10 Best Cargo Carriers 2025 in the United States

The Thule 614 Pulse Rack offers a generous 14 cubic feet of rooftop cargo space, making it suitable for families or individuals needing extra packing room. Its rugged plastic construction ensures durability, while the central locking system provides excellent security, ensuring that contents remain safe. The FastGrip quick-mount system simplifies installation, allowing it to be assembled in minutes. The design includes a passenger-side opening for convenient loading and unloading.

It can accommodate 3-5 snowboards up to 155 cm in length, which is perfect for winter sports enthusiasts. The cargo box has a load capacity of 110 lbs and weighs 34 lbs itself, making it robust yet manageable. However, the height off the crossbar is 16 inches, which might impact aerodynamics slightly and possibly affect fuel efficiency.

Despite being water-resistant, it may not be fully waterproof, so some caution is advised in heavy rain conditions. This cargo carrier is ideal for users seeking a reliable and spacious option for additional storage on their vehicles.

The JEGS Rooftop Cargo Carrier is a hard shell roof-mounted storage solution made from durable HDPE plastic, offering 18 cubic feet of space, which is generous enough to hold several golf bags or plenty of luggage. Its aerodynamic design helps reduce wind drag, which can improve fuel efficiency compared to boxier carriers. The weatherproof construction combined with a four-corner locking system and front latch ensures your belongings stay secure and protected from rain or dust during travel.

Installation is user-friendly, requiring no tools and fitting most vehicles with crossbars between 20 and 30 inches, though some adjustments might be needed if your crossbars aren't the standard 24 inches. Weighing 35 pounds, it’s manageable to handle during loading and unloading, and access from either side adds convenience. Made in the USA with a limited lifetime guarantee, this carrier promises solid build quality.

A potential downside is that while the plastic base can be re-drilled for different crossbar spacing, this might be tricky for those not comfortable with DIY modifications. Also, although the carrier is water resistant, it’s not fully waterproof, so in very heavy rain some moisture could potentially seep in. For those seeking a reliable, spacious, and secure rooftop cargo box that’s fairly easy to install and offers good weather protection, the JEGS carrier presents a strong option for families or travelers needing extra storage space.

The Thule Motion 3 LTitan is a high-quality cargo carrier that excels in various aspects, making it suitable for those who need extra storage space on their vehicle. One of its notable strengths is its aerodynamic design, featuring a wing-shaped profile with a dynamic, forward-leaning nose that helps reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. This design is particularly beneficial for long road trips where fuel economy is a concern.

The sturdy aluminum construction ensures durability and longevity, while the wide handle on the lid allows for easy, one-handed operation, adding to its user convenience. The carrier also includes advanced security features, such as the SlideLock system that separately handles locking and opening functions, automatically locking the lid and indicating when it's securely closed.

Installation is made hassle-free with the PowerClick quick-mount system, which includes a torque indicator that 'clicks' when the carrier is properly mounted, ensuring a secure and fast fitting process. Accessories like an interior box light, protective box liner, and storage cover add to the convenience and usability of this product.

However, it's worth noting that the Thule Motion 3 LTitan is relatively heavy, with a package weight of 29 kilograms, which may require additional assistance during installation. Additionally, while it offers a high capacity, the large size might not be suitable for smaller vehicles. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Thule Motion 3 LTitan remains a strong contender in the hard-shell cargo carrier market, especially for users seeking robust security features, ease of installation, and improved aerodynamics.