Roof Rack Basket vs Pod

I'm not an expert but you have to think about corrugations/vibrations .... If you intend to travel a lot on corrugation maybe a "REAL" roof rack is a better option. I'm buyng a roof pod (small size) for my (small) car but I have an heavy duty roof rack on my landcruiser.
SECURITY is an other think ... if you travel near city and you intend to "fill" the roof rack with expansive stuff .... maybe a locable roof pod is the way ....
Luca

We have been using a wire roof basket for around seven years now. It offers the following advantages; it flexes which is great when off-road as it does not transfer a high downforce into the brackets and the vehicle itself. Given it is now on its second Prado and has covered over 70,000 kms off-road then I reckon we have a very good idea of its capability and durability. Another advantage is when you want to tie things down the wire mesh grid gives you a whole lot more points than any other form of roof rack. Only drawback is it is a bit noisy when empty but that does not happen often and it is light enough to pull off and leave in the shed when not needed. We have used roof pods and found them useful but it all depends on what you want to put in them. For example a gas bottle will not fit unless you lie it down and that is not a great idea.

The basket is on a set of three HD (square type) Rhino bars and it all works perfectly.

As part of your selection process I suggest you lay everything you think you want to put on the roof rack/pod on the floor of the garage/shed, then measure the surface area you need. That way you have a much better idea of if it will all fit in.

We have also supplemented our roof basked with a Rhino bag which holds the chairs, table etc and that saves tieing them down.

One option I have seen used is a long narrow basket and a pod which seems a practical option

Regards

RobA

G'day Paul

I have a full length basket, so can only comment on them. I only use it to capacity on rare occasions, but it has proven to be very handy, Those 'pods' in my opinion are very limited in their practicality. But are probably better with fuel consumption and security of your load. Mate as always I guess it comes down to what does the job best for YOU. I chose the basket as it gives more options, but thats what I need.

Cheers Stefan

The pods are great and I wouldn't swap for a basket BUT they are a plastic moulding and will not take the punishment a basket would. I use mine for lots of small light things plus sleeping bags pillows etc. You may have problems with a tent or other heavy objects causing damage to the pod base.

Mike Harding

I'm another one who has used a roof basket on 3 commercial Rhinos on two vehicles.

The original brackets to anchor the basket to the roof rack were hopeless so I replaced them with U Bolts and lock nuts.

This setup has done the OTL, Tanami and Plenty/Donahue without any issues.

I have both a roof pod & a steel mesh basket with roof bag.

If I had to settle for one only, I would choose the basket & bag as it is far more versatile & as mentioned able to carry firewood.
It can also carry swags, which I doubt if many pods would be able to do.

Paul,

i have both -
i use the basket (without bag) when i have an oversize load - ie swags etc.
i use the pod when its all sleeping gear and clothes i want to keep dry or secure.

have fun

I'd go the bag and basket.

When we looked around we were warned by a couple of places that sell both about the PODS strength. (This included the one marketted as being the strongest)

They both have seen them crack and fracture with use on corrugations etc. They swear by them for interstate travel and similar on normal road vehicles travelling on bitumen roads.

One commented on seeing several the owners had ended up modifying and putting a flase ply floor in which seemed to make them last longer but eventually they suffer the same fate.

As others have said this setup is so versatile and the rack bags keep everything well protected. The downside is the lack of security in comparison to a pod. (Someone needs to come up with a strong, lightweight steel mesh cable net you can lock over. (Or perhaps hinge a second basket upside down on top and padlock it!)

Can only comment on a pod .We use it for all the bedding,cloths, shoes,towels the pod can be opened from both side's by one turn of the key.
Easy to lift on and off.
No water or dust leaks great bit of gear.
I have never put anything heavy in it I am sure it wouldn't handle anything heavy it would crack.

Greys on line auctions currently have 100 new roof pods for auction with no reserve might be the place to buy