yakima grandtour 16 vs skybox

Weve had the 16-cubic-foot model on the top of our vehicle for a few years now and have found it to be Thules rooftop cargo box collection is undeniably extensive, from luxurious designs with felt-lined interiors and built-in lighting to soft-sided models for cheap and compact storage. Free shipping for many products! But again, this largely comes down to personal preference (as well as garage height) and the types of items youll be stowing. Yakima SkyBox 21 Carbonite Cargo Box. One-sided and rear access is more common on budget designsThules Pulse opens on the passenger side, while the SportRack Vista XL is accessed at the rear. Below youll find our breakdown of the market, from premium luxury models and compact carriers to popular all-rounders that get the job done for most. The majority of designs only permit you to remove the key when locked: although some users find this feature inconvenient, it does keep you from leaving the box unlocked or accidentally losing your keys inside. Its always best to use the fit guide prior to buying, and we highly recommend going through the process of measuring if there will be any potential hatch interference. Finally, its 36-inch width works well with a narrow vehicle like my Alltrack, and youll have the option to add accessories like a bike rack on larger vehicles with wider cross bars. Securely attaching to the receiver hitch of your vehicle, they offer unmatched versatility and ease of use. Yakima SkyBox 16 16 Cu. Ive had the box on top of my vehicle for a couple years and have only removed it for a relatively short stretches (I store my vehicle outside, and my local weather conditions in the middle of Washington state vary from desert-like in the summer to snowy in the winter). ft.Access: Dual sideSkis: Up to 170cmWhat we like: Premium feature set at a good value.What we dont: Too short for most skis and pricier than true budget options. These boxes come in a range of sizes to accommodate your gear (including skis) and vary in terms of durability, ease of use, aesthetics, security, and more. Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. If you value function over form but want to stick with the Thule brand name, the Pulse is a great place to start. The Best Overall Rooftop Cargo Box. We found the 16 to be nearly perfect for our gear needs, but the 15-inch peak height (about 14 in. GrandTour is a premium addition to our Cargo Box Collection defies convention. For 2023, most of the top models are built by roof-rack giants Thule and Yakima, but brands like INNO and SportRack also have some solid contributions. Whats more, its tall and wide shape isnt particularly aerodynamic, and with a short 57-inch length, it cant accommodate skis (for a relatively affordable ski carrier, check out the Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 below). First off, an empty box is much more likely to be pushed around by the wind, which will result in a noisier ride. Finally, whether or not you opt for a matte or gloss finish is mostly a matter of personal preference, although its common to see the sleek aesthetic on more luxury designs (like the Yakima GrandTour). Credit: David Wise Best Bang for the Buck Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 Read the Review 65 OVERALL SCORE Ease of Use 6.0 Security 7.0 Quality 7.0 Appearance 6.0 Capacity: 14 cu ft | Box Opening: Dual-side REASONS TO BUY Convenient Feels secure Dual-side opening Initial set up of the Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite is about as easy as it gets with no tools required. Its also worth considering if a hitch-mounted box or basket might be a better way to expand your vehicles carrying capacity. Finally, Yakima offers the SkyBox in a Lo Carbonite variation, which costs $649 and is lower-profile and longer than the model tested here at 11.5 inches tall and 7 feet 8 inches long (more on this below). Yakima SkyBox 16. One of the features that stands out in this product is its dual-side opening. Yakima Yakima GrandTour 16 Roof Box 4.9 15 Reviews Item #171034 Top Rated Black $879.00 Color: Black Quantity Ship to address $160 oversize shipping Shipping restrictions apply Pick up in store or curbsideFREE Find this item in store Members get an estimated $87.90 back on this item. The Yakima Carbonite 16 Cargo Box is not an exception. But the difference in rigidity is palpable (thats saying something, as the Motion is one of the stiffer designs here). It would seem that that the Skybox 16 would be the ideal choice due to it weighing the least at 47 pounds, however the Skybox 18 is only 5 pounds more. While we cant overstate the importance of choosing the right boots for your feet, the good news is that the downhill Back to Our Rooftop Cargo Box Comparison Table. The length is also an important number if youre looking to tote bulky items like strollers (height comes into play here too), gardening tools, or climbing stick clips. The majority of rooftop cargo boxes are fairly barebones on the inside, with many featuring just a simple cavernous compartment for your gear and usually a pull strap to close an out-of-reach lid. You can wrap your front bar with a towel (and duct tape) or a bungee cord, swap in aerodynamic crossbars (Yakimas JetStream is a popular option), or add a fairing (like the Thule AirScreen XT). YAKIMA - SkyBox Aerodynamic Rooftop Cargo Box for Cars, Wagons and SUVs. On the other hand, many cargo bagslike the Rightline Gear Sport 2retail for less than $150 and install directly to the roof of your vehicle, which eliminates the cost of a roof rack. The GrandTour is slightly taller, but has "cutaways" which allow it to sit lower, making them effectively the same height on a car. But the RocketBox is nevertheless a step up from true budget designs like the Jegs Cargo Carrier above and SportRack Vista XL below, including more user-friendly mounts and higher-quality latch and lock features. Next, youll want to identify the type and general size of gear you plan to haul around. model. The CBX line includes three different boxes: both 16- and 18-cubic-foot versions and a second 16-cubic-foot model featuring an integrated solar panel for charging battery-operated devices when off-grid. GrandTour Collection Sleek clean lines: complements modern high ends vehicles Smooth with high shine - no texture SkyBox Collection Aerodynamic shape with clean lines Micro golf ball texture RocketBox Collection Textured surface Matte finish EXPLORE YOUR SOLUTION CBX Solar CBX 16 CBX 18 GrandTour 16 GrandTour 18 GrandTour Lo SkyBox 12 SkyBox 16 No idea about the Thule. ft. less than most other designs), a one-sided opening with no integrated handle, and basic U-bolt mounts that use pre-drilled holesfingers crossed they fit your crossbar spreadand require a number of moving parts (pro tip: dont lose anything). If youre searching for the best way to transport bikes, hitch-mounted bike racks are the way to go. Like the GrandTour, the CBXs mounting system uses a removable knob to tighten and loosen the mounts, resulting in a flat floor and more usable space than similarly sized models. Were generally big fans of purchasing outdoor gear from REI and Backcountry (thanks to great customer service and generous return policies), but in this case, both retailers charge oversized shipping fees (you can see them displayed at checkout after adding a box to your cart). Product review. The exterior doesnt have the high-end sheen of a premium model like Yakimas own GrandTour 16, but the dimpled pattern and shape (with a lowered front end) make it a strong performer. . If youve got a luxury vehicle with an empty roof rack, the Yakima is a worthy fit, with a high-gloss finish, sophisticated short and wide profile, and contoured base that keeps it sitting low on the crossbars. 4.7 (12) $999.99. And finally, youll want to be wary of ultra-lightweight boxes too, as this might indicate a flimsier design. $719 AT REI. Aerodynamic shape and relatively shallow 15-inch peak height limit what you can haul to items that are fairly low-profile. The Vista XL used to be our top budget pick, but with a recent price jump (up from $400), its now tougher to justify over cheaper designs like the Sidekick and Jegs above. At this point I'm dead-set on either one of these (the locking system seems a bit more reliable than on the Thule boxes, it seems), so I'm not really considering other brands/models. A common fear in strapping a large box to the roof of your vehicle is the impact on road noise, as well as a big hit to gas mileage. The extra time required to install these more rudimentary mounts is less of an issue if you anticipate keeping your box installed on your rooftop. For around $20 less, we prefer the Yakima for its similar capacity at a lower weight. It has a gear capacity of over 27,000 cubic inches and a gear capacity of 453 L. The Skybox weighs 47 lbs, so you'll likely need a hand to lift it on top of your car and with the installation. With a seamless and wireless integration, two USB ports sit on the inside boxs roof for device-charging while in motion or at camp. Aerodynamic. Dimensions: 57 x 38.5 x 17.8 in.Capacities:10, 18 cu. If youre cutting it close on clearance, you really cant go wrong with any of these options, but its worth doing the math before buying. Read more about us. TESTED. Further, given its length of just 62.5 inches (the Goplus only comes in one size), skiers beware: this is not the cargo hauler for you. Its also worth noting that many other online retailers ship for free (including Amazon and Etrailer), but keep in mind that the retail price can often be higher as a result. On the flip side, the interior understandably can get quite warm in direct heat. The first step in selecting a rooftop box is to identify the maximum length of carrier your vehicle (or vehicles) can accommodate. Whether you drive a small hatchback or a large SUV, adding a cargo box to your vehicles rooftop can go a long way toward improving organization, carrying capacity, and comfort. Importantly, you dont want the box to be much longer than the roof of your cara box that extends over your windshield (front or rear) will compromise your ability to see the road and have a negative impact on aerodynamics (see below). Explore our travel tips, helpful product reviews and everyday adventure stories from folks like you. The Motion XT and SkyBox are both built to withstand the rigors of the road, including rugged ABS plastic and aerodynamic shapes that taper at the rear to accommodate your cars antenna and hatch. Great for carrying skis, snowboards, and other gear. Allow us to introduce you to the Vector, Thules top-end offering that breaks all the rules defined by utilitarian rooftop boxes. Finally, keep in mind that wind noise can be worse with an empty box (its less stable when not weighed down), so we encourage you to take your box off when its not in use (for more, see Can I Drive with an Empty Rooftop Cargo Box? below). And finally, keeping your cargo box out of the elements will go a long way toward extending its lifespan, especially if you live in a particularly unforgiving climate. But while these are nice features, theyre not worth the large price bump for most, especially when you can make similar after-market customizations to a more affordable box. ft.Access: Dual sideSkis: 5-7 pairs up to 175cmWhat we like: The best all-around combination of quality, features, and ease of use.What we dont: Relatively pricey and not available in smaller sizes. In some cases, wind can cause gaping at the front of a box (allowing moisture and air to enter), and water can also make its way in through mounting holes on the base. With 18 cubic feet of capacity, you get significantly more storage than boxes like the 14-cubic-foot Thule Pulse M above, and the 19-inch height is great for accommodating bulky items such as golf clubs or strollers (many sleeker boxes are 15 in. All told, its an intriguing and user-friendly option for off-grid adventurers that want the convenience of a roof box with integrated charging capabilities to power phones, lanterns, headlamps, camera batteries, and other electronics in the field. Although limited on power, its a well-designed unit and hopefully a sign of where the rooftop cargo box market is headed.See the Yakima CBX Solar 16. Second, its a good idea to be strategic about what you put in your cargo box. Does anyone have any thoughts or experiences with these? Finally, its hard to beat the Motions nose design, which is specially engineered to resist gaping in strong winds. But regardless of the cargo box, its a good idea to assume that its not fully waterproof. And while INNOs Wedge lineup offers a number of other sizes to choose from, its important to note that the 660 is the only low-profile model.See the INNO Wedge 660. Where the two differ is in dimensions: The Force is taller with an 18-inch peak height (the SkyBox is 15 in.) Add a cargo box to the mixmost of which are about 3 feet in widthand youre looking at a fairly tricky situation for most vehicles. Combining luxury with function, the Vector features a removable felt pad on the base to protect your gear, a white-lined lid for better visibility, and motion-activated LED lights to illuminate the interior. But if you want to have your cake and eat it too, Yakimas SkyBox 12 Carbonite is your best bet. There are also a few ways to hush this whistling without spending up for a techy box design, including both DIY solutions and after-market purchases. I havent had any fit issues on my Volkswagen Alltrack, but to ensure it will fit, youll want to measure from your front cross bar to the closest contact point of the open hatch(Yakima has a useful guide for nailing this down). Further, while the Motion XT has one of our favorite mounting systems, the Yakimas requires more finagling to get into place, which is a downside if you anticipate removing and reinstalling your box with some regularity. ft.Access: Dual sideSkis: N/AWhat we like: A noticeably lightweight box with reasonable price and quality. Versatility and ease of use allow us to introduce you to the receiver hitch of your vehicle ( vehicles... Breaks all the rules defined by utilitarian rooftop boxes $ 20 less, we prefer the Yakima 16. Is your best bet boxs roof for device-charging while in Motion or at camp to expand your carrying... Unmatched versatility and ease of use and finally, its a good idea to be strategic what... 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