Anyone who’s ever been road tripping knows the importance of efficient packing: making the most of your interior space could potentially make or break your journey. No one is in a good mood showing up to a destination after spending hours cramped inside a packed car. But what if there was a better way than playing horizontal Tetris trying to load luggage in your vehicle? What if you didn’t have to load bags inside your car at all?
Today we’re going to go over two of the best options for cargo loading and keeping yourself comfortable when hitting the road – and hopefully help you decide which is best for you. Amongst the various choices for exterior cargo hauling, two of the most popular and cost-effective are the hitch mount cargo carrier and the rooftop cargo carrier. Today the pair get matched up head-to-head and only you can decide which one wins.
In This Corner: Rooftop Cargo Carriers
There’s a lot to like about our first contender, the rooftop carrier, also sometimes referred to as a car top carrier or car topper. Let’s break down what this carrier can offer and how it makes life on the road that much easier.
- Durability & Design: Since they sit on the top of your car, completely exposed to the elements, rooftop carriers need to be tough, while also not putting too much stress on your car’s frame. Many (such as the type you’ll find with Mockins) are constructed from heavy-duty, yet lightweight rust-proof steel with aerodynamic front plates to help reduce wind resistance.
- User-Friendly Loading: The idea of strapping things to the roof of your vehicle may not on the surface seem like a fun endeavor. Fortunately, the ingenious engineers who’ve designed current models of roof carriers are aware of this and have sought to come up with seamless solutions as well as easy access points. Plus, accessories such as rooftop cargo bags, bag locks, roof mats, bungee nets, buckle straps, door hooks, trunk hooks and ratchet straps all help make securing your cargo as straightforward and painless as possible.
- Versatile Function: Everything from skis and kayaks to rebar and 2x4s can be loaded up on a roof cargo carrier. A good model will often be adjustable, allowing you to adapt to specific payloads for particular trips. And with the stuff up top, you get the added benefit of keeping your car’s interior clean and pristine.
And in the Other Corner: Hitch Mount Cargo Carriers
Our other competitor, the hitch mount cargo carrier, also known as the hitch carrier or hitch rack, also brings a lot to the table. How does it stack up?
- Robust Capacity: Hitch carriers are designed for heavy loads, often rated to carry up to 500 lbs. Whether you're planning a cross-country trip or got roped into helping a friend move, hitch racks are really the way to go if you need to pack a lot of stuff. And so long as you pick up a set with a hitch stabilizer, you don’t have to worry about all that large cargo rattling around and making a ton of noise.
- Pain-Free Loading and Unloading: Attached to your vehicle's hitch receiver, these cargo carriers have ideal ground clearance and as such, are very easy to pack and unpack. Plus, with hitch cargo bags (with packing cubes!) as well as easily attachable straps and cargo nets, you can seriously cut down on loading times and get on your way as fast as you like.
- Comprehensive Convenience: Available in various sizes, with a variety of accessories, you can generally find a hitch carrier to suit your exact needs. This type of cargo carrier also can improve fuel efficiency, attaching behind your vehicle and not having to be pulled on wheels. Another advantage is the foldable arm, which allows you to make this carrier as inconspicuous and unassuming as possible between trips. It’s an adaptable cargo carrier meant to satisfy your preferences!
So, there you have it! We’ve laid out a few of the stand-out qualities of both the rooftop and hitch mount cargo carriers. Both provide a lot of practical features and add-ons, all of which will aid you in your journeys and adventures. With that, we’ll leave it up to you to decide which one comes out on top and which one stays behind (...the latter of which would actually be a positive outcome, in terms of hitch mount carriers).
