Customer Reviews: Read 153 more reviews...
 There and Back Again June 25, 2007
Ralph Fontcuberta (Little Rock, AR USA)
58 out of 60 found this review helpful
We've had the Highland Kar-Pak since our first family trip to Disney World in 2002, and we've used it many a times since: trips to Disney World, trips to Gulf Shores, a few visits to Texas and, the big one, our evacuation from New Orleans a few days before Hurricane Katrina struck. Not to be overly glowing, but this thing helped us save a lot more since we could cram it full.
It holds a bundle, stores quickly, cleans up easily (bug splatter is no match for scrub brush & water, eh), is arguably leak-proof (never had a problem even through the worst rains), and attaches easily and securely (and not to dismiss another person's review/opinion, but the carrier box clearly stated "Roof Rack Mount"; however, I can see confusion with roof rack and roof bars -- those bars on the roof when you get the van/suv/etc are just styling until you add a cross-bar).
My wife came across this model locally in N.O. when we were searching for something for the roof to carry luggage on our first real driving vacation. We had looked at a lot of the hard-side ones, which were all extremely expensive and sorely lacking in capacity. She found this and we thought it might be a quick-fix but we've used it ever since and have no plans to replace it.
FWIW, a tip: get some big safety pins. Though you can tie the excess strap up it's easier to use a safety pin to pin up the excess. You don't have to, but the excess strap tends to flap in the wind and will drive you a little batty.
 Cross-bars needed, but they don't tell you that. June 20, 2007
H. Vanderhaar
25 out of 32 found this review helpful
I haven't installed and used this carrier yet, so I can't speak to its quality, but shoppers should be aware that when it says "attaches to any factory roof rack," that's not the whole story. Nowhere does it state that crossbars are a necessity to install this carrier, so I assumed my factory side rails would be adequate.
Had I known this when ordering, Amazon could've sold me the crossbars at the same time. Sadly for them, they lost a sale because the bars won't arrive in time for my cross-country move, and I will need to shop locally--something I really don't have time for.
Amazon, do your customers a favor and tell them upfront what is required to install and use this product!
My experience differs June 10, 2007
Robert M. Bowers (Beale AFB, CA, USA)
20 out of 21 found this review helpful
I see other people had some problems with excessive flapping, but the carrier kept their belongings dry. Well, on a trip from Oklahoma to northern California, we had no problems with flapping, even though we hadn't used any tie-downs other than the straps provided. Unfortunately, everything in the carrier was dampened somehow. The carrier had been through rain, snow, and hail on the trip, so it's not exactly surprising that this had occurred; it's just not what I had come to expect based on the other customer reviews. I didn't see anywhere that the bag had been perforated, so maybe it just isn't as waterproof as advertised.
Does not fit "all" vehicles with roof racks as advertised. June 28, 2007
E. J Tastad (Marion, IA United States)
18 out of 19 found this review helpful
The packaging clearly says that it fits all vehicles with roof racks, Cars, Vans, SUVs, and RVs. However, what they don't tell you is that your cross bars have to be about 38" apart at a minimum, that is 17" more than mine are on my '07 Rondo. Don't expect this to fit your factory cross bars, but it should be fine with any Yakima/Thule rack with adjustable bars, just make sure you can get them 38" apart.
How was the product? Quality seems okay, but I don't think it would last long from UV from the sun. Probably only a couple years. It is basically a rubber bag that goes on your roof and attached with 4 flimsy nylon straps. It is a good deal for someone who only uses it once or twice a year, but if you use it all the time you would probably be replacing it regularly. I will be returning this and looking for something that fits. If it did fit, I would keep it as I do fit the usage profile.
Listen to the expert and buy this carrier January 1, 2008
Joseph M. Baltrus (Springfield, VA USA)
16 out of 17 found this review helpful
After doing the research across price, functionality, ease of use, durability, storage, and weather proofing, I decided on the Highland carrier. For $30, you get an incredible amount of storage, that is secure on your roof, and totally waterproof. This Xmas, I drove from the Northern VA area (DC) way up to Upstate New York (Past Albany) and back with this carrier [in the rain and snow up and back both ways - all stuff was totally dry]. 900 total miles at about 75 MPH.
Here is what you need to know before buy: You have to have a roof rack with crossbars as the carrier's four straps attach to this; the space between the crossbars must be 38 inches so you will need to adjust this on your car first; and don't expect it to look like the picture once on your car/SUV unless your packages/stuff is exactly the dimensions of the bag. During installation do not attach the four straps, that is, fill the carrier on your roof, then attach the four crossbar straps as you will need the wiggle room for secure placement on your roof. After installation I suggest simply tucking/knotting the excess strap as these flap in the wind and will drive you crazy (takes an extra 2 minutes). Also, for piece of mind as I mentioned that unless your stuff is a perfect 39x18x38 rectangle the carrier looks a big lump on your car so I put two 48 inch bungey cords across the width of the carrier. You don't need the cords, but I am a little anal-retentive.
You will be impressed with the ultra thick material this thing is made of. Only four straps connect to your car which you will make suspect their ability to hold this thing down...but they do, and they don't budge. I can confidently say this THE best purchase I have made to date. You get way more than what you pay for on this carrier.
While driving I saw other people with the Thule soft carrier and Rainex, both of these are smaller, do not have the top strap adjustment like the Highland so they flap in the wind, plus read their reviews - they are not water tight. I guess if you have the $200-300 for a hard card carrier, go for it, but what do these people do with these when they are not using them? This Highland carrier folds back down to a shoebox size...you can't beat that either.
You really do not need to read anymore reviews, take my word, buy this carrier if you need extra space at an wickedly affordable price, that is secure on your car, keeps your stuff dry, and folds aways for easy storage.
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