Costco Roof basket - Possible group purchase

[BCDelica]

Cheers,

Well they have these affordable (read cheap) roof baskets at Costco US for $59.99 US.



Yes, they wouldn't be solid enough for a storying a spare tire but would fit the bill for getting junk out of the Delica for trips. Think you'll be as happy as this guy with one.

I would love to buy one, but.
1. Costco US won't ship to Canada.
2. Can't afford the mark up of the dude charging $200 for these on craigslists.
3. North Van is a 5-6 hour trip for myself.

If anyone is willing to cross the border there are a few of us interested in obtaining a roof baskets. I would gladly pitch in a case of beer to the shopper. Definitely, can provide, a WVO fill if it's a WVO powered Deli making the trip!

Anyone else interested? Rdub?

Best Regards,
Kevin

[JMK]

I've got a POD on my roof, and getting into it is a challenge. I had this idea that I should rig a strap between the left hand sliding door grab handle and the upper grab handle on the right. Some webbing with carabiners on each end should work. Then you stand on the floor of the Deli after you slide the door open, and you lean backwards against the strap so both your hands are free. The other option is to put your climbing harness on in the morning and wear it whenever you drive the Deli so you can clip in "On Belay". Until now I have to hang on to the right hand grab handle or the rack itself when I'm accessing the Pod. The happy guy in the Pic will have the same problem with the Deli.

[delicat]

There's always the option of adding a ladder...

[JMK]

I anticipated that as a possible reply, and therefore probably should have added the comment that in my case, you'll notice the POD is accessed from the midpoint latch, a rear gate ladder would therefore be problematic for this type of POD. And while Safari racks are convenient, they cannot be locked like the POD can.

[BCDelica]

A flat roof Delica with moon roof has more access options; standing on the bambi bar, full access from the moon roof, and reaching down from your camp chair resting on the nice flat roof. If you look close at my signature you'll see my pod, with access from both sides, if the weathers nice.

Delicats pod looks big enough to make a roof top tent doesn't it?

[delicat]

I see a lake and some trees, is there a Delica in the picture?

[BCDelica]

[TardisDeli]

Hi Kevin, I am curious about the basket. Have you seen/touched it to check sturdiness. Do you think it will fit on the basic roof-rack with the square tube (such on yr Deli in the photo), as I have an old pair. I like the small basket size as could pack it all into Deli van for the ferry or off-roading, then afix it atop at night. We have high-roof no crystal.

Do you know if basket can be bought at the Bellingham Costco (presume that is closet to Burnaby?), I checked your weblink -- seems only special order but I don't use Costco much so not sure about navigating site. I Could do a USA run if no one else can, but not for 2 weeks (then plan a time to meet later).

I am deciding between this and the rear trailer hitch basket (as we have an E&H hitch on).

Cheers, Christine of the TardisDeli.

[BCDelica]

Christine, I believe it's as sturdy as the SportRack, which is available at CTire for $250 and have see a 33" tire packed around on one here for a year plus. It can be mounted on most style of racks up to a certain diameter cross bar (I guess); round, oval, square, etc. According to other forums it can sometimes be found in store, but can easily be ordered with the delivery specified to a US Costco.

Also thought of a trailer hitch basket; but if it was stacked high it would block the hatch and didn't like the idea of using it on long offroad trips also.

Cheers,
Kev

[psilosin]

That basket looks identical to the one sold at Canadian Tire under the Sportsrack brandname. Only visible difference is the badging. I have had my Sportsrack basket for approx 5 years and it has held up great. Its not as beefy at the Yakima Warrior racks but at a fraction of the cost it is a great value. I think Cdn Tire lists theirs for $250 an it usually goes 40-50% off many time a year. US$59.99 is a great deal!

[rdub]

Im not sold on the rack just yet ,ive been checking out the pods at the same time and summers on its way in soon, road trips come more frequant ,but rain and theivery are still big factors in making my choice. at the same time im wondering how to do either with my canoe ,wich is item #1 on the what to bring camping list.

[Adam]

I'm in for a hitch mounted basket group buy They are pretty cheap at ORS Racks Direct, only $134.10 and free shipping in the continental US. I'm checking to see if they'll ship to Canada, but I'm not hopeful. I know that SportCheck carries SportRack gear and they said they could order me in anything the SportRack made. I'm just afraid the price will be in the $250 range.

For me this looks like the perfect way to transport WVO jugs/buckets locally, as well as a great way to take extra WVO on road trips. From the dimensions and weight rating, it looks like I could carry 12 extra cubes of WVO on trips with me extending my range by approx. 1900km. That would pay for itself in the first road trip.....now if my wife only did math that same way....

I looks like you might be able to open the rear hatch with the basket loaded, depending on how far your hitch sticks out

[rdub]

Do you know if that roof basket will fit or retro fit,if it dose i may be interested

[BCDelica]

Would assume that four connectors secure the basket to the cross bars of your roof rack, just like the pods. Pods and roof baskets shouldn't be left on all the time, they'll just make the aerodynamics of the toaster even worse.

Those hitch baskets are ideal for many situations, but for camping? Meaning explore, moving around camping where that dry area under the open rear hatch is awesome for staying dry; that's just valuable real estate IMO. 12 16 liters jugs at a back friendly height, cool. Think of the stuff you can bring back (from that 1900km trip) with all storage room. Wife's can understand that math! If the Canoe is on the roof often, Adam and Rdub, then the hitch basket works better for you doesn't it?

[Adam]

Wife's can understand that math! If the Canoe is on the roof often, Adam and Rdub, then the hitch basket works better for you doesn't it?

You would think that she would understand it, but once you throw in the unknown variable of a hitch cost plus the shipping costs/duty (or $250 locally) and the math gets more obscure. Where as I like to take the lowest number I can find and round down, she tends to be more realistic about the final total costs

Yeah, when we throw the canoe into the mix the hitch basket looks like our best option aside from a trailer. The basket does swing up or could be fully detached when at the camp site, but I see your point them being the the way. If only there was a product to convert a canoe into a pod......