Roof Rack?

[NEMPLSFisherMan]

Just wondering if anyone out there puts their portables up on their roof rack on their SUV? I drive a 2007 Toyota Rav4 and I have the Clam Thermal and the portable is a little to big to fit inside. I can fit it inside, but its like a puzzle to get it in and I am the only person who can be in the SUV while the portable is in. My daughter is getting older so I would like to take her out with me. I think it would work if I put it up there and strap it down. yes it would be tough getting it up and down, but it would be worth the extra work to get more people in the SUV. Thanks for any info or suggestions.

[Surreal Deal]

Welcome to the board, NEMPLSFM, as a former nordeaster myself, I like your moniker!

As it happens so often, I'm afraid that I have no practical advice (Ask anybody). But your question does take me back to the days when I rolled in a red '79 pinto and would make the drive from NE to West Rush with a portable rachet-strapped directly to the roof. I didn't have to worry about the paint job with that vehicle - It was what author Patrick McManus would call a "Mountain Car."

Anyway, I know that information doesn't help you or your nice SUV much. But for what it's worth in a stupid early 20's guy with a crappy car kind of way, yes, I can say that I've transported a portable on the roof of my car.

[Brad B]

I drive a chevy blazer and what I did was went out and got a cargo carrier for the hitch. the one thing to remember thou is if you do this get the z bar for the carrier so that you can get it up and away from the exaust which could melt the sled if it got to close to it. by doing this I have room for my gear behind my rear seat. I fish out of a otter wildernes northern model house which is the same size as a otter wild3 or pro lodge and have no problems hauling it around like this using the carrier.

[herefish101]

You can haul it on the roof no problem. The problem will be gettin it up there, at least on the way down you have gravity on your side. Maybe bring a blanket and drape it over the back end so you can stand the shack up against the rear and then boost/slide it up to the top, strap er down and your going fishing. I know it costs some more money, but a simple fix would be to get a small trailer. Good luck this winter and think cold thoughts.

[NEMPLSFisherMan]

Thanks for all the info everyone. I did buy a cargo carrier last year to use to haul my portable around,but the sled on my portable doesn't fit right on it the carrier and I am a little worried about it flying off going down the highway. I think I will have to give it one more try on the carrier this year and then try the roof rack next.

Brad B., have you notice any movement to your portable while going down the highway strapped on the cargo carrier? I think that is my biggest concern.

[rusty ironMan]

I also use the cargo hauler attached to my blazer for my portable. I normally use 4 straps to make sure it doesn't move. I've never had a problem with it. I did have to build a light bar so that my turn/brake lights were visable.

Only time that I've every been disappointed with it back there is when I drove to Upper Red from the cities in a slush/snow storm. I think I had 40 pounds of frozen [PoorWordUsage] on the portable by the time I got there. Mud flaps might be in order.

[Eric_Kruger]

when we go up north i strap a frabill trecker 2 on the roof rack and have never had a problem just strap it down good.

[Brad B]

Thanks for all the info everyone. I did buy a cargo carrier last year to use to haul my portable around,but the sled on my portable doesn't fit right on it the carrier and I am a little worried about it flying off going down the highway. I think I will have to give it one more try on the carrier this year and then try the roof rack next.

Brad B., have you notice any movement to your portable while going down the highway strapped on the cargo carrier? I think that is my biggest concern.

I have no issues. I tie it down with ratchet straps going in both directions. I have went from my house in monticello up to richmond to the horseshoe chain and have traveled on I 94 at 70 with no issues.

[Brad B]

my otter wilderness northern(same as a wild 3) does hang over the edge(front to back not left to right) of the carrier but because of the design of where the hy fax pockets are it sits between one of these. if you want I can try to take some pics of my set up and email them to you or post them on here if I can figure out how to.

[Brad B]

I also use the cargo hauler attached to my blazer for my portable. I normally use 4 straps to make sure it doesn't move. I've never had a problem with it. I did have to build a light bar so that my turn/brake lights were visable.

Only time that I've every been disappointed with it back there is when I drove to Upper Red from the cities in a slush/snow storm. I think I had 40 pounds of frozen [PoorWordUsage] on the portable by the time I got there. Mud flaps might be in order.

I got pulled over last year for having my lights covered by the house. to fix the issue I just install lights right to the carrier. it came predrilled for lights but I was to lazy to put them on right away.

[tonkapat]

buy a hub style shack or a bigger car

[NEMPLSFisherMan]

Thanks for the info again. I will definitely give it a shot. The sled on the X Thermal is pretty big and it hangs over on all sides of the carrier. I know what you are talking about when you talk about the the design of the sled and how the groves on the sled goes into the side of the carrier. I would like to see a picture of your lighting for your carrier.

Another question, do you need lights on the carrier if your portable doesn't block your lights? I have the Z bar on the carrier and my portable doesn't block any of the lights. Just wondering this for when I am driving home in the evening.

[Brad B]

I would guess you are okay but it would depend on the cop that sees or stops you. technically you should have light on the carrier just to be safe but it could be argued that the lights of the vechile are still visible. I will try to get some pictures taken and posted or emailed to you, just need the freezing rain to stop first.

[bikeoutback]

I carried my Team Wild 2 man in a cargo basket on the top of my wife's Jeep Patriot and I personally would never do it again. It was for a trip up north and I had 3 people going and needed fishing and camping gear so we needed the space inside the vehicle, at the time only had her jeep and my outback. First all the ice fishing gear was in the sled, so getting it onto the roof took 3 of us and was not fun at all. I put the shack facing forward for the trip up. Spent the next 150 miles with the roof vibrating uncontrollably from the sled pushing the wind down into the roof. On the way home, once we got the shack up there again we put it rear end forward. Sound was better. In the long run though we got roughly 14-16mpg out of her jeep that pulls a normal 25-27 on this same trip. I have a Silverado now instead of the Outback so we still only get 14-16mpg out of it as expected but much much less hassle.

My recommendation if the cargo carrier doesn't work out is get a trailer hitch (if it doesn't have one already) and check CList for a small 4x6 or 5x8 utility trailer to haul it around. Cost more up front but if your like me you'll find 800 other uses for a utility trailer and just be simpler altogether in the end. I know I probably couldn't get my ice house empty on top of any SUV by myself at all, too awkward.