Impermanent Roof Storage for Naked Vehicles

[SoulRaven]

I have a 2012 Toyota Sienna with no gutters and no standard racks. I don't want to poke holes in the roof as I have a no permanent mods rule for my van.  I've gotten down to the lowest amount of belongings that I want to keep but still need more storage for mostly clothing and maybe some low profile water tanks (eventually). So I am going to try this rack which is reasonably priced.

https://maloneautoracks.com/VersaRail-TM-Bare-Roof-Cross-Rail-System-50.html

I'll let you know how it goes.

Gypsy P

 

[ZoNiE]

I had ski racks like that back in the day... The bases and straps eventually leave rub marks and scratches in the paint... I would think a large point load may also dent the roof...

 

[SoulRaven]

I had ski racks like that back in the day... The bases and straps eventually leave rub marks and scratches in the paint... I would think a large point load may also dent the roof...

Thanks for the extra awareness.  Maybe not water then.  Clothing is pretty light though and that's all I have left to store.  I really don't want to get rid of my winter gear.

 

[SoulRaven]

Turns out I can't use that rack either so Malone says on their Fit Guide.  Back to the drawing board.

http://www.maloneautoracks.com/fitguide/

 

[SoulRaven]

Another option is a saddlebag, but that means I wouldn't be able to open the hatch easily...
http://www.autoanything.com/roof-racks/rightline-gear-cargo-saddlebag

 

[tx2sturgis]

What about something like this?


https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rightlin...ategy=PWVAV&visitor_id=dWFw-jXlInBljDSTO9c2dw

 

[John61CT]

Have you called eTrailer?

 

[SoulRaven]

Have you called eTrailer?

Yes. No love.

 

[SoulRaven]

What about something like this?


https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rightlin...ategy=PWVAV&visitor_id=dWFw-jXlInBljDSTO9c2dw

Hmm...this site says that it will work with sliding doors...  I need to see a video for proof.

 

[John61CT]

Consider the possibility you may need to do without, or break your rule.

IMO the RhinoRack track option looks nicer than factory.

 

[SoulRaven]

Consider the possibility you may need to do without,  or break your rule.

IMO the RhinoRack track option looks nicer than factory.

Yeah...I know.  I've done expedition backpacking so I know it's doable to have minimum clothing and still stay warm. Sigh.  Funny how going through this minimalism process will REALLY put attachment to material possessions front and center.

 

[John61CT]

What's the rationale behind The Rule?

 

[SoulRaven]

What's the rationale behind The Rule?

It's not necessarily rational and I know I am going in circles. I am trying to do this without poking holes in a perfectly good van.  I don't want to mod it when I know I intend to trade up when my circumstances change - hopefully in the near future.   I'm also pretty gun shy considering that I've been down this road before and got burned big time.

Think about this: for the money I would spend on putting a rack on the van, I could buy a few fun experiences instead or just let that money accumulate interest.  It seems also to be an exercise in patience.

Other philosophical reasons...

This woman never packs a suitcase
https://www.ted.com/talks/jessi_arrington_wearing_nothing_new

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs

Just donated this hard copy book to the Mohave Country Library today...
Voluntary Simplicity

I think I will stop chasing my tail at this point and downsize some more.

 

[bonvanroulez]

For extra storage/cargo capacity what about a rear cargo carrier? If you don't already have a hitch receiver one can be added reasonably without obvious modification to the vehicle.

 

[John61CT]

Long as you're aware just how low the Sienna seat stowaway feature after 2002 forces the receiver down.

There are adapters to raise a cargo tray up, but many would then interfere with opening the hatch.

And angle of departure for any rough hilly, even driveways really does require getting the tray rear edge like 18"+ off the ground.

And you will be bottoming out the receiver pretty often, NBD but be aware.

 

[highdesertranger]

anything that sits on the paint is going to rub it off. add some dust/sand to the mix and you have sandpaper. highdesertranger

 

[tx2sturgis]

You can buy protective rubber mats that sit under the bag to reduce that by quite a bit.

 

[highdesertranger]

but then the rubber is on the paint. highdesertranger

 

[tx2sturgis]

lol...well, its on the gel-coat...no different that front end 'bras' or magnetic antennas....

There are always trade-offs.... and it's a possible solution to the question posed, with no permanent hardware. 

I used one on the top of my van a few years ago before I installed the roof rack. Of course, it's a white cargo van with a 7 foot roof that no one can see anyway. 

On mine, I installed a set of those rubber strips that adhere to the roof, several of them in parallel, to minimize any scuffing.

 

[highdesertranger]

little story, back in the days when front end bras were all the rage a buddy put one on his truck. we went on an extended trip lots of water crossing with mud, lots of dirty/dusty roads. when we got back he went to wash the truck when he took the bra off he about died. all the paint under the bra was scratched, in a couple areas the pain was completely gone all the down to bare metal. the bra was loaded with grit. he threw the bra in the trash. highdesertranger