Cargo Carriers

[pmdata]

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a cargo carrier attached to the factory crossbars. I'm looking for a smaller lockable box for around $300. Thule seems to have a good selection.

If anyone has a picture of their 4R with a cargo box attached to the factory rack, I'd like to see it.

Thanks for the help.

 

[alaskaman]

Take a look at Yakima racks.

 

[Koz]

Thule has worked for me. I've used this box on several vehicles.

Koz

 

[pmdata]

Great picture, thanks.

How sturdy are the brackets that attach to the factory crossbars? Does the box lock up solid? Also is it easy it get your stuff in/out of from the top of the roof?

Great picture next to the matching Prius. Yours?

 

[bzizzi]

I have a Yakima Pro 16 and it is painted silver with clearcoat and matches my 05T4R.The box attaches to my factory crossbars like it was made for it !!! I will post a Pic !!! ASAP For $300 check out this box !!!! http://www.yakima.com/Product.aspx?id=179

 

[Koz]

When I bought the Thule box, it was a lot cheaper then the Yakima but the Yakima was better quality. I bought the removable locking rack/bars from Yakima. The price of the Yakima box posted is GREAT! That is almost what I paid for the Thule. The Thule also needs a hardware kit to mount to th OEM rack but it is very secure.

Koz

 

[noLimits]

here's mine, it's a yakima

 

[pmdata]

Thanks for all the replies. It looks like the Yakima 16s fits my needs. I'm glad it works well.

Bzizzi, what was the cost to paint?

 

[bzizzi]

I have a Galactic Gray T4R with silver accents and rack is also silver and if
you get the Yakima pro 16 like I have,it comes painted silver !!!!!

 

[hydrokool]

Does the Yakima 16s block your sunroof?

Would the Yakima 16s block the sunroof from tilting up in my 2005 4Runner? It seems like it would but maybe somebody has that setup and can say more.

thanks!

 

[CNI]

Funny that you mentioned that exact roof box. That is the exact one I'm thinking about buying too. I cant imagine it messing with the sunroof space at all but hopefully someone can answer that for sure.

I'm also considering the Thule Spirit. 90.5"x32.7"x14.2"

but I think I like the Yakima Skybox Pro16 the best. 81"x36"x15"

Also another thing to consider is box length. You'll have to move the box up far enough to clear the rear liftgate when open and I don't want my box hanging over the windshield. I measured our roof area. It is 92"x42". That is from where the windshield starts to the hinge on the tailgate.

I one thing I liked on the Yakima is it's wider and therefore would be easier to access the stuff inside. The Thule is a bit longer and narrower. The thule is also more low profile. Probably good for MPG but not so good on carrying taller stuff. That 1" might make a difference of me fitting in my garage though. I had an 8' door put in when we built the house.

 

[rook]

i have a thule evo 1600 and am very happy.. when attached to the factory cross bars is is very quiet.. adding thule cross bars and feet adds a little noise...

there is one affordable thule box, it is black and has a low profile, still looks good.. on a recent visit to rei, i noticed this box, the name escapes me, but it came in painted black (similar to shadow mica) and was less than $300.. the mounting hardware is now included, thule has improved the attachment feet, they are now integrated and makes installation/removal easy.. you just turn the knob at all 4 corners and the clamps tighten around the bar

as far as ease of loading/unloading, that will depend on your height. I usually hop on the running board to load stuff in/out. make sure you leave enough clearance from the rails to turn the key..

 

[pmdata]

I ended up buying the Thule Ascent 1100. It's the same form as the Spirit, just at a lower cost.

http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=29&sku=602

I used it on three or four trips in the fall. It works great and the attachments are solid. There's enough space to hold all my fishing gear and more. It doesn't interfere with the sunroof or the rear door opening.

I also didn't notice any measurable gas mileage decrease with it on the roof. Barely any noise as well.

It was worth the $199.

 

[Benski]

My first cargo rooftop cargo box, Sears XCargo Xtreme.

These threads are so helpful and informative. I deceided to buy a rooftop cargo box to carry extra clothes, pet supplies, and skis. I didn't know anything about them so I did a little research. I found a Sears XCargo Xtreme in great shape and for cheap on Craigslist. I slid it as far back as it would go with the tailgate up and it fits well even with my sunroof. It seemed a little flimsy so I added 2 narrow metal angle steel rods up each side and it works great. I slid straps under the rods to secure cargo. It is quiet and stable even at highway speeds empty. It is a dark grey, almost black metal flake color and matches the factory window tint! It doesn't look as big as it is when installed. I can even fit my 6'1" shortboard in it!:biggrin2:

...and I just looked on the Sears website, and they are on Sale $269!

 

[sonerick]

I have the Yakima Skybox 16 mounted on Thule crossbars (with fairing). The box itself is pretty sturdy, easy to mount, lockable, and accessible from both sides of the vehicle. I definitely recommend it. That being said, here are a few notes after using it for the past ski season:

• With my lift, its a PITA to get stuff into and out of it, but that's to be expected I guess.
  
• Because of my sunroof, I am limited as to how far forward I can slide the Thule bars/fairing (the fairing rests against the roof). As a result, even with the Yakima box positioned as far forward as possible, the box hits the spoiler when the rear hatch is opened. This prevents the rear hatch from opening all of the way. Not a big deal to me, but worth mentioning I guess in case anyone is looking to run this box with Thule bars and a fairing.
  
• I've noticed that if I go on a long trip with lots of melted snow/salt spray, I'll get a little bit of poo inside the box. I haven't really looked into a way to completely seal it up yet.
  
• I've also noticed that my skis were hitting the metal hinges at the front of the box and this had the potential to damage the metal edges of the skis, especially during hard brakes. I zip-tied a towel around the metal hinge to provide some cushion.
  
• I lose 1-2 mpg with the box on the roof, depending on what speeds I go. Wind noise is there, but minimal.

Hope this helps for those thinking about this box.

P.S. this box is f-ing huge! Be aware that if you're just looking to carry a couple of pairs of skis, you probably should look at a smaller box.

 

[scrooster]

I use a tarp and a really long piece of climbers rope. Works like a charm.