After information on roof cargo pods - brands/price/size/functionality/etc

[Ryzz Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryzz]

With two kids under two, on long trips there is just never enough room in the back of the prado, by the time the fridge and pram goes in, there is no room left for the royal hinesses mass luggage, or anything else for that matter.

Upgrading to a 200 series is too expensive so I'm interested in hearing people that have invested in roof cargo pods. What brands to people recommend, how much can you fit in them, do I need to invest roof racks first as only got the factory rails down the sides

Thx in advance for any info

[Guest Close Guest]

Roof racks is a must. Speak to Zutta as he is doing a lap with a roof pod.
I used a roof pod in our travels overseas. Items needs to be packed in small packages to let it fit into the curvy lines of the pod.

To get the best load capacity, you will need to remove the factory rails and fit the 3 crossbars that mounts directly to the roof as that will increase the roof loading from 80kg to 100kg. Having said that, the pod will only be capable of fixing to 2 of the bars, the front and mid. So it might be back to 80kg capacity anyway cause the 100kg needs to be spread across 3 bars.

[Madkore Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Madkore]

I don't run a roof pod, however thought I would throw in my alternative.

Due to height restrictions in my garage, I run the standard Prado north/south roof rails and when I do trips I put on two cross bars and a Rola roof basket. The cross bars require a specific Allen key to fit but the basket is relatively straight forward, with brackets that can be tightened by hand. It would take me about 20mins to fit only that, although normally at the same time I also fitting my awning and a PVC tube holder for my fishing rods.

Depending on what I am carrying, I then also have a Rola branded cargo bag designed specifically for the roof basket. The great part with the bag is you can pack it on the ground and then load it on, knowing that everything is secure and you don't have to tie down individual items. It is simple to secure, with just a bunch of straps with clips to keep it in place. It is also adjustable to keep it as low profile as it can depending on how much you have in there. I normally put light or bulky stuff on the roof like sheets, towels, beach shelters and the pram.

The downside to using the bag is it takes up pretty much most of the space in the basket, meaning its tricky to carry other items (i.e. Maxtrax). I have got around this by putting my Maxtrax on first then simply putting the bag on top. It can also be difficult loading it on and off the roof when it gets heavy, though this is ok if you have another person helping.

I don't know if I would use a roof pod, simply because there is such limited flexibility on what can be put in there. Odd sized items would require some inventive packing, whereas the cargo bag is more forgiving. I would also imagine you would need to load the pod whilst on the roof.

[PLAYDOH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PLAYDOH]

With two kids under two, on long trips there is just never enough room in the back of the prado, by the time the fridge and pram goes in, there is no room left for the royal hinesses mass luggage, or anything else for that matter.

Sounded like you were re-telling my camping trips... lol We went on a basic camp just recently staying at a caravan park and the Prado was full, though that included wakeboard and kids bike, but this is stuff that can be delegated to the roof now.

I bit the bullet and went with a Pioneer Platform by Rhino. The reason I went with this is it's a blank canvas as such. A low profile flat roof rack. My plan is for a small to large size luggage bag that can be easily taken off and used when needed. I then have the free roof rack for weekend lawn sales, trips to Bunnings and what not. I'm also planning on a low profile space case to go up there as well for the longer trips to carry recovery gear that's not needed often..



http://www.rhinorack.com.au/products...s/luggage-bags

[Jusso Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jusso]

For our other car, we got a Yakima Skybox 18 for that reason. As AMTS said, it mounts onto 2 cross bars and from memory is only rated to 75kg itself. Considering that the box itself is around 25kg, that leaves a bit over 50kg for luggage. We haven't had the Prado for long so haven't tried it on that yet.
The Yakima was the most sturdy one we found which doesn't wobble around when you are opening it. It opens from either side with a solid 3 point locking mechanism. We have used it in some pretty heavy rain and not a drop got inside. We also got a cargo net for inside just in case there isn't enough stuff to fill the box (could have been a wasted purchase as we always take too much stuff).
I can thoroughly recommend them if that is the path you go down.

[Australian Member Find all posts View Profile Close Australian]

For our other car, we got a Yakima Skybox 18 for that reason. As AMTS said, it mounts onto 2 cross bars and from memory is only rated to 75kg itself. Considering that the box itself is around 25kg, that leaves a bit over 50kg for luggage. We haven't had the Prado for long so haven't tried it on that yet.
The Yakima was the most sturdy one we found which doesn't wobble around when you are opening it. It opens from either side with a solid 3 point locking mechanism. We have used it in some pretty heavy rain and not a drop got inside. We also got a cargo net for inside just in case there isn't enough stuff to fill the box (could have been a wasted purchase as we always take too much stuff).
I can thoroughly recommend them if that is the path you go down.

Jusso, I'm after a cargo net - do you have any more info on them?

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

With two kids under two, on long trips there is just never enough room in the back of the prado, by the time the fridge and pram goes in, there is no room left for the royal hinesses mass luggage, or anything else for that matter.

Upgrading to a 200 series is too expensive so I'm interested in hearing people that have invested in roof cargo pods. What brands to people recommend, how much can you fit in them, do I need to invest roof racks first as only got the factory rails down the sides

Thx in advance for any info

In the same boat. We have three under 6 incl a 7month old We use a roof basket and put bulky items up there like the pram (has a travel case), big blowmould table etc - contemplating getting a Rhino Platform as its much more versatile (and we have an oztent which is supported better by the pioneer), but not until next year as camping/car spend this year has been massive. The platorms are expensive. I might get a poor mans version -the steel mesh platform

Personally I think the bags are more versatile, but the pods safer if you are worried about sticky fingers. If you are starting from scratch - the cost between racks + pods is probably similar to rack = basket + bag.

If cost is an issue, there are a couple of roof bags with a base that don't need a basket/platform, just racks, such as the Thule Ranger:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=434w9AhJT1M

and there are even roof bags that don't need a rack just the rails. I'd be a bit sketchy about them incase it marked the roof - one bit of debris under there would do damage on a long trip.

http://www.roofrackstore.com.au/thul...FYIHvAodRpYAqA

[zutta Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zutta]

Roof racks is a must. Speak to Zutta as he is doing a lap with a roof pod.
I used a roof pod in our travels overseas. Items needs to be packed in small packages to let it fit into the curvy lines of the pod.

To get the best load capacity, you will need to remove the factory rails and fit the 3 crossbars that mounts directly to the roof as that will increase the roof loading from 80kg to 100kg. Having said that, the pod will only be capable of fixing to 2 of the bars, the front and mid. So it might be back to 80kg capacity anyway cause the 100kg needs to be spread across 3 bars.

I have the Thule pacific 200.
Amts is correct regarding bars and weights, the pod itself doesn't weigh much but i only think it has a 50kg load limit.
saying that you get a fair bit of crap up there

They are a great bit of gear, you stuff is always out of the weather and locked up so you never have to stress, also aerodynamic so you hardly know its up there.

For us being full time on the road i keep the recreational things up there like , boogie boards, fishing rods/gear,snorkel/flippers,hoses.buckets etc, its pretty handy to not have to pack that stuff and have it there when you need it.

I really can't say anything negative about it except drive through takeaway and underground car parks are out of the question you can have it off in a few minutes if you want to leave it behind.
I'm sure you wont be disappointed with one.

[Jusso Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jusso]

Jusso, I'm after a cargo net - do you have any more info on them?

The Yakima Skybox has cargo not anchor points inside the pod. The also provide (buy or included depending on model) a cargo net to stop things sliding around inside the pod if it isn't full. It is probably cheaper to get one from Autobarn but I couldn't be bothered searching for one that was just the right size.
I think most Yakima dealers sell them. I think the place we got ours was Roof racks and bars (or something like that) in Dandenong, Melbourne.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

I think the place we got ours was Roof racks and bars (or something like that) in Dandenong, Melbourne.

I think the place you are referring to is Roof Rack and Box, I know they are a Yakima stockist. They have 2 stores in Melbourne, one in Oakleigh and one in Dandenong South.

http://www.roofrackandbox.com.au/Contact-Us.html

[MrX Member Find all posts View Profile Close MrX]

We too have 2 little ones and easily fill the back of Prado. A few years back we bought a Rhino Rack 550, originally we used it on a Commodore but it fits better on Prado. I can't speak highly enough of it, it is deceptively large inside, it holds 2 full sized suitcases with room left over. Given the height of the roof it is a bit awkward to get stuff in and out but it's manageable. If you put it right over to one side then there is a fair bit of space for other things like a bike and Trakrax.

Ignore the fumy angle but this should give you an idea http://www.pradopoint.com/attachment...8&d=1383381659

[foxclan Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close foxclan]

We too have 2 little ones and easily fill the back of Prado. A few years back we bought a Rhino Rack 550, originally we used it on a Commodore but it fits better on Prado. I can't speak highly enough of it, it is deceptively large inside, it holds 2 full sized suitcases with room left over. Given the height of the roof it is a bit awkward to get stuff in and out but it's manageable. If you put it right over to one side then there is a fair bit of space for other things like a bike and Trakrax.

Ignore the fumy angle but this should give you an idea http://www.pradopoint.com/attachment...8&d=1383381659

Makes life easy accessing the roof box I guess!!

[Cavalli Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Cavalli]

I also have 3 kids(all under 4). I do have a camper trailer, however when we don't use it I have a rhino pioneer platform and recently purchased a rhino luggage bag, it's a great piece of gear and you'll be surprised how much gear you can get into it. We put clothes, pillows and bedding up on the roof, I also have the pram tied behind the bag. One thing we do do is put the clothes into canvas bags these are good for conforming to he shapes required.

[RodC120 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close RodC120]

Has anyone worked out a good way to attach a Thule Roof Pod to a Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform? I don't use the pod very often, but when I do need to it would be nice not to have to remove the platform.

[Guest Close Guest]

There are crossbars that Rhinorack sells that is specific to the Pioneer Platform. Hopefully the holes on the pod correspond to the gap between the planks.