Roof Top Cargo Boxes

Same. But I've been told that the gutter mount systems, because they mount on the vertical of the cap, transfer weight better.

 

I think weight distribution is a little better on top vs point load on the side. This is what a Yakima rep told me years ago. I worked construction for years, I have bent bars and not damaged the roof. Guilty of overloading some times with lumber. Just my two cents, maybe someone with more knowledge will chime in.

 

Yeah, the tops have some thick material on top but it pinches out on the sides. I would think that since all the weight eventually gets to the sides, then loading the flat top adds stress to the corner, where loading the sides only puts stress on the vertical.

My wife was at a local topper shop and said they recommend the gutter mount. My Tacoma has track mount.

Do you know what the thick material on top is? Foam? Plywood?

 

The thicker part in the middle is a corrugated panel, to prevent wind wobble. You DO NOT want to go through it. You want to be outboard of it and before where the radius turns down. Hope that makes sense.
Edit some manufacturers use a honey comb , I would check with the manufacturer

 

Worst thing about Rocket boxes is they are expensive.. best thing is they hold their value;

We had a Skybox21, paid $500 used, used it for four years while the kids were in strollers and diapers, then sold it for $500 when we were done.

I kind of want another to carry skis in the winter..

 

I got mine at the REI Garage Sale for half price or less. People return them for no good reason. I've had them for a LOOOOONNNNGGG time.

-M

 

That looks sweet. Just got me a Thule force L and a rhino rack and that is exactly the setup I am looking at. Slid back over the rear a little.

 

Did the cargo box affect mpg? Acceleration? Wimd noise? Thinking of getting a thule sidekick, thx

 

Not on the roof, but on the Yakima Overhaul HD rack. Offset to one side - much easier to load/unload while standing in the bed.

 

I do notice a small drop in MPG. On the HWY I would get on avg 21 mpg. With the box I am around 20.

The wind noise I get isn’t terrible but I can hear a hum at higher speeds. I believe it hits the channels on the cross bars.

 

I put a cargo box over my KB VooDoo racks for a recent roadtrip, it fit all my kids bulky items that did not fit the truck when fully loaded with luggage and gear. double stroller, high chair, step ladder, small gas bbq. it was also great for once we got to our destination, we unloaded all from the box but kept the stroller in it, that way it did not bounce around on the trails inside the bed, it had a smaller area to bounce and sheaf.. also was able to mount my recovery boards and a small tool box i had laying around for all my recovery gear.

I would have preferred a bit lower profile design but at $60 with two keys and absolutely no issues it was hard to pass... my MPG for the trip was average 15.5 - 16.5 mpg with a 2" lift and 33's

 

Long and skinny is the way to go with roof top boxes!

 

I've had the same Thule box for over a decade and it has been the most useful vehicle accessory purchase I've ever made. Fits perfectly on my Prinsu top rack, has held up to a ton of abuse, visited about 35 states and one province, transfers to all of our vehicles and keeps whatever you put in it nice, dry and secure. Totally worth the $$.

Did have to pay extra for a parking garage in NYC once, but wised up and took it to a great Toyota dealer in Brooklyn for a service, and they let me leave it in their secure lot for 3+ days at no extra charge!

 

What length are the cross bars?

 

60 inches

 

I'd like to install a OEM Roof Rack and see if my Thule Cargo Box works that way as well....or if I need another one....

 

My Thule XT 1800 Atlantis did not fit in the OEM cross bars, neither did my Yakima Highspeed bike rack. The distance between the front and rear bars exceeded the range mounting claws.

 

Thanks @ActionHank - looks like I will be saving up for a Prinsu Rack then if I do end up purchasing a Roof Rack. My ever growing family we may have to have two Cargo Boxes...lol kids man... I appreciate that information!

 

Thinking of getting a used Thule Force XL cargo box on craigslist. I’ve got a DCSB with Prinsu rack.

Questions I have… Has anyone ran this set up? Does it hang over the front/back? Does this work with the antenna? How does it perform with a full load?

 

Current set up I am running; Older model Thule Adventurer large box mounted on Rola Racks. Its positioned on the driver side so easy access while in the bed. Have an awning mounted on passenger side, rigged up a canvas tarp that can unroll and go over or under the box when it rains....i have a 130watt solar panel mounted to piece of plastic cardboard glued and strapped to the Thule. battery inside the metal toolbox and outlets mounted on each side...sort of happy with this, after my first trip of utilizing this set up, thinking about getting a truck shell and mounting the Thule on top....wind noise isn't too bad on the highway, 19mpg seems to be the best so far, cruising 70-80mph with the a/c on.