Goplus Rooftop Carrier Review

The Goplus Rooftop Carrier stands out from some other budget options in that it comes in unique colors, and the clamps are designed for a fairly universal fit, provided your bars aren't spaced too far apart.

Ease of Use

The Goplus product doesn't arrive completely assembled, but it took us less than 5 minutes to get ready to mount on the car. Rather than relying on a U-bolt system, the Goplus comes with four quick clamps that you just need to push into their respective slots. You can do this on the ground or once the box is on the crossbars. There is a piece of rubber in each slot to minimize water intrusion, but the rubber piece wasn't slit all the way through on the unit we reviewed. However, a quick pass with a razor blade remedied that.

Once the clamps are through the slots and centered over the crossbars, you just need to tighten the knob to secure the box into position. Unfortunately, there isn't an audible click or another indicator to alert you that you have tightened the clamps sufficiently, so you'll have to rely on your judgment for that. We would also recommend checking the clamps periodically to ensure they haven't started to come loose, particularly on longer road trips and right after the initial install.

This clamp system is much faster — and our much preferred mounting system — than the boxes that use a series of U-bolts and thumb knobs, making it much quicker and easier to install or remove. It only took us around 5-10 minutes once we got the hang of it, making this a great choice if you don't want to leave it on your car all the time and only use it occasionally. And, as one of the lightest cargo boxes we have ever tested, it's pretty easy to lift atop a car without needing additional help, too.

Once installed, we found it very convenient and easy to use. It's a little shorter than many of the other options, so the lid isn't overly floppy, and the opening mechanism operates very smoothly. Even better, the Goplus is dual-opening, so you can easily access your gear from both sides of the car. It comes with an extra key, and the locking mechanism is easy to turn, making it a cinch to lock or unlock.

Security

The Goplus uses a larger, specialized key that feels nice and solid when locking or unlocking. This box doesn't have any indicators for its lock status, but it prevents key removal when unlocked, ensuring you don't accidentally leave it unlocked and drive off. However, we believe a determined thief could get into any of these cargo boxes, so if you're in an area with higher theft risk, take precautions by not leaving your valuable gear unattended for too long.

Quality

This cargo carrier suffered no noticeable damage during our testing, and we believe it is pretty sturdy compared to its competitors. We could see some problems occurring by tightening down the clamps too much, and the rubber gaskets that the clamps push through could deteriorate or tear over time. These rubber slits also provide some opportunity for water to enter, though it is unlikely since they are underneath the box and tucked away from the edges.

We liked that the lid seems considerably less floppy than some of the other models, likely a function of the Goplus's shorter size. The dimpled texture also does a good job of hiding scratches and scuffs, making everyday wear and tear much less noticeable.

The lock, locking mechanism, and hinges are all about average quality. We don't think they would break during regular use, but we could imagine them being damaged by excessive force.

Appearance

Overall, we like the aesthetics of the Goplus quite a lot. We generally think this cargo box complements the style of most cars.

It is available in a few colors, giving you options to match your vehicle. The version we tested has a dimpled exterior with a more matte finish than many other options, helping hide scuffs and scrapes.

Should You Buy the Goplus Rooftop Carrier?

We think this cargo carrier is a great option for anyone shopping on a tighter budget. The Goplus has many of the convenience features present on higher-end options, all while costing considerably less. If you need to carry skis or a snowboard, this probably isn't the box for you. But if that's not something you feel you will need, this is a great option.

What Other Cargo Boxes Should You Consider?