1. Choose The Correct Size Roof Cargo Carrier

Lakeland Gear provides roof cargo carriers in all different sizes from Inno, Rhino Rack, Thule, and Yakima. Our Roof Top Cargo Box Sizing Guide is the best place to get started. It features a table where you can see all of the box sizes side by side. It may be helpful to measure the roof length of your vehicle to get an idea of the distance you have available.

2. Choose The Correct Box Opening Features

Roof Cargo Boxes can open on the driver's side, the passenger's side, both the driver's and the passenger's side, and even from the rear. Our Roof Top Cargo Box Sizing Guide shows the way that each of the boxes open. You can also see what type of gear each box can carry: golf clubs, skis, snowboards, or just general stuff.

3. Make Sure You Have Roof Rack Cross Bars

Roof Boxes require roof top rack cross bars, running left to right across your vehicle. If you require cross bars for your vehicle, please visit our Roof Rack Systems page. We carry cross bars from Inno, Rhino Rack, Thule, and Yakima that will mount onto your existing factory side rails, c-channels, bare roof, or truck cap. We recommend matching the same manufacturer's roof rack system and cargo carrier whenever possible.  To complete a roof rack system, you will require a set of four "feet", a set of two bars, and four locking cylinders to lock the rack to your roof rack (optional). If you contact us up front, we can ensure that the locks for the roof rack system will be keyed the same as the locks on the roof cargo carrier. 

Roof rack systems can be complicated. Please contact us at 1-888-301-GEAR(4327) and we will be happy to help.

4. Check The Attachment Method Of Your Roof Cargo Carrier

All of the mounting hardware is included with each box. The Roof Top Cargo Box Sizing Guide indicates the attachment method for each roof cargo carrier. You will find a detailed description of each of them below by manufacturer.

Inno Roof Cargo Boxes

U-Bolt Attachments come standard on most of the Inno roof cargo boxes. The U-bolts slide through from under the box and connect to wing nuts inside.  Some tools may be necessary for this attachment method. (4) U-bolt assemblies tighten the roof box to the cross bars. The U-bolts will work on cross bars that are up to 5" W.

The Memory Mount System, Inno's premium clamping system, is available on the Inno Shadow series of roof cargo boxes. This integrated hardware is located on the inside of the box. You simply line up the clamps over your roof rack cross bars and flip the lever down. (4) Memory Mount Clamps hold the roof box to the cross bars.

In order to suit a greater variance in crossbar spacing, the boxes offer adjustable mounting.  There are either multiple holes for U-bolts or sliders for the Memory Mounts, OR a combination of both.  The crossbar spacing varies depending upon box design, the exact measurement for each box is listed within the product description.

Rhino Rack Roof Cargo Boxes

The Master Fit Mounting System is available on all of the Rhino Rack roof cargo boxes. The locking mechanisms are located on the inside of the cargo box. Each Master Fit Clamp has (2) jaws protruding out of the cargo box's bottom through slots. You simply turn the gray knob and the jaws tighten around the roof rack cross bars. The red button locks the jaws in place. (4) Master Fit Clamps hold the roof box to the cross bars.  These clamps sit in wide, adjustable slots to suit a greater variance in crossbar spacing.  The crossbar spacing varies depending upon box design, the exact measurement for each box is listed within the product description.

Thule Roof Cargo Boxes

Quick Grip Mounting Hardware, Thule's premium clamping system, is available on the Thule Ascent and Atlantis series of roof cargo boxes. This hardware is located inside of the cargo box with the (2) jaws protruding out of the box's bottom through slots. You simply turn the knob and the jaws tighten around the roof rack cross bars. (4) Quick Grips hold the roof box to the cross bars.  These clamps sit in wide, adjustable slots to suit a greater variance in crossbar spacing.  The crossbar spacing varies depending upon box design, the exact measurement for each box is listed within the product description.

The Easy Snap System is available on the Thule Frontier, Excursion, and Mountaineer roof cargo boxes. It is basically an upgraded u-bolt attaching system.  You place a one of the "U-shaped" pieces around the roof rack's cross bar. This piece extends into the bottom of the box and connects with the easy snap clamp. You simply flip the tab on the clamp and it grips tightly onto the U-shaped piece. (4) clamps tighten the roof box to the cross bars.  In order to suit a greater variance in crossbar spacing, the snap system sits into multiple slots in the front and rear of the box.  The crossbar spacing varies depending upon box design, the exact measurement for each box is listed within the product description.

U-Bolt Attachments are available on the Thule Sidekick and Karrite Explorer roof cargo boxes. The U-bolts slide through from under the box and connect to wing nuts inside.  Some tools may be necessary for this attachment method. (4) U-bolt assemblies tighten the roof box to the cross bars.

Yakima Roof Cargo Boxes

Quick Fit Mounting Clamps are available on the Yakima Rocket Box and Sky Box series of roof cargo carriers. These integrated clamps slide forward and backward to accommodate your roof-rack crossbar spread. They tighten around roof rack crossbars with a cam-action lever, and adjust via a knob inside the box for a sure grip. (4) Quick Fit Clamps hold the roof box to the cross bars.

The Super Latch Security System comes standard as part of the Yakima Sky Box series of roof cargo carriers. It ensures your lid is secure to the base of the cargo box. The super latch has an aluminum bar on the lid of the box that is grabbed by the latch in the base of the box. The  latch engages by the handle shown in this picture.  

5. Shipping Roof Cargo Carriers

The Thule SideKick, Karrite Explorer, and all Inno models can be shipped via UPS, which makes for a lower shipping cost. These cargo boxes can also be shipped express when needed. All other roof top boxes are shipped to your door by commercial truck line. No express delivery is available for the truck line boxes.  None of the boxes qualify for free shipping on our site because they come in over sized boxes. Look for the flat rate shipping logo on the top of each cargo box product page to see the shipping rate for the box.

Please provide your daytime phone number at checkout so the truck lines can arrange delivery.  You can review our Shipping Policy Page to find more information concerning the shipping of these roof cargo carriers.