car-top carrier experience?

[big90sbasshorns]

Our band generally plays out a few times a month, and with a few exceptions all of the shows are within a 30 minute drive.

What can make it difficult sometimes is all 4 members drive compacts and all of our gear fits and no 2nd trips are needed, but packing and unpacking is like putting together a puzzle (not to mention the fact that we have to drive 4 cars instead of pooling).

I don't know why this solution didn't hit me before, but I just suggested to the band that we invest in a car-top carrier...remember those? Ahhh...the hallmark of family vacations.

What I would like to ask the community is if anyone uses them, or has in the past what was your impression on the safety aspect of it?

The only time I've ever seen one in use was on family vacations as a kid, and back then I was way to young to be concerned with safety or the logistics of a trip. As an adult, I have no practical experience with them; any help/insight with the matter would be appreciated.

 

[MNAirHead]

Why not an enclosed trailer?

 

[mikeswals]

Roofs panels are not going to hold the weight of musical gear, it will cave in. Not only that, but those roof racks are attached with small screws or bolts, I wouldn't trust them trying to hold the weight.

 

[Chasarms]

Our band generally plays out a few times a month, and with a few exceptions all of the shows are within a 30 minute drive.

What can make it difficult sometimes is all 4 members drive compacts and all of our gear fits and no 2nd trips are needed, but packing and unpacking is like putting together a puzzle (not to mention the fact that we have to drive 4 cars instead of pooling).

I don't know why this solution didn't hit me before, but I just suggested to the band that we invest in a car-top carrier...remember those? Ahhh...the hallmark of family vacations.

What I would like to ask the community is if anyone uses them, or has in the past what was your impression on the safety aspect of it?

The only time I've ever seen one in use was on family vacations as a kid, and back then I was way to young to be concerned with safety or the logistics of a trip. As an adult, I have no practical experience with them; any help/insight with the matter would be appreciated.

I have one that we use when we road trip as a family. It mounts to the top of my Ford Explorer. I can't really see an ideal application for carrying music gear. Some of the larger ones have a lot of cubic footage but are shaped as to not allow very much musical gear to go in them. When we use ours, all of the goods that go up top are packed in duffel bags instead of suit cases to allow the luggage to conform to the shape.

Further, you are limited in weight. About 130-150 pounds is going to be the max you can safely carry. That adds up pretty quickly if you are talking sound equipment. And, you'd need a good quality rack, like a Thule or Yakima, under the case just to get that capacity.

And lastly, you would want a pretty nice one that was really waterproof if you are going to pack it with your gear. Mine is fine for clothes, etc., but there is no way I would put anything in it that I was absolutely certain that I could not allow to get wet.

 

[big90sbasshorns]

Why not an enclosed trailer?

It's too large of an investment for the amount of gear that we use (not a whole lot, it just takes up a large footprint), and the primarily short hauls to the majority of our gigs.

Essentially it would just be used for a 4pc drum kit + hardware & acoustic guitars in cases.

And now that I'm thinking of it, none of our cars are equipped to tow.

 

[big90sbasshorns]

And lastly, you would want a pretty nice one that was really waterproof if you are going to pack it with your gear. Mine is fine for clothes, etc., but there is no way I would put anything in it that I was absolutely certain that I could not allow to get wet.

Thanks for the input! I don't think weight will be too much of an issue, we're not looking to cram everything into it, just the larger footprint items like acoustic guitars in cases and drum shells + accessories.

Weather isn't really a concern either, the gear wouldn't be in there for a long time, just 20-30 minutes of driving...i would hope that even the inexpensive carriers would be sound enough to not let rain in for that short amount of time. Then again, I don't know anything about them and how good they are so I do appreciate everyones input!

 

[mikeswals]

You can easily get trailer hitches installed on just about any vehicle. If you really only need to use a trailer every once in a while, then just rent one from U-haul, a 4x8 enclosed is really cheap per day.

 

[Chasarms]

. . .Essentially it would just be used for a 4pc drum kit + hardware & acoustic guitars in cases. . .

I can't imagine being able to make one work on a smaller car that is be enough to hold a 4-piece kit and guitars in cases. Mine would not hold that much and it is the proper size for a mid-sized SUV.

I am all but certain that you will discover that a roof-mount suited for a compact car will not represent enough cargo capacity to warrent purchasing it.

I agree that renting a u-haul is preferable. They are only about $20 a day. Most any car will tow a small trailer like that. You could equip one of the cars with a hitch and light hookup and rent a trailer about 10-15 times for the money that you will spend on the roof rack.