I Bought The Cheapest Roof Basket That Fits My Xterra. Was It Worth It?

Hey guys, today we try out the cheapest roof cargo basket that I could find on Amazon. I wanted a little extra space for my trip up to Michigan so I figured I would try out a roof top basket. It got good reviews, so I was pretty optimistic. Also, I bought this product with my own money and I have no affiliation with ARK Motoring whatsoever. I just bought it on amazon to try it out.
Here is a link to the one I bought: amzn.to/3Q4DhRb
Big thanks to ‪@podnucmo5‬ for the awesome drone shots!
Find the parts used in this video here: tinyurl.com/ybpbsznj
Check out the Official RTCG website! rtcg.tv
Support the channel and get a cool t-shirt: represent.com/store/ry-the-ca...
**This video is being performed by an experienced individual. Any attempt to repair automotive parts or its systems carries risk of personal injury. Always follow safe practices when working on vehicles such as using safety glasses, jack stands, not wearing loose clothing, etc. No guarantee or warranty is implied by these videos. Use the information in this video at your own risk. If you don't think you can perform the job then do not attempt it.
***Any purchases you make using the links provided help to support the channel at no extra cost to you! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
#howto #diy #auto

[@williammixson2541]

I've appreciated your videos for years. Now my youngest is going to be getting my Xterra and I am excited to show him the channel and tackle projects together with him. Thanks for ALL of the content man. Outstanding!

[@Rythecarguy]

That is awesome! Thanks for the support over the years. If you're comfortable with it. Tell me his first name and what state you're from and I'll try to shout him out in a video.

[@martywood9299]

got one from Hrbor frieght. works great ! Thank you for what you do!

[@bradleyjames4610]

Hey Ry, just ordered a shirt from website. Wanted to support your channel. I just purchased a 2005 Xterra and watching your well produced, thoughtful, informative videos has been super helpful for me! Keep up the good work, brother!

[@Rythecarguy]

Hey, thanks so much! I appreciate you. Glad you like the content. Much more to come soon!

[@CorderoIvan]

Thank you for your videos, I have a frontier and my girlfriend has a pathfinder. I’ve lifted both our cars and fixed a couple issues shes been having thanks to your videos.

[@Rythecarguy]

That is awesome! It's my pleasure my dude. anything I can do to help.

[@martywood9299]

ry, my painted bumper turned out great. factory pain an clear coat! thanks again!

[@DIY_AUTO_PHOTO]

For the price I think it came out pretty great ! hey its better vs the one I build few months back out of just simple superstrats , but luckily I got one donated to me and installed.. it fits prefect between side roof bars so its not extends up. Will have vid, on that at one point lol

[@rwebiscool]

The $99 Haul-Master roof rack from Harbor Freight has done well for me for over a year now, tho it has many of the same fit/finish issues and obviously "you get what you pay for" applies. Loved your videos for a while now, Ry! Keep up the good work.

[@4549tinter]

I got the same rack. It has a slightly lower profile and will fit in my garage. I installed a 12" led spot/flood lite on rear cross bar, for excellent lighting at campsites.

[@Sniper_Cat_71]

I've had one of these for awhile. Had it on my Frontier, and when that bit the dust, put it on my Xterra and now my son has it on his. It's very useful. We used it for lugging camping equipment all over the place,a nd now my son uses it for moving back and forth for college. Ours didn't come with any extras though, just the basket and the mounting hardware. We ended up ditching the Nissan cross bars and made new, straight ones from superstrut which turned out to be way more versatile.

[@Rythecarguy]

Oh interesting! how did you attach them to the main bars?

[@Sniper_Cat_71]

@@Rythecarguy There are a number of ways. Unistrut/Superstrut make brackets for the bars that are round, I guess they are for attaching the strut to pipes or tubing. You can get some U shaped brackets from McMaster Carr. I sanded mine to give them some tooth and then sprayed them with truck bed liner.

[@_moes_garage_]

looks nice, honestly. Thanks for putting this out

[@Rythecarguy]

You're welcome man thanks for watching

[@ThatOneDudeNick]

Seems cool for the price. I'm looking at the Roxterra basket that sits between the side rails and eliminates the cross bars, so that it's low to the roof, as I've only got like 2 inches before I can no longer fit in my garage, but that's also much more expensive than this.

[@robertrowe9080]

Roxterra is the embodiment of the phrase "Buy once Cry once" All his products are high quality, you can definitely pull the trigger without worry, and hopefully without buyer's remorse!

[@MaximumDIYGarage]

Looks great, Ry! The X is looking magnificent with those bronze wheels and looks like an LR3!

[@Rythecarguy]

It does! Thanks man, Loving the look so far.

[@martywood9299]

@@Rythecarguy you are a bad ass! thank you for what you do!

[@RealMrNails]

Thanks for the video, will keep that under consideration. What is your final ride height with the basket on?

[@BasedMace]

Got a Harbor Freight Haulmaster rooftob cargo basket for $65 and got a couple rattle cans of rustoleum primer and rustoleum truck bed liner for about $20 for an $85 build

[@mahmudsmith]

Hello and thank you for the informative videos as you've helped many with many repairs. Do you ever plan on or heard of the simple upgrade to adding the V8 Pathy front calipers and rotters with are a full inch wider for better-stopping power on Nissans? Thanks

[@Rythecarguy]

No but I love this idea. I will likely do that as park of the VK swap series I am doing this year.

[@MattTheriot]

I have a 2012 4x4 Xterra, eyeing this. Also, in order to more easily access the roof rack/basket, I wanted to get a rear ladder. Please let us know if you have any recommendations on those. I found one that is specifically for the X, but it's like $500 so I haven't bought it. I am thinking about custom making one myself.

[@roadworkboxing]

Whats up Ry. Quick tip to make that window liner rubber black. Just rub it with a dry shop rag. Did it on my Wife’s 06 xterra and it worked.

[@Rythecarguy]

🤘🏼Thanks! I'll give it a try.

[@noelnicholls1894]

Have a 2013 Pro4X so this caught my eye. Great review and you obviously know what you are doing, thanks for not being thrown by little problems. Not bad for $150. My question is WHY. Putting attachment points on the existing roof rack rails and the cross bars along with with a removable 1/2” ply base makes for an amazing amount of choices. And it still fits in the garage……..

[@martywood9299]

i have lights on every side, tools (shovel etc.) antennas mounted on it and the full spare tire an zero (0) issues. HOWEVER, I do have to check and retighten it every so often. I am trying to find an better way to help secure it besides the factory things that tighten it.

[@joshbuehler4994]

I have an xterra baja rack and it bolts on directly to the stock roof rack holes and I’ve only seen mine

[@BigRog203]

2012 Xterra here, idk if this is the exact same one that I bought, but for the most part there are a whole bunch of made-in-china roof racks that are 100% identical (they also dont come with any decal which makes me think its a bunch of companies just reselling the same product). Anyway, got mine for like $100 like 4-5 years ago. Ive never really put anything up there unfortunately, so I cant speak too much on rigidity. Ive thrown 2-3 christmas trees up there on the way home from the xmas tree farm, but thats about it. Ive always kept it "just in case", but id probably prefer a flush drop-in basket. It does make it hard to enter some parking garages around here (connecticut) even though I have no lift at all, so im constantly debating on taking it off. Id like to lift my xterra, and if I ever do this basket will definitely have to be taken off.

[@mikemorgan4670]

Mmmm. Truth be told, it doesn't look that bad in the X. Toyed with the idea for awhile but I really only ever strap things to my roof rack ie: canoe, kayak, ladder etc, not carry any cargo or gear. Prefer to keep everything inside. It was a fair and interesting review/ test. Enjoy your weekend Ry.

[@Rythecarguy]

You too, thanks Mike!

[@hotflashfoto]

I have a 2004, so it's the Gen1; yours is a Gen2. I believe that the roof rails are slightly narrower on yours, keeping us from being able to swap cross bars or other stuff. I wonder if those 2 center sections could be rotated 180° to make them line up better. Or not. Replace those "wing" nuts with a real fastener and they won't interfere with your load. I also wonder if it could be made to fit between the Xterra's side rails to get it closer to the roof, then use rubber to keep it from scratching the paint. It would be less wind drag, plus on certain toll bridges (like where I live), it would fit under the 7-foot height that is billed at a higher rate.

[@Rythecarguy]

Oh that's a bummer. However if yours are wider and you wanted a cargo box this one might actually slide between your rails. That's what I wished this one would do on mine. Too wide though.

[@jamestakemura6772]

After seeing my buddy catch a branch and spin his jeep around,,, I’ve never thought about getting one… not for off-roading👍🏼🌬💨💚🌬💨💚 cheers from Oregon 🌬💨💚🌬💨💚🌬💨💚

[@Rythecarguy]

Right on, I get that. Hope you are well!

[@JimmyJiveJones]

Have you thought about getting a cargo basket that mounts on the rear hitch? I use mine all the time when i go camping and its super easy to put on and off.

[@Rythecarguy]

Oh, that's a great idea. I don't really use my hitch for anything else. 🤘🏻👍🏻

[@JimmyJiveJones]

@@Rythecarguy reason why i opted for the rear cargo basket over the roof basket cause some of my friends who have the roof baskets tell me there gas mileage takes abit of a hit

[@esk8Kyle]

Geez Ry! You make me miss the dark gray with bronze rims look... If I can reverse time, I would of gotten dark gray instead of White

[@mclehed77]

On man those rims look awesome in the daylight 😁👍🏾

[@Rythecarguy]

Thank you, I agree! TBH I am surprised at how nice they turned out.

[@brunnie]

I was lucky and found a guy selling a DepHep drop in rack. Granted it was twice the price you paid but it fits between the side rails and only 1 inch taller than the wetbox. I can see for occasional use where yours would do the job, mine is more for overlanding and carrying heavier stuff. Good review of fit and finish and problems encountered. Until next time... Wrench safe.

[@Rythecarguy]

Yours sounds great. Someone else mentioned the drop in, it got me thinking about how mine fits. It seems to fit on the inside of the cross members. I will have to measure and see if it might just drop in.

[@chrisstarks6014]

How do you attach to crossbars??? Need to see!!

[@losdog84]

Nice job! However, the real question is which rack will fit INSIDE the OEM rails- that way I can park it inside of my garage??

[@Rythecarguy]

Good question! This one definitely sits on the inside of the cross members; I wonder if it will drop in between. I should try it out.

[@caleb8495]

The editing on this one is great

[@Rythecarguy]

Thank you man. I have @podnucmo to thank for that!

[@MrSpartan99]

do you have any suggestions on how to fix rust on the body where the doors close? My 2010 Xterra has some rust that I want to take care of without it costing an arm and a leg

[@outbackwack368]

We recently sold our Imagine 2600RB for more than we paid for it in 2018 🙂 Moving to a Class C for logistics while building a new house. Just bought a 2022 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk to tow behind it. I wouldn't want to install a rooftop tent on that rack... what do you think? Also, how's the wind noise? Thanks and have fun!

[@podnucmo5]

Looks pretty good for such a cheap addition.

[@Rythecarguy]

Thanks man! so far really happy with it. Next up is to try and mod it to be a drop in 😲

[@mattperkins9005]

@@Rythecarguy there is a guy on YT that did one with two HF hitch carriers connected to each other. I had that one on my 00. I sealed up all the joints with silicone and I bought 5" u bolts from Lowe's. It held up great for a road trip from Oregon to South Dakota this year. Sadly had to sell/trade in the X. So now I have a 05. I bought a different basket which I think is a little better design.

[@billc2129]

My xterra left me sit 2 of my coil packs went bad and it was miss firing like crazy thought I broke timing chain fix and runs again. Still good truck

[@Rythecarguy]

Glad you got it worked out 👍🏻

[@mtnbound2764]

nice wheels! throw some all terrains on there an it would look awesome!

[@Rythecarguy]

Thanks man. Just painted them. New tires someday!

[@LiftedXterra28]

Haha, i bought the same roof basket in the smaller size about 2 weeks before i even seen this video. My wind deflector had the Arksen company name on it. I dont like how it wont sit centered on my 04 Xterra because 2 round bars stacked on top of one another just doesnt work. All I've used the basket for thus far is to mount my shovel to. Oh, and I had to alter the brackets because the u-bolts weren't long enough either

[@Rythecarguy]

Sounds like a pain.

[@LiftedXterra28]

@Rythecarguy I've been thinking about making some in depth videos for the 1st gens, very few quality ones out there, because you 2nd gen guys just don't understand the very limited parts that are available to us. Whatever it is usually requires some form of modification just to fit our body style. Love the channel, keep up the great content

[@andrewb9590]

Not so cheap in Canada… $258 + $93 to import from XCAR. Yikes. Thanks for the video - always nice to see more Xterra content!

[@Rythecarguy]

I would buy one here and ship it to you if you wanted it. 💪🏻💪🏻

[@andrewb9590]

@@Rythecarguy Thanks for the offer! Not really in need of one yet. Stuff I have put on the roof so far has not needed a rack. When you were looking, did you find any that might fit between the rails so it could be a bit lower?

[@stoletu]

I heard these might rust quickly, did you have any rust problems?

[@Rythecarguy]

I am getting a little rust on the welds. I decided to take it off and store it in the garage until I need it next, should help that issue.

[@reaganmasuda]

Did you go with the 54 or 64 inch version?

[@Rythecarguy]

I went with the 54. 👍🏻

[@adamnorzagaray2657]

Hey Ry what is the year of your Xterra?

[@Rythecarguy]

2005

[@michaelwilson7061]

So how's the X doing? Mine is great. Being careful?

[@Rythecarguy]

It's doing great! TBTH I don't really drive the X. I mostly keep it around to make videos on. We're moving it up to MI soon so it will be used a lot more. 🤘🏻👍🏻

[@richbanister]

Road trip!

[@Rythecarguy]

🤘🏻😆🤘🏻

[@ahmadghosheh3104]

Watch the height at restaurant drive through 😂😂😂

[@Rythecarguy]

Right!? 😄

[@katherineking3174]

Come do mine please!!! On a Jeep Liberty Sport

[@HalJalikakik]

Around the 5 minute mark you indicate problems with the spacers. I couldn’t get a great look but appears you have them upside down. The spacer fits snugly on top of the Xterra crossbar and under the rack tubes . The U bolt goes in from the top and your wing-nuts go underneath. I bought this exact cargo rack for my 2013 Xterra and mounts fit perfectly. The directions are shit… no picture / graphic that would’ve helped. Cheers!

[@Boc3phu5]

How much have you been able to tow with the vehicle? I have the same car

[@Rythecarguy]

I have towed a couple thousand pounds but didn't like it. If you have a manual just be sure to stay out of 6th!

[@4549tinter]

I have an '08 4x4 and tow 4k trailer with no problems in the mountains of the southwest.

[@knolez1546]

I scratched the ish out out my basket by accident. Didn't think of height in an ungrounded carpark. I paid 300 for it too, spewing.

[@Rythecarguy]

Sorry. That sucks

[@jimwhitley1990]

Still waiting to load... refreshed page 4 times.. no video

[@Rythecarguy]

strange! Thanks youtube...

[@knolez1546]

Put some metal sleeves over the gaps. The gaps are stupid

[@Rythecarguy]

👍🏻

[@katherineking3174]

I found one, wait for it!!!, harbor freight for 80!!!

[@Speedinginprogress]

Not bad at all for the $ 😊

[@Rythecarguy]

Right? My thoughts exactly. It does the job.

[@TheNickhammond]

problem with these cheap steel racks is they will rust, go with aluminum

[@Rythecarguy]

True, If you plan to use it a lot then i agree. If you need to use it on occasional trips, it might not be worth the money.

[@rizenoff-road179]

Does what it's intended to do. But after a year, they fade and rust. IMO, not meant to be on all year around.

[@Rythecarguy]

Good thought. Maybe I'll use it to move stuff up to MI then remove it and store it until I need it again

[@shocknm]

“Xterra golf cart roof rack hack”

[@Rythecarguy]

😆

[@unecigarette]

Ok.... now.... Open the rear trunk....

[@Rythecarguy]

No problem

[@xpez9694]

might as well rent a Uhaul if you need all that crap on your roof.

[@Rythecarguy]

lol... no