Abstract: The rooftop carrier of the present invention includes a guide member mounted to the roof of a vehicle, wherein the guide member defines a substantially horizontal first path, and a carriage movably mounted to and configured to follow the guide member along the first path. The carriage comprises a moveable support member configured to receive an object to be carried by the carrier. The carriage also comprises an elevating system for elevating the support member along a second path between a raised height and a lowered height.