Is a Roof Pad Recommended for a Roof Mounted Cargo Bag on a Toyota Sequoia

Question:

We have a Toyota sequoia with rails and crossbars, would you recommend getting the roof pad with this product. We do not want our roof scratched. How much drag with this carrier create. Or should we go with the one behind the vehicle. Sorry first time buying one of these.

asked by: Angie

Helpful Expert Reply:

If you are interested in a roof mounted cargo bag, I would always recommend a roof pad like the Rightline Non-Skid Roof Protection Pad, # RL100650. If the bag will be sitting on the roof, sliding will be a potential issue. You can also limit sliding by securing the bag to the rails and the crossbars, but I would still recommend using the non-skit pad.

The main advantage to using a hitch mounted cargo carrier over a roof mounted cargo carrier is the weight capacity. A hitch mounted cargo carrier will almost always have a higher weight capacity than a roof mounted carrier. Most vehicle roofs were not designed to support weight sitting directly on top of the roof and typically cannot handle more than 50 lbs. Your roof rack likely has a higher weight capacity, but that would only come into affect if the load were sitting only on the crossbars and not contacting the roof itself. Before loading any cargo on your roof or roof rack, I strongly recommend checking your owners manual or your local Toyota Dealer to verify the weight capacities.

If you decide you would rather have a hitch mounted cargo carrier, we have several options. I recommend looking at the etrailer Cargo Carrier, # e99874. This is one of the most popular hitch mount cargo carriers among our Toyota Sequoia customers. A hitch mounted cargo carrier will require your vehicle to have a trailer hitch with a 2 inch receiver. If your Sequoia does not have a trailer hitch, send me the year of your Sequoia and I would be happy to recommend a trailer hitch for you.

expert reply by: John H