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How to Buy a Roof Rack and Cargo Box Without Stress

How to · Auto

How to Buy a Roof Rack and Cargo Box Without Stress

Get your gear on the road for about $1100 without breaking your monthly budget.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $1,100 before anything else
Across the 0% window $61.11/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $1,100 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Road trips are great until your car is packed so tight nobody can move their legs. Adding a roof rack and cargo box fixes that cramped feeling and lets you bring the real gear. But buying setup gear all at once can put a real dent in your checking account.

Timing matters here since outdoor retailers usually discount these setups in August. Once you catch a price drop, you still need a way to pay for it without draining your emergency cash. That is where spreading out the cost comes in handy.

Remember that the intro window is a deadline and not free money. If you still have a balance left when those 18 months are up, standard interest kicks in on the remaining amount.

The steps

  1. 01

    Time your purchase for August sales

    Outdoor retailers clear out summer gear in August to make room for winter stock. Watch prices on roof racks and cargo boxes a few weeks before you pull the trigger. Buying on discount saves you a chunk of change right off the top.

  2. 02

    Measure your vehicle twice

    Check your owner manual for roof weight limits before you buy anything. Make sure the towers fit your specific car roof type, whether you have bare roofs, raised rails, or fixed points. Getting the fit wrong means dealing with return shipping fees and wasted time.

  3. 03

    Map out the financing window

    If you want to break up the payments, the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card gives you 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. That breaks an $1100 purchase down into about $61.11 per month. You get the gear now and pay for it in chunks over a year and a half.

  4. 04

    Factor in installation and wind noise

    Boxes and crossbars add drag, which lowers your gas mileage on the highway. Plan to spend an afternoon putting it together in your driveway with a friend so you do it right. Check all the bolts after your first hundred miles of driving.

  5. 05

    Test the clearance before you leave

    Measure the total height of your car with the box attached so you do not smack it into a garage or drive-thru. Pack your lighter, bulkiest items up top and keep the heavy gear down in your trunk. That keeps your car handling normally around tight corners.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

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

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

Will a roof rack fit any car?

No, you need specific towers and clips made for your car's roof style. Universal fits exist, but custom fits are much safer at highway speeds. Always check the manufacturer fit guide before buying.

How much does a roof box hurt gas mileage?

Expect to lose between five and fifteen percent of your fuel economy depending on the shape of the box. Sleek, aerodynamic boxes help minimize the drag, but you will still stop at the pump a bit more often.

Can I leave the cargo box on my car year-round?

You can, but sun exposure and rain will weather the plastic over time. Taking it off when you are not traveling saves fuel and keeps the mounting hardware from rusting to your roof rails.

What happens if I miss a monthly payment?

Missing a payment can trigger late fees and might cancel your promotional rate early. Set up autopay for at least the minimum so you stay on track throughout the window.