RE: Bikes on Truck, Cargo Box on PopUp?

[got woody?]

 
Or the other way around?
 
 Our new camper has the Yakima load bars built in.  I talked with the Coleman factory rep at the RV show and discussed weight limits for what could be safely carried up there, and it seems we should be fine with a reasonable load.
 
 So my question is, which way would you go.  Sport Utes have a high enough center of gravity as it is, so I was thinking that throwing a big box with say 100 lbs. of cargo inside might not be helpful.
 
 I think I could manage loading two or three bikes up top fairly easily, and toss the cargo box on the front end of the PopUp.
 
 Has anyone else done this, or do you do it the other way?

[Ab Diver]

 got woody?
Jim, a lot is going to depend on how close your PU is to GVWR *before* you add either bikes or box. The rack is already on the PU, right? Then the bikes will probably be lighter than 100 lbs., and centered over the axle. This may be important cuz tongue weight can come into play if you are close to the limit. Adding ~100 lbs. of stuff to the top of the trunk may put TW over the limit. Besides, I really don t think having a heavy box on *top* of the trunk will do the lid any good.
 
 It all depends on what TV you have, and how it s set up to carry stuff on top of the roof. Got a rack? How much can it carry on the roof? I carry a LOT of stuff up there sometimes, but I m set up for it. YMMV.
 
 Since you ve got the load bars built in, I d go with carrying the bikes on the trailer, and put the box on the TV. The nice thing about the Yakima system is you can move the bars from the trailer to the TV if you want to, so you ll still be able to " truck"  the bikes around for day trips. But if you plan of loading both the rack/bikes AND a 100 lbs. box on the trailer, make sure you weigh your rig ASAP so you will know if you are starting the trip loaded for first base, or already rounding third. Trust me, you don t want to get into a squeeze play.
 
 
 " now about that Tow Vehicle........"   Ummm, care to spill the beans? []

[hbfc6]

 got woody?
I put my cartop carrier on top of my mini van and my bikes on top of my pop up. It s easier to put the bikes on the pop up than bikes on the van. I had an older pop up and put two roof top carriers on top of it and took a 1000 mile trip to Maine. The roof leaked after the trip.
  John