Extra luggage solution

[nikhilkorada]

Hello everybody, I got a 2021 telluride sx awd in sangrina. It would be great if somebody could suggest me a solution for extra luggage I would need to carry in my telluride. I am looking to add the capacity to carry at least 4 50lb check in suitcases to my telluride with the third row up. So would it be wiser to fix a roof rack or add a tow hitch and then a hitch cargo carrier? Please help me out here. I have been searching the internet about this question for a while now. Thank you.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Hello everybody, I got a 2021 telluride sx awd in sangrina. It would be great if somebody could suggest me a solution for extra luggage I would need to carry in my telluride. I am looking to add the capacity to carry at least 4 50lb check in suitcases to my telluride with the third row up. So would it be wiser to fix a roof rack or add a tow hitch and then a hitch cargo carrier? Please help me out here. I have been searching the internet about this question for a while now. Thank you.

Welcome. Moving this out of the non-Telluride talk section as you have a Telluride-related question.

 

[DarkMossJustin]

Hello everybody, I got a 2021 telluride sx awd in sangrina. It would be great if somebody could suggest me a solution for extra luggage I would need to carry in my telluride. I am looking to add the capacity to carry at least 4 50lb check in suitcases to my telluride with the third row up. So would it be wiser to fix a roof rack or add a tow hitch and then a hitch cargo carrier? Please help me out here. I have been searching the internet about this question for a while now. Thank you.

It's up to you.

What are the weather conditions?

Anything behind the Telly will get really dirty but keep the center of gravity about the same but shift the balance of weight towards the rear.

Anything above the Telly will raise the center-of-gravity and create more noise and air-resistance.

What can you live with?

I believe I've seen a Telluride video where they fit 4 standard carry-on sized bags with the 3rd row up.

If you can avoid attaching luggage above or behind the Telly and can keep everything inside, choose that option.

Remember that there's also some space between the Captain's Chairs and that there's a hidden storage well that you might also be able to use for additional space.

Any possibility to ask your passengers to pack their clothes in other sized luggage like duffel bags or soft-sided backpacks that can squeeze into tight spaces a little better?

If you do get the OEM cross bars with your Telluride, Yakima makes amazing roof racks and storage boxes that can mount perfectly to Kia's cross bars or Yakima's own bars.

Roof Cargo Boxes

Yakima roof cargo boxes deliver secure, weatherproof rooftop storage for every trip. Shop compact to XXL sizes—fits most roof racks and crossbars.

yakima.com

 

[Kia2020TB]

I just hit the 6 month wait mark on my 21‘ Telluride AWD SX NF/P/T package in gravity gray. Definitely getting anxious to hear soon of a delivery date hopefully. Anyway, my families main vehicle right now is a 16’ Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited w/ eyesight. The vehicle comes with integrated OEM rails and cross bars and i had a 2 inch hitch with wiring harness installed. At least once annually, we take a trip to the Oregon Coast. Our setup consists of a Yakima Skybox Carbonite 18 and a Yakima Fullswing bike rack. But we also have a cargo hitch carrier that we have used instead of the bike rack. We also have a roof top basket but really don’t use it much. So why all the attachments and what has worked best for us?

I like the Skybox for items that fit to keep dry and secure since it locks versus the roof basket is more flexible in fitting odd shaped luggage but it is more exposed to weather and subject for someone to take the items easily. We have used in conjunction to the skybox, the cargo hitch carrier for coolers or totes full of other toys. We are a family of 4 but soon to be 5 which is a big reason for the Telluride. We could get a truck or a large SUV but with our lifestyle, being able to attach and detach all our cargo accessories as needed makes it a lot easier to convert an “in city commuter” to a “road tripper” quite easily.

Since I do not have my expected Telluride to provide my personal feedback with all my attachments, that is the best description I can provide. I did also attach a few photos of my Subaru to give you an idea. It is really up to you what is going to work best. From what it sounds like, the cargo hitch might be a better option to load a few 50 pound luggage cases. That way they are easier to load and unload. I would recommend one that has a pivot point to fold up right when not in use unlike mine, its a fixed cargo carrier. Also would recommend one that has some side rails to help keep items from shifting off the cargo carrier as well as anchor points for tie downs. Depending on weather, a nice size tarp to wrap your luggage up with might be a benefit to keep dry and clean. Overall, I would still say having both the roof rack and cargo carrier is the best setup but might not be the best for you.

Slight side note, I had noticed another comment that luggage fitting behind the third row. I too have seen a video somewhere that showed the flexibility in fitting a few carry on luggage size cases with the seats up. Also, I believe that false floor in the third row can be lowered and/or removed which will add a bit of depth for the luggage to sit lower. That might allow stacking another row of carry on cases on top of one another to fit it all back there with the third row up. Just a thought but again, I don’t have my Telluride to try out that method.

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[2020Telly]

I did this very thing and had to use a turtle shell on the roof and a hitch cargo basket. With the third row up I see no other way to carry four 50lbs luggage items.I had two on the roof and two on the hitch. I can usually fit two 50lb suitcases inside if I can fold down the larger side of the third row and just carry 1 passenger in the third row. With the third row up I can only fit one larger sized suitcase. (But that’s more than some midsized SUVs can fit).

Smaller sized suitcases are a different story. Those I can work in pretty easily.

 

[PittPa]

I have found that a rigid carrier is not as efficient as a soft rooftop pack for fitting items such as suitcases. If you treat your rooftop carrier as one 'Large" suitcase and pack everything in there, you will optimize the amount you can stow away. You mentioned that it is not weather proof or theft resistant which may be a factor.

 

[Wiluride]

From what I've read... the roof top/racks really can only handle about 165lbs total of evenly distributed weight. I suppose that's three heavy suit cases... and while that may be better than having to deal with a hitch mounted storage thing, it's still kind of sad to me that the roof top capacity isn't a little higher. Fortunately, I personally don't know that I'll be in the situation for needing to carry 6 or more people and 200 pounds of luggage.

 

[2020Telly]

I would not try three 50 lbs suitcases on the roof. I have that old school 18 cu ft Sears X-Cargo (near vintage #300.7271) rooftop carrier rated for up to 100 lbs and the Kia crossbars which are rated for up to 165lbs. A typical very large suitcase with 50 lbs will not physically fit more than 2 in my tall rooftop cargo carrier turned on their sides. The soft roofbags on a cargo basket might be different story, but I travel in winter and the plastic hardshell top is nice. Plus even though an expensive Rhino Rack roof basket might be rated for 220 lbs, you are still limited to whatever the limitation is for evenly distributed weight on the crossbars, which in my case is the 165 lbs and I would have to subtract a metal basket from 165. So if I wanted to go with a rooftop metal basket, I would also swap out the cross bars from the Kia OEM hitch and get something like the Thule WingBar Evo which is rated higher, but I don't know if 165 is also a limit of the side rail system on the Kia Telluride. Ultimately I prefer the hitch mounted basket. If you get a good strong lightweight rust-free aluminum hitch mount basket you have up to 500lbs of hitch weight to work with and you don't get the drag and less of a problem in strong headwinds. Keep in mind the rear may sag an inch or two more than usual. I use the top to lock luggage I don't need right away and then the hitch basket with a waterproof bag to hold the luggage I need that I can't lock up. My post on what it looks like empty. Another tip is to spend $10 on a hitch stabilizer/tightener to reduce rattle. To do it over I would have gone with aluminum as the black painted steel is starting to rust after two years. There are lockable hitch mount cargo boxes but I'm sure those aren't cheap and I'm not sure how many large suitcases you will fit.

To sum it up:

• One one large ~50lb suitcase, I can travel fitting that in the third row seat fully up without a problem.
• Two large ~50lb suitcases, I prefer the hitch carrier unless I can get away with folding down part of the third row.
• Three large ~50lb suitcases with the third row seat up, I do one in the back and two on the hitch mounted basket.
• Four large ~50lbs suitcases with the third row up, then I do 2 on the rooftop and 2 on the hitch mounted basket then I have all the space I need behind the third row.

Aside from the limitations on the roof and the 500lbs max hitch weight, you also want to pay close attention to your tire pressure on the rear tires as you load up. My VIN badge tells me on the drivers door that I have a rear GAWR of 3196lbs. Even if I maxed out the roof and hitch and had 5 adults (captains chairs) at 180 lbs each I would still have plenty of capacity for backpacks and smaller items unless I'm hauling bricks behind the 3rd row.

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[jazzyone]

From what I've read... the roof top/racks really can only handle about 165lbs total of evenly distributed weight. I suppose that's three heavy suit cases... and while that may be better than having to deal with a hitch mounted storage thing, it's still kind of sad to me that the roof top capacity isn't a little higher. Fortunately, I personally don't know that I'll be in the situation for needing to carry 6 or more people and 200 pounds of luggage.

That is only for the KIA rack. After market rack/crossbars from leading manufacturers can go up to the KIA maximum limit. Check the KIA manual and rack manufacturer’s website for specs.

 

[2020Telly]

That is only for the KIA rack. After market rack/crossbars from leading manufacturers can go up to the KIA maximum limit. Check the KIA manual and rack manufacturer’s website for specs.

The 2020 manual page 4-170 lists the roof rack (rails) rated for up to 220lbs distributed evenly. So if you want that much don’t use the Kia crossbars rated for up to 165, go with the more expensive aftermarket options.

Most rooftop cargo boxes are rated 100-110. The 220 rated crossbars may only be necessary if you go with a very highend rooftop basket or something more off-road like a rooftop tent. Although roofbags are sized according to capacity and not weight limit. So if you could fit a basket on higher rated crossbars and put a bag on top to keep the luggage weather proof, you might be able to get 130lbs of luggage if you subtract the weight of the empty basket from and crossbars from 220 maybe more with a more expensive and lighter weight basket. If you go roofbag in between crossbars (not on them), laying right on the roof, make sure you evenly distribute really well as you can very easily put a dent in the exterior roof.

When in doubt I like to shop etrailer.com. Their presales support is great and their prices aren’t bad either.

 

[2020Telly]

I just had made an interesting revelation that makes me love the Telluride even more. I thought what if I remove the cargo compartment cover and empty it to try to fit two very large suitcases standing upright with the third row up, will the liftgate close? Works great and I can still see out my rear window!! How many mid-sized SUVs will let you do that!!!! Nice boxy look and it's functional too.

So I amend my previous plan to something more like the following:

• One one large ~50lb suitcase, I can travel fitting that in the third row seat fully up without a problem.
• Two large ~50lb suitcases, remove the cargo cover, leave it at home and empty the lower cargo to stand up side by side if I have to have the third row up.
• Three large ~50lb suitcases with the third row seat up, I do 2 in the back and one on the hitch mounted basket unless I can get away with folding down part of the third row.
• Four large ~50lbs suitcases with the third row up, then I do 2 on the rooftop and 2 on the hitch mounted basket then I have all the space I need behind the third row.

So here's what I'm wondering, the Telluride advertises 21 cu ft behind the third row, while the Highlander advertises 16 cu ft. The Honda Pilot was known for having lots of interior space, and behind the third row the Pilot 18.5 cu ft. I wonder if that 21 cu ft is with or without the extra cavity created by removing the cargo compartment top?

The Palisade advertises 18 cu ft in some places, but it also has the same compartment as the Telluride (possibly even deeper) seen here: 2020 Hyundai Palisade Luggage Test | How much fits in the cargo area?

This article compares a Telluride to a Buick Enclave (aka Chevy Traverse) which is bigger at 23.6 cu ft behind the third row, but the Telluride appears to do pretty well and in their test they did not remove the cargo cover: 2020 Kia Telluride vs. 2019 Buick Enclave luggage test | Behind the third row

 

[Wiluride]

No need to leave the cargo cover at home, it conveniently slides into and out of the way at the bottom, at most consuming an inch or so at the very bottom.

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[2020Telly]

True you can very easy lay the cargo cover flat at the bottom and you lose about 1”. I was trying to make sure the corners of the large luggage fit standing vertical with the hatch down and maximize the view out the rear window.

Doing the math it appears that the advertised cargo space behind the third row of 21 cu ft is without considering the cargo compartment. If you make use of that space the actual cargo area is more like 24.5 cu ft. Better than advertised!!!

 

[nikhilkorada]

Thanks a lot for lots of ideas and different options I can have, so now I have decided to decide if I have to drive long distances with so much luggage or not. If I have to drive long distance then a cargo hitch would be ideal. If I have to drive something like 40min to an HR, i think I can do with a cargo carrier. This forum has made it so easy for me to take decisions with my telluride. Thanks again.

 

[Tortuga07]

Great points made in this thread. I was about to ask a related question but all my questions are answered.

 

[thehellyouride]

No need to leave the cargo cover at home, it conveniently slides into and out of the way at the bottom, at most consuming an inch or so at the very bottom.

Just found that out! Here´s a video showing this convenient feature:

By the way, this was a concern of mine when looking at the Telly at the dealer. Nobody at the dealer pointed this out to me. Don't think they even knew about it...

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[Kia2020TB]

Just found that out! Here´s a video showing this convenient feature:

By the way, this was a concern of mine when looking at the Telly at the dealer. Nobody at the dealer pointed this out to me. Don't think they even knew about it...

Subaru’s Outback has the same thing - slots for cargo cover for storage.

 

[nikhilkorada]

Hello everybody, as a lot of members adviced me here I went for the hitch Cargo carrier. It was so very comfortable to load up the luggage in a cargo carrier bad which had straps to be fastened to the cargo carrier. The driving was a breeze too. But after a 3 hr drive I saw damage due to exhaust heat on the bag. That's when I realised that the cargo carrier sits almost at the level of exhaust. Then another 3 hrs later one of the straps totally failed. The bag was hanging on with the rest of the 5 strap. The bag made it home in 1 piece but I don't think it's going anywhere else. Since members on this thread had experience with hitch Cargo carriers, would it be advisable to get a heat shield or a height adapter for the cargo carrier to sit higher? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[2020Telly]

Hello everybody, as a lot of members adviced me here I went for the hitch Cargo carrier. It was so very comfortable to load up the luggage in a cargo carrier bad which had straps to be fastened to the cargo carrier. The driving was a breeze too. But after a 3 hr drive I saw damage due to exhaust heat on the bag. That's when I realised that the cargo carrier sits almost at the level of exhaust. Then another 3 hrs later one of the straps totally failed. The bag was hanging on with the rest of the 5 strap. The bag made it home in 1 piece but I don't think it's going anywhere else. Since members on this thread had experience with hitch Cargo carriers, would it be advisable to get a heat shield or a height adapter for the cargo carrier to sit higher? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

I have not had that problem on mine, here's what I went with: Towing capacity

My cargo basket sits out far enough from the exhaust tips that I've not seen any damage. However, the further out it goes, the more rear sag you might experience which is why I'm looking at air helper bags for the rear suspension as a temporary solution to firm up the rear until I find some suitable, quality aftermarket rear shocks. Height adapter might not work since there would need to be enough space to put the arm of the basket through the 2" square receiver. You might consider replacing or going to metal shop to see if they can angle or bend it up to make a higher curve and give you height away from the exhaust or extend. But at that cost you might be better off shopping for a different cargo basket and selling what you have left that's not damaged.

 

[nikhilkorada]

I have not had that problem on mine, here's what I went with: Towing capacity

My cargo basket sits out far enough from the exhaust tips that I've not seen any damage. However, the further out it goes, the more rear sag you might experience which is why I'm looking at air helper bags for the rear suspension as a temporary solution to firm up the rear until I find some suitable, quality aftermarket rear shocks. Height adapter might not work since there would need to be enough space to put the arm of the basket through the 2" square receiver. You might consider replacing or going to metal shop to see if they can angle or bend it up to make a higher curve and give you height away from the exhaust or extend. But at that cost you might be better off shopping for a different cargo basket and selling what you have left that's not damaged.

Thanks a lot 2020Telly. I noticed in the pictures of your telly that the carrier had an angled shank which made it rise above a bit. I guess that was making a difference. After all I might get the height adapter which will accept my cargo carrier. That should give a little more space from the exhaust and not exactly at the level of exhaust. My next trip will be 20 hrs drive so, I will have to see how it will hold up.