Photos of Rooftop Cargo Boxes

[Bay33saw]

I recently used one of these guys for a trip it was actually quite useful and fairly spacious.

Not sure about how it would stand bad weather ..but for a sunny vacation it's GREAT!!

Here's the link if anyone is interested

Amazon.com: Rightline Gear Sport Jr. Car Top Carrier: Automotive

Me and my boy before we left to big Sur

This is the cargo carrier, which worked out real well and fits quite a bit

Amazon.com: Pro Series 63153 60" x 24" Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier (Black): Automotive

Nice set up Danny....almost the same as mine, I love my hitch carrier

 

[Snooperstyle]

Thule Ascent 1600 on Thule bars, which are u-bolted onto the top of Baja Rack. I have since sold this, but it did fantastic getting us from CO to SC this spring.

 

[KVA]

I have used a Yakima skybox for over three seasons - works great, is ambidextrous (opens either side equally), don't really have any noise complaints. It is fantastic for throwing all the boards and skis inside all wet with snow, etc... and you don't have to mess with racks. I think I have gotten four boards and three sets of skis in one skybox. Note that some of these were kids skis. I am running the larger skybox (18 I believe) in order to fit long skis and boards.

Biggest issues are the locking mechanism - i.e. the key stays in unless you lock the box - doesn't sound like an issue until you start using the box. Also on stock cross bars you cannot get the box forward enough so it does get slightly in the way of the tailgate but doesn't hang over.

I have loaded that thing down with well over a 100lbs worth of crap without issue. Also, for boards/skis...no more wiping bugs off them in spring time after the drive home :banana:

 

[007Tacoma]

Thule Sonic XL 635 + 2015 4Runner Trail Edition Premium

I don't know why Thule's website does not recommend the Sonic XL 635 with the 2015 4Runner's stock roof rails...

I bought this top box last year to go on my wife's Forester XT. It worked so well on that car that we started using it on my 2003 4Runner SE. It opens from both sides, and it only allows you to take the key out if all latches are secure. We have used this top box for trips to Colorado every 3 months and a few trips out East as well.

When we bought the 2015 TEP, I didn't even think to look if this box would fit (who cares - I finally got the truck I always wanted). So, before our trip last week, I decided to see if anyone else had pics of this box on a 2010+ 4Runner.

None. So, here you go - Thule Sonic XL 635 on a 2015 4Runner TEP with stock roof rails...

Also, this setup with stock suspension is just under 7'6". So, it does fit in my parking garage at work. :boink:

 

[007Tacoma]

...by the way, my XM does work with the box up there, the spoiler does not touch, and I was able to squeeze 19.5 MPG on a 14 hour drive at ~75 MPH with this setup (Michelin M+S2 tires).

 

[JeremyB]

So, before our trip last week, I decided to see if anyone else had pics of this box on a 2010+ 4Runner.

None.

FYI, See post 39 for pictures of the Sonic XL on a 5th Gen.

 

[007Tacoma]

FYI, See post 39 for pictures of the Sonic XL on a 5th Gen.

...and that is what I get for not clicking on links.

 

[LACA11]

Thule Force L 628 on 2015 Trail with Factory Crossbars

I was originally shopping for a Yakima Skybox 16, but I found one post saying it fit fine, while another post (with photos) showed the clamps were a very tight fit under the factory cross bars and the back of the box would hit the lift gate.

When I spoke to the guy at REI about my concerns, he recommended trying Thule, saying that he liked the single knob mounting system and smaller crossbar clamps on the Thule Force.

Based on his recommendation, I bought the Thule Force L 628. Fits great, zero clearance issues, tons of latitude in front-to-back adjustment so that the box doesn't hit the antenna or lift gate, and I can have the crossbars as far apart as the rails will allow and the box will still mount just fine--something that the Yakima apparently can't do (based on the Yakima specs).

Looking at the specs, the Skybox 16 is 81" long, while the Force L is only 74" long. So the Force L is an easy fit on the 4Runner with the factory rails.

Just brought it home, so I haven't used it on a trip yet, but I'm assuming it will work plenty well for my needs (storing camping gear).

 

[Fidgets]

I was originally shopping for a Yakima Skybox 16, but I found one post saying it fit fine, while another post (with photos) showed the clamps were a very tight fit under the factory cross bars and the back of the box would hit the lift gate.

When I spoke to the guy at REI about my concerns, he recommended trying Thule, saying that he liked the single knob mounting system and smaller crossbar clamps on the Thule Force.

Based on his recommendation, I bought the Thule Force L 628. Fits great, zero clearance issues, tons of latitude in front-to-back adjustment so that the box doesn't hit the antenna or lift gate, and I can have the crossbars as far apart as the rails will allow and the box will still mount just fine--something that the Yakima apparently can't do (based on the Yakima specs).

Looking at the specs, the Skybox 16 is 81" long, while the Force L is only 74" long. So the Force L is an easy fit on the 4Runner with the factory rails.

Just brought it home, so I haven't used it on a trip yet, but I'm assuming it will work plenty well for my needs (storing camping gear).

Go HB!

That looks like the perfect size for the vehicle assuming it fits intended contents.

I have Yakima skybox 16 and it fits fine on Thule aero bars, but have to mount it as far back as possible within a few mm of the open hatch because of its length. Can't post pics, am on the road and might need a higher post count.

 

[Cymon]

Go HB!

That looks like the perfect size for the vehicle assuming it fits intended contents.

I have Yakima skybox 16 and it fits fine on Thule aero bars, but have to mount it as far back as possible within a few mm of the open hatch because of its length. Can't post pics, am on the road and might need a higher post count.

[MENTION=139413]LACA11[/MENTION], that looks great, I also have the Yakima skybox 16 on the Thule aero bars, but that fits perfect on the OEM cross bars!

 

[Jhalko]

I was originally shopping for a Yakima Skybox 16, but I found one post saying it fit fine, while another post (with photos) showed the clamps were a very tight fit under the factory cross bars and the back of the box would hit the lift gate.

When I spoke to the guy at REI about my concerns, he recommended trying Thule, saying that he liked the single knob mounting system and smaller crossbar clamps on the Thule Force.

Based on his recommendation, I bought the Thule Force L 628. Fits great, zero clearance issues, tons of latitude in front-to-back adjustment so that the box doesn't hit the antenna or lift gate, and I can have the crossbars as far apart as the rails will allow and the box will still mount just fine--something that the Yakima apparently can't do (based on the Yakima specs).

Looking at the specs, the Skybox 16 is 81" long, while the Force L is only 74" long. So the Force L is an easy fit on the 4Runner with the factory rails.

Just brought it home, so I haven't used it on a trip yet, but I'm assuming it will work plenty well for my needs (storing camping gear).

That looks outstanding. My Thule box hit the lift gate and I had to be extra careful with the roof. But I did parlay the fitment issues into a full length roof rack after showing my wife some minor paint damage. Your box is so much more practical, haha.

 

[LACA11]

That looks outstanding. My Thule box hit the lift gate and I had to be extra careful with the roof. But I did parlay the fitment issues into a full length roof rack after showing my wife some minor paint damage. Your box is so much more practical, haha.

Ya, my number one concern was perfect fit with zero hassle, and the Force L met that requirement. Capacity was a distant second.

The REI salesperson strongly recommended getting a bigger box just to have the extra capacity, but I didn't want to deal with the potential hassle of hitting the lift gate.

I did see a few posts using the Thule or Yakima cross bars with the Skybox 16, but the factory bars are cheaper, and since I'll only be using the box a few times a year, simpler + cheaper = better for me.

 

[007Tacoma]

Has anyone done a Thule "M" Sonic box with factory bars?

I managed to slam my Thule "XL" Sonic into a carport, and the San Antonio REI only carries the "M"...

 

[blackie2]

I recently used one of these guys for a trip it was actually quite useful and fairly spacious.

Not sure about how it would stand bad weather ..but for a sunny vacation it's GREAT!!

Here's the link if anyone is interested

Amazon.com: Rightline Gear Sport Jr. Car Top Carrier: Automotive

Me and my boy before we left to big Sur

This is the cargo carrier, which worked out real well and fits quite a bit

Amazon.com: Pro Series 63153 60" x 24" Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier (Black): Automotive

What size Rightline did you get?

 

[blkhwk]

I was originally shopping for a Yakima Skybox 16, but I found one post saying it fit fine, while another post (with photos) showed the clamps were a very tight fit under the factory cross bars and the back of the box would hit the lift gate.

When I spoke to the guy at REI about my concerns, he recommended trying Thule, saying that he liked the single knob mounting system and smaller crossbar clamps on the Thule Force.

Based on his recommendation, I bought the Thule Force L 628. Fits great, zero clearance issues, tons of latitude in front-to-back adjustment so that the box doesn't hit the antenna or lift gate, and I can have the crossbars as far apart as the rails will allow and the box will still mount just fine--something that the Yakima apparently can't do (based on the Yakima specs).

Looking at the specs, the Skybox 16 is 81" long, while the Force L is only 74" long. So the Force L is an easy fit on the 4Runner with the factory rails.

Just brought it home, so I haven't used it on a trip yet, but I'm assuming it will work plenty well for my needs (storing camping gear).

Any issues with load weight and the stock cross bars?

 

[enjanir]

A couple quick pics after a test fitting before our ~3000 mile road trip next week.

Specs

• Whispbar Throughbar S17 - Bars Located at Max Spread
• Whispbar Fit Kit K328
• Whispbar WB701

 

[rainmn]

That Whispbar box is cool....I've never seen one before.

I picked up a Yakima Skybox 16 pro off Craigslist this week. Fits the truck perfectly, although I do have an OEM trail rack, which is a couple inches higher than the others.

 

[enjanir]

You really don't see to many Whispbar boxes, my guess would simply be due to the cost compared to standard Yakima/Thule alternatives.

I decided on the Whispbar because I wanted every bit of extra aero on the highway. It helped I got it for 20% off too.

 

[mr.cpho]

This is the Thule Excursion. It hinges from the front and therefore accessible from three sides. It fit on the stock crossbars and didn't cover any of the sunroof which was a bonus.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[inv1GRated]

Got a bigger box recently. Thule Sonic XXL.

Fits and clears the hatch when it is on Thule Rapid Aero bars pushed as far forward as possible.