Best Products to Maximize Your Vehicle Storage Space and Lifespan

Whether you've got a family camping trip planned this summer or you're looking to hit the slopes with friends this winder, the issue of vehicle storage always comes up. There are too many people and gear, not enough space. Especially if you own a small vehicle. In this article, I will walk you through the details of the types of storage expansion options we carry, and what you can expect from each.

• Cargo Boxes
• Cargo Baskets
• Cargo Bags
• Ski & Snowboard Mounts

Cargo Boxes

Cargo boxes come in various sizes and styles for any vehicle. These boxes are durable, secure and install on an existing roof rack system to let you store your cargo safely on the top of your vehicle. 

The Yakima SkyBox 18 Carbonite Cargo Box secures to the top of your vehicle to provide 18 cubic feet of additional storage. This box is ideal for hauling cargo for up to 4 people and it is great for snowboards and skis up to 215 cm in length. Its sleek aerodynamic design reduces drag to make your ride smooth, and most importantly, it frees up room inside your vehicle to make your adventures more comfortable.

Yakima boxes come in various sizes and styles. Here are some available options to choose from.

• Yakima RocketBox Pro 11 Cargo Box 
• Great for hauling cargo for up to two campers
• Great for snowboards and skis up to 210 cm
• SKS Lock Cores ensure your cargo is secure
• Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 Cargo Box
• Perfect for hauling cargo for up to three campers
• Dual-side opening for easy access
• Forward mounting improves hatch clearance
• Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite Cargo Box
• Provides up to 16 cubic feet of storage space
• Perfect for hauling gear for up to three campers
• Great for snowboards and skis up to 180 cm
• Yakima SkyBox 18 Carbonite Cargo Box
• Perfect for hauling cargo for up to four campers
• Great for snowboards and skis up to 215 cm
• Provides up to 18 cubic feet of storage
• Yakima SkyBox Pro 21 Carbonite Cargo Box
• Perfect for hauling gear for up to five campers
• Great for snowboards and skis up to 125 cm
• Side opening for easy access on either side of your vehicle

Cargo Baskets

Cargo baskets, such as the Yakima Loadwarrior, can help secure and transport items on that you can't fit in your vehicle. The open air platform provides extra cargo space on the top of your car to secure larger items, and there are a wide range of products that can be added to help further secure the cargo.. 

Cargo Nets, like the Thule Stretch Cargo Net can be used to cover and secure your cargo inside a cargo basket. Most cargo nets are made of a mesh that stretches and conforms to your load.

There are various sizes and styles of cargo baskets to choose from, depending on personal preference and need. Here is a list of a few we carry.

• Thule Canyon Cargo Basket
• Tapered side walls make loading and unloading easy
• Wind fairing shape increases aerodynamics and reduces drag
• Built for style 
• Thule Trail Large Cargo Basket
• Flat cargo area for easy loading and unloading
• Integrated front and rear t-track channels for mounting additional rack accessories such as lights
• Upper load surface is covered with rubber to provide extra grip for longer loads
• Thule Trail Medium Cargo Basket
• Flat cargo area for easy loading and unloading
• Integrated front and rear t-track channels for mounting additional rack accessories such as lights
• Eight adjustable tie-down loops included for securing loads
• Yakima LoadWarrior Cargo Basket
• Adds cargo space to the top of your vehicle
• Open air platform allows easy access to tie-down materials
• Accessory bars act as crossbars form gear specific racks and provides added security
• Yakima MegaWarrior Cargo Basket
• Larger version of the LoadWarrior
• Accommodates most Yakima gear and mounts
• Best for larger trucks and SUVs 

Cargo Bags

Cargo bags are durable and water-resistant to provide additional cargo space on top of your vehicle. These products provide a great deal of space when needed and can be easily folded and stored. Here is a list of cargo bags we carry.

• Thule Interstate Cargo Bag
• Provides up to 16 cubic feet of additional storage
• Twin compression straps ensure cargo is safely secured
• IP-X3 test certified for water resistance
• Thule Outbound Cargo Bag
• Provides up to 13 cubic feet of cargo space
• Twin compression straps ensure cargo is safely secured
• IP-X2 test certified for water resistance

 Ski & Snowboard Mounts

For anyone planning on hitting the slopes this winter, a proper ski or snowboard mount is ideal, and it's always good to think ahead. There are various styles and sizes that are designed to protect and secure your skis, boards and vehicle during transportation. Check out the wide range of high quality ski and snowboard carriers we stock and start planning for the future.

• Thule Snowcat Ski & Snowboard Mount
• Telescoping arms change to the width of your vehicle for a perfect fit
• Rubber coated arms protect skis and boards from being scratched
• Fits up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards
• Thule Tram Ski & Snowboard Carrier
• Transforms an existing bike carrier into a winter ski and snowboard carrier for your vehicle
• Hold skis and snowboards securely with rubber padded arms
• Locks skis and snowboards into carrier with 2 Thule One-Key lock cylinders
• Thule Universal Flat Top Ski & Snowboard Mount
• Ultra-soft rubber arms hold skis and snowboards securely
• Holds up to 4 pairs of fat skis or 2 snowboards
• Oversized push button for easy access, even with gloves
• Thule Universal Pull Top Ski & Snowboard Mount
• Skis and boards slide from top of roof to side with telescoping arms
• Ultra-soft rubber arms grip and secure skis without scratching surfaces
• Fits up to 6 pairs of fat skis or 4 snowboards
• Thule Universal Snowboard Carrier
• Safely and securely transport up to 2 snowboards
• Angled design prevents binding and vehicle contact
• Lock arms grip and secure boards without scratching surface
• Yakima Big PowderHound Ski & Snowboard Mount
• Holds up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards
• One-button access for easy loading and unloading, even with gloves
• SKS LOCK CORES included for full security
• Yakima FatCat 4 Ski & Snowboard Mount
• Holds up to 4 pairs of skis or 2 snowboards
• DoubleJoint hinge system lets you mount modern fat skis and boards
• Includes SKS LOCK CORES for full security
• Yakima FatCat 6 Ski & Snowboard Mount
• Holds up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards
• DoubleJoint hinge system lets you mount modern fat skis and boards
• Includes SKS LOCK CORES for full security
• Yakima HitchSki Ski & Snowboard Hitch Rack
• Converts hitch rack into ski carrier
• Upper arms adjust to 2 positions and lower arms are adjustable to accommodate various ski and board sizes
• Caries up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards
• Yakima PowderHound Ski & Snowboard Mount
• Holds up to 4 pairs of skis or 2 snowboards
• SKS LOCK CORES included for full security
• One-button access makes loading and unloading easy, even with gloves

If these options aren't quite cutting it for what you need, or you want to explore other options, check out our article, Choosing the Right Roof Rack System, for another method of cargo transport.

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 1-403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca

Carry a Little More With Thule and Yakima

It doesn't matter what type of adventure seeker you are, Auto Truck Depot has everything you need to make the most out of your journey. Whether you are looking to head out to the mountains to ski or snowboard, go on an epic mountain bike ride, escape city life to go camping, or are just wanting to head out of town to escape your daily routine, we are here to help.

Cargo Boxes are one of the most convenient storage solutions for any type of vehicle. These boxes simply attach to an existing roof rack to provide additional cargo space on top of your vehicle. There are various styles, shapes and sizes, so you can find exactly what you need.

 

The Yakima RocketBox and SkyBox series are a great choice for anyone looking to expand the cargo space of their vehicle. The SkyBox 16 is one of our top-selling cargo boxes and provides enough cargo space for up to 3 people. It has a sleek, aerodynamic design to reduce wind drag, it is completely secure, durable, and it opens from both sides for even more convenience. If this isn't enough space, the SkyBox 21 provides up to 21 cubit feet of storage space. The SkyBox 21 is perfect for large family adventures with enough space to hold everyone's belongings.

Take a look at our large selection of Cargo Boxes to find one that's perfect for you!

If you plan on going out on an epic ski or snowboard adventure, you might want look at a ski or snowboard mount. The Thule SnowPack 4 easily holds up to 4 pairs of skis or 2 snowboards on top of your vehicle, and the new smart vertical spring system adjusts for various ski thickness. The SnowPack 4 is completely secure, with a one-lock key system, and if you need space for more boards, the SnowPack 6 holds up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards. There are also various ski and snowboard hitch racks available if you are unable to utilize the cargo space on top of your vehicle, such as the Thule Tram Ski & Snowboard Carrier, which connects to a 2" receiver hitch.

If biking is your thrill, we have a large selection of bike racks and mounts that are just for you! It doesn't matter if you drive a small car, van, SUV or even an RV--there are numerous options to suite your very specific need. 

The Swagman Trailhead 2 - 2 Bike Two Arm Rack transports up to 2 bikes and includes new anti-sway cradles to prevent bike-to-bike contact. The arms easily fold away and the rack folds down to allow access to the rear of your vehicle and save space. This rack easily attaches to any existing 2" hitch receiver, and if a two bike rack isn't enough, take a look at the Trailhead 4, which can carry up to 4 bikes! Check out this short video for more details about the Trailhead 4.

Check out our selection of bike racks and mounts to find one that's perfect for you!

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 1-403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca

Utilizing Your Small Vehicle for Big Adventures

Having a small vehicle doesn’t mean you can’t prepare it for big adventures. There are many ways to utilize and enhance your vehicle’s cargo space. Whether you are operating a hitch or taking advantage of your roof space, the Auto Truck Depot has many options to help you out.

One of the primary methods used to gain more space in a small vehicle is with a roof rack, like the Thule Traverse. A roof rack usually consists of two crossbars that run across the top of the car. The crossbars are held in place by feet, which are connected to each corner of the roof, usually in the door’s frames. The crossbars sit a few inches above the vehicle and provide space for objects to be placed without scratching or damaging its surface. Large objects such as boats or ladders can be placed across the roof, and the crossbars provide an anchoring point for objects to be strapped down to.

 

There are many accessories available to enhance the storage capabilities of your roof rack even further, such as the Yakima Loadwarrior. The loadwarrior cargo basket helps secure items for transport on top of the roof and out of the interior of your vehicle, allowing more space and comfort while driving from place to place.  The open air platform allows easy access to tie down materials and gives you added flexibility with items that wouldn’t normally fit in an enclosed compartment. The large steel constructed frame fits on top of most vehicles and has custom wind fairing for extra noise reduction. The universal attachment system fits most round and square factory crossbars. The accessory bars act as crossbars for gear specific racks and give you added security when transporting more expensive and personal items. It was developed with on-the-go type people in mind, allowing a quick and easy load that maximizes the utility of your car.

If more security and protection for your cargo is necessary, the Yakima cargo carriers, SkyBox or RocketBox series may be a better option yet. These boxes are like an extra trunk for you roof, and they simply attach to your existing roof rack to expand your vehicles storage space. They come in various sizes for your specific needs, and you can be sure your gear is safe with its solid carbonite design and push-button, locking security features.

Another option, especially useful if you plan on carrying bikes, is to increase your vehicles carrying capabilities with a hitch. Even if your vehicle is too small to pull a trailer, you can still utilize this feature to carry bikes, cargo racks, and more. And better yet, you can use this feature along with a roof rack to turn your vehicle into a cargo-hauling beast. There are so many ways to utilize your small vehicle for those big adventures, and the Auto Truck Depot is here to help.