Photos of Rooftop Cargo Boxes

mybabydaddy · Jan 10, 2017

I roll with a Yakima Sky Box 16 with the Yakima Whispbar Cross Bars... to my recollection, I haven’t used the Sky Box yet on the ’14 TEP (I used it with my ’11 LTD, and even then, I think it was on stock Toyota cross bars)... so my trip coming up in March to Taos will be the first time to use with this truck and the Yakima cross bars. I’ll post up pics as I get geared up for the trip.

Oh, and FYI, I remember it being a pain in the arse, but I know I got the SkyBox to fit on the ’11 LTD without hitting the XM fin nor the tailgate (opened).

slide531 · Jan 11, 2017

Here are some pics of my Yakima skybox 12, which is actually longer than the skybox 16 (http://www.rocketboxrentals.com/wp-.../Skybox-and-Rocket-BoxCompare_1433973937-.jpg)

I was having some issues opening the hatch on my last ski trip. I stole my Yakima towers and crossbars off my old Subaru and drilled a couple holes to move the front mount back about 2.5 inches. I've now got about a half inch of clearance with the hatch fully open.

-slide

Tisoy281 · Jan 23, 2017

Hate to resurrect an old post, but I have a question. My wife and I are expecting our first born in March. I have 3 dogs, and just purchased a kennel that fits perfectly in the back cargo area in my 2011 SR5 premium. Now, this will limit my storage space to the rear seat only.

I wanted to know what everyone is doing to haul around luggage, strollers, etc... I have a cheap hitch mounted basket, but the only drawback to it is that I can't open up my rear hatch unless I take everything off of it. I think I'll be leaning more towards a roof top, weather proof cargo box, but I have NO IDEA which one to go with.

I don't have the cross bars on my roof rails, so I'll need to get a pair. Also, this will be kind of a tight budget, so the cheaper the better (but I also don't want to sacrifice quality).

Any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Cymon · Jan 23, 2017

Tisoy281 said:
Hate to resurrect an old post, but I have a question. My wife and I are expecting our first born in March. I have 3 dogs, and just purchased a kennel that fits perfectly in the back cargo area in my 2011 SR5 premium. Now, this will limit my storage space to the rear seat only.

I wanted to know what everyone is doing to haul around luggage, strollers, etc... I have a cheap hitch mounted basket, but the only drawback to it is that I can't open up my rear hatch unless I take everything off of it. I think I'll be leaning more towards a roof top, weather proof cargo box, but I have NO IDEA which one to go with.

I don't have the cross bars on my roof rails, so I'll need to get a pair. Also, this will be kind of a tight budget, so the cheaper the better (but I also don't want to sacrifice quality).

Any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

This is exactly why we have our Yakima skybox 16. I've had it for 5 years and two cross country trips as well as 2-3 family visits up to Maryland. I absolutely love it. It's lockable, weatherproof, holds strollers, luggage, skis, camping equipment. I originally had it on Thule Aerobars but now I mount it to my Frontrunner. It is also compatible with the OEM crossbars but I would advise aftermarket for "shark fin" clearance. Also if you are and REI member you can use your 20% discount (during their spring and fall member promotions), that's how I bought both the box and bars.

This is also a good option if you have a vehicle with the 3rd row and need storage with the rear seats up.

I also have a handy garage mounting option in my Thread linked in my signature.

bofa · Jan 23, 2017

Tisoy281 said:
Hate to resurrect an old post, but I have a question. My wife and I are expecting our first born in March. I have 3 dogs, and just purchased a kennel that fits perfectly in the back cargo area in my 2011 SR5 premium. Now, this will limit my storage space to the rear seat only.

I wanted to know what everyone is doing to haul around luggage, strollers, etc... I have a cheap hitch mounted basket, but the only drawback to it is that I can't open up my rear hatch unless I take everything off of it. I think I'll be leaning more towards a roof top, weather proof cargo box, but I have NO IDEA which one to go with.

I don't have the cross bars on my roof rails, so I'll need to get a pair. Also, this will be kind of a tight budget, so the cheaper the better (but I also don't want to sacrifice quality).

Any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Ill admit i have zero experience on this topic, but there are some swingarm hitch attachments out there that will swing the basket out of the way to open the hatch.

https://www.stowaway2.com/swingaway-hitch-frame

There are cheaper ones, but this will give you an idea.

Cymon · Jan 23, 2017

Tisoy281 said:
Hate to resurrect an old post, but I have a question. My wife and I are expecting our first born in March. I have 3 dogs, and just purchased a kennel that fits perfectly in the back cargo area in my 2011 SR5 premium. Now, this will limit my storage space to the rear seat only.

I wanted to know what everyone is doing to haul around luggage, strollers, etc... I have a cheap hitch mounted basket, but the only drawback to it is that I can't open up my rear hatch unless I take everything off of it. I think I'll be leaning more towards a roof top, weather proof cargo box, but I have NO IDEA which one to go with.

I don't have the cross bars on my roof rails, so I'll need to get a pair. Also, this will be kind of a tight budget, so the cheaper the better (but I also don't want to sacrifice quality).

Any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

One other thing, to save $ post a WTB in the classified section. People are selling crossbars on there all of the time.

rainmn · Feb 6, 2017

Figured I'd add to this thread while I have my cargo box installed. It's a Skybox 16 Pro on a 2010-2013 Trail model rack.

It fits perfectly - just enough clearance to open the hatch all the way without hitting, and no interference with the sharkfin. With the original SR5 rack, the box would have hit the sharkfin.

lexmny · Feb 14, 2017

rainmn said:
Figured I'd add to this thread while I have my cargo box installed. It's a Skybox 16 Pro on a 2010-2013 Trail model rack.

It fits perfectly - just enough clearance to open the hatch all the way without hitting, and no interference with the sharkfin. With the original SR5 rack, the box would have hit the sharkfin.

Thanks for sharing..I was considering this box on an sr5 factory rack. I guess I'll keep looking or need to swap rails. Looks great on your rig.

rainmn · Feb 14, 2017

lexmny said:
Thanks for sharing..I was considering this box on an sr5 factory rack. I guess I'll keep looking or need to swap rails. Looks great on your rig.

Thanks...and for the record, I never tried to install this box with the original SR5 rack. There's a chance you could make it work, but I doubt it. Mine is installed with the front cross bar all the way forward, and the box mounts are all the way back. That leaves just enough clearance for the hatch. The trail rack sits higher up, and the box is over the sharkfin. I'm pretty sure with the original rack, it would have hit something.

If you don't want to change out your rails, you could just use Thule or Yakima crossbars on them. They sit higher up and would probably provide the clearance for the sharkfin. I think someone else is this thread has pictures of that set up with the same Skybox I have.

CF_Machete · Feb 14, 2017

rainmn said:
Thanks...and for the record, I never tried to install this box with the original SR5 rack

My old sky box 12 would have scraped the crap out of my roof if I forced it on my 2015 with stock rails/ crossbars.

My new 21 is just a pain in the ass to mount on my gobi stealth.

Igooooor · Feb 14, 2017

Tisoy281 said:
Hate to resurrect an old post...

Glad you did. I am looking to increase my storage capacity also.

Toffees · Feb 20, 2017

Here I am with the Thule Force XXL and the Thule Transporter Combi. We went 2,300 miles with 6 people (4 kids) and so we had no interior space to spare but these boxes worked very well, exceeding expectations. I thought we'd have room to spare and was worried I overbought the boxes, but we filled them up without much effort. I'd read mixed reviews on the hitch box, but it was great for what we needed and made it easy to pack and access stuff we needed (so I didn't have to climb up top), and if you don't need to pack a cooler or something large, I think it's a great box to carry (has two red lights as well, although it doesn't block the 4R's lights.)

I can't fit the Force XXL on and lift the rear gate, but you can lift the gate if you remove the pin from the hitch box (it leans aft). Not that you'd want to disengage the pin when the box is filled, and with kids in the 3rd row you don't need to lift the gate, just access the rear window, so makes little difference for my packing.

I probably added 800-1,000 pounds in humans, bags, and stuff to my DD needs and it handled great on Texas highways (less so when it was windy) but I can see why Colorado natives would like a V8 to handle mountain highways.

Sifrk · Apr 18, 2017

Not sure why I didn't take more pics of the truck but this is the best one I have. I've had this box for 10+ years now - a Thule Atlantis 1600. On the 4R with a set of Thule Aeroblade Edge. I've since returned the Aeroblade finding although they look great, they're a bit limiting.

I know it might be redundant but I have not seen anyone throw a box on top of a Gobi rack. I'm expecting delivery of my Gobi rack in the next week. So far it looks like I'm going to get a used set of Thule Crossroad feet and 58" square bars to use with the box. I'm not expecting the Gobi crossbars will be of much use with the box.

4runnerMully · Jul 31, 2017

Here are a couple pics from our July "glamping" trip up in northern Ontario.

The box is Thule's Motion XT XL sitting on Whispbar Aero Bars.

The cross bars are awesome quiet. The box fit all of our gear and then some... which allowed my wife to pack more beer and food in the truck.

The truck had about 9,000kms on it (picked it up in January)...

Can't wait to pack all the ski gear up top this winter (hate having sharp skis against the leather).

bythehour · Aug 1, 2017

Yakima Skybox 16, just travelled from Toronto to Mid florida.

Kevo17 · Dec 19, 2017

Does anyone know if there is a box you can put on a 2018 that will allow for clearance over the antenna and fit in a 7 foot high garage door opening?

Doesn't have to be a large box- I'd be just wanting to put skis in it.

Arishtat · Dec 20, 2017

Kevo17 said:
Does anyone know if there is a box you can put on a 2018 that will allow for clearance over the antenna and fit in a 7 foot high garage door opening?

Doesn't have to be a large box- I'd be just wanting to put skis in it.

Getting any cargo box to fit through a seven foot garage door is going to be tough. Your best bet would be either a Thule Pulse Alpine or an Inno Shadow 15.

And here's my box which is a Thule Force L.

<br>click for big

e60ral · Dec 20, 2017

does anyone use a narrow box?

CG4RUNNER909 · Feb 26, 2018

Whispbar aero compact cargo box

Whispbar aero compact cargo box on oem crossbars no interference with shark fin antenna or rear hatch

GREY_MAN · Apr 6, 2018

My old SportRack 20. Doing a test fit before long trip last November. This was mounted on top of the Rhino Rack steel mesh platform small.

Photos of Rooftop Cargo Boxes

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