ARKSEN Extra Wide 150LB Roof Rack Cargo Carrier Review: A Deep Dive Into Its Real-World Performance

We’ve all been there. The car is packed to the brim for the annual family camping trip. Tents, sleeping bags, coolers, and camp chairs are playing a high-stakes game of Tetris in the trunk. The kids are wedged in the back seat between a duffel bag and the dog, and your co-pilot has a backpack at their feet. Every cubic inch of cabin space is occupied, visibility out the back window is a distant memory, and the journey hasn’t even begun. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a compromise on comfort and safety. It’s this exact scenario, this universal need to expand a vehicle’s carrying capacity without sacrificing interior real estate, that sends adventurers and families searching for a solution. The answer, for many, lies overhead. A quality roof rack isn’t a luxury; it’s a gateway to more comfortable, better-equipped, and ultimately more memorable travels.

What to Consider Before Investing in a Vehicle Cargo Basket

A Vehicle Cargo Basket is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for liberating your vehicle’s interior and enabling grander adventures. Whether you’re hauling camping supplies, fishing gear, luggage for a cross-country trip, or even just bulky items from the hardware store, these carriers transform your vehicle’s roof into a functional storage platform. The primary benefit is the immediate expansion of carrying capacity, allowing you to bring more gear without compromising passenger comfort. This newfound space not only makes for a more pleasant ride but also enhances safety by keeping the cabin clear of loose items and maintaining unobstructed driver visibility.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the constant challenge of limited space in their SUV, truck, or large car. Think of growing families, outdoor enthusiasts, and avid road-trippers. They need a robust, reliable way to carry gear that is either too bulky or too dirty for the inside of their vehicle. Conversely, this might not be the best solution for owners of small compact cars, where a large basket could be aerodynamically inefficient and visually overwhelming. It’s also less suitable for those who need to transport single, specialized items like kayaks or bikes, where a dedicated rack might be more appropriate. For those needing higher weight capacities for dense items, a hitch-mounted carrier might be a better alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: The physical size of the basket is paramount. You need a rack that is large enough to be useful but also proportional to your vehicle. The ARKSEN Extra Wide 150LB Roof Rack Cargo Carrier boasts an impressive 84 x 50-inch footprint, making it ideal for full-size SUVs like a Tahoe or Expedition, where smaller racks can look out of place. Always measure your roof and crossbar spacing to ensure compatibility and a balanced look.
• Capacity/Performance: Pay close attention to the load capacity. This model is rated for 150 pounds, which is ample for lighter, bulkier gear like tents, luggage, and camping equipment. It’s critical to factor in the weight of the rack itself (around 55 pounds) and stay within your vehicle’s total roof load limit, which can be found in your owner’s manual. Performance also includes aerodynamics; look for features like a wind fairing to reduce noise and drag.
• Materials & Durability: Most cargo baskets are made from steel for its strength and affordability. The key differentiator is the coating. This ARKSEN model uses a black powder finish to resist corrosion. However, as our testing and user feedback confirm, the long-term durability, especially against rust, can be a major consideration depending on your climate and willingness to perform minor preventative maintenance.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Installation should be straightforward. This basket uses universal U-bolts to attach to existing crossbars, a common and generally effective method. For long-term care, periodic checks of the hardware are essential. To prevent rust, which is a common pain point for many steel racks in this price range, consider sealing tube joints and touching up any scratches in the powder coat.

Choosing the right cargo carrier involves balancing size, capacity, and your own commitment to maintenance to find the perfect fit for your vehicle and lifestyle.

While the ARKSEN Extra Wide 150LB Roof Rack Cargo Carrier is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing a Behemoth of a Basket

When the box for the ARKSEN Extra Wide 150LB Roof Rack Cargo Carrier arrived, its sheer size was the first thing that struck us. This is not a small, subtle accessory. Unboxing revealed a collection of powder-coated alloy steel tubes, a two-piece wind fairing, and a bag of hardware. The components felt substantial and weighty, inspiring confidence in the “heavy-duty” claim. Many users report receiving packages with bent tubes or shipping damage, so we conducted a thorough inspection. Fortunately, our components were well-packed and arrived pristine, with all mating parts sliding together smoothly during a preliminary dry fit on the garage floor.

The black powder coat finish is uniform and gives the rack a rugged, utilitarian look. The design is modular, meaning you can assemble it with or without the middle extension piece, offering some versatility if you wanted a smaller configuration, though its main selling point is its maximum size. The included manual is basic but sufficient for anyone with a bit of mechanical aptitude. Compared to premium-priced racks that often come fully assembled or in fewer pieces, the ARKSEN requires full assembly, which is a trade-off for its accessible price point. The initial feel is that of a solid, capable piece of equipment that, with careful assembly, promises to deliver on its core function: providing a massive amount of overhead storage. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of its scale.

A Deep Dive into the ARKSEN Roof Rack’s Real-World Performance

A spec sheet can only tell you so much. To truly understand a product like the ARKSEN Extra Wide 150LB Roof Rack Cargo Carrier, you have to build it, mount it, load it, and live with it. We put this carrier through its paces, from the initial garage assembly to long highway drives, to see if its performance matches its impressive size. Our in-depth analysis focuses on the three stages of ownership: assembly, on-road utility, and long-term durability.

Assembly and Installation: A Tale of Two Experiences

The assembly of the ARKSEN carrier is where owner experiences diverge the most, and it’s a critical first hurdle. The rack arrives completely disassembled, a collection of tubes, screws, and brackets. Our assembly process was, thankfully, on the smoother end of the spectrum. The instructions are image-based and reasonably clear. We laid all the pieces out, performed a dry fit to ensure everything aligned, and then began bolting it together. The key is not to tighten any screws fully until the entire frame is constructed; this allows for necessary wiggle room to get all the holes lined up. This approach, common when assembling large metal structures, proved essential.

However, we can’t ignore the significant number of users who report a much more frustrating experience. Reports of bent tubes from shipping, misaligned screw holes, and hardware that feels undersized are common. Some users needed a rubber mallet and significant “man power” to get the tubes to connect. This inconsistency in quality control is the product’s most significant initial weakness. Our expert advice is to unbox and inspect every single piece immediately upon receipt. If anything is bent or damaged, contact the seller right away; many users praise the responsive customer service for quickly sending replacement parts. Assuming your parts are straight, the process takes about an hour. Once assembled, mounting it to the vehicle’s crossbars with the four universal U-bolts is straightforward, though lifting the 55-pound basket into place is definitely a two-person job. The straightforward U-bolt mounting system is compatible with most factory and aftermarket crossbars.

On-the-Road Performance: Stability, Wind Noise, and Hauling Power

Once securely mounted, the ARKSEN Extra Wide 150LB Roof Rack Cargo Carrier truly begins to shine. On our test vehicle, a 2017 Ford Expedition, its large dimensions looked perfectly at home, unlike smaller racks that can appear undersized. Loaded with a large cooler, several duffel bags, and a folded tent—all well under the 150lb limit—the basket felt rock-solid. The 6-inch high side rails, combined with the bottom metal bars, provide countless tie-down points and create a secure perimeter that kept our cargo from shifting, even on winding back roads.

A major concern with any roof accessory is wind noise. We were pleasantly surprised by how quiet this rack is, a sentiment echoed by multiple users. The steel wind fairing does an admirable job of deflecting air up and over the basket and its contents. At highway speeds of up to 75 mph, there was a faint, low-frequency hum, but it was far from intrusive and easily drowned out by the radio at a low volume. This is a massive win, as excessive wind noise can turn a long road trip into an endurance test. The stability is equally impressive. One user reported testing it at 90 mph for a minute with no issues, and while we don’t recommend that, it speaks to the structural integrity once it’s all bolted down. For families needing to reclaim their cabin space for kids and dogs, this rack is a game-changer, turning a cramped vehicle into a comfortable long-haul cruiser.

Durability and Long-Term Ownership: The Rust Conundrum

This is arguably the most important aspect of owning the ARKSEN Extra Wide 150LB Roof Rack Cargo Carrier. The alloy steel construction is strong, but steel’s natural enemy is rust. The factory powder coating provides a decent first line of defense, but it has its vulnerabilities. The main points of concern are the seams where the tubes slide together and the quality of the included nuts and bolts. Water can seep into these joints, sit inside the tubes, and cause rust from the inside out. Likewise, the basic hardware can show surface rust after just a few rainstorms.

Based on our experience and extensive user feedback, we identified two paths for owners. The first is to do nothing. One long-term user reported that after two years in the Midwest, through all seasons, the finish held up remarkably well with no special treatment. This suggests the factory coating is better than expected. The second, and the path we strongly recommend, is to take some simple, proactive preventative measures. This is what separates a satisfied owner from a disappointed one. For an extra $30 and an hour of your time, you can drastically improve its longevity. We followed the advice of savvy owners and applied a bead of black RTV silicone to all the tube joints during assembly to seal them from water intrusion. We also sprayed the entire basket, especially the welds and hardware, with two cans of Herculiner bed liner spray. This adds a durable, textured, rubberized layer of protection that is far more robust than the standard powder coat. These simple mods transform the rack from a good value into a fantastic long-term investment that can stand up to the elements just as well as racks costing three times as much. It’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind that this incredibly spacious cargo solution will last for years.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, user feedback paints a picture of a product with massive potential that is sometimes hampered by quality control issues, but ultimately represents a great value. On the positive side, many users, like the one with a Tahoe, were thrilled to finally find a rack that was proportionally sized for their large SUV, stating they were “Very happy with how it looks.” Its performance on the road is frequently praised, with one family noting it “Worked great for our camping trip!!” and another confirming it “Held up really good” on a long road trip from Los Angeles to Colorado.

However, the most common thread in negative or mixed feedback revolves around assembly and potential for rust. One user noted, “Half of the mounts that required screws did not line up properly and were a battle to get put in,” highlighting the frustrating alignment issues some face. Another received a unit with “multiple sections bent causing problematic assembly.” The rust concern is the most prominent topic. Countless reviews detail the proactive steps owners take, from using Herculiner and FlexSeal tape to “bluing all the nuts and bolts.” This shared knowledge among the owner community is invaluable, but it underscores a key weakness of the product in its stock form. Despite these issues, a recurring theme is the excellent customer service, with multiple reviewers stating that when they had a problem, the seller was incredibly responsive and made things right, even issuing a full refund in one case.

How Does the ARKSEN Roof Rack Compare to the Alternatives?

The ARKSEN Extra Wide 150LB Roof Rack Cargo Carrier excels at providing maximum overhead storage. However, different adventures call for different solutions. Here’s how it stacks up against other popular cargo management systems.

1. ARKSEN 60″ Folding Hitch Cargo Carrier 500 Lbs

This is ARKSEN’s answer for those who prefer a hitch-mounted solution. Its primary advantage is its massive 500-pound weight capacity, more than triple that of the roof basket. This makes it far better suited for hauling heavy, dense items like generators, large coolers, or multiple firewood bundles. It’s also easier to load and unload since it’s at waist level, and it has no impact on your vehicle’s aerodynamics or overhead clearance for garages. The folding feature is a huge plus, allowing it to be stored compactly against the vehicle when not in use. However, it extends the length of your vehicle and can obstruct access to the rear hatch or trunk. It’s the better choice for heavy-duty hauling if you have a 2-inch hitch receiver.

2. Last Boks Truck Bed Cargo Box

The Last Boks is a completely different approach for a specific user: the pickup truck owner. It’s not a basket but a durable, secure cargo box that sits inside the truck bed. Its key feature is the ability to slide out onto the tailgate, providing easy, back-saving access to all your gear without having to climb into the bed. It offers superior protection from weather and theft compared to an open basket. This is the ideal solution for organizing and securing tools, hunting gear, or anything you want to keep locked away and out of the elements. It’s a dedicated truck bed organizer, not a universal vehicle solution, making it a specialized alternative rather than a direct competitor.

3. Mockins XXL 70″x30″ Cargo Carrier w/ 500 Lbs Cap

The Mockins XXL carrier is another strong contender in the hitch-mounted category. Like the ARKSEN hitch carrier, it boasts a 500-pound capacity and a folding design. Its main differentiator is its “XXL” dimensions (70″x30″), offering a massive platform for your gear. More importantly, it often comes as a complete kit, including a 40 cubic foot waterproof cargo bag and other accessories. This makes it an excellent all-in-one package for someone who wants a turnkey solution without having to source a bag and tie-downs separately. For those prioritizing a complete, weatherproof, high-capacity hitch system right out of the box, the Mockins carrier is a very compelling alternative.

The Final Verdict: A Great Value for the Hands-On Adventurer

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the ARKSEN Extra Wide 150LB Roof Rack Cargo Carrier is overwhelmingly positive, with a few important caveats. Its sheer size is its greatest asset, providing a massive storage platform that looks fantastic and functions perfectly on larger vehicles. When properly assembled and loaded, it is stable, secure, and surprisingly quiet on the highway. For the price, it’s nearly impossible to find another rack that offers this much real estate. This is the ideal solution for the family or adventurer who constantly finds themselves running out of space.

The trade-off for this exceptional value lies in the potential for assembly headaches and the clear need for proactive weather-proofing. This is not a product for someone who wants a perfect, maintenance-free experience right out of the box. However, for the DIY-minded individual who doesn’t mind spending an extra hour and a few dollars on silicone and bed liner, this rack can be transformed into an incredibly durable and reliable piece of gear that will last for years. If you need maximum space on a budget and are willing to put in a little upfront effort, we wholeheartedly recommend it. Ready to reclaim your cabin and expand your horizons? You can check the latest price and availability for the ARKSEN Extra Wide Roof Rack today.