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About MyCargoRacks
Four real people who have been hauling kayaks, bikes, skis, cargo carriers and rooftop tents long enough to know what fails, when, and why.
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Who we are
I bought my first cargo basket in 2003 from a hardware store because I needed to haul a canoe to a lake house. It worked — barely. That trip started a 20-year habit of testing every rack, basket, box and hitch carrier I could bolt, clamp or strap to a vehicle.
MyCargoRacks is written for the people I used to be: the weekend SUV family worried their gear will blow off on the freeway, the first-time kayak buyer who does not know the difference between a J-cradle and a stacker, the upgrader who bought cheap once and wants to buy right the second time, and the overlander picking a rooftop tent they can live with for five years.
We promise three things. Every product gets at least two honest cons. Nothing on this site is sponsored or pay-to-play. And when a rack is not the right call, we say so — even if that means we do not earn a commission on the click.
Editorial independence
Plain language, above the fold, so you never have to guess what our incentives are.
When you click a link to Amazon or another retailer and buy something, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. That is how the lights stay on.
No free samples in exchange for coverage. No brand sponsorships in our reviews. No paid placements inside our "best of" lists. If we got a sample, we say so.
Every product on this site has at least two honest cons. If a rack does not earn the recommendation, we do not fake one. Sometimes the right answer is "wait" or "buy the cheaper one."
Author bios
Four authors, four specialties. Click any card to see every article and review they have written.
Chief Editor
20+ years hauling gear, tested 100+ racks
I've been hauling gear across the country for 20+ years and tested more than 100 racks in that time. I started MyCargoRacks to help people avoid the mistakes I made — and find the gear that actually survives a real road trip. I write the way I talk: specific numbers, honest cons, no marketing polish.
Water Sports Editor
7 years guiding kayak tours on Lake Superior
Seven years guiding kayak tours on Lake Superior taught me one thing the hard way: a bad rack can ruin a great trip. I've loaded and unloaded hundreds of boats in every weather the Great Lakes can throw at a dawn departure. I write about water-sport carriers because I learned the hard way which ones you can trust at highway speed and which ones you cannot.
Outdoor & Ski Editor
Former REI sales specialist, 10+ years outdoor retail
I spent years on the REI retail floor fielding the same ski-rack and bike-rack questions thousands of times — and I watched which purchases came back happy and which came back frustrated. I think in upgrade paths: start cheap, upgrade when you actually know what you need. I'll never tell you to buy the most expensive rack first.
Technical Editor
Mechanical engineer, 10+ years auto industry
I spent a decade in the auto industry as a mechanical engineer, which means I read racks the way I read a spec sheet: load ratings, material grades, torque values, failure modes. I'll tell you when NOT to buy something and walk you through the physics so you understand why. If a rack's engineering does not stand up to scrutiny, I'll say so.
Research and testing methodology
Every product on this site goes through the same four steps.
We cross-check manufacturer specs against owner forums, etrailer listings, and independent test data. If a rack is not actually sold for the vehicle a brand claims, we find out before the buyer does.
We assemble each rack the way you would, time the install, document hardware gotchas, and drive with it loaded. We check fitment on real vehicles and listen for wind noise above 65 mph.
Each product is rated 0 to 5 across build quality, install difficulty, fitment range, wind noise, and long-term durability. One score per dimension. No marketing math.
Every piece we publish has a named author, a last-updated date, and at least two honest cons per product. If it does not earn the recommendation, we do not fake one.
Standards
Spotted an error or a price that has moved? Email us and we will fix it fast and timestamp the change on the article.
No brand pays for placement. No advertiser sees our reviews before publication. Our picks are based on hands-on use and cross-referenced research, full stop.
We cite manufacturer specs, NHTSA guidance, etrailer, and independent owner forums. When we link to a source, it is because we actually used it.
Contact
Press inquiries, tips, corrections, and general questions all go to the same inbox. We read every email.
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Last updated: April 2026
Disclosure: MyCargoRacks.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more