Photos of Rooftop Cargo Boxes

[007Tacoma]

I went with the Ikea Ruffenbocs. Only $400. Holds a ton but isn't watertight. Will be returning.

...looks like this thread is headed downhill... :drum:

 

[Swede71]

Here is the set-up I went with, went with Yakima instead of Thule due to it gave the most storage while still leaving most of the sunroof unobstructed to enjoy. Also for those with a Baja Rack, you do not need the adapters to attach it to the top, all I used was duck tape wrapped around to create 4 larger diameter attach points and it attaches perfectly. Best part is lower profile as well.

 

[Toffees]

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.

How wide does that sit? Any room for other stuff on your cross bars, or is that a full load?

 

[inv1GRated]

How wide does that sit? Any room for other stuff on your cross bars, or is that a full load?

Here's a pic from the front. It all depends on the length of your bars I guess. The box itself will fit between the factory rails (for a width reference). If I moved the box all the way to one end of the bars, I could fit a bike tray. So, not much room with these bars, but with longer bars, anything is possible!

Hope this helps!

 

[encitrdpro]

Inno Shadow box

Love it, though it does have a bit of a clunk when it's totally empty. Think it probably just needs to be bungeed.

 

[elVanPuerno]

After much back and forth, I went with the Thule Sonic XL and had no issues mounted on the factory crossbars. Once the box is positioned correctly, I had no issues with the fit and enough clearance for the lift gate.

 

[SpoonDiddy]

They aren't cheap but for comparison I used to have a Thule T2 which holds 2 bikes and retails for $450 (granted you can get them for more like $350) and then the 2 bike extension is another $300 so it's in the same ballpark anyway to hold 4 bikes and you don't have the rack and bikes extending 4-5 feet off the back of your truck. I would never have attempted Elephant Hill with a 4-bike Thule setup.

You can also get a 6-bike North Shore... that's got to be the best bang for your buck.

Do the bikes bounce around a lot off road or are they pretty secure

 

[Gone2vegas]

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).

Eventhough it was a while ago thanks for posting about this. I just picked one up at REI since they're having a 20% off Thule sale for Labor Day. Just need to decide if I want to get factory crossbars or Thule. Even with the 20% off Thule, the Toyota ones are much cheaper and should be fine for my needs.

 

[DEFresh3451]

I went with the Ikea Ruffenbocs. Only $400. Holds a ton but isn't watertight. Will be returning.

Haha!!

 

[natkidder]

Do the bikes bounce around a lot off road or are they pretty secure

My experience has been that the bikes are very secure and I haven't had an issue with them bouncing around and I've gone faster than i probably should through some rough terrain with bikes.

What does seem to happen over time is that the locking bolt that secures the rack in the hitch tends to loosen slightly so some play develops in the the hitch/receiver connection. But that will happen with any hitch rack. I've used a few different anti-rattle bolts and some are better than others.

 

[Toffees]

Thule Force XXL on Aeroblade Edge bars. Bought this because others have been able to get it to fit, but I've not been successful yet (does not allow lift gate up; Force XXL is 8" shorter than Sonic XXL as well). The Aeroblade Edge bars are wider, which may be the issue. Will try again (could definitely be user error).

Looks great and lots of space, will report again after using.

 

[JerseyMike]

I've been running a Packasport 115 since I got the truck in 2012. I had to drill new mount holes because the stock holes were too wide, but otherwise it fits perfectly with just a *touch* of rub on the liftgate.

Coming from a late-90s double walled Thule 600, I just couldn't get on board with the flimsiness of the new Thule designs, so I went for the fiberglass Packasport. Couldn't be happier.

 

[jtc44]

I've been running a Packasport 115 since I got the truck in 2012. I had to drill new mount holes because the stock holes were too wide, but otherwise it fits perfectly with just a *touch* of rub on the liftgate.



Coming from a late-90s double walled Thule 600, I just couldn't get on board with the flimsiness of the new Thule designs, so I went for the fiberglass Packasport. Couldn't be happier.

I've run the 115 on 3 different vehicles for 15+ years and agree, it's fantastic. Word to the wise: my only regret is that I failed to properly maintain the gel coat which has been faded by the Utah weather. A little elbow grease and a random orbital has brought it back to "good" condition. I too had to drill some new holes to make it fit with the slightest "touch" of rub on the liftgate. I had the placement perfect, and with no rub, until I installed some new liftgate struts that opened just a bit farther, oh well. Every now and again I just throw a fresh piece of packing tape on the liftgate to stop the paint rub. Can't even see it unless you climb up there.

Nice truck [MENTION=86575]JerseyMike[/MENTION]!

 

[stickw]

Yakima rack

Really happy with the skybox, as you can see also fit 2 kayaks with Yakima cross bars.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Doc_Fry]

Here you go Ill do a side photo here in a bit. Just put itn for a trip down south so I can keep all my bugout gear up in the thule box. It holds two full FILbE Rucks, one Blackhawk Medicak Stomp full of trauma gear, some tools, a assault pack and some other small things. Pretty full but there is lots of things in there. I did this to allow my cargo area to remain clean of cargo so I can have room for the dog and cat on this trip. And I also have to keep a outter boxx for the cat as he is good on a trip loves to go riding but on long trips even though he is leashed trained he hesitates to go unless it is his litter box. I alos have a fridge engel mt45 in the back that I will keep snacks drinks and insuline for our pup eith diabetes.

 

[chplaza]

2015 4 Runner SR5 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:

Does the Sonic XL interfere with your tailgate lift at all? I have a 2015 4 Runner SR5 Premium and really like the Sonix XL but want to make sure I can open the tailgate all the way...Thanks

 

[007Tacoma]

Does the Sonic XL interfere with your tailgate lift at all? I have a 2015 4 Runner SR5 Premium and really like the Sonix XL but want to make sure I can open the tailgate all the way...Thanks

It did not interfere at all with anything on my 4Runner.

...now the roof to my carport - that was another story. :brick: I miss that box, but I will probably get a Sonic M to replace it some day. For now I am using a cargo bag and a roof rack.

 

[Donovan1]

I don't have pictures but I replaced the stock cross bars on my '16 TEP with the Thule Aeroblade Edge https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/roof-rack/car-racks/thule-aeroblade-edge-7501-_-7501
They look awesome and sit up high enough that I can now put my Yakima Skybox op on the roof and clear the shark fin. They are easy to install but I decided to completely remove the stock cross bars so that was a pain unbolting the entire rack and removing them.
The only issue would be with folks that need bars that stick off the side further for more coverage since these are meant to end where the stock roof railing does.
I moved the front bar about 2-3 inches further forward than the stock front cross bar would set so that helped but the rear spoiler still contacts. I DO however have the 4Runner garage parking safety mechanism already installed (paracord and carabiners) so I just adjust that not to hit the Yakima and I'm set.

 

[Donovan1]

Thule Force XXL on Aeroblade Edge bars. Bought this because others have been able to get it to fit, but I've not been successful yet (does not allow lift gate up; Force XXL is 8" shorter than Sonic XXL as well). The Aeroblade Edge bars are wider, which may be the issue. Will try again (could definitely be user error).

Looks great and lots of space, will report again after using.

These. They are cool right?

 

[Toffees]

These. They are cool right?

Seems to work fine, but I've not used them much yet. Function >> Form, but will report back on both later.