We did like the dimpled finish on the Goplus a bit more, as well as the fact that it is available in three different colors so you can better match your personal preferences. Everyone wants to be confident that their roof box will keep their gear as safe as possible, though a determined thief could probably get into any of these products with enough motivation and the right tools. (The Thule Fit Guide on their website is worthless!) Finishing out the back of the pack, the Sidekick by Thule is our least favorite when it comes to ease of use. Locking lid opens from either side of your vehicle. Whether you plan to use your cargo box occasionally or throw it on your roof and leave it there for months, there are a few ways in which some products are considerably easier to use than others. SkyBox 18 Carbonite. Durable ABS plastic construction. As long as your vehicle is equipt with the crossbars (side to side) then all of our cargo boxes will attach directly to the rack. A pioneer in vehicle racks and cargo management solutions since 1979, Yakima is known for its rugged and dependable products. Yakima Skybox Cargo Box, Why Choose Us? We thought the matte finish was unique and tasteful, blending the lines between sophisticated and subtle. the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Easiest to install, ergonomic handle, sleek design, Great handle, cool appearance, less expensive, Simple installation, sleek matte finish, great shape for skis, Relatively inexpensive, easy to attach, convenient to use, Won’t fit longer skis, longer crossbar spans can be problematic for install, Expensive, frustrating installation, hard to open and close, This box is a stand-out product that scored high marks in every category, With an excellent user-friendliness score, the SkyBox is a great value for a mid-ranged cargo box, With plenty of space and a user-friendly design, the Force XT XL is a great cargo box for a variety of users, If you are trying to maximize bang for the buck and aren’t typically transporting longer skis and gear, we highly recommend this rooftop cargo carrier, This box's sleek look is outweighed by its high price tag and frustrating mounting and opening systems. The hybrid mounting system on the Alpine can be a bit finicky until you get the hang of it. It offers best-in-class features like a torque knob that takes the guesswork out of a safe and secure attachment to … Honestly, we would love to, but are held to a minimum advertised price policy by our suppliers. ... Travel in style with the new GrandTour cargo box. You can unsubscribe at anytime. I placed the order on RackAttack's website on a Tuesday and the item shipped the following day. We developed a comprehensive testing plan, evaluating and judging the performance of each product on everything from its ease of installation to how well its finish hides scrapes and scratches. Lowest Yakima roof box price guaranteed. That being said, we're a full service retailer who typically maintains stock on all items we sell in all of our stores. This provides a better seal in our minds than the vinyl stickers but not as good as the top-tier models with quick-clamps that have a sliding seal. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. If the price isn't right for you, consider saving some money and getting a less-expensive product that is a bit more difficult to install but leaves more room in your budget for what goes inside the box. It has a maximum ski/board length of around 140 cm, precluding most adult skis. They are all easy to latch and unlatch and won't permit the key to be removed while the box is unlocked, preventing you from forgetting to latch it or locking your keys in the box. $1,289.00. $469.00 . If the price tag of the Yakima SkyBox is still outside your budget, then the SportRack Horizon Alpine is the cargo carrier for you. Great for carrying skis, snowboards, and other gear. Throughout testing, we kept track of any visible wear and tried to find flaws in durability. I have to be careful not to overload it, as dense items reach the load limit quickly Get everything you need together as a bundle! The Skybox 16 Carbonite held up amazingly during our 21 hour road trip from California to Texas, and was a huge help considering all our Lexus CT200h was jam packed with two pets - the cargo area was a bit cramped with our cat's carrying crate and litter box. Our cargo box testing team is comprised of Lauren DeLaunay, David Wise, and Steven Tata. We like that the lid is secure and easy to open and close. The GrandTour 16 is a very nice cargo box, super easy to install!. For those who like to travel in style, GrandTour elevates cargo box design with a premium, sleek look that doesn’t sacrifice superior functionality or exceptional capacity. If your order is placed before the UPS truck comes at the end of the day, Rack Attack ships same day for all in-stock orders. We liked that the gray Motion XT model blends in a little more on the tester's white van. Unfortunately, this cargo box can take a hefty chunk out of your budget and is one of the most expensive cargo boxes we have reviewed. The ultra-premium multi-sport Yakima SkyBox 18 Carbonite features a Carbonite dimpled texture surface that slices through the air and looks great. At the top of the line, the Thule Motion XT is a luxury model that is impressively easy to use and quite stylish. Founded 40 years ago in its namesake city, Yakima's guiding principle is that gear should be carried on the outside of the vehicle to make room for more friends inside. No, not really. Dual-side opening for easy access on either side of the vehicle, SuperLatch security ensures your lid is secure to its base and your gear is safe, Box Outer Product Dimensions: 92 inches x 36 inches x 16 inches, Below you will find a list of the most frequently asked questions for this product. Ideal for hauling gear for 4 campers, the Yakima SkyBox 18 Carbonite Cargo roof box features a dimple-textured lid that reduces drag, resulting in less noise and more stability for a smoother ride. To ensure objectivity, we purchase all of the products that we test and never accept any free products or incentives from manufacturers. No other shop offered free shipping besides REI (the box was out of stock). It's a great option that we highly recommend if you don't need a cargo carrier for skis and are hoping to save some cash. The Goplus Cargo Carrier has clamps that are in the middle when it comes to water-resistance in our minds. The box came fully assembled. The Horizon Alpine is more bare-bones than the SkyBox but costs significantly less and is our top recommendation for anyone looking to spend the bare minimum. We love matte black! We've been testing and reviewing cargo boxes for over three years and constantly seek new and notable models to add to our review. We awarded the most points to carriers that have a simple and easy to operate security systems that seemed durable enough to resist break-ins and solid enough that we would entrust it with our beloved gear. Drag is hugely dependent on speed as well, so you can probably negate any loss in fuel economy by driving just a bit slower—and you don't really want to be speeding all that much anyways with a fully loaded cargo box on top of your car. GrandTour 18. Available at REI, 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. Additionally, we appreciate that the Thule Motion XT and Yakima ShowCase are available in both gray and black, letting you pick the best match for your car. ... SkyBox 16 Carbonite. To remedy this, these products include some vinyl stickers to cover the unused holes. Holds 1 sleeping tent (5 man), 1 dining tent (hex screenhouse), 4 sleeping bags /w air mats, and all kinds of other items. The quick clamps don't permanently mount into the box, but they are very user-friendly, making the installation process very quick and easy. Press enter for more information. This rock-solid box is another one of our absolute favorites, and we would highly recommend it. Does adding a heavy box to your vehicle affect its power, handling, and fuel efficiency? The SkyBox has a slightly more prominent handle than the Force but is not as easy to switch between vehicles. Earning the top score of the entire group, the Thule Motion is our absolute favorite when it comes to being convenient and easy to use. In turn, we expanded this category to not only include scores for how secure the box was, but how easy the details of the security system were to use, as well. The PowerClick mounting system on the Force is one of the easiest to use that we have seen to date. It is one of the most expensive models that we tested. The lid only opens on one side—with no way to reconfigure it—and it lacks any integrated straps for securing your gear inside or a built-in light. 8007335. Check out the full review to see which cargo box can carry the most gear, which is the most secure, and the best if you are shopping on a budget. Calling one of our phone numbers will put you in contact with a local employee who can answer any question you have. If you plan to move it on and off your car every weekend, then it might be worth checking out the Yakima SkyBox. Learn More. In all these models, it is not possible to remove the key without the box being properly latched and secured, which we consider to be a crucial component. Sometimes, space for passengers is sacrificed to accommodate all gears. $799.00. Yakima GrandTour Premium Rooftop Cargo Box - 18 Cubic Ft - Gloss Black part number YA84FR can be ordered online at etrailer.com or call 800-298-8924 for expert service. Holding up to the expansive paved roads crisscrossing the country to roads with limited access crisscrossing the backcountry. Travel in style with the new GrandTour cargo box. With Yakima's extensive range of cargo roof accessories, packing for your next trip will be easy! I only had to lift it onto my Toyota Highlander and tighten the clamps. The Force features the same PowerClick mounting system as the more expensive Thule models but lacks the more convenient locking systems featured on those models. Internal lid stiffeners add rigidity while the SuperLatch™ ensures security. Because all of these products are made from similar materials, we looked at the details for clues about their longevity. This budget box looks alright and feels very sturdy and durable. If you drive an SUV or van, probably not. Learn More. Write a Review for the Those who frequently use their cargo box will get the most value out of this top performer. The handle of the SkyBox aligned properly, indicating secure latching. The Goplus Cargo Carrier is a great budget option if you want to save some cash and don't need to carry extra long items. This was a surprisingly easy category to measure since the floppiness was so apparent during regular use. This box is incredibly convenient and easy to use with one of the best, most intuitive mounting systems that we have seen to date, usually allowing you to install it in about five minutes. Signature required on receipt. The Goplus cargo carrier has a run-of-the-mill locking mechanism. They come in various lengths, widths, and styles to accommodate whatever excursion you set forth on. The clamps push through a slit in a piece of rubber sheeting. Yakima GrandTour 16$679.00. If you have a rear hatch, make sure to measure how much room you have and compare to the box length to make sure the hatch won't hit the box when opening. In general, we found the vast majority of these products offer adequate protection for your gear. Get your friends in the car and your gear into a SkyBox. Available at REI, 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. I have it sitting on a pair of Yakima's own FlushBar System and it is dead silent, no noise unlike what other's have experienced and I am able to open my trunk with plenty of space left before my hatch touches the tail of the box. In order to increase the storage of your vehicle, installing a cargo box is highly recommended. To top it off, the box only opens on one side, making it one of the least convenient boxes that we've ever tested. I agree with the reviews that the lid doesn't open very wide. Steven spends much time traveling with gear for skiing and climbing and is consistently impressed with how much more stylish his Honda Element looks with a cargo box on top of it. You may be wondering if it is even worth getting a cargo box in the first place due to their impact on vehicle handling and mileage. While these boxes have locking mechanisms, we are sure that each model could be broken into without too much effort if someone really wanted and had the proper tools, like a couple of crowbars, so you might want to think twice about leaving particularly pricey gear in your unsupervised cargo box for extended periods. The Horizon Alpine is a bare-bones product that can't compare to the top-tier products in terms of convenience features but retails at a fraction of the cost of the top models. The Yakima GrandTour 16 elevates cargo box design and performance to new aerodynamic heights. Learn More. Every box in this review passed the rain and wind tests, which were easy to account for in the Eastern Sierra in springtime, but some had more questionable design features than others. Check out this brief comparison between Thule Force and Yakima Skybox before we dig deeper into what they can offer. It also hides dead bugs well—a problem we hadn't initially thought of. The lid isn't really floppy at all, and the latching system indicated when the SkyBox is unlocked, making it much harder to drive away with an unlocked box accidentally. For those on a budget, the Yakima SkyBox, the Goplus Rooftop Cargo Carrier, and the SportRack Horizon XL are our favorite inexpensive cargo boxes. The shorter length does mean that it is easier for one person to install on a car, but crossbars with larger spans may not be compatible. Following this pair of top performers, the Yakima SkyBox, the Goplus Rooftop Cargo Carrier, and the Thule Force XT XL are next regarding ease of use. However the lid is very stable and doesn't wobble around like other boxes I have seen. Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier All trademarks property of their respective owners The item was at my doorstep the following Tuesday. Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem. The only missing add-on, in our opinion, would be a light inside the box. Note: Subject to approval by a Rack Attack staff member. The Yakima ShowCase 15, SportRack Horizon Alpine, and SportRack Vista XL are fairly uninspiring when it comes to convenience and ease of use, earning them a mediocre score in this metric. $395.83. This also means some cars will have too wide of a crossbar span to attach this carrier if they aren't adjustable. The quick clamps also don't have an indicator to let you know that they are sufficiently tight—other models have an audible click that lets you know that they are clamped securely. The Sidekick's lid was floppy but functional. The Horizon Alpine also lacks an ergonomic handle but has an easier to use mounting system than the Vista XL. If the clamps were easier to operate I would have given it a 5. Will I fit into my garage or underground parking with this installed? No matter what you need, we have the experience and knowledge to help you out. The underside of the SportRack's U-bolt mounting system. David lives in Tahoe and spends a significant amount of time transporting skis, snowboards, and camping equipment throughout the year. All three of these cargo carriers mount to roof racks with a set of U-bolts and come with a series of pre-drilled holes to accommodate different crossbar spacing. Great for weekender, campers, adventure junkies and anything in between. The clamps are a bit difficult to work with as they tend to stick and require a lot of force to flip them over - but perhaps I have them too tight. Our primary test for the durability of materials was in the highly-quantitative lid floppiness. Yakima RocketBox Pro 11$449.00. One for the cargo box and the other for Rack Attack. Drag is hugely dependent on speed as well. Adding only about 10 in. This rock-solid box is another one of our absolute favorites, and we would highly recommend it. My only concern is that the shiny finish will easily scratch or dull over time. However, we did notice that the giant rear-opening hatch of the Vista XL had much more play than other products and is significantly more floppy. This is next-level cargo hauling. The glossy ShowCase shows off in the Sierra. These are all large boxes that go on top of your car and increase the wind resistance and drag while you are driving, but they are all pretty much comparable, especially if you drive a larger SUV or truck that isn't particularly aerodynamic in the first place. It is still totally doable, but if you are planning on leaving the box off of your car most of the time, then throwing it on for a weekend getaway, you will probably be better served by a product that is a bit easier and more convenient when it comes to installation. Are These Going To Kill My Gas Mileage or Ruin Handling? 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