Family Road Trip - How To Store A Cargo Box In The Garage (Best Solutions)

How To Store A Cargo Box In The Garage (Best Solutions)

Are you worried about how to store a cargo box in the garage? The road-tripping season is over, but what do you do with your rooftop carrier when you’re not using it? 

It’s happened to all of us. You go out and buy a big, bulky cargo box to store your stuff, but then you have no idea where to put it. Your garage is already full of clutter, and there’s not enough room for another piece of furniture.

But never fear! There are plenty of ways to store a cargo box in the garage without too much space.

This post will share a few simple tips to keep your cargo box safe and sound until next season.

As Amazon Associates, we earn a commission from qualifying purchases made on this page.

Why Should You Store The Cargo Box When Not On The Car?

Before storing the cargo box in your garage, let’s first look at why you should do this.

FRT - Storing the Cargo Box in a Garage

Your Cargo Box Can Get Damage

When not in use, the cargo box should not be left on your car all of the time. The weather conditions can cause your cargo box to deteriorate over time.

During the summer, your cargo box can become hot and warp when the temperature rises.

The cargo box will become brittle and even crack in the extremely chilly winter. Eventually, your cargo box will get damaged.

Your Cargo Box Does Affect Your MPG

When you leave the cargo box on your car, it adds more weight and drag, which affects your gas mileage. Removing the cargo box may reduce fuel efficiency by 2% to 8% in city driving and 6% to 17% on the highway. [1]

Your Cargo Box Can Damage Your Car

A cargo box is big and bulky and, over time, will put a lot of strain on the roof of your car. In addition, when you drive with empty cargo, the vehicle handles poorly and is unstable. 

Furthermore, when you send the car to the car wash, cleaning your vehicle is more tricky and can damage the car’s rooftop.

How To Store A Cargo Box In The Garage

There are a few ways to store your cargo box in your garage. Here are some of the recommendations.

Place It On The Floor

The obvious way to store the cargo box is by placing it on the floor in the garage. Clear all the junk you don’t need in the garage to provide a space for your box to rest.

Do not place the cargo box directly on the floor because you don’t want the mounting hardware to rest on the ground. Instead, we’d suggest putting some 4×2 wood to raise the cargo box from touching the floor.

Mounted Flat To A Wall

If you don’t like putting the cargo box on the floor, another way is by hanging it flat on a wall. If you’re a DIY person and know how to use a drill, this project is easy to do.

Here are the simple steps:

  1. Firstly, map out the wall on which you wish to hang the box.
  2. Next, strategically measure off the ceiling and center the wall where the box will go.
  3. Drill and mount two hooks on the wall.
  4. Get an electrical conduit pipe that is available at most hardware stores. Measure and cut it about the same width as the bottom of the cargo box.
  5. Fully clamp down the mounting clips from the inside of the box.
  6. Then install the electrical conduit pipe past through the clips.
  7. Finally, lift the cargo box and hang it on the hooks.

If you have a budget, you can buy a dedicated wall mount for the cargo box on Amazon:

Install An Overhead Garage Storage Rack

One of the best solutions to store a cargo box by keeping it on the overhead garage storage rack (if you already have it).

This type of rack is very effective, using ceiling space to store seasonal items like a cargo box and other unused items.

Install A Garage Storage Lift System

One of the most efficient ways to increase the storage area in your garage is to install a garage storage lift system. The components of a storage lift system are usually cranks, gears, and pulley systems.

It is easy to install and operate and puts the carrier close to the ceiling and out of the way.

A storage lift system will allow you to store items such as ladders, kayaks, and bikes off the ground, freeing up more floor space.

A few of our most popular storage solutions are:

Preparation Before Storing A Cargo Box In A Garage

Before storing your cargo box in the garage, you’ll need to take a few preliminary steps to ensure that your cargo box is in the best condition for the next trip.

Clean Your Cargo Box

The first step is to clean your cargo box. This will remove any dirt, dust, or other elements that may have been collected on the surface. Then, spray it with the cleaner to clean it off. 

Clean it both inside and out. Use a soft cloth to wipe it down. Be sure to dry it off completely before storing it.

Cover Your Cargo Box

The next step is to cover your cargo box. This will protect it from the elements and keep it in good condition. A waterproof cover is best, but a simple tarp will also work.

Remove The Key 

Never leave the key inside the lock. Instead, remove and keep the key safe because if you leave it inside the lock for a long time, it can become stuck.

Cargo Box Storage

It can be tough to find the best way to store a cargo box in the garage, but with a little effort and creativity, you should be able to find a solution that works for you. 

Have you tried any of the methods we’ve discussed? If not, which one are you going to try first? 

Other helpful cargo solution guides you might be interested in:

download your free road trip checklist click here button

© Family Road Trip 2024

Similar Posts