Yes, placing a roof box centrally on your vehicle is recommended for optimal aerodynamics and balance during travel. A centered roof box reduces wind resistance and helps maintain vehicle stability. However, always follow manufacturer guidelines and ensure the roof box doesn’t exceed the vehicle’s weight limit or obstruct driver visibility.
Does a Roof Box Need to Be Central?
Roof cargo boxes are a very important thing while you are going on a trip. Because they can provide you with a lot of storage so that you can carry all your necessary items with you without having any problem, you can even carry fishing gear, skis, and a few extra suitcases with a roof cargo box.
When you are going on a road trip or a trip to the ski slope or fishing hole, a roof cargo box can really be helpful for you. You will be able to carry your skis or fishing rods, or any other gear with a cargo carrier very easily. If you are interested in installing a rooftop cargo carrier on top of your car by yourself, then you should know about some important things before doing that.
Does a Roof Box Need to Be Central?
The answer is NO. You can place the roof box wherever you want on top of your car. You can pick any side. But if you are going to carry a lot of heavy items with your cargo box after mounting it on one side of your car’s roof, then it might affect the balance of your vehicle. In that case, we would recommend you install the roof cargo box centrally. And it would be best if you mounted the roof box in the center unless you do not need to use the roof space for mounting anything else.
If you are in a hurry, then you can use the links below to buy the Best Soft Car The Carrier. You don’t need to worry about the quality of the products because we only recommend the best.
– Best Overall – RoofBag Rooftop Cargo Carrier
– Editor’s Choice – RoofPax Car Roof Bag
– Best Large Soft Roof Cargo Box – STDY Rooftop Cargo Carrier Bag
The Beginning
If you do not have any experience in installing a roof cargo box, there is nothing to worry about. You will be able to complete the task very easily after learning a few basics.
While trying to install a roof box sometimes, people might ask whether or not the carrier needs to be positioned centrally.
You should know that it is not important on which side of the roof you are mounting your cargo carrier as long as the opening is convenient for you to get to. Most roof cargo boxes come with a dual side opening so that you can load and unload your items from them more conveniently. But most experts say that it is good to use the passenger side opening because you can load and unload your cargo by staying far and safe from traffic.
After completing the installation process, you should not be worried if you notice that the cargo carrier leans a little toward one side or another. It won’t make your vehicle tilt or lean to that side. So you have to distribute the weight of the cargo carrier evenly.
In terms of some of the larger SUVs and vans, you might want to place the cargo carrier more center, but this is not really necessary. You might sometimes see a carrier that is installed more towards one side than the other. You should know that it is because the driver installed it in this way so that he can easily install and open it.
If your cargo box can give you access from both sides, then you can install it in the center to operate the cargo carrier easily.
Rooftop Carrier Installation With Racks/No Racks?
Most of the available roof cargo carriers are made out of either polyester, vinyl material, or hard-shell material. And you will be able to install them whether your car has a roof rack installed or not.
It is very important to find out if the cargo carrier is compatible with your car and whether it requires a roof rack to get installed or not. Because the cargo carrier requires a roof rack, but you do not already have any, then you will need to buy a compatible roof rack.
Many roof bags do not require any roof rack to get installed. So you can simply tie them onto the roof of your vehicle or attach them to the roof rack you have.
You just have to make sure that it really has the ability to satisfy your needs and whether you want to install it in the center or not.
Installing Rooftop Carrier
Rooftop cargo carriers usually come with two side rails and two or more crossbars. These crossbars are movable and can run across the width of the vehicle’s roof. You will be able to slide apart the crossbars so that the load becomes stabilized, and then you can use brackets and screws to install the cargo carrier.
These screws and brackets create a clamp so that you can attach the carrier to the crossbars. You should always follow the instruction provided by the manufacturer, and it will make the installation of your cargo box very easy. You should know that sometimes installing the cargo carrier more toward one of the sides can seem more convenient, but it is not very important to do.
If you somehow unwillingly install the carrier more toward a side rather than the center, you should know that you do not have to worry because it would not affect the look of the carrier or the way your vehicle moves.
You will see that many rooftop carriers come with a mat that sits under them and protect your car’s roof from getting scratched or damaged in any way.
If you complete the installation properly, the carriers will never damage your car. Still, these mats are provided as extra security so that your car’s roof can always stay safe and undamaged. It also helps the cargo carrier to stay in place.
Carriers in All Price Ranges:
Roof cargo boxes are now available in a lot of designs, sizes, and price ranges. So you can easily find the best one for you that will satisfy your needs within your budget. If you want to see some of the best rooftop carriers currently on the market, then you should continue reading; we hope it will help you to make a good decision.
Our Recommended Rooftop Cargo Carriers:
1. RoofBag Rooftop Cargo Carrier
- FITS ANY SIZE CAR, small, medium or large, with or without sunroof or moonroof.
- MOST SECURE DESIGN: Your belongings are safe at any highway speed with the roof top car cargo carrier boasting the strongest nylon straps: 1.5” wide, 3,000 lbs strong. RoofBag’s exclusive pass-through straps have been safety-tested for 18 years. They don’t interfere with side curtains since they enter at corner of door frame. Door hooks or clips are not safe for most cars in the US: they don’t have the required lip under door gasket. However, if you car has lip, buy door hooks from RoofBag store
- TRULY WATERPROOF: RoofBag keeps your valued contents dry, offering the benefits of a rigid roof top car cargo carrier and the practicality of a roof cargo bag. Peace-of-mind waterproofness is achieved by making the RoofBag car roof bag from a single piece of waterproof material with no exposed stitching. A double flap protects the zipper and stays in place without the need for velcro. Straps are water-repellent. For ultimate water-tightness, zipper has no gap. Tip: install with logo to the rear
- HEAVY-DUTY: Not only is the RoofBag car topper luggage carrier waterproof, but it is also extremely sturdy. 18 years of improvements led to a roof bag cargo carrier made to last: military-grade fabric that will not peel or tear, is resistant to cold, heat, and UV, and best of all, is free of harmful chemicals, so that you can safely use it for baby clothes. Customer satisfaction is ensured by experienced US staff and by a 2-year warranty. Tip: fill bag completely to avoid wind-flapping damage
- QUIET, FUEL EFFICIENT, EASY TO INSTALL: Our car rooftop car carrier is lower at the front, higher at the back for best fuel economy and a quiet ride. Built with heavy fabric to reduce noise, RoofBag was engineered to maximize storage space and fuel economy. 2 sizes available: 13 and 17 cu ft. (Larger bags than 17 cu ft are not recommended: they are unstable and noisy and greatly increase gas use). Tip: fill bag completely to keep aerodynamic shape - Leave 8” clear roof space in front of bag
The RoofBag Company manufactures this high-quality rooftop bag. It is compatible with all vehicles, and it does not require any roof rack to get installed. So you will be able to install it easily whether you have a roof rack installed on top of your car or not. This roof cargo bag is available in two size variants. One of them is 11, which is great for both small and large vehicles, and the other one is 15, which works great with vans, SUVs, and full-size sedans.
This roof bag comes with water-repellant straps that are super-strong and long-lasting so that you can install it easily and quickly. This cargo bag is so lightweight. It weighs 8 lbs only. You will be able to get this RoofBag carrier for around 70 dollars. It is very easy to store also when you are not using it. This roof bag is made out of fire-resistant materials. And it comes with an aerodynamic design. It comes with a lot of storage space so you will be able to store everything you need to take with you very easily.
2. STDY Rooftop Cargo Carrier Bag
- Rooftop Cargo Top Carrier
This STDY Rooftop Cargo Bag comes with 20 cubic feet of storage space. It is very easy to install and comes with a very durable and waterproof design. You can easily store anything in it, including sleeping bags, luggage, and any important accessories.
You can get this awesome roof cargo bag for around 60 dollars. The STDY carrier bag Comes with a very lightweight and aerodynamic design. It weighs 8.7 lbs only. It also comes with a storage bag so that you can store it with that when this rooftop cargo bag is not in use.
If you are looking for a high-quality roof cargo carrier without spending a lot of money, then this one can be a great option for you. |With this cargo carrier, you will never have to worry about your items inside it because it will always keep them safe snd dry no matter how extreme the weather is.
3. Asani Rooftop Cargo Bag
- ENHANCED DURABILITY; 100% WATERPROOF: While other rooftop carrier bags let in water through the zipper or quickly wear out, we’ve designed ours using triple-layer waterproof tarpaulin that weathers rain, wind, grit, or heat, and fitted it with a zipper flap that helps keep your items 100% dry.
- STORE IT ALL: Going camping or on a road tip? This 44” (L) X 34” (W) X 17” (H) car roof bag packs 15 cubic feet (425 liters) of space to give you ample storage room, And unlike a hard car top carrier that struggles to fit odd-shaped items, ours has soft sides that flex to accommodate them. This bag has a maximum weight limit of 99 lbs to account for the weight shifting of the cargo.
- INSTALLATION MADE SIMPLE: You’ll be hitting the road in no time. We’ve included 8 reinforced straps with heavy-duty buckles to easily and securely install the waterproof roof top bag. Whatever your car, this roofbag car top carrier will fit as long as it has a roof rack.
- THOUGHTFUL DESIGN: No dealing with bulky roof rack bags. Ours compactly folds down to the size of a tablet, allowing you to store it in the trunk of your car or inside the glove compartment with space-friendly ease. And maintaining it couldn’t be simpler: all it needs is an occasional wipe.
- LIFETIME WARRANTY: We’ve backed our soft shell car topper bag with an iron-clad lifetime warranty to give you total peace of mind and the best bang for your buck. Go ahead, add instant cargo space to your car and cruise with confidence completely risk-free!
The Asani Rooftop Carrier Bag comes with 15 cubic feet of storage space, and it is compatible with sedans, vans, SUVs, and even pickup trucks. It is very easy to install, and you will be able to easily store anything with a large or unusual shape because this cargo carrier is very flexible.
It is also very easy to store when not in use. You can simply fold it and keep it in a nice place.
This Rooftop Carrier Bag from Asani also comes with a lifetime warranty. So you do not have to worry about durability. You can get this roof cargo bag for around 62 dollars. So it is a great option for all kinds of vacation and or day trips.
4. RoofPax Car Roof Bag
- ✅SAFETY COMES FIRST - RoofPax is the ONLY brand that produces its Car Rooftop cargo Carriers for maximum safety with the Patented 4+2 extra free door hook straps (included). RoofPax is the safest and most secure Car Roof Cargo Bag on the market.
- ✅100% WATERPROOF POLYESTER MADE - Unlike our competitors' bags made of PVC material, ROOFPAX is crafted from premium quality Polyester material, Tested and approved for its extra waterproof capabilities contains NIFCO buckles & SBS Zippers.
- ✅DOUBLE ZIPPERS - This car rooftop cargo bag has double waterproof zippers, dual seam technology, and water repellent coating for extra weatherproofing. It also includes a protective mat and 10 Velcro straps to prevent strap flapping for MAX security.
- ✅UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY - 19" car roof luggage carrier can be installed in minutes. Used with almost any vehicle or SUV. Attaches to rooftop with/without rack, using raised side rails/ roof rack/cross bars/ Basket/6 included patented door hook straps
- ✅EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED - Our rooftop cargo bag has covered you with everything you need - door hooks, 10 sturdy straps for side and back connection, an integrated mat, a storage bag and a TSA approved lock to secure your luggage;
- ✅FREE EXTENDED WARRANTY - Your satisfaction is our top priority! We promise a lifetime warranty for zippers and buckles, and a 5-year warranty for tears and fabric on our roof rack. Our 24/7 customer care team is always available to assist you.
The RoofPax Rooftop Cargo Carrier Bag comes with 19 cubic feet of storage space. It is made out of military-grade materials, and it is fully waterproof also. So it will easily last for a very long time.
This roof cargo bag does not require any roof rack. So you will be able to install it easily whether you have a roof rack installed on top of your car or not. It is compatible with almost all types of vehicles. You can get this cargo bag for around 120 dollars.
No matter when your zippers or buckles ever break or tear, the manufacturer will replace them without any cost. The logo of the bag also glows at night. It comes with ten straps so that you can securely attach the cargo bag to your car.
5. Thule Pulse Cargo Box
- Functional rooftop cargo box provides 11 cubic feet of additional packing space
- Rugged and durable design keep contents protected
- FastGrip quick-mount system assembles in minutes
- Passenger-side opening for easy loading and unloading
- Central Locking system provides maximum safety
- Thule Comfort Key can only be removed when all locking points are securely closed
- Fits 4-6 skis/3-4 snowboards
- External dimensions: 88.5 x 25.5 x 12.5 inches; Internal dimensions: 82.75 x 23.5 x 10.5 inches
- Load capacity: 110 lbs; Product weight: 30 lbs
- Height off crossbar: 11.3 inches
The Thule Pulse rooftop carrier box comes with a sturdy and aerodynamic design. It is available in three different size variants. Those are 11, 14, and 16 cubic foot sizes.
It is very easy to load and unload things from this cargo carrier by accessing it from the passenger side. It also comes with a key to provide you with extra safety and security.
This Thule roof cargo carrier comes with a weight carrying capacity of 110 lbs. It can easily accommodate up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards.
It comes with an aerodynamic design that helps to reduce drag. So with this cargo carrier, you will be able to enjoy and smooth and quiet ride.
6. SportRack Horizon Cargo Box
- Rugged construction made from impact resistant ABS material
- Quick release attachment kit included for easy installation and removal
- Holds 4-6 pairs of skis (up to 178 cm) or 3-4 snowboards
This SportRack Rooftop Carrier Box comes with very durable construction and aerodynamic design. It looks great on top of a car. It is very easy to both install and removes. It is compatible with most roof racks.
It is available in three different sizes. It can give you access from the passenger side so that you can load and unload it by staying far from traffic. It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty. It has locks that keep all your items secured when you are driving on the road.
It can give you a smooth and quiet ride. So if you are looking for a durable cargo carrier, you can check out this one.
-our editorial board has reviewed this article and has been approved for publication according to our editorial policy.
Last Update : 2024-03-26
