Car Roof Boxes and Rooftop Cargo Carriers

Glampabouting works because the whole comfort system fits in a normal vehicle, whether you're skipping the RV, skipping furnished glampsites, or upgrading the tent camping you already do. A roof box gives the bulky, lightweight gear its own space above the vehicle, so people, food, electronics, and daily-use gear stay reachable inside.

This guide comes from the team behind Walkabout Travel Gear, an international travel gear company since 1995. Read more about us →

Our Setup

We use a JEGS 18 cu ft hard-shell roof box on ERKUL crossbars.

Light Gear Up Top

Bedding, chairs, rugs, and tarps ride in the box. Heavy gear stays low inside the vehicle.

Crossbars First

A roof box mounts on front and rear crossbars across the vehicle roof.

Know Your Height

Measure the loaded vehicle before garages, ferries, and drive-throughs.

Glampabout Roof Box Picks

JEGS 18 cubic foot hard-shell rooftop cargo carrier

JEGS 18 Cu Ft Rooftop Cargo Carrier

The roof box we use for bulky gear that takes up too much room inside the car.

View the JEGS Roof Box on Amazon →

ERKUL Roof Rack Cross Bars

The crossbars we use to support the roof box across the vehicle roof.

View the ERKUL Crossbars on Amazon →

What Goes Up Top and What Stays in the Car

Good Roof Box Gear

Tents and tarps
Bedding, sleeping bags, blankets, and pillows
Camp rugs, towels, and privacy shelters
Folding chairs, small tables, and shade gear

Keep These Inside

Power stations, batteries, water, and loaded coolers
Fuel, loose tools, sharp gear, and leaking containers
Phones, cameras, tablets, and fragile electronics
Medication, food, chargers, jackets, and daily-use items

Before You Drive

Crossbars: A roof box needs front and rear crossbars across the vehicle roof.
Weight: Stay within the vehicle, rack, crossbar, and roof-box limits.
Height: Measure the loaded vehicle before garages, ferries, drive-throughs, and low branches.
Mounts: Tighten the box before you leave and check it again at your first stop.

Heavy gear belongs low inside the vehicle. Save the roof box for light, bulky gear.