The Best Thule Cargo Box: Suggestions & Considerations

Scott Nelson By, Scott Nelson
Updated
Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box, Sport
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Of The Best: Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box, Sport

You'll be able to quickly mount your Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box, Sport to the roof rack of your vehicle with the included Quick-Mount System. Easily accessible from either side of the vehicle, this cargo box is perfect for transporting gear. The dual-side opening offers easy access to all areas of the box. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box, Medium

Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box is the perfect addition to your car. Designed with central locking system and a key-only removable lock, this cargo box features a secure cargo area that can accommodate larger items. Read Review

3. Best Compatible: Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier, XXL, Black

A versatile cargo carrier that attaches to the roof of your vehicle and features a quick-mount system. The Thule Motion XT is easy to install and provides 22 cubic feet of additional gear carrying space. Read Review

4. Best Comfortable: Thule Vector Rooftop Cargo Box, Alpine, Titan Matte

Thule's Vector Rooftop Cargo Box is a premium felt-lined interior base for your bike that increases the protection of your gear. It features external dimensions of 91 x 35 x 12.5 inches, with internal dimensions of 80.5 x 25.2 x 11 inches, and can hold up to four bikes or 2 kayaks. With a simple lock and key, you can secure this box to your car, trailer or roof rack for easy transport anywhere you need it. Read Review

No matter how well-equipped your car is, there’s still going to be some space that you need to carry things with you. While it may not necessarily be a lot of space, having a little extra room when you’re driving around for errands, or just going on a long drive can make all the difference. Fortunately, it’s easy to add some extra cargo storage space with a great aftermarket upgrade.

But choosing the best thule cargo box can be a bit tricky. Luckily, we have done all of the research so that you don’t have to! Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about adding cargo storage space to your car in the easiest and most affordable way possible.

We have chosen many of the good items currently available, including Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box, Sport - our favorite one. We also provide you with Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box, Medium model that you may consider if the top product is not your choice.

You will be surprised at the information we are about to share below! Let's explore the special features of products from famous brands including Thule, Sportrack, Wupp, Ylauto, Yakima, Rhino rack, Wildroad, Auto dynasty, Goplus right here.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box, Sport
Our Score:
9.8
Thule
  • External dimensions: 74.75 x 24.75 x 16.75 inches
  • A versatile roof-mounted cargo box for everyday use
  • Internal dimensions: 70.5 x 20.5 x 14.75 inches
TOP Choice #2 Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box, Medium
Our Score:
9.7
Thule
  • Passenger-side opening for easy loading and unloading
  • Load capacity: 110 lbs; Product weight: 34 lbs
  • Functional rooftop cargo box provides 14 cubic feet of additional packing space
TOP Choice #3 Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier, XXL, Black
Our Score:
9.6
Thule
  • External dimensions: 91.5 x 37.5 x 18 inches; Internal dimensions: 84.5 x 33 x 16 inches
  • Lid automatically locks in place and indicates a secure closure (One Key System compatible)
  • External dimensions: 91 x 35 x 12.5 inches; Internal dimensions: 80.5 x 25.2 x 11 inches
  • Bright, motion-activated LED lights and white interior allow for visibility during nighttime use
  • Load capacity: 165 lbs; Product weight: 65.9 lbs
  • Your purchase includes One Thule Force XT Rooftop XX-Large Cargo Box in Black color + Thule Gopack Duffel Set (4 Pack)
  • Narrow design leaves space for other gear such as bikes, kayaks, skis, and more while providing 11 cubic feet of additional packing space
  • Item Package Width: 18.0cm
  • Item Package Height: 132.0cm
  • Volume: 8 cu ft. of storage space
  • External Dimensions: 54 x 25 x 15.5 in
  • Cargo Box dimensions – 74.75" L x 24.75" W x 16.75" H | Inside dimensions – 70.5” L x 20.5” W x 14.75” H| Product weight – 32 lbs. | Max carry weight – 165 lbs.
  • Narrow design leaves space for other gear such as bikes, kayaks, skis, and more while providing 11 cubic feet of additional packing space
  • Designed to fit a wide range of vehicles (compatible with most factory and aftermarket roof racks)
9 SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box
Our Score:
8.1
SportRack
  • Rear opening for easy access away from traffic
  • Max Weight Capacity: 100 pounds (45 kg)
  • Tool-free mounting hardware for easy installation and removal
  • 【Safety Security Features】- In terms of security, we use 8 reinforced adjustable straps to keep the cargo bag in place. With a bonus of anti-slip mat offers a lot of grips as well, it will hardly slip and scratch your car. Combination lock for extra security. What makes this bag stand out is the additional hooks it comes with for installation. They hook to your car’s body underneath the door seal. This is both the safest and most secure way of strapping down your bag if you don’t have rails.
  • 【Universal Compatibility】- Whether your car is with a roof rack or not, the 4 door hooks and 8 strong straps can always secure your rooftop carrier bag on the top of your car. Using a cargo bag is more flexible in positioning and use, they can be easily mounted by a single person since they are not too heavy. Besides, a huge benefit of having a roof bag and not a hard top solution is storage — it’s easy to fold flat and won’t take up a lot of space in your garage when you’re not using it.

How Do You Know Which Among best thule cargo box Here Satisfies Your Tight Criteria?

Consumers are frequently hesitant to purchase best thule cargo box. Several factors should be considered while making a significant purchase. Our understanding and expertise with the best thule cargo box will assist you in making the right decisions.

Today's best thule cargo box has been substantially upgraded with greater functionality and offers more safety for users than older-generation devices.

Before deciding on a best thule cargo box for your life based on your desire or the product's qualities, there are a few things to consider. We hope the information provided here will assist you in locating the best option. Let's see what we can do.

Access

Ideal worlds would see us load our belongings and not have to go back until we get to our forest hideaway. You will likely need access to your stuff along the route so ensure you choose a carrier that is easy to use.
Others only permit access from one side, while some others allow you to open from both sides. Some will only allow you to access the back, so you must be aware of traffic and not stop at the curb.

Size

When deciding what items to store on your roof, you should consider the size and shape of the container.
Beyond the size, you should also consider whether the volume in cubic feet of space is adequate for your requirements. There are sizes that range from 8 to 22 feet. You can likely find the right size box for you. You should avoid purchasing something too large for your car.

Price

"Rooftop carriers can be very expensive. The price of a rooftop carrier is unlikely to play a major role in your buying decision, unless you are Bill Gates or Warren Buffett.
Storage capacity is generally more expensive. You will also pay more for extra features and a well-known brand.
You can expect to pay $300-$400+ for a good quality carrier made by reputable manufacturers. Unfortunately, if you require something more, then the cost will go up."

Security

Your items' value will determine the level of security that you need. You should not dismiss theft from the roof box or even the entire package.

Ease Of Use

You might only use the box once a year, so you should consider how simple or difficult it will be to attach and take down. There are many attachment methods available from different manufacturers, so some may be quicker and easier than others.

Fuel Economy

A roof storage system will have an adverse effect on fuel economy. Even though you don't have any cargo, the extra weight of your box and the mountings can affect how much gas you get. Although aerodynamic designs may reduce the impact, you'll still get a decrease in miles per gallon.

Aerodynamics

You should consider the aerodynamic design. The most aerodynamic design will generally be the most expensive and have a lower capacity to hold certain shapes.er boxes, on the other hand, are less concerned about aerodynamics and will offer more freedom when it comes to the size and shape of items you can transport.

Looks

This is probably not the most crucial criteria. If you are looking for a sporty and sleek car, adding any type of roof box to your vehicle will make it look less elegant. You can minimize any negative effects by sticking with more aerodynamic designs.

Weight Capacity

To find out the maximum weight for your roof, you will have to consult the owner's guide. The maximum weight of a car roof is typically 75kg or 165lbs. This includes both the container and the racks/rails it's attached to. Boxes typically weigh between 30-40 pounds so you will need to leave around 120-130 lbs of cargo.

FAQs

Will Roof Racks Scratch My Car?

A rack that is properly attached to a clean roof will not cause damage or scratch to your car. To remove road grime and dirt buildup, we recommend you regularly take your roof rack off of your vehicle.

Do I Need A Roof Rack?

Yes. To mount the rooftop cargo boxes, you will need to have a properly fitted roof rack. All boxes can fit on most roof rack cross bars, and the mounting system is universal. To find the best roof rack for your vehicle, check out our Roof Rack Buyers Guide.

Do I Need Anything Else Apart From Roof Bars And A Roof Box?

No. Every roof box that we sell comes with a pair of standard and box fittings, along with a set straps for keeping luggage in place. Because the boxes are secured to roof bars by the fixings inside, they can not be lifted from their bars once locked.

I Have A Full-length Box And It Seems To Overhang The Bars A Long Way. Is This OK?

Yes. The boxes have a design that allows approximately 1/3 to hang out behind the rear bars. One third of the roof bars supports the third and the third rests on the front bar.

How To Storage A Car Roof Box?

You have several options when it comes to where you store your roof box. You can either keep the roof box in your garage or place it in your backyard with the raincover on. If your vehicle is large enough, you could even store it inside of your car.

What Is A Good Size Roof Box?

The best size of roof boxes is the one that suits your specific needs. If you have a small car, it's not worth buying a 22-L roof box. If you are looking to transport skis, you will need to consider the dimensions of your skis when buying a roof cargo container.

Will A Cargo Box Affect My Fuel Consumption?

You will experience an increase in fuel consumption. It's very minimal. Fuel economy begins to decline when you drive at highway speeds. Fuel economy can drop by 6-10%

What Is The Best Position For A Roof Box?

This is the ideal position for the roof box to be centrally located when you look from the front. The weight should be evenly distributed. To avoid roof boxes that extend too far from your windshield, you should set it so that your hatch can be reached.

Can You Drive With An Empty Roof Box?

Yes. However, you should not use your roof box for a prolonged period of time. It could have a negative impact on your fuel consumption and create extra noise.

How Much Gear Can I Load?

Three things will determine this:
- Carry capacity of your fitted roof rack
- How the cross bars and roof style are attached to your vehicle
- Size of your rooftop carrier

There are numerous points to pick from in general, but doing so well may help you be more convenient and save time! When selecting a best thule cargo box, pay close attention to the elements listed above, and don't forget to verify the safety.

Have you picked a product like that after reading our article on how to choose and top the best thule cargo box? Hopefully, the information provided will assist you in selecting the best option for you.


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About Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson is a freelance writer who specializes in camping and wildlife topics for CampFireHQ. He has written for several outdoor magazines and websites, and he enjoys nothing more than spending a weekend in the woods with his family. Scott is an experienced camper and backpacker, and he has also spent considerable time studying the behavior of bears and other large mammals.

Read Scott's full bio