Reviewer:

Jim

Rating:

3

Date:

8/13/2011

Review:

ACK was great, no problem, fast delivery. Their price is very competitive. That said, the box doesn't seem like a lot for the money. Because it's made for any type of rack, the clamps are much larger than needed, and do take significant cargo space. It's difficult to attach because you have to do it all from passenger side, even the clamps on the driver side. The top is so floppy, it's easy to latch it and have only the rear latch engaged, as I found out when it opened on the freeway first time I used it. But all things considered it basically does the job.

Reviewer:

ip_launch

Rating:

4

Date:

6/13/2011

Review:

Purchased after comparing to Thule and Aero. 15cf was roomier (and cheaper) than the Honda OEM 13cf model and not as long as some other 18-21 cf models which are more than I need. The side opening was more suitable for me since my CRV has little to no bumper on which to stand and also since my tailgate swings upwards. As a result do note that all loading must be done from the passenger side. (There are also some dual side opening units which I probably should have research and considered.) Rear opening units can probably still be accessed from either side albeit through slightly smaller openings. Initial install/adjusting took maybe 30-min by myself (with a helper it probably would have taken only 15-min). Subsequent on&off now take 5-min. I found that placing a piece of tape to visually mark the center of my car's crossbars helps with centering. These and most all other carriers are plastic these days, which helps save weight (and cost). But once properly secured onto the cross bars and locked, it did feel relatively secure with none of that wobble that one feels while loading. There is a little added wind noise but not at all noticeable with windows closed. BTW, on the Honda CRV you can still tilt sunroof but you CANNOT open sunroof since carrier fasteners are in the path of the sunroof. Highway driving in rain one day and inside stayed dry. Gas mileage did not seem to be impacted significantly if at all. (Hard to tell since I normally vary between 27-30 hwy even without the carrier.) 1-star was detracted from my rating because the mount/adjusting mechanisms did seem to take up a fair amount of the inside space. They also protrude up which gets in the way of sliding cargo across the inside while loading and/or with the ability to carry larger footprint items. Some additional indents/recesses in the design might have enabled these to be eliminated thus providing more streamline and usable space. My review, my weighting. After reading many reiews my biggest initial concern with buying this unit (or any other Cargo Box via mailorder) was on-time deliver. ACK communications, delivery, and pricing were all as promised! It's a keeper and ACK will be a preferred vendor for me in the future.