Largest cargo box ?

[bigbadpoppa]

Hi all, what are you guys using for cargo boxes. Original plans were going for a gobi rack...but going to change plans.

What is the biggest box you guys have used effectively on cross bars using the stock rails?

I dont plan to use this box besides long road trips so i dont really care if its ugly. I just want something to maximize length and height.

 

[Cymon]

Hi all, what are you guys using for cargo boxes. Original plans were going for a gobi rack...but going to change plans.

What is the biggest box you guys have used effectively on cross bars using the stock rails?

I dont plan to use this box besides long road trips so i dont really care if its ugly. I just want something to maximize length and height.

I ran a Yakima Skybox 16 for a while on Thule Aerobars without interference of the tailgate. With the OEM crossbars you are a little lower so you also may have to contend with the “shark fin”. I have seen people run up to a Yakima Skybox 21 with pushing the cross bars forward as far as possible with Thule/Yakima cross bars.

Edit: check out this thread, might give you some ideas.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/124768-photos-rooftop-cargo-boxes.html

 

[bigbadpoppa]

Awesome...ill look into those. Ill likely get the same crossbars.

 

[phillyd2]

See my build thread for pictures of a Yakima Skybox 18 on a Gobi with ladder if you change your mind.

 

[bigbadpoppa]

Anyone also run a trailer hitch? Ive been eyeballing the CURT hitch baskets to put a waterproof bag or boxes on this in addition to a roof box.

The thule hitch box got some bad reviews of sagging on passenger side and light issues. The Stowaway2 also got some quality issue reviews.

 

[Cymon]

Anyone also run a trailer hitch? Ive been eyeballing the CURT hitch baskets to put a waterproof bag or boxes on this in addition to a roof box.

The thule hitch box got some bad reviews of sagging on passenger side and light issues. The Stowaway2 also got some quality issue reviews.

I ran out and bought one on the cheap last minute at Walmart to get some extra cargo space when running away from Hurricane Irma. Honestly not a fan unless necessary. It really loads down the back and kills the departure angles (I was scraping even coming out of steep driveways). The higher end ones may be better but I much prefer the rooftop cargo boxes.

 

[bigbadpoppa]

gotcha. scrap that idea of a trailer hitch cargo box.

I'm assuming most roof rack systems that attach to the stock rails (thule, Yakima and rhino rack) will clear the Roof Fin in the back when a cargo box is placed on top of them?

I really hate that Fin, why couldn't they have made it flatter or at least a better placement somewhere else. I'm no engineer, but I'm sure there are way better options.

 

[CF_Machete]

I have a skybox 21 that I mount on my Gobi. Its a pain in the ass to put on as that stealth cross bars are barely tall enough to fit the Skybox's lobster claws.

on the stock cross bars, don't even try it. There is not enough clearance to get the box on with out scraping up your roof, plus the stock cross bars flex too much.

with yakima round bars on the stock side rails, the 21 will fit on the truck easily, but no matter how far forward you push the skybox, the spoiler will contact the box when the rear hatch is open.

Probably getting a soft bag for next snowboard season.

 

[bigbadpoppa]

Im surprised the gobi doesnt give u enough clearance. Yah the stock cross bars are horrible. Way too low. What a poor design.

 

[Cymon]

gotcha. scrap that idea of a trailer hitch cargo box.

I'm assuming most roof rack systems that attach to the stock rails (thule, Yakima and rhino rack) will clear the Roof Fin in the back when a cargo box is placed on top of them?

I really hate that Fin, why couldn't they have made it flatter or at least a better placement somewhere else. I'm no engineer, but I'm sure there are way better options.

Correct, I had no issues with Thule aero bars with my skybox and the shark fin.

 

[CF_Machete]

Im surprised the gobi doesnt give u enough clearance. Yah the stock cross bars are horrible. Way too low. What a poor design.

a Gobi ranger or custom ordered stealth would be fine. Gobi's are designed for strapping soft bags and multiple pieces of smaller gear. roof boxes are more weekend trips.

Agreed, the stock rails are all but useless. If they were an inch taller and ran the full length of the truck, I would not have bought a Gobi.

 

[bendlife]

I have the Thule Motion XT XL Roof Box and it's a awesome. I can't compare to others but has plenty of storage and opens on both sides

 

[supratt]

Thule Alpine, extra long box for downhill skies and snowboards. Not the tallest box, but its much more streamlined for the long trips to the hills.

 

[Dleau]

Stock bars on a 2010...cargo box fail?

Seems like there is no such thing as a good option to use a Caro box with the factory cross bars on the 2010 4Runnerz

Any way to troubleshoot this?

 

[Deuxdiesel]

You can use aftermarket bars (Rhino, Thule, Yakima...) on your OEM side rails and it will give you the clearance you need for a roof box. The down side is that it adds an additional 2-4" of height, so loading the box gets more difficult.

If you must stick with OEM crossrails, you can probably remove the entire clamping devices from the box and use simple U-bolts to hold it in place. I did this on my Yakima Skybox 21 (similar to their new CBX 21) and it works well. It's a much more solid mounting system than the lever-clampy things.

 

[memphis guy]

Thule Motion XT XL

I have the Thule Motion XT XL Roof Box and it's a awesome. I can't compare to others but has plenty of storage and opens on both sides

Hey, how’s it going?

I saw your post from about 3 years ago about your Thule Motion XT XL cargo box.

I’m looking for the largest rooftop cargo carrier box I can fit on our 2021 4Runner that will allow the tailgate to be opened with the box installled, and I was wondering if you’d mind me asking a few questions:

1. With the box installed, are you able to open your tailgate without that spoiler hitting the box?

2. What crossbars are you using? Stock Toyota? Aftermarket? Do they flex much?

3. With that large of a box, I assume you have it mounted pretty far forward. Do you get any flutter at highway speeds?

4. Have your crossbars or the box mounts ever loosened up on you?

5. Are you still liking the Motion XT? How’s it held up? Would you buy it again?

Thanks very much for any info and insight you’re able to provide.

John Pifer
Nashville, TN

 

[Srt4runner]

I have the XT XL and can answer your questions

Hey, how’s it going?

I saw your post from about 3 years ago about your Thule Motion XT XL cargo box.

I’m looking for the largest rooftop cargo carrier box I can fit on our 2021 4Runner that will allow the tailgate to be opened with the box installled, and I was wondering if you’d mind me asking a few questions:

1. With the box installed, are you able to open your tailgate without that spoiler hitting the box? Yes, the box is mounted as far forward as it can be and there are no issues hitting.

2. What crossbars are you using? Stock Toyota? Aftermarket? Do they flex much? Thule 7503B AeroBlade Edge. They are taller and more stiff than the oem bars. They don't move at all. Wind noise is a little noticable but nothing too bad.

3. With that large of a box, I assume you have it mounted pretty far forward. Do you get any flutter at highway speeds? The box moves very slightly up and down but is stable. It partially blocks the moonroof. I have a few thousand miles with it on there and it hasn't fallen off hey.

4. Have your crossbars or the box mounts ever loosened up on you? Nothing has loosened. I leave the bars permanently mounted and take the box on and off when needed.

5. Are you still liking the Motion XT? How’s it held up? Would you buy it again? Holding up fine with no issues. One time I forgot to mount it all the way forward and the spoiler hit the back of it when I opened the truck. No damage to anything. The box works great for extra luggage and camping gear. I'll see if I can attach a picture.

Thanks very much for any info and insight you’re able to provide.

John Pifer
Nashville, TN

 

[Srt4runner]

Here's a photo

 

[memphis guy]

I have the XT XL and can answer your questions

Here's a photo

Hey, Srt4runner, thank you so much for the fast reply, and all the information you provided, as well as the photo, because that’s the first actual profile photo I’ve seen of a 4Runner with the Motion XT XL size mounted.

So, what made you go with the aftermarket crossbars? We’re you afraid that the OEM crossbars wouldn’t be stiff enough, and allow too much movement?

I have read posts on forums where some people have used the factory Toyota crossbars with the Motion XT XL and not reported any issues.

But others have said that the stock Toyota crossbars are too low and not stiff enough, which caused issues such as flutter at highway speeds (since the box has to be mounted so far forward to clear the hatch spoiler when opened), the clamps contacting the roof (because the factory Toyota crossbars are so low), and the aft part of the box making contact with the sharkfin antenna (again, because the factory Toyota crossbars are so low).

It sounds like using aftermarket crossbars may be a way to dodge these problems completely, since they’re stiffer and stronger than the factory Toyota crossbars, and also sit higher.

It’s just that they’re so expensive.

The set you have - the Thule 7503 Aeroblade Edge - isn’t that set around $500 by itself?

 

[Srt4runner]

I answered more questions in red

Hey, Srt4runner, thank you so much for the fast reply, and all the information you provided, as well as the photo, because that’s the first actual profile photo I’ve seen of a 4Runner with the Motion XT XL size mounted.

So, what made you go with the aftermarket crossbars? We’re you afraid that the OEM crossbars wouldn’t be stiff enough, and allow too much movement?

I read on here that some people had issues with the factory bars being too low/flex too much and the box clamps would scratch the roof paint

I have read posts on forums where some people have used the factory Toyota crossbars with the Motion XT XL and not reported any issues.

But others have said that the stock Toyota crossbars are too low and not stiff enough, which caused issues such as flutter at highway speeds (since the box has to be mounted so far forward to clear the hatch spoiler when opened), the clamps contacting the roof (because the factory Toyota crossbars are so low), and the aft part of the box making contact with the sharkfin antenna (again, because the factory Toyota crossbars are so low).

It sounds like using aftermarket crossbars may be a way to dodge these problems completely, since they’re stiffer and stronger than the factory Toyota crossbars, and also sit higher. This was my reasoning

It’s just that they’re so expensive.

The set you have - the Thule 7503 Aeroblade Edge - isn’t that set around $500 by itself?
I paid around $380 for the set which is still pricey, but I go buy the rule of buy once cry once. And I dont have to spend money fixing my paint from scratches. Im sure if you look around you can find a deal on the box and the bars but who knows given the current supply chain issues with everything. You can always look for used as well. Either way the box gives you extra storage without having to spend more money on a bigger vehicle.