So, trying to think outside the box here...

BatHusband

We have the Outback and have moved the spare tire to the front hitch.  Now we have this empty approximately 3'x3' basket that is begging to be stuffed with something.  When I asked Randi, she suggested I could stay there (see PXlated, now I have witnesses).  I now realize that is not a good option for me - I'm fragile that way.  I started to look for a hard roof top carrier that would fit in there (again, Randi promised to poke holes in it so I could, you know, breathe).  I thought it would be a pretty good place to store spare clothing and whatnot, especially for those long trips.  I used my Google-fu to search the net and only found soft covered bags.  I am not ready to give in the towel yet and am still looking.  I now have two avenues I can pursue.  1. See what others are doing with their recently vacated Yakima baskets (besides bikes).  2.  See if anyone has any options for my dilemma.  Thanks gang.

Nomad

:-)

Tabaz

Maybe replace the wire basket with a Yakima hardtop carrier?  Would the wire basket fit on your TV?

Photomom

If you are concerned about stuff getting wet inside a soft carrier, you could put those things in a dry bag like kayakers use first. 

jkjenn

Chairs?

db_cooper

We're using it for the outside ground rug with chairs strapped on top to hold the rug in.  

Ratkity

Remember there's a 70 lb limit with the rack on that angle, so no massive scuba weights and dive equipment. LOL. 

I've had a "soft cover" when I just had the platform on the Reverse TD. Supposedly water resistant. T'wasn't. Despite my best efforts to keep the carrier bag dry (contents in dry bags), it started to um, have an odor after a while. I like the idea of chairs there. They make humongous ziplock bags for comforters and my two REI folding chairs and a small folding table would fit there perfectly (if I moved the spare, that is). 

My chairs are older versions of this (edited - wrong link - didn't pay that much either) https://www.gcioutdoor.com/directors-chairs/xpress-dc.htm

It really does fold up tiny! I wish they showed animation of it. They are comfy too. I don't feel like I'm being launched out of them like some of the others (I like to slouch).

BatHusband

May have stumbled onto something.  After looking around all I found were the softbags, and most of know about how effective they are.  There is no simple solution using a hard top box.  Through extensive searching, and a glass or tow of wine, I accidentally ran across something called an ATV luggage box.  Fingers crossed, a little more research, and a glass or two more of wine, and I may find the ideal solution.  If nothing else, we can use part of the basket for the ATV box, and then load our tent and chairs towards the top.  Unfortunately, as Ratkity pointed out, bringing my barbell set is now out of the question.  Thanks gang for steering me in the right direction.

TaBFan

Looks good.... motor cyclists use them too.

XPADREX

http://wolfmanluggage.com/collections/expedition-bags

BatHusband

Thanks Xpadrex.  I have these http://www.amazon.com/Rightline-Gear-100D91-Duffle-Wrangler/dp/B00CYR3XQK?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00 and they fit well.  For us little people it was a pain in the ___ to lift and take down.  Especially when we "accidentally" over fill them.  I am waiting for my ATV box to arrive.  I'll post a picture then.

Mr_Mrs_Gnome

I'm looking at this one - decent reviews on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Cargoloc-32424-15-Cubic-Waterproof-Carrier/dp/B001KW00NY