I'm going to take a really long road trip and we'll need more room for cargo, some of which will need to stay dry. I want to get a plastic or fiberglass car-top carrier to put stuff in.

I want one that is aerodynamic though, I know it's going to make me get worse MPG but a more aerodynamic one should help reduce this effect.

So far most of the cool ones I like are just way too long, they would stick way out over the windshield which I wouldn't like. I also want it to be somewhat low profile.

So far this is the best one I have found for my liking, the X-cargo X-treme which Sears has in stock:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...FROOGLE01&sid=IDx20070921x00003a

Any other ideas? Anybody else used a cartop carrier on their Sportage?

I also worry that this wouldn't work too well because I think the rack is only rated for something like 75 pounds right? There is a sticker on the rack, I forget what it says. It might be pointless to have a carrier if it can't carry much stuff at all.

I know what you're gonna say... get a roof basket instead lol... but then how do I carry stuff and keep it dry? There are soft cartop carriers you could throw in a basket but I don't think they are waterproof. Also for some reason I just don't like baskets.

my rack says 100lbs max even weighted, if you are taking alot of cloths you could get some of those vacuum type bags and suck the air out. how much stuff are you taking and how many people ?

I am sure if you put 100lbs up top you will feel the difference in driving. if only 2 are going I would remove the rear seats and load it up with tote bins.

You know what? that is a GREAT idea. It might just be me and my Dad.

If more than 2 people come we will need the seats but if it's just the 2 of us I will definitely use your idea.

It will either be 2 of us or possibly 3 but whichever case, what we were thinking of putting up top would be sleeping bags, waders, and other cloth items, basically whatever the lightest stuff we had but that takes up space.

i just came back from a 2000km round trip and had a roof basket i had my tent and table and chair set i found the best thing for my fuel economy was driving a bit slower the speed limit was 100km/h but i was doing 85-90 and got nearly 600kms to a tank fully loaded with a/c on.

That is the same as the Thule carrier, but private labeled for Sears. Nice carrier! I've used one that is a little more bubble shapped that fits right between the cross bars and loved it. It'll hold a lot of stuff, but this one from Thule limits you on how high you can stack it. Good thing because it keeps things low and has less drag.

$300.00 is a good price because if I remember right, the Thule is closer to $500.

Logansportage <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

I've had my back seat out for a long time(4 bolts)+ a roof rack,,with the seat out I get about twice the space and a waterproof cargo bag up top that straps to the rack I can bring alot of stuf <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

Well right now it's looking like there will probably just be 2 of us on this road trip so I think we will just remove the rear seat and save the $300 for other things!

I think with the rear seat out we will have PLENTY of room for our gear!

Just an FYI, the rear seat folds down and then forward. I knew it folded down for like 4 years after purchasing the Sportage new, but never noticed that it folded forward until I had it folded down for some reason and one of my children were playing in the back and lifted it up. I was floored! Apparently that is what the little black ropes are for. To help you pull up the seat.

This way you can still have the rear seats in if you need to take people anywhere when you get to your destination.

Logansportage <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the tip, we might do that! Gotta see how much stuff we are taking and decide...