Roof boxes enable you to carry additional stuff without cramming things inside the vehicle. However, not all car roof cargo boxes are similar and some such boxes may not be suited for containing specific objects. If you are planning for a trip and carrying the suitcase in the boot of the vehicle is not possible, you may want to buy a rooftop cargo box to accommodate the suitcase.
What Is a Roof cargo Box?
A roof box enables you to carry things with ease that can’t be put inside the trunk or inside the car easily. The roof cargo boxes are set up on the car roof with a roof rack or a bracket system. They are also set atop the roof bars. They come in varying sizes. These boxes are ideal for people who go on vacations in their vehicles quite a lot. Some such cargo boxes are designed to accommodate tents as well.
Can you carry a suitcase inside a roof cargo box?
Yes it is possible given your car’s rooftop cargo box is reasonably big in size. Fitting in a standard-sized suitcase should not be too tough.
Things to Take Into Consideration
Before you buy a cargo box to carry suitcases while going for trips in your car, think of a few relevant aspects:
Weight Limit
The weight limit of your rooftop cargo box is another crucial factor. You should not put a heavily loaded suitcase inside a cargo box. Always check the maximum loading capacity of the roof box otherwise, you will end up either damaging the roof pod or your car. Putting too much pressure on the car’s roof is not a good idea as well. Also, don’t forget to distribute the weight evenly inside the roof box. Putting all the weight on one side is a horrible idea to say the least.
Depth
Just because you somehow manages to cram a suitcase inside a roof top cargo box, it does not mean that it will necessarily fit in perfectly. If the depth of the box is less than that of the suitcase, then you will have to put extra pressure on it while closing and if you put too much force on it, you might end up damaging the suitcase or the roof pod. As a general rule of thumb, the depth of the roof pad should be 3 to 4 inches more than that of the suitcase. This will ensure that the suitcase fits in perfectly and doesn’t get damaged while you are closing the lid. This even more important if you have a hard-shell suitcase because you simply can’t squeeze it like a soft-sided suitcase.
Suitcase Type
If you have a hard-shell suitcase, putting it inside the rooftop cargo box is just not a good idea. One of the major drawbacks of hard suitcases is that they eat up too much space inside the roof pod and thus leaves very little space for other things. This is the reason why you need to avoid hard suitcases like the plague. Instead, go for a soft-sided suitcase that is easy to compress. This will help you save a lot of space inside the roof box. Moreover, soft suitcases can fit in with other things easily inside the box. You can put pressure on them and can squeeze them in if required.
How to Pack Your Roof Box
Here are some handy tips to pack in a suitcase inside your car cargo box:
Pack Thoughtfully
Try to pack only those items inside the roof box that you will most likely not need during the journey. Items like camping gears, fishing items, and other such things can go inside the roof cargo box because you don’t really need them until you reach your destination. On the other hand, items like clothes, food, water bottle and other essential items should go inside the car so that you can have easy access to them.
Using the Straps
If you eventually put a suitcase inside the roof cargo box then it is better that you use the straps inside that box. If it is a hard suitcase, using straps will be really useful. This will ensure the suitcase inside the cargo box will not sway from one side to another and damage the inside of the container.
Heaviest Item Goes Inside The Car
Do not put a very heavy item inside the roof cargo box. The car is ideal for carrying heavier things compared to a rooftop carrier. Remember, roof cargo boxes are designed to free up space inside the car, not to add more weight on top of it.
Even Weight
Ensure the cargo box is loaded in a way that the weight is spread in an even manner. This will make sure the car roof rack will not slide in any one direction. Don’t put weight on one side of the container as that will eventually put pressure on one side of the car’s roof.
Remember there is a car Boot
Using a car roof cargo box is useful for carrying a suitcase, tent and many other things, for sure. However, do not forget the car boot space six there. Pack what fits in the trunk before you try the rooftop box. Only what does not fit in the trunk or is too big for it, should be put inside the cargo box on the roof.
Securing the Roof Box
Even after taking all precautions, you can walk an extra mile and secure your roof box. Use a strap to secure things inside. Since you will be encountering rugged terrains and bumpy roads, it is always better to be safe than sorry. So, try to keep things organized inside the roof box and use straps whenever possible.
And don’t forget to put a lid on your roof box. A lidless roof box can lead to items inside the box flying out while you are driving.
Use Additional Locks
Your car cargo box will come with a set of locks but it does not hurt if you use an additional lock with it. This will also ensure no one can steal things easily from the cargo box if you park the car midway for some reason.
Summing it up
Overall, it will not be hard to put your suitcase inside a roof box except if it is way smaller. When the boot space is full, the car roof area should be utilized. However, packing wisely and using safety measures is something you need to do.