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.

With rugged roto-molded construction and reliable water- and dust-resistant seals, these cases are designed to handle everything from rain-soaked backroads to dusty desert trails. Each cargo box features sturdy tie-down plates and reinforced mounting points, giving you peace of mind whether you’re hauling camping gear, construction tools, or your favorite overlanding essentials. Durable e-coated steel latches provide corrosion resistance, while the modular design makes it easy to attach the case securely to roof racks like those from Front Runner Outfitters, truck beds, or even inside larger SUVs.

From compact cases perfect for weekend getaways to oversized boxes that swallow up all the gear for an extended adventure, there’s an option to fit any rig or packing style. If portability is a priority, Pelican’s other lines—like the Air or Vault series—cover those needs too, but the Vehicle Cargo Cases really shine when you want robust, weatherproof storage that’s ready to tackle the road less traveled.

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Built to Withstand the Elements

Thanks to rugged construction and e-coated steel latches, these cargo cases don’t just look tough—they’re made to handle whatever the road (or wilderness) throws at them. The e-coating process adds an extra layer of protection, helping the steel resist rust and corrosion even after years of rain, snow, or salty air. On top of that, the durable outer shell fends off chips and dings from gravel roads or accidental bumps during packing. With this level of build quality, you can trust that your gear stays shielded from the elements, season after season. 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.

Mounting Options for Secure Storage

Thankfully, mounting the cargo cases to your vehicle isn’t a one-size-fits-all ordeal—they’re designed with flexibility in mind for a range of travel setups. We made use of the integrated mounting hardware, attaching our cases to the Front Runner Outfitters (FRO) Slimline Roof Rack. This combo let us snugly secure the boxes while ensuring everything stayed rattle-free over miles of washboard roads.

Other mounting possibilities include:

Roof racks: With dedicated mounting plates and tie-down points, you can position cargo cases on most aftermarket roof racks—whether it’s a slimline system like ours or a full basket-style rack.
Truck beds: The cases can be anchored down using built-in tie-down slots, ensuring they stay put no matter how much your gear shifts.
SUV interiors: For extra security or easier access, you can lash down cases in the back of your SUV using existing anchor points or accessory mounting kits.

We appreciated that the mounting hardware accommodated different needs—some folks want locked-down peace of mind on remote trails, while others prefer easy-on, easy-off setups at camp. Either way, it handled everything we threw at it. 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.

Choosing the Right Case for Your Adventure

When it comes to finding the best storage for your trip, not all cases are created equal. Larger rooftop cargo cases, like the ones we mounted, are built to maximize storage capacity and keep everything from recovery boards to cook kits sheltered from the elements. If you need to haul bulkier items (think camp chairs, duffels, or hefty recovery gear), the larger hard-sided cases are the way to go—they eat up plenty of volume but do come with added weight.

On the other hand, if your mission is to travel lighter or you see yourself lugging gear on foot—think grab-and-go camera kits or emergency supplies—there are more portable options. Smaller molded cases, similar to those you might find from brands like Nanuk or Condition 1, are easier to carry by hand yet still keep sensitive gear protected. These are perfect when you want solid protection for electronics, first aid, or tools, but don’t need to store half the garage.

In short, it’s all about matching your storage to the job:

For big, heavy hauls: Go with larger roof-mounted cases for maximum volume and weather protection.
For quick, light access: Compact, hand-carry cases give you flexibility without weighing you down.

Regardless of what you choose, blending both types lets you tackle everything from extended overland trips to quick day hikes with confidence.

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.

These cases are built tough with roto-molded construction, offering the same shockproof, dustproof, and water-resistant protection you’d expect from a brand known for keeping gear safe in harsh conditions. The integrated mounting kit interface plate and tie-down points add confidence that everything stays exactly where you packed it, even on rough backroads or during sudden stops. We also appreciated the corrosion-resistant, e-coated steel latches—no worries about rust or wear, even if you leave them out in the rain or hit a muddy trail. All these thoughtful features made us trust that our gear would arrive at camp just as we packed it, no matter what the journey threw at us. 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.

Considering Lighter, Hand-Carried Alternatives

If hefting larger rooftop boxes isn’t your style, there are other storage options worth considering. For those who favor lighter and more portable cases, a variety of hand-carry solutions from brands like Thule, Plano, and YETI offer the ability to pack essentials and move them around camp with ease. These cases are designed for easy handling and come in sizes that are manageable even when fully loaded—perfect for keeping smaller gear organized without breaking your back or requiring multiple people to lift them.

This makes them handy for day trips, short hikes, or just transferring supplies from your vehicle to your campsite.

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.