Roof Box Question (3 Viewers)

[yknot123]

The debate and imagination has run wild for decades as what to do what all that space on top on the tank. From your post you mention overland build but also mention ROOF TOP BOXES yakima or thule.
Never being a overland build just a I80 traverser. We went the yakima box route in 2003 when we got out fxz80 1997.
Two kids and avid skiers, campers, climbers and family lover we traveled I80 from San Fran to Detroit with box and bikes.
In the winter the simplicity of throwing your skies, poles in the box saves the road grim and drips.
We have done some huge loads with this cruiser and box with bike set up. As you can see, I had four cross bars at one point.

Points in thread to acknowledge and repoint out why.
Highway speed. Yes the locks or your own carelessness will allow the box to open. Speaking from experience. 60 MPH 40MPH cross wind along front range and you are now sailing. Cracked the top but we were able to still ski that day.
Was able to get a free replacement from REI and the Yakima rep.
Know I carry straps and secure the box to the cross bars when load heavy or high winds.

If your box is empty most of the time it is a pain. Mine currently sitting in back yard on top of truck shell. Plus side is that a box is very portable and can be R&R by your self. Have put box in garage and used as camp gear storage.

Being aware of the box on top does takes getting use too. Box or Bike you will forget.
IE 12 hour drive into Salt Lake 2 AM Hotel drive in YEAH it happened.

Sleeping on top, a whole other topic and overland builds too.

This picture is from at least 12 years ago

 

[r2m]

The debate and imagination has run wild for decades as what to do what all that space on top on the tank. From your post you mention overland build but also mention ROOF TOP BOXES yakima or thule.
Never being a overland build just a I80 traverser. We went the yakima box route in 2003 when we got out fxz80 1997.
Two kids and avid skiers, campers, climbers and family lover we traveled I80 from San Fran to Detroit with box and bikes.
In the winter the simplicity of throwing your skies, poles in the box saves the road grim and drips.
We have done some huge loads with this cruiser and box with bike set up. As you can see, I had four cross bars at one point.

Points in thread to acknowledge and repoint out why.
Highway speed. Yes the locks or your own carelessness will allow the box to open. Speaking from experience. 60 MPH 40MPH cross wind along front range and you are now sailing. Cracked the top but we were able to still ski that day.
Was able to get a free replacement from REI and the Yakima rep.
Know I carry straps and secure the box to the cross bars when load heavy or high winds.

If your box is empty most of the time it is a pain. Mine currently sitting in back yard on top of truck shell. Plus side is that a box is very portable and can be R&R by your self. Have put box in garage and used as camp gear storage.

Being aware of the box on top does takes getting use too. Box or Bike you will forget.
IE 12 hour drive into Salt Lake 2 AM Hotel drive in YEAH it happened.

Sleeping on top, a whole other topic and overland builds too.

This picture is from at least 12 years ago

View attachment 2491565

Yep that picture does look vintage.
How can I tell???
NO E-BIKES!!!

 

[yknot123]

Yep that picture does look vintage.
How can I tell???
NO E-BIKES!!!

We still drive this cruiser and both kids learned to drive. Daughter, like Romer, is still driving ours. Daughter even had small T-bone.
Still have bigger bikes. Like the humor as those are real peddle bikes.

Cruiser actually looks better after snagging some new running boards.
Our mechanic has wanted to rid that brush guard ever since we purchase. The T-BONE took care of that.
Luckily it was on for me, when I did the HEAD GASKET, two winters ago outside.
The brush guard really allowed me to create a flat work space while crawling into the mouth of the beast.

Typical upkeep for 97 FZJ80 but at 300K and rolling strong.

Thanks IH8MUD community

 

[r2m]

Keep 'er rolling!

 

[Littlehouse]

Apologies, I did not mean that I was mounting the Pelican case on the exterior anywhere, it goes inside in the back. We lay down the rear and middle seats and load up from there. Although I've been wanting to make some type of rack or track system so I can secure the Pelican case and other camping gear so when I hit a dip or bump things don't go bouncing around. Or worst case, in a roll over, we're not killed from flying debris in the cab.
My post was more related to systems (my graduate degree is in engineering systems) and kitting our gear in the fewest containers for quickest and most efficient method to load up and hit the road. We keep this gear readily available. I was hoping that I may impart some wisdom for folks to have dedicated packed gear for quickly loading and heading out, for whatever reason.
This also aids in case of a disaster (natural or otherwise) this would be our "go-kit". Being an Army reservist, I have to have a quick deployment go bag always ready.

I appreciate the insight. I’m use to staging everything as well, but I would use the Costco black bins and just toss them in the truck bed. With the truck bed gone, I’m looking to the roof.

I’m still not use to the decreased space.

 

[r2m]

Yea, Littlehous, I feel your pain. My first overland/expedition vehicle was an F30 Ford crewcab, 37" M/T's, dual batteries, 15,000 lb winch, 3 air compressors, etc, etc,, etc.
And I was able to fit not only the kitchen sink but the whole bloody kitchen!!
I too miss having all that space for camping and surf trips. It sure made packing an ease! Now everything has to be perfectly packed AND then I have to remember just how I packed everything going to the destination so I can repack everything the same way coming back home.

 

[Tex68w]

Same here, coming from a Power Wagon and F-250 these little mid-size rigs are a lot tougher to pack and still retain useable space. I do like being able to fit down the trails and not having to worry so much about the weight of my truck. It's impossible to have it all, that's why we need both, or so I tell my other half haha.

 

[Posersurfer]

We use a XXL Thule box in many of our overland adventures and it works perfectly- even on moderate difficulty trails. When we have all five family members on board, half the third row is taken so lots of space is required and the roof box is the best solution for us. I prefer to have the weight lower so when we have four or fewer people in the car I revert to loading all luggage in the car or overflow onto a couple front runner wolf boxes on the roof. The roof top tent never made much sense to us as we enjoy sleeping in spacious tents on the ground and often just sleep in an awning room if weather permits.

 

[dirtybarry]

Another vote for Packasport here. I've had the box for close to ten years now and could be happier compared to friends and family with their Thule & Yakima options.

*Is it heavier? Considerably but it is sturdy, carpeted and accessing it from the tailgate of the GX is no problem for me. I can fit four pairs of skis, poles and associated parking lot après items up there without a problem.

*For summer travel if I'm loading up camping gear I can fit a lot of my lighter goods in the box and still have room in the vehicle for cooler, grill, etc.

*For bikes I have a hitch mount option from Kuat that has served me well.