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How to Buy a Heavy-Duty Roof Cargo Box Without Stress

How to · Auto

How to Buy a Heavy-Duty Roof Cargo Box Without Stress

Get your gear on the roof for about $650 by timing the end of summer and splitting the cost over 15 months.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $650 before anything else
Across the 0% window $43.33/mo 15 months, no interest

How we got that: $650 spread evenly across the 15-month introductory window on the Discover it® Cash Back. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Strap a heavy-duty cargo box to your roof and your car instantly turns into a road trip machine. You get all your gear out of the cabin, but you also take a hit on gas mileage and deal with extra wind noise at highway speeds. Those boxes take up space in the garage when winter hits, too.

Prices usually soften up right at the end of summer when dealers and outdoor shops want to clear inventory for ski racks and winter gear. You want to hunt for end-of-season closeouts first, and then figure out how to pay for what is left.

Remember that the 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases is a deadline, not free money. If you still have a balance left on the Discover it® Cash Back card when those 15 months are up, interest charges will kick in on what you owe.

The steps

  1. 01

    Shop the end of summer clearance

    Wait until late August or September to look for clearance prices on heavy-duty boxes. Retailers slash prices to clear floor space, saving you a chunk off the typical $650 cost before you even think about how to pay.

  2. 02

    Measure your roof and crossbars

    Check your factory crossbars and make sure they can handle the weight of the box plus your gear. You also need to confirm your trunk can still open all the way while the box is mounted.

  3. 03

    Negotiate the price in person

    If you are buying from a local rack shop, ask if they have floor models or open-box returns. Do your negotiating on the price first before you mention how you plan to pay.

  4. 04

    Spread the cost with your card

    You can use the Discover it® Cash Back card and its 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases to break up the remaining balance. Spreading $650 across that 15-month window works out to $43.33 per month.

  5. 05

    Install and test the fit

    Put the box on your car in the driveway and check it for leaks and wind noise. Drive it around town a bit to make sure nothing shifts before you load it up for a long trip.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Discover it® Cash Back carries the date a person verified it against Discover and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Discover it® Cash Back terms →

Common questions

Will a roof cargo box hurt my gas mileage?

Yes, you will lose a few miles per gallon because of the extra wind drag. Heavy-duty boxes add more resistance than sleek ones, so expect to pay a bit more at the pump on road trips.

Can I leave the cargo box on my car all year?

You can, but taking it off when you are not using it saves fuel and saves the hardware from winter salt and grime. Storing it takes up decent wall or ceiling space in your garage.

Do I need special crossbars for a heavy-duty box?

Most boxes fit standard factory crossbars, but heavy-duty models sometimes need wider or stronger bars. Check the clamp width and weight limits of your specific rack before you buy.

How much weight can I actually put up there?

Most roofs and boxes hold between 150 and 200 pounds, but check your car manual for the roof weight limit. Do not forget to count the weight of the box itself in that total.