Yakima Cargo Box Mounting Issues

[blaniac22]

I've got to trade in my small Thule Cargo Box for something bigger. I'm probably going to upgrade to a Yakima Skybox 18 or 21. Only real reason with going to Yakima is the local REI only has those in stock. I don't really have a brand preference.

Anyway, I noticed in the 5th Gen forums there are some clearance issues with the newer Yakima box mount hooks when using the factory roof rack.

Does anybody know if this hold true for the 4th Gen as well?

 

[honda_nos]

I mounted a 16 ft Yakima Sky box no problem on the factory rack. <img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DwbD8ZBJVfw/TlWGof5vuqI/AAAAAAAACEs/0RhxKde8Yv0/s640/IMAG0642.jpg" alt="" /> <br>

 

[blaniac22]

I mounted a 16 ft Yakima Sky box no problem on the factory rack.

Thanks for the info! I think I'm going to go with the 18...we'll see how it fits.

 

[honda_nos]

One thing to remember is that you need enough space for the trunk to open up. For me the spoiler takes up space so the box needs to be more forward than 1 might think.

 

[blaniac22]

One thing to remember is that you need enough space for the trunk to open up. For me the spoiler takes up space so the box needs to be more forward than 1 might think.

Thanks...I'm going to check that out. I don't have the spoiler or moonroof, and currently use the Thule Ascent 1100, which is 88.5 inches long, just 3.5 inches shorter than the Yakima Skybox 18....so I'm hoping it'll be alright. REI has been great to deal with, so we'll see how it goes when I go to pick it up.

 

[blaniac22]

Just following up on this - because I know you're dying to know. :

We got the Skybox 18 for our latest trip to California (from Texas) and it was pretty awesome. Like my last post above,we don't have the spoiler or moonroof, and this box is just 3.5" longer than the Thule we were using. We hardly noticed the difference in length.

I was able to get a lot more stuff (we have 2 kids now) in the box. Virtually no wind noise, managed to get 20-22 MPG (Hand calculated) across the New Mexico/Arizona portion of the trip (lower speed limits/AC wasn't necessary). With the 80 MPH speed limits and A/C on (probably got to 85-90 a few times), we managed 17MPG.

The box itself was very secure to the factory bars with no noticible bouncing. I found myself liking the Yakima locking mechanism much better than the Thule which made packing it at the hotel much easier.

 

[Texas05SE]

Do you have any pictures of it on your T4r?

 

[blaniac22]

Do you have any pictures of it on your T4r?

Sorry for the delay...life's been crazy lately.

Unfortunately, I don't. I seem to remember there being a picture with of a 4th Gen with the Skybox 18 on here somewhere, but haven't been able to find it.

If you are concerned about asthetics...it looks good. Better than the little Thule I had.

It is approximately 11 inches longer than the 16 pictured above. But, I don't have the spoiler, so I am able to put it a few inches further back with the nose of the box at, +/- a couple inches, even the top windshield seal and still open the rear hatch without any interference. That said, I cannot see the front of the box from the front seats....so it's not THAT far forward.

The Skybox 21 is the same width and length as the 18...it's just a couple of inches taller.

According to the REI site, there's a $125 manufacturer's rebate going on for select boxes right now. It's not a bad time to pick one up.