Recommended storage solutions for a Jeep Grand Cherokee L family trip?

Question

So we finally bit the bullet and got the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L and its honestly been great but we have our first big road trip coming up in three weeks. We are driving from Austin all the way to the Grand Canyon with four kids and our golden retriever so space is basically non existent once everyone is buckled in. I have about 800 bucks to spend and I am totally stuck on how to haul all our gear without everyone being miserable and cramped for 15 hours.

Right now I am looking at two main setups. Option one is the Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box because it looks super sleek and I heard it is quiet on the highway but it is pushing my budget once I buy the crossbars. Option two is the Yakima SkyBox 16 which seems a bit more rugged for the same price and people say the latches are better. Then there is the wild card of just getting a hitch mounted carrier like the Curt folding tray. It is way cheaper but I am worried about the backup sensors going crazy or not being able to open the trunk to let the dog out at gas stations.

What do you guys think works better for the GCL specifically? Is the roof box worth the extra cash and the hit to gas mileage or should I just stick with the hitch rack and save some money for the actual vacation?

NunavutNight · Accepted Answer

Thule Force XT L Rooftop Cargo Box is quiet. Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite has better latches. Watch out tho, hitch racks block liftgates for pups. Learned that the hard way in Utah!

EhTeamCaptain · Answer

To add to the point above: I think you should seriously consider the budget side before dropping 800 bucks on just a box. I was in the same boat with my 2022 L and ended up going a different route to save some cash for the actual trip. Honestly, I have been super satisfied with the JEGS Rooftop Cargo Carrier 18 Cubic Feet. It is not as sleek as a Thule but man, it holds a ton of stuff and feels really sturdy on the highway. I think I paid like 250 for it? It works well with the GCL roofline. For the crossbars, dont go to the dealer. You can snag the BrightLines Crossbars for Jeep Grand Cherokee L for way less than the OEM Mopar set. They are easy to install and havent whistled at all for me. If you go with those two, you are looking at maybe 400 total. That leaves you half your budget for gas and snacks... which you are gonna need with four kids lol. Regarding the hitch tray, yeah, skip it if you have got the dog. Even the folding ones are a pain when you need to let the golden out for a pee break. Plus the backup camera becomes basically useless. Stick to the roof. It keeps the gear dry and the dog happy in the back without a metal tray blocking the liftgate. No complaints from my side after thousands of miles with this setup.