As for compromises, this cargo carrier is on the shorter side compared to many of the other options. Earn an Annual Dividend, plus get access 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. 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. These are the only products in our review that come in more than one color, and their appearance scores received a boost for versatility. The Skybox Carbonite by Yakima is a fantastic value. Earning one of the highest scores overall, the Motion XT XL is our favorite model to perch atop our vehicles. Yakima have named their cargo carrier ‘SkyBox’ which sounds pretty badass and they also look hella sweet, sleek and aerodynamic too we reckon. 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. Versatile, yet sleek and aerodynamically designed to reduce drag and wind noise. 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. This budget box looks alright and feels very sturdy and durable. Thule Force Cargo Box #5. Yakima skybox 16 fit & finish I used a lot of the information I found here to make my decision on what roof cargo box would fit on my 2011 4 runner. The Alpine relies on a hybrid system between the unibody clamps of the SkyBox and the U-bolts of the Vista XL. The other products in our test seemed relatively equal, though, and we were never worried about security. The Yakima SkyBox 21 Rooftop Cargo Box came shipped in a very large box. Schedule a free 1-on-1 virtual appointment with one of our experts. Get your friends in the car and your gear into a SkyBox. However, though it lacks the bells and whistles of the premium contenders, it's more than adequate to haul your gear around. Yakima seemed a better choice/value for the price. Unless you know that you will never need additional cargo space, you might as well go for the big one. The SkyBox offers great performance without a shocking price tag. 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. I've been looking at the Yakima SkyBox 18 or 21 but am unsure if they will interfere with the tailgate. It's the same length as the Skybox 18 and only a little longer than the Skybox 16. While we originally had an entire metric devoted to this, we found after testing each of these boxes that there wasn't significant impact on how a variety of different test cars handled, regardless if we were traveling on the freeway at high speeds, over windy mountain passes, or over potholes and bumps on rough roads. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. Question is, can it hold 3-4 medium sized back packs of clothes for hotel traveling? Style: The black matte finish with red Yakima badging looks clean. Cargo Box Instructions Dave Updated January 18, 2020 00:31. Each box was left on for several weeks and driven for hundreds and hundreds of miles. The boxes were loaded with a wide variety of equipment, from sleeping bags to climbing ropes to skis. You can unsubscribe from REI Co-op emails at any time. I have a Skybox 21 Pro on my Excursion but is way too large for the Subaru so I need a new box. Yakima, manufacturer of vehicle racks, has heard the rallying cry and is offering an eco-friendly solution with its line of 80% recycled cargo boxes. . Offered 4 different sizes, the model we’ve been using is a SkyBox 16 which has a capacity of 453 litres. It is possible on this product to turn and remove the key without the latch being lined up properly, leaving you with an unintentionally unlocked box and no way to tell other than lifting the lid and testing it. The SkyBox has a slightly more prominent handle than the Force but is not as easy to switch between vehicles. To top it off, the box only opens on one side, making it one of the least convenient boxes that we've ever tested. The Alpine is a decently sturdy box that holds up to highway speeds without issue. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items! 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. Follow. Yakima SkyBox 21 Packaging. 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. No, not really. Because all of these products are made from similar materials, we looked at the details for clues about their longevity. Thule Sidekick Cargo Box. Scratches and scuffs are more subtle on the matte finishes, a problem that glossy models struggled with after many miles. Excluding price, though, this is the best box in the bunch. Ask the Experts about this Yakima Roof Box. 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. REI and the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc. Stay updated on the latest news, deals & more. For this metric, we looked at the assembly process, which included mounting and opening and closing the box. Size of product: 16 cubic feet; also available in 12, 18, 21 and Lo sizes. However, this can be totally worth it if you plan on taking your cargo box on and off your car frequently. Does adding a heavy box to your vehicle affect its power, handling, and fuel efficiency? 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 can read full reviews other sizes of product at : Yakima Skybox 21 Carbonite Cargo Box; Yakima SkyBox 18 Carbonite Cargo Box; Yakima SkyBox 12 Carbonite Cargo Box; Buy Now at Amazon Features of Yakima Skybox 16 Carbonite Cargo Box 1. Book now. Success! 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. The Skybox Carbonite has a black dimpled surface resembling a golf ball. Our gear junkies have driven thousands of miles with these boxes on different vehicles, filled to the brim with all manner of camping, climbing, ski, snowboard, and other gear, passing through deserts, mountains, and many landscapes in between. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. 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. In fact, we spent more time trying to locate where the manufacturer had taped the key than actually mounting it the first time. I personally like the look of the Motion XT more than the SkyBox. The SkyBox offers great performance without a shocking price tag. I confirmed this with both manufacturers. Price is like $50 difference, not sure size/mpg/weight. We thought the matte finish was unique and tasteful, blending the lines between sophisticated and subtle. This also means some cars will have too wide of a crossbar span to attach this carrier if they aren't adjustable. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. The Skybox PRO has two glossy color options: Onyx (black) and Titanium (dark gray). SportRack SR7018 Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box, 18-Cubic Feet Having too much gear is a common problem for most adventure lovers. There was no pesky aligning with plates or fumbling with special tools. I'm currently doing some homework for out trip in March. Most of the boxes in our lineup. The SkyBox scored highly across the majority of our tests and only had a few noticeable flaws. The mounting system on the Thule Motion makes installation a breeze and usually accomplished in under five minutes. Lauren, our head tester, has lived out of her van for several years and taken these boxes all over the country, filling them with gear for many types of trips. The clamps push through a slit in a piece of rubber sheeting. This means that there are multiple holes on the bottom of these boxes, consequently leaving multiple points for water to get in. The Thule Motion XT and Thule Force XT XL stood up tall and proud with very little flop. It is really about preference. We certainly put the box through its paces on the 11hour drive, with at least half of that being down pouring rain. 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. The underside of the SportRack's U-bolt mounting system. We found that this was our least favorite opening direction, as it is so much harder to get your stuff than the side-opening carriers. It has a dual-opening lid so your gear can be accessed from both sides of the car, and the quick clamps make installation or removal a breeze. of additional cargo volume - Sleek aerodynamic design for reduced wind noise and a carbonite texture lid - Features a tool-free design for installation and removal from your vehicle - Fits Yakima round, square, factory, and aerodynamic bars - … To visual appeal about security gear into a SkyBox it can fit multiple pairs of,... To perch atop our vehicles average in terms of security the mounting —. 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