Thule Force L or XL?

[doberman_baby]

I have been searching around and looking for the ideal roof cargo box for the 5th gen. Have narrowed down to 3 choices, (1) Thule Atlantis 1600xt (discontinued) - out of question; (2) Thule Force L - recommended by Thule fit guide or (3) Thule Force XL.
Between the L or XL, I prefer the XL.
Anyone have the XL on his/her 5th gen? Does it hinder the lift gate? Pictures would be nice too. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bay33saw]

I bought my Sportrack (Made by Thule) off Amazon for $200 and have used it several times with no problem, mounting it was easy but does require two people and it holds a ton of stuff, it's also quiet and after driving two hours at highway speed through a thunder storm I'm pleased to say it's waterproof too.

 

[veloindy]

I have the exact Sportrack. It's a perfect size, but a pain to take on off compared to the new Thule / Yakima systems. I'm going to sell mine this fall, and upgrade.

The question is how much stuff are you putting in it, how big is your family, etc. I'd go with a L personally.

 

[cacarbuff]

I don't have a 5th gen, but I picked up a Thule Force L at an REI used equipment sale, and it mounts nicely on my Gobi rack. When I open the tailgate, I only have about an inch of clearance from the rear spoiler, so I'm not sure the XL would work for me. Let me know if you want any specific measurements taken or anything!

 

[DannyLlama]

I don't have a 5th gen, but I picked up a Thule Force L at an REI used equipment sale, and it mounts nicely on my Gobi rack. When I open the tailgate, I only have about an inch of clearance from the rear spoiler, so I'm not sure the XL would work for me. Let me know if you want any specific measurements taken or anything!

REI has used equipment?! Never seen it..
Can I ask how much?

 

[veloindy]

REI has used equipment?! Never seen it..
Can I ask how much?

It varies. If you have an REI local to you, keep an eye out for their "garage sale" add.

 

[cacarbuff]

I got it at the used equipment sale which as veloindy said is called their "garage sale". It usually happens every few months.

I got it for $175 because the hinge had popped apart. I just took it outside, popped the hinge back together, and it has been working perfectly for the last few months (I've used it 10 or so times). Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[LightRanger]

I got it at the used equipment sale which as veloindy said is called their "garage sale". It usually happens every few months.

I got it for $175 because the hinge had popped apart. I just took it outside, popped the hinge back together, and it has been working perfectly for the last few months (I've used it 10 or so times). Let me know if you have any other questions.

Worked there for four years and sold Yak and Thule stuff (as well as a crapton of other gear). Those hinges come apart all the time and people don't know what to do. Heheh. "Scratch and Dent"/B-83/Used Gear/Garage Sales are AWESOME for car rack stuff. They're listed online on the individual store calendars when you find your store, as well as in the calendar when you walk in the front.

They're probably not going to be as good anymore with the recent return policy change though.

No input on the L or XL because I haven't sold the new ones (Atlantis was the line when I last worked there). Whatever's closest to the Atlantis 1800 size is what I'd do.

 

[doberman_baby]

Thanks for the input.
I have test fitted the Thule Force XL and it fits fine. Just need to adjust the spread of the bars (I need to move the back bar forward a few inches, which I did not do in the pic). And yes, it does not get in the way of the liftgate, nor does it overhang on the windshield.

LightRanger: FYI, this Force XL is the exact same length as the Atlantis 1800xt (84 inches).

 

[richsd]

Thanks for the input.
I have test fitted the Thule Force XL and it fits fine. Just need to adjust the spread of the bars (I need to move the back bar forward a few inches, which I did not do in the pic). And yes, it does not get in the way of the liftgate, nor does it overhang on the windshield.

LightRanger: FYI, this Force XL is the exact same length as the Atlantis 1800xt (84 inches).

Thule website states Force XL will not fit 5th generation 4runner. Says 43 inches needed between crossbars, truck has less than that with Thule crossbars mounted to 4runner rails. Your picture shows the carrier mounted with what appears to be extra space for crossbar separation. Is the actual distance needed between crossbars less than 43 inches? How little space is needed? Thanks for any info.

 

[inv1GRated]

Thule website states Force XL will not fit 5th generation 4runner. Says 43 inches needed between crossbars, truck has less than that with Thule crossbars mounted to 4runner rails. Your picture shows the carrier mounted with what appears to be extra space for crossbar separation. Is the actual distance needed between crossbars less than 43 inches? How little space is needed? Thanks for any info.

I know you are asking about the force, but I had the Thule rapid aerobars for the further most front bar position possible (not aeroblades) but with a different Thule box: a Sonic XXL. Barely cleared the hatch wing with the front Thule aerobar as far forward as possible. But cleared the hatch! Hope this helps someone.

 

[sn_85]

Thule website states Force XL will not fit 5th generation 4runner. Says 43 inches needed between crossbars, truck has less than that with Thule crossbars mounted to 4runner rails. Your picture shows the carrier mounted with what appears to be extra space for crossbar separation. Is the actual distance needed between crossbars less than 43 inches? How little space is needed? Thanks for any info.

I had the Thule Sonic XL and their Aero bars. I never measured the distance but it worked fine and cleared the rear hatch. I took on it two long trips, one from Fort Lauderdale, FL to B'ham, AL and then from B'ham to SLC. Never had any concern about stability and it was about as quiet as can be. You'll be fine.

 

[doberman_baby]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/71724-cargo-carrier-roof-rack.html

I posted a final pic of the force xl in the above thread.
Have used this box on long road trips and couldn't be happier.

As to your question about the cross bars being 43" apart, I do not remember, but I think it is when I set them up several years ago.

 

[dallison]

We are also looking for a cargo carrier for our 2010 sr5 and there seem to be just a few options.
We have the side rails but don't have the cross bars yet.

Thule says that with just the oem crossbars that i can only purchase a sidekick which is 8cuft, not big at all.

I see that some of you use the force xl and sonic xl. Is that all i need plus the aero bars to make this work?

 

[FinntheT4R]

I use the Force XL and it does fit with a small caveat. I've got a 2016 T4R and this box does fit and functions flawlessly but there is such a small amount of space between the roof and crossbars that the clamps will rub on the roof until fully tightened down.

 

[EnolamKuv]

I bought the Thule Motion XT XL Roof Box at REI for my 5th Gen 4R a couple weeks ago. I mounted it on the OEM cross bars and it fits very well -- clears the open rear hatch and the satellite antenna. I used it to haul luggage and gear on a trip last weekend and it worked great.

 

[mscot]

I'd prefer not to buy aftermarket crossbars. Could the Force XL use the stock crossbars?

 

[S.gurbang]

Thule Force on Factory Bars 2016 TR4sr5

I have a 2016 Toyota 4runner Sr5 with factory crossbars

I first purchased a Thule Force XL. I set the bars spread as far apart from one another as possible and set far enough forward for rear hatch clearance. When I drove with the box on top at highway speeds the front of the box bounced violently on my sunroof due to the wind and aerodynamics of the car.

I exchanged it for the Thule Force L. Which seems to fit and ride well with some preliminary testing (20 min driving around) at 85mph highway speeds. I'm preparing to take a 14 hr road trip with my family and would like to know...Has anyone had issues with a Thule Force box on their factory TR4 crossbars that I should look out for or take note of? If I need to buy after market bars I can, but I do not see a reason to incur the expense as they should physically have the capacity to handle the load.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Nightglow]

I added my old Thule bars and box to my 4 Runner with no issues and any speed. I was in Wyoming over the weekend at speeds 80+ with no noise or vibration issues.

 

[Eryan36]

I'd prefer not to buy aftermarket crossbars. Could the Force XL use the stock crossbars?

I have a 2016 Toyota 4runner Sr5 with factory crossbars

I first purchased a Thule Force XL. I set the bars spread as far apart from one another as possible and set far enough forward for rear hatch clearance. When I drove with the box on top at highway speeds the front of the box bounced violently on my sunroof due to the wind and aerodynamics of the car.

I exchanged it for the Thule Force L. Which seems to fit and ride well with some preliminary testing (20 min driving around) at 85mph highway speeds. I'm preparing to take a 14 hr road trip with my family and would like to know...Has anyone had issues with a Thule Force box on their factory TR4 crossbars that I should look out for or take note of? If I need to buy after market bars I can, but I do not see a reason to incur the expense as they should physically have the capacity to handle the load.

Any advice is appreciated.

I haven't put a box on my factory crossbars, so take this with a grain of salt. If you can swing aftermarket crossbars, I'd do it. I'm very underwhelmed with the OEM bars. A metal bar with plastic ends and set screws that come loose on their own with nothing mounted does not inspire my confidence. Although they technically can work, I'll be replacing mine with a Thule aeroblade set.