From Yakima cargo boxes, you can expect an outdoor-looking cargo box. Read more: Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 review. So, its just a perfect balance. A cargo box is designed to protect your gears while in transit. vs Yakima GrandTour (16 vs 18?). I am looking at these low profile boxes specifically for garage clearance issues and aerodynamics to keep on most of the time. The more dialed-in your car set-up is, the more you can focus on enjoying the open road and the adventures awaiting you at a new destination. If the price tag of most of them is still outside your budget, then the SportRack Horizon Alpine is the cargo carrier for you. Our belongings were usually dry even after driving through heavy rainstorms or getting sprayed with a garden hose on full strength for 20 minutes, one of our rigorous simulated weather tests. With simple hand-tightening, youd know how tight it should be. In all these models, it is impossible to remove the key without the box being properly latched and secured, which we consider a crucial feature. However, it does look slick when it's clean. We began testing by unpacking and assembling each model while paying close attention to how easy each one is to install and load with gear. This system consists of crossbars that bridge the width of your roof. You will discover that there are some features you can live without. In general, we found that most of these products will offer adequate protection for your gear. Thanks to its strong plastic material, it can protect the items from heavy weather and even moisture. It is bothersome to struggle and reach for the lid just to close it. Scratches and scuffs are notably more subtle on the matte finishes as well, a problem that glossy models struggled with after many miles. Even without prior mechanic knowledge, rest assured that youll be able to fix it. Both boxes were made with top-of-the-line materials. No, not really. The 16 cubic foot model we tested can fit items up to 185 cm in length (fitting the most common ski lengths). We drove each box around for weeks without any signs of wear and tear, so this category is primarily concerned with structural integrity and weather resistance. This is an ideal choice for customers who value the style of their cargo box. Both Yakima Skybox and Thule Force will leave you confident in trusting your things inside it. But for those who value the aesthetics of the cargo box, then the cargo boxes from Thule is an excellent choice. They are also known for the modern, executive look of their cargo boxes thanks to its matte finish. Products in this gear category are expensive. We love matte black. It has many of the top-tier models' convenience features, making it very easy to use and install while costing you less. AutoAnything, an American Truck Accessories and Auto Accessories retail group, had their experts feature Thule Force Cargo Box in one of their exhibits. This will serve as your guide when in the market, looking for the best cargo box. The locking lever is ergonomic and easy to turn, with a heft to it that makes us confident that it is built to last. I've got a Thule Motion XT XL, and I've been very happy with it. How can we improve GearLab? I like it better than Yakima, though they are both pretty good. I am using OEM crossbars. The low weight of just 25 pounds helps make installing it atop a vehicle easier, too. How can we improve GearLab? Got feedback? Should you get Thule Force or Yakima Skybox? This cargo box uses a single-piece clamp that fits a wide range of crossbars. No ads. We know you want to invest in a long-lasting roof box that you can count on for countless future adventures, so we assessed this metric with a critical eye. None of these boxes showed any significant signs of damage through normal wear and tear, though most showed a handful of scrapes and scuffs from repeatedly installing and uninstalling them. We won't accept manufacturer's freebies. Value - This item. None of the two claimed full waterproofness, so as a precaution, put your valuables in drybags before trusting them into your cargo box. 77 x 36 x 17. Thule vs Yakima Cargo Boxes: The Ultimate Review, Choosing the Best Cargo Box Thule vs. Yakima, Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Cargo Box, Top 7 Best Truck Bed Rails | 2021 Reviews (Westin), Mounting and unmounting can be inconvenient, Latching mechanism ensures the safety of the gears, The security system comes with a lock and key. They should be easy to set up and put down. To sum it all, you wont regret spending an extra few dollars to own this cargo box. The textured finish on the SportRack Vista seemed a little cheap to us, to the point where we felt it might detract from the appearance of nicer cars. For this criterion, were giving it to Yakima Skybox with 7/10 while Thule Force with 6/10. The Vector feels very sturdy and secure and has a look that complements almost any vehicle. This budget box looks alright and feels very sturdy and durable. But the wide range of products can make choosing one difficult. Our gear junkies have driven thousands of miles with these boxes on different vehicles, filled to the brim with all manner of gear, passing through deserts, mountains, and many landscapes in between. They are universal fit boxes that go all the way from 8 cubic feet up to 20+ cubic feet. Therefore, it is only important to find out whether they contribute to fuel consumption or if there will be a difference in gas mileage. But worry not, because its glossy design and hard plastic will do an excellent job in keeping your items dry and protected from moisture. First to consider is the material used. It is a great premium product that received a top score, and we would highly recommend it to anyone who wants the best and will pay a premium price, but we think most people would be just as happy with some of the less expensive options. The PowerClick mounting system on the Force is one of the easiest to use that we have seen to date. Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. So weve made it easier by narrowing the options to two popular travel storage makers: Thule and Yakima. See if these products meet such factors. Features 15 cu. Forces key locking system seems to make it difficult to tell if the box is latched or not. Thule cargo boxes are not waterproof. Thule Force took less than five minutes to install while the Yakima Skybox took a little longer at a 15-minute mark. Here are the following factors to consider when choosing between Thule and Yakima cargo boxes: Both brands are using recycled materials for almost 80% of the cargo box. That said, though it lacks the bells and whistles of the premium contenders, it's more than adequate to haul your gear around for a more palatable price point. True that. As with most things, it is wise to dig into all the information you need before jumping on buying the gear you need. Still, we like that the lid is secure and easy to open and close. Despite its sleek design, it can accommodate a lot of gears. The yakima grandtour lo is 10" high but pretty long at 7'7" (93"). JavaScript is disabled. It is designed in a way that will keep your gears safe and easy to access. There wasnt any annoying noise reported, too. Theres never too many to bring. It is user-friendly. When it comes to its appearance department, this is the most suitable cargo box for you. The quick clamps are a separate part of the GoPlus cargo box - a somewhat unique feature. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Two excellent products are HighRoad and HighSpeed. HighRoad costs $249, while HighSpeed runs $239. Just wondering if people have experience with either product and would recommend one over the other if cost isn't a huge issue. . round, square, aero, elliptical, and most factory crossbarsMaximum crossbar dimensions: 3-1/2 inches wide x 1-11/16 inches tallCrossbar spread: 23-5/8 inches 35-3/8 inches, round, square, aero, elliptical, and most factory crossbarsMaximum crossbar dimensions: 3-1/2 inches x 1-11/16 inchesCrossbar spread: 24 inches 42 inches. Product Specs Weight: 62.50 lbs. But, thats what were here for. Does adding a heavy box to your vehicle affect its power, handling, and fuel efficiency? Car owners with taller vehicles would prefer a lid that is easy to close. Add To Cart. $899.95 Rating: Color: Black Black Black . Both can fit one bike, are a universal roof rack fit, and feature a torque right knob. Your cargo box can look stylish and be able to handle a lot of gears at the same time. This is particularly helpful for mid-sized car owners whose opened lid is barely out of reach. The boxes were loaded with a wide variety of equipment, from sleeping bags to climbing ropes to skis. And, its always better to have it and not need it than not have it and need it. And it comes with a lifetime warranty. The GrandTour took top marks in this metric, delivering on each point. 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. We liked the dimpled finish on the Goplus a bit more. I got the 18 and it's huge, big enough for an entire family's camping gear. Our last set of evaluations looked at the appearance of each cargo carrier, focusing on the color, finish, shape, and overall look of each product. It is efficient, durable, and powerful. But if you dont mind spending an extra few dollars on increasing the storage of your vehicle, then this is the right cargo box for you. At $830 for the 18-cubic-foot version, the GrandTour features a high-gloss finish, sophisticated wide profile, and contoured base that keeps it sitting low on the crossbars. This is what the Thule Force is missing. Despite that, we would highly recommend this product to anyone who needs additional vehicular gear storage and doesn't want to make too many sacrifices with respect to quality and budget. Over torque the nut, bending the L-bracket (loosens the mount), forcing the foot into the glass. Below is a comprehensive buying guide that will enlighten the difference between Thule and Yakima cargo boxes. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. These crossbars, too, are excellent noise reducers. https://assets.yakima.com/product/instructions/8007388/2. The reviews we ran hopefully gave you an insight into each items strengths and weaknesses. Distinctive automotive badging Hauls gear for up to 3 campers; fits snowboards and skis up to 185cm Made in the USA Yakima cannot ship the GrandTour 16 to Alaska or Hawaii - please contact a local dealer. The smoother interior surface (lacking awkward knobs or protrusions) makes loading and moving gear throughout the cargo box easier. You dont need to exert force when opening a box and putting your gears inside. The Yakima RocketBox 14 also shares a dimpled matte texture that is convenient for hiding minor blemishes, but found the overall appearance of this box less sleek and stylish than some of the other models, slightly bumping it down in this metric. The clamps on the Yakima Skybox fit around a variety of different crossbars with ease. We spent more time trying to locate where the manufacturer had taped the key than actually mounting it the first time. Piloteers.org forum community offers tech info, troubleshooting, modification DIYs and discussion for the Honda Pilot SUV. While there are a few cases where one company has a clear advantage (such as the Thule Hullavator for lift-assisted kayak loading) for the most part there is no difference in quality between the accessories of each brand. They did come in a surprising amount of finishes, though, and we had clear preferences. A sturdy handle opens the lid, with clear visual indicators showing if the box is unlocked or locked. Below, we pick which company we think makes the better product in each of three categories: crossbars, bike racks, and cargo baskets. Some car owners are hesitant to install a cargo box into their vehicles because it is bulky and a distracting addition. In all honesty, all the products in our lineup are relatively equal, and we were never worried about security. Both Yakima Skybox and Thule Force will leave you confident in trusting your things inside it. There are features to look for, such as locking mechanism, lid, materials, and the material body. The Yakima GrandTour is one of our favorite roof boxes that we have tested to date. Put a load on the bars adds more flex to push into the glass. Its solid forefront design is an indication of years of service that this cargo box can offer. Thankfully, Thule Force and Yakima Skybox both have security systems to keep you confident during such scenarios. Thule Force vs Yakima Skybox The Ultimate Comparison. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. The classy Yakima GrandTour has an almost mirror-like finish. In her spare time, she loves going to the beach, hitting the hiking trails, and spending time with her younglings. 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