Can I Travel With My Plastic Cargo Carrier Empty?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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As we have seen many people drive with an empty cargo box

we do not recommend it

. Thule always recommend removing the cargo box from the vehicle when it is not in use. This will help preserve the overall integrity of the cargo box for many years of use!

Are rooftop cargo carriers safe?

Are rooftop cargo bags safe?

They’re safe if they’re not overloaded, if they’re packed with soft-side luggage and snuggly strapped to the car

. A loosely secured cargo bag may slide or let the wind get under the bag.

How fast can you drive with a cargo box?

When you are driving with a cargo carrier on top of your vehicle, you need to drive with the speed limit of about

85 mph or 130 km/h

. The cargo carrier takes a lot of wind when it is on the top of your vehicle, because of this, you will have to steer more at high speed.

Does an empty roof rack affect gas mileage?

As we found when we tested roof- and hitch-mounted bike racks, the SUV’s mileage, on the other hand, showed less of a drop.

The empty roof rack had a nearly 2 percent impact on fuel economy

, which translates to a little more than three-quarters of a gallon of gas. Mileage went from 41 mpg at 65 mph to 40 mpg.

Does cargo box affect gas mileage?

Don’t use a rooftop cargo box.


Adding one to the top of the SUV cut gas mileage when traveling 60 mph from 24.9 to 22.9 — or 8 percent

. The effect in the study was even more pronounced on the Corolla. Its MPG dropped from 42.5 to to 33 with a cargo box — or 22 percent.

What is it like driving with a roof box?

Driving With Your Roof Box


The extra height of the box will increase wind resistance and make it more sensitive to cross winds

. You also need to be aware that you car will need extra head clearance, so keep this in mind if you are driving under low bridges or overhanging branches.

What is the point of a roof box?

These roof boxes are

safe for luggage that is being carried

. They are lockable, waterproof, does not require ropes or tarps to load the luggage securely. Roof boxes are placed on top of the cars or trucks for carrying luggage or other items safely from one place to another.

How do you fix a cracked cargo box?

Can you put a cargo carrier on a car?

A soft rooftop cargo carrier is lighter in weight,

can easily be mounted to a vehicle’s roof

and can be quickly stowed when not in use. Most don’t require rack systems and can be loaded on top the top of even a naked roof using simple tie-down systems with adjustable straps, sturdy hooks and zippered compartments.

How fast can you go with a Thule?

Thule also tests its racks and boxes at high speed—

up to 121 mph

—at a secret location.

How fast can a Thule bike rack go?

Thule bike racks are amongst the most robust and most reliable bike racks on the market. So, you can expect them to carry more loads. Likewise, you can expect to go much faster with a Thule rack. According to Thule, their bike racks have a

130km (roughly 80mph) speed limit

.

Can I use a cargo bag without a roof rack?


Many soft car top carriers, like the ones mentioned above, are actually designed to be used without a roof rack

. Sometimes, they will also include a protective mat for the cargo bag to sit on so it does not damage your roof. Although, some cargo carriers will require a roof rack.

Can you put suitcases in roof box?

While you might assume that suitcases belong in the boot and items that aren’t so neatly packed belong in the roof box, the truth is that

many roof boxes are actually designed in a way that makes them ideal for storing suitcases

.

How do you load a rooftop cargo carrier?

Does a roof rack waste fuel?


Even an empty roof rack can add up to 15% to your fuel bill

. The added weight and air resistance of a roof box, bikes or luggage strapped to the roof makes it worse. The higher the speed and the smaller, more aerodynamic the vehicle, the greater the effect.

How will roof rack affect your car performance?

Explanation: A roof rack

increases your car’s wind resistance

. This will cause an increase in fuel consumption, so you should remove it when it isn’t being used. An aerodynamically designed roof rack or box will help reduce wind resistance to a minimum, but the rack or box should still be removed when it isn’t in use.

Do roof racks damage your car?


A properly fitted and used roof rack will give years of trouble free service and will not damage your car

. An over-torqued, under-torqued, badly fitted or overloaded roof rack can damage your car.

Do roof cargo boxes make noise?

What causes roof racks to make noise? Very simply,

how air flows around your vehicle and cross bars is what determines the noise created by your racks

. You need to change the way the air is traveling over your racks in order to minimize the sound.

How much fuel does a roof top tent use?

With the rooftop tent installed, fuel economy did drop, as you’d expect. However, it dropped substantially, down to

18.5 mpg

. That’s a 17 percent drop in fuel economy over the same 66-mile loop.

Do you leave roof bars on?


It’s okay to leave them on sometimes

If your roof racks are not due a clean, everything is in good working order, and you’re not going through a car wash then there is no real harm in keeping on your roof racks.

What do you keep in your cargo box?

So, things like

tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, pillows, camp chairs

, etc. are good options. Longer items require a longer roof box: If you plan to stow long things, such as skis and snowboards, in your roof box, then the shorter, more-compact roof boxes may not work for you.

Do I need a cargo box?


For most people a cargo box is the best choice for adding car storage space

– it provides secure, weather-proof storage for all kinds of gear, without buying a bigger vehicle. Cargo boxes are great for road trips, camping, families, ski trips, and a lot more.

How do you use a roof cargo box?

What is a roof box Newgrange?

In Archaeology a Roofbox is a term for

a specially contrived opening above a doorway, that is constructed in such way that at particular times of the year

e.g. the Winter or Summer Solstices, the Sun would be directly in view from the chamber or passage within.

What is Thule roof box used for?

You can use a Thule roof rack for: Roof boxes –

Extra space for all your gear

. Bike racks – Bring bikes of any kind – mount the bike rack quickly and easily. Water Sport Racks – Mount racks for kayaks, surfboards and SUP boards.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.