry level ABS box (as opposed to fiberglass) it's held up very well. Had to replace a strut last year, and that's been it.

It rides on the Subaru all winter and gets used a lot.

Have you checked the OE Toyota roof rack? We have one for the 'Rolla, and it was priced competitively and fits great, way better than a jobber rack.

rrocket · « **Reply #6 on:** June 03, 2010, 10:57:14 pm »

http://www.sigmaautomotive.com/jdm/prius/prius0408_inno.php

Ex-airbalancer · « **Reply #7 on:** June 04, 2010, 08:26:34 am »

Quote from: johngenx on June 03, 2010, 10:47:30 pm

I have a Mont Blanc Aspen box that is many years old now, and despite being a fairly entry level ABS box (as opposed to fiberglass) it's held up very well. Had to replace a strut last year, and that's been it.

It rides on the Subaru all winter and gets used a lot.

Have you checked the OE Toyota roof rack? We have one for the 'Rolla, and it was priced competitively and fits great, way better than a jobber rack.

Toyota does not have one list for the Prius

Quote from: rrocket on June 03, 2010, 10:57:14 pm

http://www.sigmaautomotive.com/jdm/prius/prius0408_inno.php

Nice link

I would like a box that I could fit a 6ft ladder because once they plug the well in the Gulf of Mexico I thnk you will start to see the price of oil start to increase and I would start use the Prius more for work

tortoise · « **Reply #8 on:** June 04, 2010, 08:32:28 am »

Quote from: johngenx on June 03, 2010, 10:47:30 pm

I have a Mont Blanc Aspen box that is many years old now..

These can be found at MEC for $370. Probably one the best deals going.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442096979&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302726637&bmUID=1275654293612

A quick search at Canadian Tire shows the only box less than $200 is one of the short stubby boxes. Obviously not what you're after.

I'm sure if you keep scouring kijiiji (etc) something will come up. The issue is that they hold their value extremely well. I've seen lots of ads where the asking price for a 4 year old box is only $100 less than buying a new one. Ridiculous.

bridgecity · « **Reply #9 on:** June 04, 2010, 10:27:49 am »

Quote from: tortoise on June 04, 2010, 08:32:28 am

Quote from: johngenx on June 03, 2010, 10:47:30 pm
I have a Mont Blanc Aspen box that is many years old now..

These can be found at MEC for $370. Probably one the best deals going.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442096979&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302726637&bmUID=1275654293612

A quick search at Canadian Tire shows the only box less than $200 is one of the short stubby boxes. Obviously not what you're after.

I'm sure if you keep scouring kijiiji (etc) something will come up. The issue is that they hold their value extremely well. I've seen lots of ads where the asking price for a 4 year old box is only $100 less than buying a new one. Ridiculous.

Ya, if he wants to haul a 6 ft ladder, the Canadian Tire cheapy won't work. And if he's going to buy a box for hauling work tools/equipment, a sturdier choice would make more sense.

quadzilla · « **Reply #10 on:** June 04, 2010, 10:33:08 am »

Don't forget about the load limits of the box and rails.

johngenx · « **Reply #11 on:** June 04, 2010, 10:36:10 am »

Polyester < ABS < Fiberglass

But, the price of fiberglass boxes is very high. I found the ABS boxes the best bang:buck in the market.

Mont Blanc boxes are distributed by a company called Swgaman, and that firm has very good customer service and warranty support. My strut was replaced quickly and at no cost despite the age of the box.

Ex-airbalancer · « **Reply #12 on:** June 04, 2010, 11:07:24 am »

just found this http://www.cargotek.ca/en.htm
Canadian made

PlanB · « **Reply #13 on:** June 04, 2010, 11:30:02 am »

Costco is selling soft-sided cargo boxes right now. It's not on their web-site, but I saw it there yesterday.

Ex-airbalancer · « **Reply #14 on:** June 04, 2010, 12:35:05 pm »

Quote from: Plan B on June 04, 2010, 11:30:02 am

Costco is selling soft-sided cargo boxes right now. It's not on their web-site, but I saw it there yesterday.

Want hard kind, at least 72 in long

rrocket · « **Reply #15 on:** June 04, 2010, 12:38:30 pm »

Quote from: airbalancer on June 04, 2010, 08:26:34 am

I would like a box that I could fit a 6ft ladder because once they plug the well in the Gulf of Mexico I thnk you will start to see the price of oil start to increase and I would start use the Prius more for work

Are you kidding? The wells in the Gulf of Mexico don't even account for 1% of North American oil use...

mrthompson · « **Reply #16 on:** June 04, 2010, 12:40:40 pm »

Quote from: airbalancer on June 04, 2010, 12:35:05 pm

Want hard kind, at least 72 in long

That's what she said.

Ex-airbalancer · « **Reply #17 on:** June 04, 2010, 12:52:01 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on June 04, 2010, 12:38:30 pm

Quote from: airbalancer on June 04, 2010, 08:26:34 am

I would like a box that I could fit a 6ft ladder because once they plug the well in the Gulf of Mexico I thnk you will start to see the price of oil start to increase and I would start use the Prius more for work

Are you kidding? The wells in the Gulf of Mexico don't even account for 1% of North American oil use...

remember when they had all the hurricanes a couple years ago, price was over $1.25 a gallon when they shut down the wells
I do not they dare raise the gas with BP

happening

goodsonr · « **Reply #18 on:** June 04, 2010, 02:16:21 pm »

I've had a Yakima Rocket Box for > 10 years which is still in excellent shape and gets used quite a bit. Its plently long, but sure wouldn't fit a 6-foot ladder. The Rocket Box, though, is somewhat narrow to start with.. and the front part narrows down for aerodynamics, and would be too narrow for a ladder. A lot of boxes narrow down at the front.

But - on a Legacy I have 48-inch bars which leaves enough room for the box and 2 bikes (though its tight). So you could put junk in the box and just strap the ladder to the rack. Or do you want the ladder in the box to prevent theft? If its only the ladder going in the box, and only for theft reasons .. you could afford to replace a lot of ladders for the price of a good box !!

ron

safristi · « **Reply #19 on:** June 04, 2010, 02:24:09 pm »

Call Ahkmed Movers and Shakers@ Topkapi,Amen Corners,ISTANBULL Turkey....