Rooftop Cargo Boxes? Which Brand?

[CNI]

Once again I am in the market for a rooftop cargo box. I can't decide between the Thule and Yakima boxes. Been looking at the Yakima Skybox Pro 18 and the Thule Atlantis 1800 both in silver...to match my 4R.

So for all of you that have newer Yakima and Thule boxes can you please give me your input on build quality and/or which brand you think might be better please?

Also if you have pics of your 4r with the box on top I'd love to see it.

I also posted on this thread before but thought I'd start a newer thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=29709

Thank you in advance!

Steve

 

[CNI]

Edit: Ok I just read on one site that I shouldn't go longer than the Yakima Pro 16. From the picture and their explanation it clears the back hatch and comes up flush with the front edge of the sunroof.

Anyone have that size or bigger? What kind of noise and decreased MPG can I expect?

Thanks!

 

[Denio]

I have the Yakima Space Cadet.. It's a great little box. I picked Yakima over Thule because of the easier roof top mounting...

 

[CNI]

thanks denio!

Have you had the chance to see which brand's silver better matched our 4R?

 

[Wallace]

I have the Thule Atlantis 18xx. It fits well and doesn't hurt mpg too much. I did a 5hr trip to the beach yesterday and show 22mpg on the computer (V6, synthetic oil/gear oil/ Mich LTX AT2). To clear the spoiler, I have to run the box a little farther forwad so the nose of the box sits right at the trailing edge of the windshield. It's a bit noisy but certainly manageable. I chose the Thule after reading several reviews of Yakima boxes peeling open on the highway. The Thule also locks/unlocks from both sides rather than just the driver's side on the Yak. I went with the bigger box to accomodate a specific item. The shorter 16xx sized boxes would probably be the best fit for the 4R if it has enough space for your needs.

 

[CNI]

Wallace I read a similar review about the top opening up on a THULE on the highway on REI.com and also read another with the grip thing that attaches to the factory roof rack breaking several times and him ordering several replacements. I read no bad reveiws on the Yakima at REI.com though.

I'm having a real hard time trying to decide. One good thing about Yakima is they are offering $30, $40 and $50 rebates right now if you spend $300, $400 or $500 on a rack.

I was worried about wind noise and MPG. I'm AMAZED your 18xx THULE goes all the way to the windshield!!! Yikes! That is making me reconsider the size box I want for sure

Wallace you have a picture of your 4r with the cargo box on top? I'd appreciate that!

Thanks!

 

[CNI]

After closer comparison:

Thule Atlantis 16= 39lbs
Yakima Skybox Pro 16s= 47lbs
Yakima is heavier. Stronger/thicker material (better made) or over engineered?

Thule= 74"x36x16.3"
Yakima= 81"x36"x15"
Thule's would sit up higher but it is 7" further back from the windshield.

Thule=weight limit 110lbs
Yakima=weight limit that of the factory rack...which is what? 120lbs? 160lbs?

 

[abbs]

I was looking at a similar roof rack...

until I saw this:

http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=11&sku=684

13 cubic feet of space and 165# limit

Amazon sells for less than $500 with no tax, free shipping or $5 three day shipping.

Only caution is exhaust output going straight back, I have the Borla dual side exhaust so I will have no problems. If you direct the exhaust down with a tip you should be ok.

Should get it on Wednesday, then going on a 6 hour drive to OBX. I like the swingaway design and I won't have to use a ladder. I will post pics and give a ride report when I get back.

 

[irish44j]

I'll jump in since I've used and sold both brands for over a decade (I work weekends at a ski shop)

Here is the answer:

- quality is VERY similar of the plastic itself

- the quick-release attachment on the Yakima boxes (especially the skybox) is superior in fit on 4Runner crossbars, and (in my opinion) have a more secure hold.

- Thule locks are less likely to seize up than Yakima if you leave it outside all the time.

- With the Skybox on the 4Runner, wind noise is hardly there at all. Toyota did a nice job of sound insulation on the roof and I can hardly hear the box at all with the sunroof cover slid closed...

- Price is generally comparable.

- The "YAKIMA" logo on the skybox has lousy adhesive and sometimes peel off (reattach with some silicone or something)

- Yakima is an American company, Thule is Swedish...if that matters to you.

As for me, I run a Skybox 16s, which is a good length for the 4Runner. Sits centered and allows the rear hatch to open completely without touching. A longer box would hang over the top of the windshield and mess up aerodynamics. I suggest the 16s if you go with Yakima.

btw, with a V6 4Runner and the box on top, I get about 21mpg on the highway pretty consistently on long trips...

Here's a pic, in case you want to see how it fits. The rear end clears the hatch by about 2" with it fully raised. Also, I think it looks damn good on the 4Runner...very stylish IMO. This is the 16s regular. The PRO has a nicer smooth silver finish instead of the rough plastic that mine has.

 

[irish44j]

. I chose the Thule after reading several reviews of Yakima boxes peeling open on the highway. The Thule also locks/unlocks from both sides rather than just the driver's side on the Yak. [/B]

That happened on some of the older Yaki boxes, but they have strengthened the lids on all of them. We did almost 90mph for 3 hours down I-95 this weekend. Looking up through the sunroof there is very little movement in the nose of the box. Just set the front crossbar as far forward as possible and adjust the box clamps as far forward on the box as you can, to minimize overhang.

The Yaki Skyboxes lock and open on both sides....as do some other Yaki boxes.

 

[irish44j]

After closer comparison:

Thule Atlantis 16= 39lbs
Yakima Skybox Pro 16s= 47lbs
Yakima is heavier. Stronger/thicker material (better made) or over engineered?

Thule= 74"x36x16.3"
Yakima= 81"x36"x15"
Thule's would sit up higher but it is 7" further back from the windshield.

Thule=weight limit 110lbs
Yakima=weight limit that of the factory rack...which is what? 120lbs? 160lbs?

The weight limit of the factory crossbars is what the limit is. The box itself can hold more if you have Thule/Yakima crossbars. We've had over 300lbs of skis in a BIG Thule box on our shop's van on several occasions.

That said, all that weight on top of an already-tall SUV is not good for balance. When we travel, the heavy stuff goes in the back of the truck, and lighter/bulky stuff goes up top (baby stroller and travel playpen, clothes in soft luggage, etc)


As to the boxes coming off at high speeds....I have only heard about this happeneing about 10 years ago (both brands) and then only occasionally. usually it was due to incorrect installation or people not closing the lids all the way.

MAKE SURE it doesn't overhang the windshield. If it does, all the wind coming off the windshield is pushing UP on the front of the box, nd that is another reason for issues with the boxes breaking...

 

[irish44j]

Re: I was looking at a similar roof rack...

until I saw this:

http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=11&sku=684

13 cubic feet of space and 165# limit

Amazon sells for less than $500 with no tax, free shipping or $5 three day shipping.

Only caution is exhaust output going straight back, I have the Borla dual side exhaust so I will have no problems. If you direct the exhaust down with a tip you should be ok.

Should get it on Wednesday, then going on a 6 hour drive to OBX. I like the swingaway design and I won't have to use a ladder. I will post pics and give a ride report when I get back.

we have not had good customer reviews of these. The shape is not great for alot of loads you might want to carry, and on alot of vehicles it kills yourrear visibility. Also one customer backed into a pole in a parking lot and destroyed his rear box....forgot it was there :bash:

You don't need a ladder for the roof boxes if you have side step rails on your 4 Runner. I'm 6' tall and have no problem putting the box up there myself and putting gear in it...Even my 5'7" wife was able to get a large baby stroller out of the box this weekend by herself...

 

[abbs]

Hey Irish if you see a black 4runner tooling around in West Springfield with this rack on the back it is me, give me a honk!

There is a video on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDRQaLsJ198

It looks like the rack is mounted on a Ford Escape/Explorer and the rear view looks wide open. Also I will see it with my rearview Nav cam.

Once I get it I will give my thoughts.

 

[CNI]

Re: Re: I was looking at a similar roof rack...

You don't need a ladder for the roof boxes if you have side step rails on your 4 Runner. I'm 6' tall and have no problem putting the box up there myself and putting gear in it...Even my 5'7" wife was able to get a large baby stroller out of the box this weekend by herself...

Hey Irish44j,

Looks like you got your box for the same reason I'm getting mine: long trips and newborn twin girls here!!! I don't think we'll be able to lift the 40 something lbs tandem stroller we have up that high. I think it will be perfect for clothes and playpens though!

Thanks for the input!!! I think I'm going to roll with the Yakima Skybox Pro 16s in silver. I hope it matches my Millennium Silver.

 

[irish44j]

Hey Irish if you see a black 4runner tooling around in West Springfield with this rack on the back it is me, give me a honk!

There is a video on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDRQaLsJ198

It looks like the rack is mounted on a Ford Escape/Explorer and the rear view looks wide open. Also I will see it with my rearview Nav cam.

Once I get it I will give my thoughts.

cool. that looks to sit lower than I've seen it on certain SUVs. Never seen one on a 4runner, so looks like you'd be ok on visibility. With it that low I'd probably forget it was there

--

will give you a honk, but you'll probably be like "wtf?" since I rarely drive the 4Runner...it's my wife's daily driver (her commute is 5 miles) and I only really drive it when we go out as a family or on road trips, sadly enough.

on weekdays, I'm in my maxima (heavily modded, but not all in a low-key way so it doesn't attract attention) and on weekends I drive my '90 XJ...or soon my '70 Triumph...so if you get a honk I'm in one of these:

where in W.S. are you? My family used to live in Cardinal Forest off Rolling Rd..

 

[irish44j]

Re: Re: Re: I was looking at a similar roof rack...

Hey Irish44j,

Looks like you got your box for the same reason I'm getting mine: long trips and newborn twin girls here!!! I don't think we'll be able to lift the 40 something lbs tandem stroller we have up that high. I think it will be perfect for clothes and playpens though!

Thanks for the input!!! I think I'm going to roll with the Yakima Skybox Pro 16s in silver. I hope it matches my Millennium Silver.

cool...I'll be jealous. I bought mine on short notice and couldn't find any of our 3 stores that had a pro in stock, so I had to get the all-black one. The pro has a nice smooth finish and looks slick...

as to putting stuff up there...it's all about leverage, man!

 

[owen4runner]

REI is offering 20% off all THULE boxes until Sep 1st!

 

[CNI]

Heading to compare the Thule and Yakima at the local outdoor shop today. I'm still pretty sure I'll get the Yakima. SOunds like the interior bracing is better.

Here is the link if anyone is interested:

Amazon $467 with free shipping

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RUAI5K

Here is the rebate information. It's only good til the end of the month though.

http://www.rackattack.com/mfg-extras/yakima-rack-kickback.pdf

 

[CNI]

REI is offering 20% off all THULE boxes until Sep 1st!

It would be $494 for a Thule box to my door PLUS tax since there is a store in my state but still 3.5 hours away from me. So that makes it about $530.

The Yakima at Amazon will be $427, about $100 cheaper!

 

[abbs]

Received the Thule 684 rack today..

where in W.S. are you? My family used to live in Cardinal Forest off Rolling Rd..

Nice. I live off of Oakford Dr. in Cardinal Forest.


Received the Thule 684 today. Ordered it from Amazon on Thursday, pretty quick for two large boxes coming from freight company.

Very easy install. Did it myself in about 30 min. Quality seems very good and the swingaway works great. Matching key sets for luggage lock and hitch pin lock make it very easy. Pre-wired adapter hooked up without any problems, lights work great. On the T4R the stock lights are wider than the box so there are two sets of lights that people will see. License plate adapter hooked up nice. Very sturdy, no sway left or right.

Overall great buy. I will give my driving experience when I get back.