Hey all, I'm getting ready for a move from Virginia to San Francisco and just bought a used Yakima roof rack for my 2005 R53. I'm looking to get a roof cargo bag to put all my clothes in for the trip otherwise I don't think I'll have the room. I'd get a cargo box but I don't have the money right now so cargo bag it is.

Any recommendations on what to get/look for? Are cargo bags that much worse than a cargo box in areas other than security? I found a Thule 857 on Craigslist for $50 and I'm thinking about picking it up. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

-J

 

While I've never dealt with bags on the roof, for the Boxes that I have used, make sure your bag will be water resistant for any items you store in there( might rain during your trip).
$50 Does sound like a bargain though for temp. storage....

 

I've used a Bell Cargo pack several times for vacations. It was fine for going from one place to the next and then removing it from car and emptying it out. I found it best to secure things in individual packs, maybe a pillowcase stuffed with shirts, etc. Or better yet garbage bags incase water got in, which never did happen.

If I was going to be trying to take things in and out daily I'd have gone for a hard box instead. Served its purpose and as I recall I got them really cheap. The security of course as you mentioned is non existent.

 

More thoughts. A quick check/review of that Thule does NOT inspire Water staying out of the bag once it rains. Seems to be a common complaint about it, other soft roof bags get much higher reviews for keeping peoples' stuff dry while driving. Might want to rethink that Thule unless you are prepared to put your clothes in plastic bags before putting them in the Thule bag on the roof.