My inner cool kid is dying over here...

[lurknomore]

When DD3 was born, we got a honking big SUV.  Huge.  What we didn't anticipate was how little cargo space it has.  We drive 12 hours several times a year to see my family and DH's (we live half way in between).  DH thinks it's time to get one of these.    I want to die.  Someone please tell me they have one and love it because it gets all the crap out of the car so the kids can just stretch out and relax.  I'm confident we can get everything packed in the 12" of trunk space we have.  DH is confident we cannot.  (wilted)

[iheartbanjos]

We have a cargo box that we put on top of our car. We lived in the PNW for 6 years, though, and it was socially acceptable there

[undecidedowl]

I prefer a roof bag. We have used one before when travelling with stroller, RNP, etc. Though, if you do that, learn from my DH and pull out of the garage before stuffing it full.

[Willis Jackson]

We'll be rocking the roof bag on our next trip, for sure.

[ssmjlm]

We have just the rack we use for beach trips. It was worth the $20 on Amazon a few years ago.

[wavepool]

We have one and I've never thought a thing of it not being cool.... Just a way to carry our stuff!

[lurknomore]

LOL. I'm just dying at it for some reason. I would prefer the car top one but we would need a ladder to get stuff in and out. We aren't taking a stroller or anything of that nature (I left an old one at my dad's house so it is there) but we are taking three kids and two (small) dogs. I think for the first time in a long time we need to bring a crate for the puppy (we have an extra one of those at my mom's house too). My mom is driving back with us to take care of the kids for two weeks for me and she never travels light!

I'll just add this to the list of things they never told me BEFORE having kids!

[krisim]

We saw tons of those on the road this weekend when we were traveling. I think they seem more practical/accessible than the roof racks. We have a fairly spacious trunk in my Murano, but boy it fills up quickly with 2 kids' stuff!

[Deleted]

I think it's pretty common to see peole towing those things or strapped to their roof in the summer, especially in the mountains or near the beach. No big deal. I've seen a ton of them recently and haven't thought anything of it. Particularly if it gives your kids more room to stretch out and makes them less cranky as a result!

[Deleted]

One kid and a civic and we went camping. Somehow.
This year we might get a bike rack.
But stroller? All bets are off.

[DarcyLongfellow]

I don't think that's any dorkier than a minivan. But, I say that as someone who has a deep love for her minivan :-)

[magpie]

I thought this post was going to be about giving up and getting a minivan! Just get the cargo thing and be happy while on vacation. You can take it off to be "cool" during normal life. FWIW, I don't think giant SUVs are really that much any cooler than minivans, they all just scream "family" to me and I sort of wish I had one or the other when I'm trying to squeeze everything into my small car

[dizzycooks]

I'd get that over the roof rack for previously mentioned reasons. I've seen people use it for coolers too? Seems very practical and I'd buy before I'd upgrade our rogue. But I'm the one piling 2 kids, 2 adults, a dog, stroller, pack and play plus clothing/snacks and toys in an Elantra for a 5 hour drive every few months so take that for what it's worth.