2014 SR5 Factory Rails Cargo Box Suggestions

[Shakeyfly]

Hello everyone.

I'm putting this out there to the experts. You guys have helped me a ton ever since I got my first 4runner this year!

I need help in regards to which cargo box I should get for my 4runner. I'm expecting my first kid any day now and my wife and I do a lot of camping. Combine that with a dog, and suddenly I'm losing space in the SUV.

I have the factory rails, and looking for something that will fit it? Yakima Skybox 16? Thule? I'm looking for a box because Gobi roof racks etc. just aren't going to be practical for my application. Basically I want something that locks, hides it out of the weather, etc.

Please let me know what your experiences/suggestions are! Thank you!:thumb:

 

[mace.]

There are a few threads on this already. Poke around some or do a search and you'll see quite a few examples.

 

[Shakeyfly]

There are a few threads on this already. Poke around some or do a search and you'll see quite a few examples.

Thank you

 

[B...]

I'm getting ready to purchase one as well and have searched around quite a bit for useful info/pics. A few things I've found...

1. There is lots of talk about models that are no longer in production.
2. There is conflicting info about what works, what doesn't. The issues are usually related to clearance with the shark fin antenna, the spoiler on the tailgate, and the roof. The OEM rack is poorly designed - sits too close to the roof and the crossbars can sag when a box attached directly and loaded up.
3. Best bet is to get aftermarket towers and crossbars and box that has lower minimum clearances for hatch interference... Check here for the yakima stats: https://www.yakima.com/download/Yakima-Hatch-Interference.pdf

That said, my plans are to use my yakima towers and roundbars and get one of the rocketbox pro models.

Not sure about the accuracy of the images/sizing, but this website is a neat way to see what the various models look like on top of a 4runner: Toyota 4Runner Cargo Box Keep in mind very few of these actually fit...

 

[cjacob316]

if you want to use the factory rails, you could likely find something short and wide and position it forward so it won't hit the shark fin or spoiler. The first think would be to measure.

 

[Shakeyfly]

I'm getting ready to purchase one as well and have searched around quite a bit for useful info/pics. A few things I've found...

1. There is lots of talk about models that are no longer in production.
2. There is conflicting info about what works, what doesn't. The issues are usually related to clearance with the shark fin antenna, the spoiler on the tailgate, and the roof. The OEM rack is poorly designed - sits too close to the roof and the crossbars can sag when a box attached directly and loaded up.
3. Best bet is to get aftermarket towers and crossbars and box that has lower minimum clearances for hatch interference... Check here for the yakima stats: https://www.yakima.com/download/Yakima-Hatch-Interference.pdf

That said, my plans are to use my yakima towers and roundbars and get one of the rocketbox pro models.

Not sure about the accuracy of the images/sizing, but this website is a neat way to see what the various models look like on top of a 4runner: Toyota 4Runner Cargo Box Keep in mind very few of these actually fit...

Thank you for the details. I was looking to avoid the extra 150 - 250 bucks for the extra towers and rails. I read somewhere, not on this forum, that the Thule Atlantis 1600 fits but you need to install it with a towel on your roof as the clasps could potentially scratch your roof when installing

 

[jim4runnerny]

I looked into this last summer for my 2010 limited with the factory bars. I ended up with a Thule pulse 614, which was short enough to fit without hitting the shark fin. It is a pretty basic box, but met my needs for family vacations.

The clamps don't hit the roof, but when the box is loaded they are awful close. I just put some folded rags underneath to prevent any scratches due to the box moving up/down when driving.

Jim

 

[mace.]

Okay, so this is my take on this. First figure out what you plan on putting up there. Skis, snowboards, camping gear, luggage, etc. Then start by looking at which boxes will accommodate your needs. Be extra diligent here as I wasn't and my skis barely fit.

Next decide if aftermarket crossbars are in the budget. I'm not convinced that the factory crossbars are stiff enough when the larger boxes are loaded up and you're cruising down the highway into the wind. Maybe it was just the flexing of the box but it made me nervous.

Next go down to an REI, Eastern Mountain Sports or some other store that stocks a variety of them. Check out what they have and tell them that you want to test fit it and usually they have no problem giving you a hand hoisting it on the roof. Play with the adjustability of the mounting system and the cross bars. Take note of box lengths and min and max mounting spreads. Check for shark fin and tailgate clearance. From there you can figure out what going to work and what won't. Check out the offerings from thule, yakima, inno, packasport, etc.

Be happy that you did it right the first time and didn't have to purchase two boxes and end up with a completely asinine setup like I did which is going to be partially replaced again.

 

[B...]

Okay, so this is my take on this. First figure out what you plan on putting up there. Skis, snowboards, camping gear, luggage, etc. Then start by looking at which boxes will accommodate your needs. Be extra diligent here as I wasn't and my skis barely fit.


Be happy that you did it right the first time and didn't have to purchase two boxes and end up with a completely asinine setup like I did which is going to be partially replaced again.

Which box do you have? Any difference between the advertised max ski length from the box manufacturer and what actually fits?

 

[mace.]

I'd have to check but I believe they are close to what's listed as max length. They won't fit if the skis are stacked base to base without putting them on diagonal across the box. With such a variety in skis now if you are close to max length test fit them as tips, tails camber and rocker can make a big difference

Edit: Yakima Skybox 16

 

[Shakeyfly]

Definitely sound advice. I'm not a skiier. The primary and probably only function of these top boxes is going to be camping gear. Dog in the bag with a couple of bags. A kid in the back seat with a bag or three. and the rest of the stuff up top.

Do you use your Yakima Skybox 16 on the factory rails? That was one that I was looking at.

 

[Shakeyfly]

Definitely sound advice. I'm not a skiier. The primary and probably only function of these top boxes is going to be camping gear. Dog in the bag with a couple of bags. A kid in the back seat with a bag or three. and the rest of the stuff up top.

Do you use your Yakima Skybox 16 on the factory rails? That was one that I was looking at.

 

[mace.]

Definitely sound advice. I'm not a skiier. The primary and probably only function of these top boxes is going to be camping gear. Dog in the bag with a couple of bags. A kid in the back seat with a bag or three. and the rest of the stuff up top.

Do you use your Yakima Skybox 16 on the factory rails? That was one that I was looking at.

Nope, as mentioned above I have a pretty stupid setup for my needs that started with a rocky road outfitters rack. When I first went to install a cargo box I realized that everything was too close or touching the roof in regard to the box latching system. I have a collection of thule and yakima crossbars so I bought some yakima rail grabbers and threw them up there. Due to the design of the rocky road rack, there are three places on the roof rails that you can't put the rail grabbers on which limited the how far forward or back you could go. This left me with the box sitting too far back. I then ordered the the rocky road lightbar for the rack without tabs as I was tight on time. (BTW the lightbar is beefy as hell.) The lightbar can be mounted up front and angled forward to get the box a few more inches forward. The rear is supported but a thule round bar.

A lot of this probably doesn't make sense until you see the pics of the rack and lightbar on RRO's website. I DO NOT recommend this setup for a cargo box. If I put it on tomorrow I'll try to take some pics. If not it will be definitely going on end of next week.

 

[Shakeyfly]

Nope, as mentioned above I have a pretty stupid setup for my needs that started with a rocky road outfitters rack. When I first went to install a cargo box I realized that everything was too close or touching the roof in regard to the box latching system. I have a collection of thule and yakima crossbars so I bought some yakima rail grabbers and threw them up there. Due to the design of the rocky road rack, there are three places on the roof rails that you can't put the rail grabbers on which limited the how far forward or back you could go. This left me with the box sitting too far back. I then ordered the the rocky road lightbar for the rack without tabs as I was tight on time. (BTW the lightbar is beefy as hell.) The lightbar can be mounted up front and angled forward to get the box a few more inches forward. The rear is supported but a thule round bar.

A lot of this probably doesn't make sense until you see the pics of the rack and lightbar on RRO's website. I DO NOT recommend this setup for a cargo box. If I put it on tomorrow I'll try to take some pics. If not it will be definitely going on end of next week.

Thanks for taking the time and point that out.

My wife has Thule racks on her ford focus, the type that grab the roof right at the doors, I'm trying to figure out a way to get those things on top my 4runner :lol