Roof Storage

[Butternut]

I need to get a new roof rack and am looking into soft top storage. There are no clips on my car to hold a rack on, so it has to be attached to the doors, but <a target="_blank" href="http://thetuckerbag.blogspot.com/2011/05/well-that-aint-good.html">the last rack I had</a> allowed water into the car. A few people have given me good suggestions, but does anyone out there have a great storage idea for little car (just to give me more room inside)?<br>Thanks!<br><br><a target="_blank" href="http://thetuckerbag.blogspot.com">The Tuckerbag</a><br><br>

 

[Guest]

So that you don't have to worry about people sifting through your stuff, I would get a roof rack which won't allow water in the car, and get something like this: Enclosed Car-top Carrier<br><br>I know it's a Canadian link, but that's the results I get here <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Google the name and you should be able to find something similar.<br><br>Keep an eye out for a VW bus perhaps? I think you'll feel a lot happier in it, and a little more civilized.<br>

 

[Suanne]

Hi Butternut,<BR><BR>I've been enjoying your blog&nbsp;and following your posts here.&nbsp; I love how you are working it out to go to school while staying in your car.&nbsp; I hope you find that the college and town come to accept your choice of a living situation.<BR><BR>I lived out of my car for 6 months last year while exploring the national parks ... sometimes I used campsites, other times I urban stealthed.&nbsp; I thought I'd offer a few&nbsp;ideas that worked for me, and may also work for you.<BR><BR>Idea 1:&nbsp; Maximize space inside by using soft-sided storage containers rather than plastic drawers.&nbsp; Light weight nylon duffle bags found at thrift stores are my favorites.<BR><BR>Idea 2:&nbsp; Use window visors so that you can crack your windows for ventilation while keeping the&nbsp;rain out.&nbsp; There's a set&nbsp;for a 97 Jetter for $55 on this site:&nbsp; <A href="http://www.racepages.com/products/?N=4294963368&amp;Ntt=Volkswagen+Jetta+Vent+Visor" target=_blank target=_blank>http://www.racepages.com/products/?N=4294963368&amp;Ntt=Volkswagen+Jetta+Vent+Visor</A>&nbsp;.&nbsp; (I also installed screens on the inside of my windows to keep the bugs out.)<BR><BR>Idea 3:&nbsp;&nbsp;To increase stealth (make it look less obvious that you are living&nbsp;out of your car)&nbsp;you could&nbsp;do one or more of these things --&nbsp;use black curtains, tint your windows, use a dark colored&nbsp;tarp (vs. bright blue).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Unfortunately, I've no experience with car top carriers.<BR><BR>You may find other useful ideas on Bob's CheapGreenRVLiving site in an article that has&nbsp;some details of my car's set up&nbsp;&nbsp; <A href="http://cheapgreenrvliving.com/priusliving.html" target=_blank target=_blank>http://cheapgreenrvliving.com/priusliving.html</A>&nbsp;.<BR><BR>Or, the links on the right side of my blog page have even more detail <A href="http://SuanneOnline.blogspot.com" target=_blank target=_blank>http://SuanneOnline.blogspot.com</A>&nbsp;.<BR><BR>I hope you find some useful info here.<BR><BR>Suanne

 

[drakelouis29]

if your budget is very heavy then there are a lot of options for you. but if you want simple and cheap then i think a car rack is enough for the rain. it will surely will not allow the water to enter your car. i am telling you this because my uncle and fitted a car rack over the roof and its working great. <br>

 

[BearFocus]

the last rack I had</a> allowed water into the car. 

Hmmm I'm getting ready to buy simple rack bars for my Scion xB, the ones I've checked out are custom-fitted to the upper door frames and look like they fit snugly against the surface.  I wonder if the ones you had were generic or not fitted that well to the car?   

You would think that if they are fitted well, and the rubber door strip on the door fits flush up against them it wouldn't be a problem.  

I'll have to check this out before I buy, my plan was to get the INNO brand rack/rails.  Then use it to carry my larger items, tent, folding chairs, etc to free up space in the car for regular weekend camping.  Or when I'm traveling somewehre.  These racks are custom fitted, and they include locking hubs so you don't have to spend extra on them.

 

[Cindyestravels]

have you considered a rack for a hitch. you could get a rack and put a storage box on it insted of the roof. it will free up space and stop rain from coming in your car

 

[Canine]

The original post is over 7 years old and Butternut hasn't made a post since over 5 1/2 years ago. I'm not sure she/he is going to benefit from the extra info.