Storage device for a vehicle roof top cargo carrier and corresponding methods

A storage device for a cargo carrier comprising a forward pair of roof top attachments and a rear pair of roof top attachments used for securing the cargo carrier to a roof top of a vehicle, the storage device comprising:

• a frame comprising forward and rear cross members connected together by a pair of side members;
• a forward pair of attachment points carried by said frame adjacent said forward cross member;
• a rear pair of attachment points carried by said frame adjacent said rear cross member;
• a forward hanger to be secured to the cargo carrier via said forward pair of roof top attachments;
• a rear hanger to be secured to the cargo carrier via said rear pair of roof top attachments;
• and
• said forward and rear hangers to be held by the forward and rear pairs of attachment points.

A method for storing a cargo carrier in a storage area using a storage device comprising a frame comprising forward and rear cross members connected together by first and second side members;

• a rod assembly carried by the frame and extending lengthwise along the first side member;
• and a pair of spaced apart attachment points carried by the frame and extending lengthwise along the second side member, the method comprising:
• mounting the frame to a ceiling in the storage area;
• securing a forward hanger to the cargo carrier via a forward pair of vehicle roof top attachments associated with the cargo carrier, the forward hanger comprising a hooked end and an attachment end;
• securing a rear hanger to the cargo carrier via a rear pair of vehicle roof top attachments associated with the cargo carrier, the rear hanger comprising a hooked end and an attachment end;
• hooking the hooked ends of the forward and rear hangers onto the rod assembly;
• and
• positioning the attachment ends of the forward and rear hangers adjacent the frame while the hooked ends are hooked onto the rod assembly;
• and
• sliding the hooked ends of the forward and rear hangers along the rod assembly so that the cargo carrier is moved toward the forward cross member until the attachment ends of the forward and rear hangers are held in place by the pair of attachment points.

A method for storing a cargo carrier in a storage area using a storage device comprising a frame comprising forward and rear cross members connected together by a pair of side members;

• a forward pair of attachment points carried by the frame adjacent the forward cross member;
• and a rear pair of attachment points carried by the frame adjacent the rear cross member, the method comprising:
• mounting the frame in a storage area;
• securing a forward hanger to the cargo carrier via a forward pair of vehicle roof top attachments associated with the cargo carrier;
• securing a rear hanger to the cargo carrier via a rear pair of vehicle roof top attachments associated with the cargo carrier;
• and
• positioning the forward and rear hangers so that they are held in place by the forward and rear pairs of attachment points.