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How to Pay for a Roof-Mounted Hardshell Cargo Box

How to · Auto

How to Pay for a Roof-Mounted Hardshell Cargo Box

Load up the car without draining your account by timing the sale right and mapping out your payments.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $850 before anything else
Across the 0% window $47.22/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $850 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.

A roof-mounted hardshell cargo box changes how you travel, turning a cramped sedan or SUV into a proper gear hauler that keeps your bags dry and locked up at highway speeds. You get back legroom and trunk space, but you also take a hit on your gas mileage and deal with a bit more wind noise overhead, not to mention finding somewhere to store the thing when winter rolls around.

End-of-summer sales are when prices on these boxes finally soften up as retailers clear out gear for the off-season. Keep negotiation separate from how you pay, since local shops and outdoor stores will rarely deal on price and financing at the same time. Nail down the best cash price first, then figure out your payment plan.

That intro window is a hard deadline, not free money, so treat your monthly payment like a fixed bill. If you still have a balance left when the 18 months run out, the remaining amount will start accruing high interest right away.

The steps

  1. 01

    Pick your window

    Wait for late summer when outdoor retailers drop prices on cargo boxes to clear space for winter gear. Shopping then saves you a chunk off the typical US cost of about $850 before you even think about how to pay.

  2. 02

    Check your crossbars

    Before you buy a box, make sure your car has the right crossbars to mount it. Factory naked roofs need an aftermarket tower and bar setup that can easily add a few hundred dollars to your total cost.

  3. 03

    Negotiate the price first

    Ask local rack shops if they include free installation or throw in the mounting hardware. Nail down your best out-the-door price before you mention how you plan to pay for it.

  4. 04

    Use your card term

    If you need to spread out the cost, the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card gives you 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. Spreading that $850 across the intro window on purchases means paying about $47.22 per month.

  5. 05

    Plan the storage

    Hardshell boxes take up serious garage real estate when they are off the car. Look into a ceiling hoist system so you can lift and store the box out of the way without needing a second person to help.

  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 cargo box fit in my garage?

Measure your car's total height with the crossbars and box installed before you pull back into your garage. Many people forget the added height and scrape the top of the box on the garage door frame on the very first trip home.

How much will my gas mileage drop?

Expect to lose between ten and twenty percent on your fuel economy with a hardshell box on top. The extra drag hits you hardest at highway speeds, so your overall drop depends on how much driving you do at 70 miles per hour.

Do I need a second person to install it?

You can lift a lightweight hardshell box onto your car by yourself if you are careful, but a second set of hands makes it much easier to avoid scratching your roof paint. Most boxes use quick-clamp feet that tighten from the inside without needing tools.

Are hardshell boxes waterproof?

Most quality hardshell boxes keep gear dry in heavy rain, but they are rarely one hundred percent airtight. Pack sensitive electronics or clothes in dry bags just in case some fine spray sneaks past the seals at highway speeds.