I HAVE PURCHASED A SEARS CAR TOP CARRIER, 4' LONG X 3' WIDE X 18" HIGH. THE VAN LOOKS LIKE A 747 WITH THE SHUTTLE ON TOP .NOW. I NEED SOME HELP FROM MY COUSINS.
1. WHERE SHOULD THE CARRIER BE PLACED ON THE ROOF? I HAVE PROJECTED THE AIR STREAM PATH OVER THE TOP OF THE VAN AND IT SUGGESTS AS FAR BACK AS IT CAN BE MOUNTED. COMMENTS
2. SHOULD THE CONTENTS OF THE CARRIER BE STORED IN "GARBAGE BAGS" TO PREVENT WATER DAMAGE?
3. THE MOUNTING, PACKING, AND UNPACKING WOULD BE EASIER IF I KEEP THE CARRIER TO ONE SIDE OF THE VAN'S ROOF ABOUT 4" . WILL THIS EFFECT THE HANDLING OF THE VAN, HOW SO?
4. ANY IDEA OF THE GAS MILAGE CHANGE?
WE HAVEN'T TRIED TOM'S DONUT BRIBE TRICK YET TO GET DEBRA TO RIDE UP THERE BUT WE ARE THINKING ABOUT IT.
2 comments:
I suggest you consult an engineer if you can find one. Do not take the advice of a chemist.
1. The center will give the best balance. If you get it too far back you won't be able to access it so easily using the running boards. Do you have a roof rack for it?
2. Yes, I would definately wrap things in plastic, just in case.
3. Balance would seem to be in order, perhaps not for vehicle handling but for carrier stability. I expect the roof is not totally flat. If you move it to one side, the center may be easier but the far side would be harder.
4. I would expect a 10 - 20% drop in fuel mileage. That is purely a guess. I know mine dropped, but I don't know by how much.
5. Be sure it is well tied down. We lost a sleeping bag from the top once. Also, we lost suitcases another time. Be careful.
Bob
I have used two different types of car top carriers. Here are my thoughts on your questions:
1 - The carrier should be centered between the left and right sides of the roof. Because the weight will raise the center of gravity of your vehicle, you want that to be as equal left to right as possible. If you have trouble putting items in it, pack a small plastic footstool that raises you up a bit.
2 - As long as the seal of the carrier is good, you shouldn't get much water in the carrier. If some does come in, it will trickle down the sides, not spray over the contents. When I have packed a car top, I put items like camp chairs on the bottom because a little water won't be a problem for them.
3 - Gas mileage impact will noticable, and of course the faster you drive, the greater it will be.
4 - If you have a roof rack on your van, route an aircraft strap with a ratcheting device along the centerline of the vehicle and around both cross bars. Also, if you have runners along the top of the roof, set the carrier on the top between the crossbars.
If you don't have a roof rack, my candid recommendation would be to take the Sears carrier back. Get Thule cross bars and one of their aerodynamic carriers. MUCH better than the big, square Sears model.
My parents put a Sears cartop on a LeSabre without any roof rack on a trip to Colorado. The two straps from the carrier that attached to the roof rack were insufficient to prevent the wind from lifting the rack. The result was a bouncing carrier pounding on the roof. The carrier never returned from Colorado! So make sure it is very secure.
My 2 cents.
Craig Walker
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