I just picked up a 2021 Expedition Platinum (needed the space—3 kids). Coming from a 2018 Mazda CX-5 and my old '04 Civic, I’m low on room already, with soccer gear and a stroller. Any suggestions for a solid, affordable rooftop storage option for 2020+ models?
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I got the Yakima SkyBox 16 for my '19 Expedition, very weatherproof, roomy, and looks sleek. Highly recommend, I got mine on sale at REI. 
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Why don’t you check out Thule Motion XT. It’s weatherproof for sure. More on the pricey side, though.
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Honestly, the cheap Amazon roof bags work if you’re not going hardcore camping. I’ve had mine for two years. Just throw it up, strap it down. Done. Might leak if it pours, though. 
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I’ve been using the ROLA V-Tex rack on my 2021. It’s affordable and works. It does whistle a little at highway speeds, but nothing major.
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Whistling at highway speeds, huh? 
Might keep the kids entertained. I’ll check out ROLA. Do you think it’d survive a road trip from Florida to North Carolina with all the baby gear and stroller? Long drive, don’t want surprises.
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This is the deal. I packed it full for a road trip from Colorado to Oregon—plenty of rain, had no leaks. It’s great.
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Anyone else just throw stuff in the back and hope for the best? I have an Expedition but never bothered with roof racks. The kids’ stuff just mysteriously disappears back there. No clue how… 
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Yeah, it’ll hold up. Just bring extra straps. Long drives can shake things loose.
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Extra straps is a good call, thanks 
I’ll keep an eye out for that whistling too, though the kids will probably get a kick out of it. I’m leaning toward the ROLA; price is nice.
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You’d better watch out for that whistling. It might drive you crazy by the time you hit North Carolina. But at least the hiking gear will still be dry up there.
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Haha, I’ve definitely done that. You’d be surprised how much gear gets swallowed up by Expedition’s trunk abyss. But once I hit those family road trips, the roof rack became my lifesaver.
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True story. Plus, finding that one hiking boot in the sea of kid toys is like winning the lottery after a trip. Roof racks are cool, but the cargo mystery game’s got its own charm. 
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Yeah, roof rack’s are cool. I use Yakima SkyBox 16 for my '19 Expedition. I’m over the trunk abyss