Softside or hardtop car turtle

[spk2000]

I am planning to get a car top carrier and I am thinking a soft one makes more sense. I don't really have a good place to store a hard top and the soft one will fold up when not in use. Here is one that I like alot:

http://roofbag.com/default.asp

 

[JHZR2]

The soft bag makes a ton of sense from a storability standpoint, it folds away neatly. However, the thing that concerns me is that if the roof is not pristine, and enough of an interface of soft materials isn't made, those bags will likely scratch the roof bad, which a hard container, sitting up on the roof rails, should not.

 

[BRZED]

I'd only consider a cargo box, because it's more resistant to casual break-ins, easier to keep clean and more aerodynamic than a softshell carrier.

 

[DriveHard]

What about a hitch mounted cargo carrier? They hove much less impact on fuel economy, and have much less chance of scratching anything while loading or unloading.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: DriveHard
What about a hitch mounted cargo carrier? They hove much less impact on fuel economy, and have much less chance of scratching anything while loading or unloading.


That's a lot of mass hanging off the rear end of a vehicle. Plus makes access to the rear harder, and may be more of a potential for damage and theft. Also, hitch receivers are for bike carriers.

 

[The_Jeff]

A hard one will whistle, a soft one will flap. What sound is more annoying?

 

[Pop_Rivit]

We had a Sears S Cargo that served us well for many, many miles in the 1990's. If I had to do it again, I would again choose a hard sided car top carrier.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
A hard one will whistle, a soft one will flap. What sound is more annoying?

I can't speak for the soft sided carriers, but in all the years and miles of use our hard sided rooftop carrier never whistled or made any other sort of noise. I'm not sure where you're getting your information, but a decent hard sided carrier properly installed does not whistle.