First off, we heavily prefer its latching design, which features a large handle that opens and closes the box entirely separate from the locking mechanism. Overall, it's long enough at 6 feet 9 inches to accommodate most skis and a fair amount of gear, but with ability to slide the clamps fore/aft, it works with a wide variety of vehicles. Yakima GrandTour Cargo Box FROM: $878.95 $879.00 Pick a Style Compare By Yakima Yakima EXO TopShelf (Open Box Available) FROM: $458.95 $459.00 Add To Cart Compare 3 Options By Yakima Yakima CoreBar (Open Box Available) FROM: $179.96 $200.00 Pick a Style Compare By Yakima Yakima LoadWarrior Cargo Basket (Open Box Available) FROM: $498.95 $499.00 4.7 out of 5 stars. Yakima Skybox 16 Rectangle-Shaped Carbonite Roof Top Cargo Box w/ SKS Lock, Black #140-0202-6. Finally, its hard to beat the Motions nose design, which is specially engineered to resist gaping in strong winds. My vehicle had Thules AeroBlade system, and while Yakimas fit guide doesnt explicitly state it will work, the box fits seamlessly. All of the picks above come with at least one lock and key (boxes with dual-sided access feature a lock on both sides). This also impacts what you can fit inside, but its far from a deal breaker, and overall weve been very pleased with how much gear the SkyBox can hold. 95-$768.95 $ 768. But overall, this is a fairly minor complaint, and I'm happy with the all-around protection. All told, the everyday user wont find much room for improvement with the Motion XT, making it our favorite do-all cargo box of the yearRead in-depth reviewSee the Thule Motion XT L. Dimensions: 81 x 36 x 15 in.Capacities: 12, 16, 18, 21 cu. Quick-release mounting hardware fits most crossbars. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. In particular, weve found that the turn handle requires a little more force than the Thules and isnt as easy to operate with just one hand (it also has a tendency to get stuck when frozen). There are a number of factors to consider here, including volume and length. ft.Access: One sideSkis: 3-5 up to 155cmWhat we like: Thules most affordable full-sized cargo box.What we dont: Only opens on one side and does not contour around an antenna. In my area 2 different models showed up for sale: Yakima Skybox 16 for $375 and a Thule Motion XT XL for $450. . Last but not least is the INNO Wedge 665, which falls at the higher end of the market with its premium look and sleek finish. L lethoutback Registered And for the ultimate in premium, sophisticated designs, check out Thule's Vector below.See the Yakima GrandTour 16. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best rooftop cargo boxes. And, you are confident it will last the same amount of time as Thule Force. $599.99 Cookie Notice ft.Access: Dual sideSkis: Up to 185cmWhat we like: Rugged aesthetic and great interior space.What we dont: Expensive and heavy. NEW ITEM. Importantly, you dont want the box to be much longer than the roof of your cara box that extends over your windshield (front or rear) will compromise your ability to see the road and have a negative impact on aerodynamics (see below). One access-related nitpick we have is that we found the latches to be fairly stiff and require a sturdy push downward to open. ft.Access: Dual sideSkis: 4-6 up to 200cmWhat we like: Premium features and build.What we dont: Expensive and only comes in 13-cubic-foot capacities. In the end, some of the best boxes clock in around 40 to 50 pounds (for roughly 14-18 cu. But its hard to beat the value and range of sizes, and the SkyBox nevertheless is a reliable hauler that will get your gear from point A to point BRead in-depth reviewSee the Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite. But its hard to beat Thules fantastic tool-free installation and reliable build quality, and the Force XT is undeniably a well-made box.See the Thule Force XT L. Dimensions: 74 x 33 x 16 in.Capacity: 14 cu. Best Seller in Vehicle Hard-Shell Carriers. Further, compared to the 16-cubic-foot Thule Motion XT, the CBX 16 will still cost you $99 more, which may or may not be worth it for the chiseled facade. Its also worth considering if a hitch-mounted box or basket might be a better way to expand your vehicles carrying capacity. There are important considerations when making a purchase: What is your skill level? Yakima has been a leader in the cargo roof box game for some time, and their core and arguably most versatile product is the SkyBox Carbonite. And the latch hasnt been a source of weakness either. ft.Access: Dual sideSkis: Up to 185cmWhat we like: Extremely versatile design, quality build, and competitive price.What we dont: Handle and mounting system could be more user-friendly. Whether its your first time camping or youve been at it for years, it never hurts to have a checklist. What we don't: Handle and mounting system could be more user-friendly. Aerodynamic shape and relatively shallow 15-inch peak height limit what you can haul to items that are fairly low-profile. The most user-friendly carriers include dual-sided access with a handle and lock on both sides, meaning that you can open the box from either the driver or passenger side of the vehicle (but not both at once). A lot of vehicles come with factory-installed racks, and after-market designs can also be easily matched to your make and model. ft. of capacity), which is simply the price you pay for a durable, functional set-up. Knowing that a rooftop box can only carry about 100 pounds worth of gear tells us a few things. However, there are a few points of vulnerability inherent in the design. All told, for a simple box that you dont plan to leave on your car year-round, its an affordable and decently road-worthy option. If youre searching for the best way to transport bikes, hitch-mounted bike racks are the way to go. It's the individual dimensions that can make a difference, and in the case of the CBX 16 I tested, those dimensions differ considerably from others in the industry, including those made by. At just $300, this box costs $150 less than the next-cheapest model here (Thules Sidekick below) while offering options for dual-side or rear access (the Sidekick only opens from the passenger side) and more than twice the storage capacity. ft. less than most other designs), a one-sided opening with no integrated handle, and basic U-bolt mounts that use pre-drilled holesfingers crossed they fit your crossbar spreadand require a number of moving parts (pro tip: dont lose anything). ft. Access: Dual side Skis: Up to 185cm What we like: Extremely versatile design, quality build, and competitive price. wide). Yakima SkyBox 16 16 Cu. And looking on the bright side, the tradeoff is an impressively lightweight design (25 lbs.) *SkyBox Size: Find Dealer Add to Wish List Details Specification Features Sleek aerodynamic Carbonite textured lid No assembly required GrandTour 16 Product Details 16 cubic feet of cargo space Removable torque limiting knob ensures a safe and secure installation Market-leading internal usable space with an unobstructed flattened floor provides more space for your gear Optimized hatch clearance for better vehicle fit Internal lid stiffeners for durability and easy open and close Yakima SkyBox 16 16 Cu. When loading items into your cargo box, youll want to give some thought to what you place where. Once your gear is loaded, we recommend securing it with tie-down straps (if available), which is especially helpful if you have a half-full load. And finally, keeping your cargo box out of the elements will go a long way toward extending its lifespan, especially if you live in a particularly unforgiving climate. 4.7 (12) $999.99. Comparing it to the RocketBox Pro 14 above (Yakimas budget design), the Pulse comes up short in a few significant areas. Further, while the Motion XT has one of our favorite mounting systems, the Yakimas requires more finagling to get into place, which is a downside if you anticipate removing and reinstalling your box with some regularity. First, you only get one-sided opening (the RocketBox opens from both sides), and the Thules base lacks a contour at the rear, meaning it wont accommodate many modern, fin-like antennae. ft.) model. In the end, each type of rooftop storage has its strengths and weaknesses, and taking a close look at your cargo and travel plans will help you decide on the best solution.Back to Our Top Rooftop Cargo Box Picks Back to Our Rooftop Cargo Box Comparison Table. Just click on any of the seller links above, and if you make a purchase, we receive a small percentage of the transaction. It also has SKS lock cores included. Low-Profile and Narrow (Half-Width) Designs On the flip side, the interior understandably can get quite warm in direct heat. $349.99 + shipping. Any thoughts on which may be the better deal (assuming they are in good condition)? model. Whether you drive a small hatchback or a large SUV, adding a cargo box to your vehicles rooftop can go a long way toward improving organization, carrying capacity, and comfort. I'm a bit stuck between these boxes, as both seem pretty solid. Interior Length And at $579, the RocketBox Pro 14 undercuts Thules budget Pulse M below by around $20, making it our favorite entry-level option from either of the two major brands. In what region Colorado is one of the most iconic ski destinations in the Unites States. Compared to a box, baskets are more affordable (the popular Yakima LoadWarrior is $469), significantly lighter (read: easier to install and leaves more weight allotment for gear), and can accommodate bulkier items (like a cooler or Rubbermaid storage containers). Dimensions: 54 x 25 x 15.5 in.Capacity: 8 cu. On the other hand, the Yakima GrandTour Lo ($929) is more of an investment but tacks on an additional 4 cubic feet of storage while adding less than a half-inch in height (10 in. thule force xl. Most rooftop cargo boxes add about 15 to 18 inches to the height of your vehicle, but if you routinely navigate city parking garages or park your car in a garage or carport, you might want to consider a low-profile design. The 18 cubic foot model can hold items up to 210 cm more than enough for the majority of alpine skis on the market. There are two factors to be aware of when selecting a roof rack to pair with your cargo box (or vice versa): crossbar spread (the space between the front and rear bars) and shape. It cuts through the wind with sleek aerodynamics, stealth like designs that produces better MPG. Wind noise wasn't too bad. The options on our list start around 8 cubic feet (the Thule Sidekick) and max out around 22 cubic feet for some of Thules XXL designs (the Motion XT and Force XT). The design is pretty neat: you get Yakimas most premium cargo box for adventuring (the CBX) with a 36-watt (5V) solar panel mounted on top. Available with 14, 15 or 16 cubic feet capacityideal for skis, surboards or camping equipment. On the other hand, budget boxes will often use simple U-bolt mounts, which require many moving parts (dont lose anything) and can take some effort to tweak into position and secure (sometimes this involves drilling new holes or moving your crossbars). Not only do they offer lower clearance, but these designs are also more aerodynamic overall, resulting in slight reductions in drag and wind noise. The cost of the product is the same to you but this helps us continue to test and write about outdoor gear. There are a wide range of cargo box designs and shapes on the market, but weve found the Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite hits the sweet spot in gear capacity for all-season use. Tack on a very generous 83-inch length (91 in. Yakima describes the box as water-resistant, and I would put it decidedly toward the high end of the spectrum. There are three main styles featured in the picks above, including one-sided (usually the passenger side), dual-sided, and rear access. $399.99 + shipping. The Motion XT above is clearly the best all-rounder, with a high-end fit and finish, exceptionally easy-to-use mounting hardware, and a SlideLock handle and lock system thats hard to beat. 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The competition, see our article on the market items into your cargo box SKS.