i was looking for something big. on my big camping trip i used a medium to large clam shell car top carrier (about 34" by 48" or so) between my roof rails, slid as far forward as i could, so i could still have room for 2 medium sized coolers, and about a 37 gallon storage bin behind it, this set up had the front of my clam shell about 12 inches in front of my roof rack. a piece of angle iron across my roof rails right behind it, and a piece of angle iron across at the very back most edge, in the plastic triangle of the roof rails for the coolers and bin to fit between. now, on top of those things, i also strapped a shovel, folding chairs, folding plastic table, a step stool to reach all this crap, and a fly rod tube strapped and bungied into everything. yes, i dented the roof a little with the coolers bouncing around full of ice and meat and sodas.
i decided i will need one hell of a safari basket. I am thinking of building my own, 48" wide, and about 60-66" long. if i do this, i am going to make the bottom tray of it removeable, with detachable legs so i can use it as a table on camping trips. i will probably keep the stock roof rails, and possibly make a front support that will have a rubber pad under it where it touches the roof, just to prevent rocking, not to actually support any weight. i am figuringthe sides need to be about 6-10" tall to keep all my crap in one spot, and i can still fit the clamshell in there. but i will have room for mounting axes and shovels on the sides with that height, not to mention when i can finaly use a hi-lift, it will be mounted there as well
