Abstract: A longitudinal slat which forms the load-bearing surface of a vehicle mounted luggage carrier. The slat includes an elongated channel member which is fixedly secured to the surface of the vehicle and a rub strip mounted to the channel member which supports the cargo and prevents exposure to the channel member. The channel member includes a perpendicular retaining shoulder disposed inwardly from and forming an extension of the side walls of the channel member. These retaining shoulders cooperate with horizontal grooves formed in opposite sides of the rub strip to prevent vertical displacement of the rub strip relative to the top opening of the channel member. Thus, the rub strip is fixedly retained within the opening by the perpendicular shoulders.