I've got the Yakima Load Warrior (with extension) and I usually only use it to hold my 33" spare tire. It does take up quite a bit of space, but there is still enough to throw a few duffel bags up there (and even more if you throw some stuff on top of the tire and hold it all down with the Stretch Net). In actuality though, I've only loaded it down a couple of times when I was moving around the country, when I had the entire back of the VX stuffed with my possessions, plus another 200 or 250 lbs worth of stuff packed in the Load Warrior on the roof. Most of the time though, it's just there for good looks.