Should I Put a Yakima on the Roof?

Mid — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 09:40:36 -0800

I'm thinking about buying a big Yakima or Thule roof cargo box. I'd appreciate your advice/tips on whether this would be a good idea and whether you found either brand to be better. We have a VW Passat station wagon. Baby on the way; dog goes in the back. We're going to need more room, especially for long trips, but we really really don't want to buy a bigger car. A cargo thingamajig on the roof seems like the way to go, but I have no experience with them and don't know anyone who has one. Here are my key questions:

--Yakima or Thule? I'm leaning Yakima, but that's really just because their website is a lot better.

--Is it easy to pop on and off, or do you just have to leave it up there all the time? I understand there is a big gas milage hit, so I'd like to pop it off when I am not using it, but don't know if that is feasible.

--Will it whistle and make all kinds of noise up there?

--Will it block the sunroof?

Thanks for your advice.

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Should I Put a Yakima on the Roof?