Impermanent Roof Storage for Naked Vehicles

[tx2sturgis]

Yeah it can happen. You friend should have left it on. 

For many years there were lots of Harley Electraglides with fairing bras. They were padded with wool (or something similar) to protect the paint. Rock chips and UV damage on an ABS fairing outer shell worth about $1000 (for a piece of painted plastic) is nothing to ignore. I installed a set of saddlebag bras on my painted ABS saddlebags to protect the paint from luggage and from the boots and shoes of the females who rode with me. But when I sold it, the covers went with the bike.

Thing is, in the case of a vehicle bra, or a fairing bra, the owner should consider it 'permanent'...never to be removed, only replaced. 

It's a different mindset.

 

[SoulRaven]

Okay. I think I have things down to manageable. Tomorrow I drop off a full garbage bag and a full roller bag to Goodwill. All daily clothes fit in my expedition pack. Cold weather sporting gear is tucked behind the bed and also acts as insulation.

 

[SondraRose]

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

This.  

I’m a part-timer at the moment, but with my eye on full-timing in a few years.  To that end, I have been optimizing my wardrobe for van life and living with it while I’m still in a sticks and brick home.

I find I only need a weeks worth of clothing and wearing only merino or linen lets me get multiple wears out of a few pieces.  

In my 30s, I lived out of a small suitcase for a year, so I know it can be done!  Like your TED talk woman, when I needed a change from my staple wardrobe, I’d buy one piece at a thrift store, keep it for a few weeks, then wash it, donate it and find something new to replace it.

 

[SoulRaven]

This.  

I’m a part-timer at the moment, but with my eye on full-timing in a few years.  To that end, I have been optimizing my wardrobe for van life and living with it while I’m still in a sticks and brick home.

I find I only need a weeks worth of clothing and wearing only merino or linen lets me get multiple wears out of a few pieces.  

In my 30s, I lived out of a small suitcase for a year, so I know it can be done!  Like your TED talk woman, when I needed a change from my staple wardrobe, I’d buy one piece at a thrift store, keep it for a few weeks, then wash it, donate it and find something new to replace it.

Hi Sondra.  Nice to meet you.  I started with the capsule dressing idea.  Also when you live in the Pacific Northwest for any time period, you learn to layer.  I just had too many duplicate layers.  And who needs so many yoga pants??!!! I still have all of my technical gear, thankfully...and those two scary weird scarves my mother crocheted for me...

 

[shadowmoss]

I'm carrying around the orange hippie shawl I crocheted back in the '70's to see if I feel like I can wear it. I love it, just never used it. The yarn is some kind of plastic stuff that I found in some weird shop. Time to use it.

 

[Kia girl]

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

I actually have that bag. It can be hard to get on and off. It is impossible to open the back door with it on. The biggest flaw with it is the license plate needs a light at night time and there is no place for it. You can’t drive at night with it unless you have a way to rig a light up or chance getting a ticket. I had my plate on my hitch cargo so it wasn’t a problem for me. There are bags for the top you can use without having a rack just buy a non slip pad for it. I also have one of those.


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[Ticklebellly]

Consider http://www.gcsupplies.com.au/veribor-blue-line-twin-cup-vacuum-lifter-60210bl

I have transported a Sit In Kayak several times on 4 of similar. Two straps over the kayak and through the handles to hold in place and a Tell Tale forward to the front bumper for confidence on the Highway. I have a medium height fibreglass top on a T5 VW Transporter.

 

[rm.w/aview]

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

Yakima system has mounts for various vehicles, in your case the Q Towers would work. This is a system that you build to your needs just as the rack system that you initially tried (your link showed towers & bars so clearly you would need more to store clothing). At Yakima's site I used their "Fit My Vehicle" using your Sienna with no results, but when I simply shopped for vehicle attachments (towers) all their choices showed, including fitment for naked roofs like your Sienna. Perhaps a call to Yakima would be more helpful for you.

 

[SoulRaven]

Consider http://www.gcsupplies.com.au/veribor-blue-line-twin-cup-vacuum-lifter-60210bl

I have transported a Sit In Kayak several times on 4 of similar.   Two straps over the kayak and through the handles to hold in place and a Tell Tale forward to the front bumper for confidence on the Highway.   I have a medium height fibreglass top on a T5 VW Transporter.

Hmm...that's an interesting idea.

 

[SoulRaven]

Yakima system has mounts for various vehicles, in your case the Q Towers would work. This is a system that you build to your needs just as the rack system that you initially tried (your link showed towers & bars so clearly you would need more to store clothing). At Yakima's site I used their "Fit My Vehicle" using your Sienna with no results, but when I simply shopped for vehicle attachments (towers) all their choices showed, including fitment for naked roofs like your Sienna. Perhaps a call to Yakima would be more helpful for you.

Thanks Room,

I like the Andy Warhol thing you got going on in your avatar.  

It seems that every rack site I go to that has a Fit My Vehicle app doesn't show results for mine.   I think it is the double sliding doors that is the issue, but a call to Yakima couldn't hurt.

 

[John61CT]

That's why I asked about eTrailer, I have found them to be more helpful than dealing with Yakima direct.

You should definitely **not** just accept the automated tool, maybe you got a less experienced rep who is limited to that.

There are roof rack "feet" explicitly designed for bare roof, and I think the worse case scenario would be the ones with straps that come in the door jamb and across the inside ceiling.

Post a detailed question in the online submission form, call back a few times at different hours, ask to speak with a rep that's been there a while and specializes in roof racks, don't take no for an answer I know there is one.

Unless you're just not that motivated. . .

 

[SoulRaven]

That's why I asked about eTrailer, I have found them to be more helpful than dealing with Yakima direct.

You should definitely **not** just accept the automated tool, maybe you got a less experienced rep who is limited to that.

There are roof rack "feet" explicitly designed for bare roof, and I think the worse case scenario would be the ones with straps that come in the door jamb and across the inside ceiling.

Post a detailed question in the online submission form, call back a few times at different hours, ask to speak with a rep that's been there a while and specializes in roof racks, don't take no for an answer I know there is one.

Unless you're just not that motivated. . .

Not that motivated at this point.  Dropped off my extra stuff at Goodwill this morning and breathed a sigh of relief.

 

[BinDerSmokDat]

Have you considered adding a receiver hitch to you Sienna?
It isn't technically a permanent mod as it can be unbolted.
It is also pretty invisible when not in use.
With a receiver hitch in place you can now add a cargo rack and hardbox for storage.
If you get to an area with friends who have a little extra space, they might even let you store your rack and box (it doesn't take up much space) in the off-seasons when you don't need the extra stuff.

Harbor Freight sells the cargo racks cheap and a large lockable Rubbermaid Roughneck can be picked up at big box stores. You might even be able to score a used, large locking cooler on Craigslist. A cooler has the added advantage of people thinking "food or drink" is inside, where with any kind of box or luggage, people may imagine it's more valuable items inside than it actually contains.

 

[SoulRaven]

Have you considered adding a receiver hitch to you Sienna?
It isn't technically a permanent mod as it can be unbolted.
It is also pretty invisible when not in use.
With a receiver hitch in place you can now add a cargo rack and hardbox for storage.
If you get to an area with friends who have a little extra space, they might even let you store your rack and box (it doesn't take up much space) in the off-seasons when you don't need the extra stuff.

Harbor Freight sells the cargo racks cheap and a large lockable Rubbermaid Roughneck can be picked up at big box stores. You might even be able to score a used, large locking cooler on Craigslist. A cooler has the added advantage of people thinking "food or drink" is inside, where with any kind of box or luggage, people may imagine it's more valuable items inside than it actually contains.

Yes, I've considered it.