14 Nov

Our Hands-On Review of the SportRack Vista XL Cargo Box

November 14, 2025
By Drivecraft
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Our Hands-On Review of the SportRack Vista XL Cargo Box

After three weeks of testing the SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box on various road trips, we’re ready to share our findings. This black cargo carrier impressed us with its rear-opening design, which proved incredibly convenient when parked in tight spaces. We found the 18 cubic feet of storage capacity more than adequate for our camping gear and luggage for a family of four.

The ABS construction feels sturdy and weatherproof – our contents remained completely dry despite driving through some heavy rainfall. Installation was straightforward, taking us about 20 minutes to secure it to our crossbars.

While not the most aerodynamic box on the market, we didn’t notice significant noise or fuel economy impacts during highway driving. The locking mechanism worked smoothly and provided peace of mind when leaving our vehicle in public areas.

04 Nov

Exterior Accessories

Our Review: Nilight Jeep Roof Rack – Adventure Ready & Secure

November 4, 2025
By Drivecraft
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Our Review: Nilight Jeep Roof Rack – Adventure Ready & Secure

We recently tested the Nilight Roof Rack Cross Bars designed for Jeep Wranglers, and we’re impressed with their sturdy aluminum construction. These rails fit perfectly on our 2018 JL, providing the extra cargo capacity we needed for our weekend adventures. The anti-theft lock system gives us peace of mind when parked in public areas, and installation took us under 30 minutes without any special tools.

What we particularly appreciate is the versatility – whether we’re mounting our cargo box, kayaks, or rooftop tent, these crossbars handle the weight with no flexing or noise issues. The aerodynamic design keeps wind noise minimal even at highway speeds, which was a pleasant surprise. Compatible with all Wrangler models from 2007-2024, these racks offer excellent value for Jeep owners looking to expand their storage options without compromising vehicle aesthetics.

23 Oct

Exterior Accessories

We Tested the iBirdie XXL Rooftop Cargo Carrier: Here’s What We Discovered

October 23, 2025
By premieracmech@gmail.com
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We Tested the iBirdie XXL Rooftop Cargo Carrier: Here’s What We Discovered

After three weeks of testing the iBirdie Roof Rack Cargo Carrier on various road trips, we’re impressed with its massive 32.1 cubic feet capacity. This soft-shell carrier easily accommodated luggage for our family of five, with room to spare for camping gear.

The 1200D fabric proved genuinely waterproof during an unexpected thunderstorm, keeping our belongings completely dry. We appreciated the included anti-slip mat which prevented shifting, even on winding mountain roads.

Installation was straightforward on both our SUV with roof rails and sedan without dedicated racks, thanks to the versatile door hook system. The 60x37x25 inch dimensions provided ample space without excessively impacting fuel economy.

Our only minor complaint was some wind noise at highway speeds, though that’s expected with any rooftop carrier. Overall, the iBirdie offers exceptional storage capacity and weather protection at a competitive price point.

22 Sep

Exterior Accessories

Our Road Test: FIVKLEMNZ 30 Cubic Car Rooftop Cargo Bag

September 22, 2025
By premieracmech@gmail.com
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Our Road Test: FIVKLEMNZ 30 Cubic Car Rooftop Cargo Bag

We recently took the FIVKLEMNZ 30 Cubic Rooftop Cargo Carrier on a weekend getaway to put it through its paces. Right off the bat, we were impressed with the complete package: anti-slip mat, reinforced straps, six door hooks, and even a luggage lock for security. Installation was straightforward, taking us less than 15 minutes from unboxing to secured on our vehicle.

During our 200-mile journey, which included some heavy rainfall, the bag proved genuinely waterproof-our belongings arrived completely dry. What really stood out was its versatility; we tested it on both our SUV with roof rails and a sedan without any rack, and it performed equally well on both vehicles.

The 30 cubic feet capacity swallowed all our camping gear with room to spare. If you’re looking for extra storage without the permanence of a hard cargo box, this FIVKLEMNZ carrier delivers.

07 Sep

Exterior Accessories

We Tested the VENTURE 4TH Rooftop Cargo Carrier

September 7, 2025
By Drivecraft
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We Tested the VENTURE 4TH Rooftop Cargo Carrier

During our recent road trip across three states, we put the VENTURE 4TH Rooftop Cargo Carrier through its paces. The 21 cubic feet of storage space was impressive, easily accommodating our camping gear, suitcases, and hiking equipment. We appreciated the waterproof material, which kept our belongings dry through an unexpected thunderstorm in Colorado.

Installation was straightforward – we had it secured to our SUV in under 15 minutes. The versatile design worked perfectly with our vehicle’s existing roof rack, though we noted it can be used without one too. The tie-down and compression straps provided excellent security, with no shifting even on winding mountain roads.

What particularly stood out was how the bag maintained its shape when fully loaded, without the sagging we’ve experienced with other carriers. Overall, this cargo carrier proved to be a reliable travel companion.

10 Aug

Exterior Accessories

Expanding Horizons: Our Review of DNA MOTORING’s Robust Rooftop Cargo Box

August 10, 2025
By Drivecraft
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Expanding Horizons: Our Review of DNA MOTORING’s Robust Rooftop Cargo Box

We recently took the DNA MOTORING PT-ZTL-8293-BK rooftop cargo carrier on a cross-country adventure, and it certainly lived up to its “Heavy Duty” designation. With an impressive 12.7 cubic feet (360L) of storage capacity, we were able to pack all our extra gear without cramping our SUV’s interior space. The sleek black design complemented our vehicle nicely, while the secure lock system with included keys gave us peace of mind during overnight stops. We particularly appreciated the aerodynamic profile, which didn’t significantly impact our fuel economy or create excessive wind noise at highway speeds. Installation was straightforward, taking us about 20 minutes with two people. For families or adventure enthusiasts needing additional storage space, this rooftop box offers excellent value without compromising on durability or security.

09 Aug

Exterior Accessories

Our Road Test: Sailnovo’s Massive 21 Cubic Feet Cargo Carrier

August 9, 2025
By Drivecraft
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Our Road Test: Sailnovo’s Massive 21 Cubic Feet Cargo Carrier

We recently put the Sailnovo Car Rooftop Cargo Carrier through its paces during a weekend camping trip, and we were genuinely impressed with its performance. The 21 cubic feet of storage space swallowed up all our gear with room to spare, while the 1000D PVC material kept everything bone-dry despite encountering some serious rainfall.

What we appreciated most was the thoughtful design. The anti-slip mat prevented any shifting, even on winding mountain roads, and the included combination lock gave us peace of mind when leaving the vehicle at rest stops. Installation was straightforward using the door hooks for our sedan (no roof rack needed!), though we found the tie-down straps provided extra security when loaded heavily.

For families or adventure enthusiasts needing serious storage capacity, we found the Sailnovo strikes an excellent balance of practicality and value.

26 Jul

Exterior Accessories

We Tested Leader’s 150LB Capacity Roof Cargo Basket

July 26, 2025
By Drivecraft
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We Tested Leader’s 150LB Capacity Roof Cargo Basket

After several road trips with the Leader Accessories Roof Rack Cargo Basket, we’re impressed with its practical design and durability. The 64″x 39″x 4″ dimensions provided ample space for our camping gear and luggage, while the 150-pound capacity handled everything we threw at it without any issues.

Installation was straightforward on our SUV, taking about 30 minutes with basic tools. The basket’s aerodynamic profile minimized wind noise and didn’t noticeably impact fuel efficiency on our highway drives.

We particularly appreciated the powder-coated steel construction, which stood up to heavy rain and direct sunlight without showing signs of rust or fading. The raised side rails kept our cargo secure, even on winding mountain roads.

For anyone needing extra storage space without compromising vehicle performance, this Leader Accessories cargo basket offers excellent value for its price point.

18 Jul

Exterior Accessories

We Tested the Ultimate Chevy Equinox Roof Rack System

July 18, 2025
By Drivecraft
2 comments

We Tested the Ultimate Chevy Equinox Roof Rack System

During our month-long testing of these roof rack cross bars for the 2018-2019 Chevy Equinox, we were consistently impressed by their performance and versatility. The aluminum construction strikes an ideal balance between durability and weight, while easily handling the advertised 300-pound capacity when we loaded it with bikes, camping gear, and even a kayak.

Installation took us about 35 minutes, with the adjustable design accommodating various load widths. We particularly appreciated the anti-theft locking mechanism that gave us peace of mind when parked in public areas.

The aerodynamic profile kept wind noise minimal even at highway speeds, and we noticed only a slight decrease in fuel efficiency. Our only minor critique would be that the included instructions could be clearer, but once installed, these cross bars proved to be an exceptional addition to our Equinox’s cargo capabilities.

07 Jul

Exterior Accessories

Our Review: Jeep’s Silent Rooftop Cargo Solution

July 7, 2025
By Drivecraft
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Our Review: Jeep’s Silent Rooftop Cargo Solution

We recently tested the aluminum roof rack cross bars designed for 2007-2024 Jeep Wrangler JK JL and Gladiator JT models with 4-door hard tops. Our first impression? The installation process couldn’t be simpler – we had it mounted in under 30 minutes without any drilling or modifications.

What truly impressed us was the noise level during our test drive. Unlike other roof racks we’ve tried, these cross bars created minimal wind noise even at highway speeds. The aluminum construction strikes a perfect balance between durability and weight, supporting our kayaks and cargo boxes without any concerns.

We appreciated the sleek design that complements the Jeep’s rugged aesthetic while providing practical functionality. Whether we were loading up for weekend adventures or daily commutes with extra gear, these cross bars delivered reliable performance without the annoying whistling that plagues many aftermarket racks.