There are several different types of luggage carriers. Some luggage carriers are designed to be pulled by a person, while others attach to the top of a car. Other luggage carriers are racks or holders that people can install in the back of vehicles or in the trunks of cars.
One type of luggage carrier sits on two wheels and often resembles an ordinary hand truck, sometimes called a dolly. The items vary in size. Smaller carriers may only handle a single piece of luggage, whereas larger models may be built to carry more than one bag or suitcase. Two-wheeled luggage carriers are designed to absorb the weight of luggage while a person pulls or pushes it.
Luggage carriers meant for people to pull or push have many different optional features. Many provide a strap or other device that helps to secure the luggage on the carrier. Some of the carriers have different types of grips on the handle, often made of rubber or vinyl, to help make them more comfortable to use. Another popular feature is a folding function, which decreases the amount of space taken up by the carrier when not in use.
A car-top luggage carrier is designed for placement on top of an automobile, allowing travelers to use the space inside the car for other items. Manufacturers make car-top carriers in a range of sizes and styles. Some car-top luggage carriers are small and hold only a few bags or suitcases, which may be especially helpful for vehicles with small roof areas. People who drive larger vehicles, such as vans or sport utility vehicles, may choose to attach a larger carrier to the roof of a vehicle. As a safety measure, carriers for the tops of vehicles usually have a weight limit.
Many car-top luggage carriers are designed to fit universally on vehicles that already have roof racks, bars that are often attached to the tops of cars. The carriers must usually be strapped to a car roof with a roof rack system, but sometimes they utilize other methods to secure the carrier to the rack. Manufacturers may make rack-ready carriers from a number of different materials, including heavy plastic. Regardless of the material used, the goal is usually to keep the luggage inside the carrier protected from weather conditions. Car-top carriers may have various special features, including size adjustment, easy detach methods, or a super light weight so that people can carry the luggage carrier to and from the car with ease.