So, I'm deciding the best way to stow gear for an upcoming vacation. We have two large dogs who command the entire folded-down interior of the FJ. I'll probably be adding the M-PAC unit to my rear door for some internal storage capacity. For external, I'll have 3-4 surfboards on my Thule racks and my duffel bag stowed comfortably underneath them using my factory rack.
HOWEVER, if I want to bring anything extra (coolers, wife's clothes, food, extra gear, etc.) I've been tossing around a couple of ideas. Like to get some opinions on the following:
1) Renting a U-Haul trailer (sport trailer or 4'x8') - any existing towing issues I should know about?
2) Buying a swingaway cargo shelf or box - anybody have or use one of these? Worth the money?
3) Not bringing my wife's clothes! (...kidding!...)
Thanks in advance for throwing some advice to a newbie!
Hmmm, looks like you are out of options on space in your current configuration.
You have four choices...
1. Leave wife at home...
2. Leave dogs at home and use space for luggage.
3. Leave surf boards at home and add an additional rack to hold luggage, etc.
4. Get a trailer!
cheers,
dale
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To be continued...
Have a feeling I'll be renting a trailer for this year's journey. Everything that I'm bringing is mandatory. Wife, dogs, and boards are non-negotiable passengers! Thanks for the advice and for the board welcome. This forum is an incredible resource!
So, in doing some additional research about hitch-mounted cargo storage bins/racks, I've come across some horror stories about the exhaust heating and melting the stowed gear and luggage. Anyone else ever experience this problem? Would directional exhaust tips solve this potential problem?
The two cargo solutions that I'm looking at right now are listed below. Anyone have experience with either of these, and if so/not which hitch-mounted solutions might you suggest? Thanks.
I think that with the amount of gear you plan to take a small trailer would be a good idea. I am not sure how long you plan to have the trailer but I would check the rental price against buying a small trailer. The prices may surprise you.
I think that with the amount of gear you plan to take a small trailer would be a good idea. I am not sure how long you plan to have the trailer but I would check the rental price against buying a small trailer. The prices may surprise you.
Thanks - I'll check into it. This might, ultimately, be the best solution.
One thing about a rental trailer you may or may not have to consider is that youre only allowed on commerical highways and freeways.
How will you be carrying four boards on the roof? Two side by side and stacked? How much weight do you think the fiberglass can hold? I ask this because for our most recent roadtrip I had purchased a roof mounted waterproof pack that we tossed a duffel filled with clothes and misc soft items into. Perhaps you can mount this ontop of the boards?
i have the thule bag above. It works well with the factory rack though i would like a more sturdy solution though like an aftermarket rack and hard cases.
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