Maximizing Space: Pelican’s Vehicle Cargo Cases for Rooftop Storage

Move Your Storage On Up

Many people opt out of using a roof top tent in favor of a ground tent and utilizing a roof rack for extra storage. Pelican, known for their air-tight storage cases, released their Vehicle Cargo Cases for those looking to free up space inside and stay organized. Cases come in multiple sizes and fit on top of SUVs and truck cabs or in a truck bed, making it easy to store more gear and keep it free from the elements or excess dirt and dust. We mounted a pair of cases to the top of our 2010 Lexus GX460 to see if this storage solution satisfied our needs. It is nice to free up room in the cargo area, especially to give the dog more room to stretch out and nap while on the long drive. His bed takes up half the backseat as it is.

Storing Our Gear

We mounted them atop our Front Runner Outfitters (FRO) Slimline Roof Rack with integrated hardware. We liked how FRO and Pelican teamed up to offer a seamless mounting solution to keep the boxes secure on the roof. Once mounted, it was easy to climb up to toss in soft-sided storage and other lighter, softer materials. Heavier items took two people. In hindsight, we should have mounted them closer to the front to allow for easier access to the boxes to stow away gear.

The latches on the Pelican Vehicle Cargo Cases were easy to open and close, especially when mounted. Securing the case down to the rack made it easy to use one hand to open and close the latch while the other arm held gear. Items stored inside remained dust and dirt free after a full day of travel, which was no surprise with Pelican’s reputation. The cases are not light and did require mounting while empty. We then filled them up with our camping items. While the quick latches are made to easily remove the case, we found it a bit cumbersome to pull a loaded case down off the top of the vehicle. If the cases were mounted in the bed of a truck, it would be much easier to unload the entire case and its contents.

Final Thoughts

All in all, we were happy with the performance and extra storage the Pelican Vehicle Cargo Cases provided. It was nice to store camping gear, extra blankets, and other items up top and out of the cargo area of the SUV. We like how two cases can fit side by side with just enough room to secure our tent up top, too.

For those looking to create more room inside the cab or cargo area of their vehicle, the Pelican Vehicle Cargo Cases storage boxes are a great option.

Pelican Vehicle Cargo Cases

MSRP: Starting at $269.95
pelican.com

Editor’s Note: A version of this story previously appeared in the May/June 2023 print edition of Tread Magazone.

Photo Credit: Brian Mcgee