As the population of people who own private vehicles skyrockets, new automobile demands are sprouting up every day. One unceasing prerequisite in every family vehicle, is the need for a mechanism to attach extra luggage on the car, without interfering with the driving quality. Be it a small sedan or that mean looking SUV, we really need a way to fasten those abnormal kinds of luggage on the car if they can’t fit in the trunk.
Why you should consider buying a Skybox for your car
One solution for carrying large luggage on our small cars would be to tie the loads on the car’s roof while using the roof rails as an attachment. However, this would expose the baggage to natural elements like rain, wind and sunlight. Apart, from potentially getting your gear damaged by rain, tying it openly onto your car’s roof increases the wind drag on your car hence burning more fuel. In addition trying to speed with an open load would risk getting the whole baggage dangling dangerously on the car, in case one of the fasteners snaps.
In these mindboggling situations, this is where Skyboxes come in handy. A skybox or cargo box is the most secure way to ferry your fishing gear, skis, guitars or snowboards without interfering with the vehicle’s aerodynamics. In addition, a skybox has enough space to store more than just the abnormal loads. You can fit your backpacks in the skybox too, so that you have enough room in the car.
Things to consider when buying a cargo box for your car
1. Sturdiness
Cargo boxes come in two forms, soft or hard. Soft cargo boxes are simply known as cargo bags since they are made of the same material as your usual backpack. They however can be attached to car racks securely. Soft cargo boxes are easy to fold and store but the problem is that they subject your luggage to natural elements. If you have enough storage space in your garage, a hard cargo box is the best option.
2. Size and shape
Cargo boxes are made in different shapes and sizes so as to suit different needs. You must therefore determine how big of a luggage you are going to be carrying in your box. You also want a cargo box that is aerodynamically designed. Yakima cargo boxes are known to be a good choice when it comes to aerodynamics
3. You vehicle’s size
The size of your car will also determine the kind of box to fix on it. A normal family station wagon should get at most a 16 cubic feet box. However, larger vehicles like vans and SUVs could carry up to 19.2 feet boxes.
4. Roof rack support
Not every vehicle comes with a roof rack support for attaching a cargo box. Such vehicles demand for a “Naked Roof” supported cargo box. The good thing is that most companies that sell cargo boxes like Yakima, always publish their different packages for different cars on their websites.
How to store a Yakima Skybox 21 – 12 Cargo box
There are several ways that you can store a cargo box in your garage or store room once you are done with it. Failing to store a cargo box well could damage it and even render it useless. Here are several ways of storing one;
1. Wall hanging
Smaller cargo boxes like the Yakima 12 can be hung from a wall using a wall hanger. The hangers should be fitted securely on the walls and tested for firmness before you can attach your cargo box on them.
Pros
- Wall hangers are easy to install
- This method saves space
- Less weighty product like the Yakima skybox 12 which weigh less than 65 lbs. are securely attached and won’t fall off.
- The hangers are cushioned to prevent scratching of your cargo box
Cons
- You need to buy additional brackets and straps
- They still require an expert to drill the holes and attach the brackets firmly on the wall. In other words, the whole thing isn’t exactly a DIY affair.
2. Ceiling hanging
This method is particularly used for big cargo boxes like the Yakima skybox 21. These boxes are literally meant to be lifted right from your car’s roof and secured on the ceiling directly by straps. This is meant to make it easy for a remount next time you need to use the cargo box on your car again. When you want to use a ceiling mounted cargo box, things are easy since it’s just a matter of lowering it on your car’s roof from your ceiling.
Pros
- Storage is fast is easy since you just winch the box upwards after detaching it from your car’s roof rack.
- It comes with extra tie downs for securing the box firmly on the ceiling.
- No scratches on the cargo box since the hangers are padded.
- Consumes less space in the garage.
Cons
- You need an expert to help you attach the hoists on the ceiling. But you can use the manual as guide.
- This method can only be used in garages with high roofs, otherwise the box could hurt a tall person in the garage if the ceiling isn’t high enough.
3. Laying the box on the floor
This method is only recommended for you if you have a wide floor space in your garage. Otherwise it won’t work if your garage is crammed up. All the same, medium cargo boxes like the Yakima 18 would still be stored this way, now that they won’t take up much space either. You need roughly nothing more than 100 inches in length.
Pros
- It doesn’t require an expert
Cons
- It’s easy to get the box scratched when it lies on the floor.
- This method consumes a lot of valuable space in the garage.
- It also increase the risk of injuries to garage users. With the cargo box lying on the floor, it’s easy for one to hit it accidentally with their feet.
- The cargo box could also get damaged easily while it’s lying in the garage floor.
Wrap up
A cargo box is a handy tool for your car especially if you are the kind of person who is frequently going on camps and outdoor activities. All the same, with the high price attached on cargo boxes, it’s paramount that we store them appropriately so that they can give us a longer period of service.
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