Cargo Carrier Types and Sizes, Explained
A cargo carrier rides on the roof or in the hitch receiver; roof boxes run from about 10 to over 20 cubic feet, and the lowest weight rating sets the limit.
By Damien VolkmanContributing writer.
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The short answer
A cargo carrier adds packing space outside the car. It mounts either on a roof rack or in a trailer hitch receiver, and it comes in three main forms:
| Type | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Hard-shell box | A rigid box with a lid | Luggage; long boxes also take skis |
| Soft-shell bag | A fabric bag that straps on | Light loads, folds away when empty |
| Cargo basket | An open tray or rack | Bulky or dirty gear, strapped down |
Boxes and bags are made for the roof, and some boxes and baskets are built for the hitch.
Hitch cargo carrier vs roof box
ReRack, a rack retailer, compares the two in its guide:
| Roof box | Hitch box | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical size | About 10 to over 20 cu ft | About 9 to 14 cu ft |
| Typical rating | About 100 to 165 lbs. | Around 100 lbs. |
| Loading | Lift gear above the roof | Waist height, easy to reach |
| Wind noise and mileage | Expect some loss | Usually less effect |
| Watch out for | Garage height, rear hatch clearance | Parking length, backup camera, hatch opening |
Long, narrow roof boxes can carry skis and leave room for a bike rack beside them. Hitch boxes are boxier, which suits suitcases and duffels but not skis. A hitch carrier also needs a hitch, and a roof box needs crossbars, so count those in the cost if your car has neither.
What size roof cargo box do I need
ReRack puts the smallest roof boxes at about 10 cubic feet, which fit most vehicles, and the largest at over 20 cubic feet, which suit large vehicles best. A few checks help you pick:
- Measure your gear, not just the volume. Skis and poles need length; suitcases need height.
- Check hatch clearance. A long box can stop the rear hatch from opening all the way. Thule and Yakima publish clearance figures for their boxes.
- Check total height if you park in a garage.
On Wiki Shopping, the cargo carrier sizes with their own listing pages are 15, 20 and 21 cubic feet.
Cargo carrier weight limit
Three ratings apply, and the lowest one wins:
- The carrier's own rating, printed by its maker.
- The roof rack's rating, which ReRack notes can be lower than the box's. Your owner's manual lists the roof load limit too.
- The hitch's tongue weight rating for a hitch carrier. The loaded carrier and its mount press down on the receiver much like a trailer tongue. CURT lists a Class 1 hitch at up to 200 lbs. of tongue weight and a Class 2 at up to 350 lbs.
Subtract the weight of the carrier itself (and the platform or rack holding it) from that limit to see how much gear you can pack. Our guide to trailer hitch classes lists every class rating.
Cargo carriers on Wiki Shopping
Of the 67 cargo carriers listed on Wiki Shopping on October 26, 2026, 42 are soft-shell carriers, 16 are cargo baskets and 7 are hard-shell carriers. Browse more in automotive parts and accessories.
How we count
Each carrier is grouped by the type its store listing states, from a read-only count of our listing pages on October 26, 2026. The other two state no type or a less common one. The counts change as listings come and go.