Affordable solutions for Roof Basket (1 Viewer)

[carlos33018]

Hi Everyone,

So I am looking to install a roof basket onto our GX, the main use will be for carrying luggage etc during long road trips, as we would like to maximize the space inside the car for our pups. Now I have seen roof basket options that are very nice, but most are SUPER expensive, 700/800 dollars, and that would be out of the question. We would rather spend that money on the actual trip, so budget friendly is the key here.

Rails -The most economical seem to be the OEM Rails - many places have the pair for about 180.00 + Shipping. Example:

2016-2020 Lexus GX460 Roof Rack Cross Bars PT278-60170 | AutoNation Toyota Gulf Freeway

2016-2020 Lexus GX460 part # PT278-60170 - Roof Rack Cross Bars

parts.autonationtoyotagulffreeway.com

Now as far as the basket itself, any recommendations ?

Thanks,

 

[jmanscotch]

My wife used one of the roof bags for years when moving all around the east coast and moving to Colorado and loved it. Mostly weather proof and easy to take off and store when not in use. So a good affordable option if you don't need the rigidity of a hard box, not the most aerodynamic nor visually appealing if you ask me.

If you can make do with just the basket, there's plenty of budget friendly options on Amazon. Typical issues from kinda weak build quality and paint but good options to buy you a few years.

Amazon product ASIN B07QN37K3P
If you want one of the roof top boxes, I see plenty on craigslist that if old or slightly damaged, can go for about $150-200. Just look often and be ready with some rough dimensions of what you want. Most of the time, white older boxes are way cheaper than newer black/grey ones. A little time and some paint and you can get an economical one that's good enough for basic road trip duty.

 

[r2m]

Are you also looking for the cross bars?
If so, ask around this forum for take-off's of people replacing the with aftermarket roof racks.

 

[carlos33018]

Yeah I am also looking for the Bars, I was looking at the OEM ones since they are 180ish new, but if anyone has a set they are looking to sell....

 

[manpurse]

I like the Rola baskets. They typically have pretty good reviews and seem like good value for the money. A step above that would be something like the Thule Canyon basket which starts to get into the $3-400 range. Those were ones I considered before I ended up with a rack from Victory ($$$$).

 

[ducktapeguy]

As Jmanscoth mentioned, I would get a hard shell cargo carrier vs a roof basket, it's much more convenient than a basket since you won't have to tie things down all the time, and your luggage stays cleaner. You can most likely find someone selling a used one locally for <$200.

 

[Washingtontaco]

X2 on the Thule or Yakima box. Not a fan of the baskets.

 

[r2m]

Yep, many years ago, we started out with one of those travel bags that had straps for the roof. Didn't like like it for a few reasons:

1. It wasn't easy to just have on top of the car to load, so it was heavy once loaded to toss on top of the car.
2. Not too sure just how water proof/resistant it was. Luckily we never had to find out.
3. Straps eventually broke off within a year or so of having it.

That's when we went with a hard shell roof carrier. That worked great, but when empty, the manual said to not exceed (if I remember correctly) 60 mph.
I never really let it stop me from my usual highway speeds, which are about 5 mph over posted.
The only other issue was having to remember when I had it on top, to be aware of what covered parking garages I could get in.

 

[LCPrado]

Have you looked at the

Yeah I am also looking for the Bars, I was looking at the OEM ones since they are 180ish new, but if anyone has a set they are looking to sell....

Have you looked at the 3rd party eBay OEM lookalikes? I have a pair installed and I haven't had any issues mounted to a Kuat basket. From what I've seen they look and function the same. They are going for about $70-80.