How to Maximize Cargo Carrying Capacity on 2010 Toyota Corolla

Question:

Ive got a 2010 Toyota Corolla. It looks like this will easily attach to my Yakima rack... Does it matter if the cargo box hovers above my trunk and hood or would I be better off getting one that fits the length of my roof? I prefer to have as much cargo space as humanly possible so Im curious if this will work for me. I plan on using it about once a every couple of months for camping trips with my wife and two little kids. Any advice would be appreciated. Does Size Matter?

asked by: A. B

Expert Reply:

It is okay if a rooftop cargo box overhangs the windshield slightly (it gives you some relief from sun glare) and it is also okay if it extends far to the rear as long as you don't mind the possibility of the box rear edge interfering with full opening of the trunk.

What will matter is that the weight of very large cargo boxes such as the 21-cubic-foot Yakima Skybox 21 # Y07337 is substantial: 62-lbs empty. Your Yakima roof rack is another 15-lbs or so. You're now pushing close to 80-lbs before you load any of your cargo! Most smaller passenger vehicles like the 2010 Corolla will have a total roof weight limit of around 110-lbs. Your owner's manual should provide this figure.

The best way to transport a lot of items and cargo weight on your Corolla is to install a hitch # 24913 and a hitch-mount cargo carrier # C18110 for the larger and heavier items like a cooler and tent and use a smaller rooftop cargo box such as the SkyBox NV16 # Y95AV or the RocketBox Pro 14 # Y07192 for the lighter items. Since these boxes weigh less, 47-lbs and 38-lbs respectively, they will leave more of the car's roof capacity for your actual cargo.