Makeshift roof basket idea

I just finished putting the Yakima bars I had on my old truck shell on my TRD and had an idea that had never occurred to me before now. Don’t know about you guys, but when I pack up and strap down to leave for a trip things always get packed alltogether differently on the trip back home. Wet stuff, ice chests, bloody meat, etc. I have gotten used to using a small hitch carrier for that kind of stuff for convenience and flexibility knowing I will use it. Have just been using a cheap Harbor Freight thing like this:
After looking at it for a minute I realized that it could use it as a roof basket on top of the bars. Tried it and it works perfectly. Still have room left to strap down my canoe and now have the option to use it either way.

After so many years I don’t know why I never thought of it before. Not fancy, expensive, or for serious off road, but sure seems handy and multi purpose. Just how I like things...

 

Took the bars off to cut them. They are 66” which fit fine on my F250. Going to have to cut them down to 58” to fit here. Will put everything up there and post pics when I get done. Think it is going to work pretty well after trying a dry fit.