Make your own basket case for car racks?

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Make your own basket case for car racks?

I had wanted a basket case for my Yakima car rack for the longest time. But the Yakima BasketCase is only 26.5" x 28.75" x 2" in size. It's not even big enough to carry a full-size spare tire for my car. And it already costs $100. The size of Yakima's LoadWarrior seems a better bet at 44" x39" x 6.5", but Yakima's MegaWarrior will really do the trick at 52" x 48" x 6.5". But their costs are phenomenal at $290 and $390, respectively. So lately, I've been thinking of a DIY project where I'd build my own. Anyone have any ideas?

Chieh Cheng
Wed, 20 Jul 2005 10:51:53 -0700

In my quest to find the components for my basket case, I stopped by Pep Boys to see if there are any inexpensive car racks that has a basket case as part of its package. I didn't really see one that was useful. However, I did see Bell EZ CARRIER Cargo Pack. The package includes a zippered cargo bag and a bungee net tie-down for $14.99. Compare this price to the Yakima BasketCase Stretch Net for $25. Or the LoadWarrior Stretch Net for $30. Or the MegaWarrior Stretch Net for $35. So now I have a stretch net . . . still need to find a good basket case.

Chieh Cheng
Sun, 24 Jul 2005 21:12:59 -0700

Ok, so I was looking around at the local Lowes store . . . and I found:

48" L x 16" D SuperSlide Shelf - $5.92
60" L x 20" D Close Mesh Shelf - $16.68

Both seems to have the potential to be made into a basket case. Two SuperSlide shelf combined makes a 48" x 32" basket case, already bigger than than Yakima's BasketCase and about the same size as the LoadWarrior . . .

Chieh Cheng
Thu, 28 Jul 2005 11:07:21 -0700

Finally found a good and strong option to the $100 Yakima basketcase for my yakima roof rack. Went to Container Store today to see what they might have as far as metal rod shelves to possibly use on my yakima as a cheaper alternative to the basketcase.
Check out the InterMetro Components for the Shelving section of the Container Store. You can buy several different sizes and they are in black. They are strong shelves and even have a 4 sided lip to keep cargo in better than the wire type shelves at Home Depot or Loew's.
The 18"x48" in Black is the option I'm going with as it's just a little shorter than my Anklebiter Bike Mount.
I may be able to fit two of these on my rack at the same time.
I have a 2004 Corolla and a Specialize Mtn. Bike.
Hope this helps all of you looking for an option the the overpriced Yakima Basketcase!!! Eric

Eric Sundene
Fri, 3 Feb 2006 22:08:41 -0800

Here's a quick picture I took tonight after temporarily putting my Container Store basket case onto my yakima roof rack.
I just used 4 zip ties to test it out and try the Bell Cargo net I got at Wal-Mart for $9.99 - that includes a cargo bag.
I am planning to use very large/strong black zip ties from Home Depot to attach the basket (shelf) to the round bars on my yakima roof rack. The red cargo net goes good with it though I'll need to be sure the net hooks are secure onto the basket as I don't know if it will always be that full.
I also use the Rubbermaid "Action Packer" plastic storage containers (in picture!!) from either Target, Home Depot or Lowe's to pack gear in when I am travelling. And I was glad to find that the smaller one's are a perfect fit for the basket.

Hope that helps and gives you an idea of what I did!

Attached Image:

roofbasket.jpg

Eric Sundene
Tue, 7 Feb 2006 23:44:22 -0800

Thanks Eric. That looks great. After seeing the picture, I started looking into The Container Store and the InterMetro basket.

I provided links to The Container Store and the basket below. Awesome work.

Chieh Cheng
Wed, 8 Feb 2006 14:44:12 -0800

Thanks fellas. I've been goin back and forth from craigslist to recycler.com to try and find a decent priced/used basket case. Just for the fact that yakima is butt raping anyone who is interested in purchasing a brand new one. Thanks to you guys my manhood is intact. I picked up a intermetro black shelve and some heavy duty zip ties and installing a.s.a.p. I picked up the 18x24 inch shelve and fits my roof rack just rite. Perfect to fit snowboard gear and a 12 pack!! THANKS AGAIN....4:20

jaybeezee
Wed, 19 Sep 2007 02:09:16 +0000

Several weeks ago, I need to put our baby travel crib on top of the Yakima rack. But the baby crib was too short. So I went to Home Depot to pick a pair of stacking shelfs (18"Hx36"Wx12"D"). It was the perfect size. I strapped just one of the shelves on top of the Yakima rack with zip ties and the metal ties that you can find at supermarkets. The result is shown in the photo below.

You'll definitely want to use zip ties. A few days later, I found that one of the metal ties has been unfastened. I suspect someone tried to take the shelf until they got to the zip tie, realizing that they don't have a wire cutter with them and gaved up.

Attached Image:

Shelf on the Rack.jpg

Chieh Cheng
Sun, 11 Nov 2007 01:16:05 +0000

Great Idea! Like others here, the price on those Yakima are a bit much. I'm placing this Cargo Box on a VW new Beetle Turbo Diesel. I think what I will do is take the Container store rack idea a bit farther and bigger by buying Two Units and then welding them together side by side. I will then use a Oxy cutting torch and remove the Middle sides that are now welded together in the middle as I want an unobstructed area to place things. In its place I probably will tack a piece of 1/8 or 1/4 inch flat Stock 2 inches wide to give it rigidity( top and bottom). Has anyone else gace this a try for a larger Carrier box?

Attached Image:

Colombia Fireworks 218.jpg

Mike
Sun, 09 Mar 2008 06:06:19 +0000

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