Needing a cargo box for our highlander. I have narrowed it down between these two models but open to hear if anyone has any other advice. Using the factory cross bars which are rated at 165 pounds. Reviews give the Thule a slight edge due to easier installation. This is only for trips and will not be on the vehicle full time.

https://www.autoanything.com/r...-motion-xt-cargo-box

https://www.yakima.com/skybox-16-carbonite

Think of it more like a "system". Do you have other Thule or Yakima accessories? particularly if they require keys, it's better to stay with the same brand, as you can key them alike. I'm "locked" (see what I did there?) into Thule for that reason. Either one make good products though, if somewhat expensive.

Aerodynamic boxes are better. Loading across a full width box is hard. Craigslist has used boxes all the time.

I have a Yakima Skybox 16. I just loaned it to a relative last night and installed it on his QX80. I was discussing with my wife, and I realized that box is somewhere between 12-14 years old.

I think of Yakima and Thule as Ford and Chevy. They are both good at what they do, neither really has a substantial lead over the other. You probably cannot go wrong with either one.

Look at the SportRack models. This is Thule’s economy line. They certainly are not as pretty but the absolutely do the job.
I bought one brand new on Craigslist for $75 and been going strong for 10 years now with many trips on top of a Highlander.

I prefer short boxes that are set further back and behind where the windshield disperses frontal pressure. If your box hangs over your windshield, air flowing up the windshield will catch the underside of the box, and the box is going to act like a giant parachute as you drive through it.

I've put thousands of miles on a Yakima Rocketbox (shorter, 12 or 14, I forget) on a Subaru Outback following the above philosophy, and the noise and mpg hit is nominal.


Here's a picture picture of my Rocketbox on my Outback from 2013 in Zion.

I wanted to go with a medium box but then I looked at the way the wife packs and thought the bigger box would be better. Thank you everyone for the responses. I think I am leaning towards the Yakima box. It is $200 cheaper than the Thule and I can't find where the Thule is $200 better other than weighing 5 pounds lighter.

quote:

Originally posted by bonfire:
I wanted to go with a medium box but then I looked at the way the wife packs and thought the bigger box would be better. Thank you everyone for the responses. I think I am leaning towards the Yakima box. It is $200 cheaper than the Thule and I can't find where the Thule is $200 better other than weighing 5 pounds lighter.

Good choice. The Yakima also has a lifetime warranty if I recall correctly.

If it's only going to be used a few times a year I would look at what is involved in mounting both. If one is much easier and takes less time I would lean that way.

If you're mounting it to the existing bars and only using it for trips I wouldn't worry about compatible with other stuff either.

It seem both mount about the same. Reviews give the Thule a little edge but not sure it is a $200 more edge.

Both links show it out of stock, and delayed by COVID, the craigslist idea might be good, find someone who thought this is the way to go and ended up not liking the product, or deciding they no longer need it.

https://seattle.craigslist.org...ance=15&postal=98026

If you are in no particular hurry, REI typically has Yakima and Thule products on sale at 20-25% off at least twice a year.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:

quote:

Originally posted by bonfire:
I wanted to go with a medium box but then I looked at the way the wife packs and thought the bigger box would be better. Thank you everyone for the responses. I think I am leaning towards the Yakima box. It is $200 cheaper than the Thule and I can't find where the Thule is $200 better other than weighing 5 pounds lighter.

Good choice. The Yakima also has a lifetime warranty if I recall correctly.

Yakima's warranty is top notch. I had a folding kayak carrier strip a nut recently. I emailed Yakima, and they are sending me a new carrier. I have had these for YEARS and could not recall when or where I bought them - Yakima still sending a new one.

I don't know if it matters to you, but Yakima is a US company and Thule is Swedish.

If your vehicle has a hitch, I would look at hitch mounted boxes. we have one from Rolla and I think Thule makes one also. Way easier to load and unload, and no wind noise. Installation is also easier. having used both, the hitch mounted one wins in my opinion. Though, with 3 daughters and 2 dogs, I am usually using both the hitch carrier and a roof carrier!