Roof cargo box recommendations

[echerod]

WHich type?

I meant it fits well with the Rivian racks

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[caiudalmau]

I bought a Thule Motion XT XXL and it fits well with the racks, and just works in the middle and back anchor points (better for aero).

https://www.thule.com/en-us/cargo-carrier/car-top-carrier/thule-motion-xt-xxl-_-629906

Looks great!!
Some questions since I am looking at this one:
Have you been able to see how much range gets affected with it on the back?
Is noise noticiable on highway speeds?
Is it hard to get stuff in an out? I am installing running boards, so that probably will be ok for me.
Also, can the trunk door open fine?

Thanks

 

[echerod]

Looks great!!
Some questions since I am looking at this one:
Have you been able to see how much range gets affected with it on the back?
Is noise noticiable on highway speeds?
Is it hard to get stuff in an out? I am installing running boards, so that probably will be ok for me.
Also, can the trunk door open fine?

Thanks

Hi, here are my answers. Range is definitely reduced, but can’t say by how much due to the cargo box, as I also had a lot of cargo and people plus a hitch bike rack last time I used it. Wind noise wasn’t too much of an issue for me, but then again I always listen to music, so that masks it to some extent. To get stuff in and out I actually step on the floor of the back seat (at least I couldn’t reach from running boards if I had them), but it’s not bad. Finally, the lift gate does barely hit the back of the cargo box, but it senses the obstruction and backs off a couple of inches, but it doesn’t affect your ability to load stuff in the back by any means.

 

[caiudalmau]

Hi, here are my answers. Range is definitely reduced, but can’t say by how much due to the cargo box, as I also had a lot of cargo and people plus a hitch bike rack last time I used it. Wind noise wasn’t too much of an issue for me, but then again I always listen to music, so that masks it to some extent. To get stuff in and out I actually step on the floor of the back seat (at least I couldn’t reach from running boards if I had them), but it’s not bad. Finally, the lift gate does barely hit the back of the cargo box, but it senses the obstruction and backs off a couple of inches, but it doesn’t affect your ability to load stuff in the back by any means.

Thanks, great info

 

[jeeden]

So I have an older Yakima skybox with the single clamps on it. I haven't tried it on my roof bars yet for my R1S but I guess I better before our upcoming summer trips.

I was already thinking a little bit about how it would mount on the bars. I can't remember if it's an actual requirement of the skybox to have the clamps completely surround the bar or not. Is that the case? Since you can crank the clamps out really tight and they're facing backwards so the air resistance will always be driving the box into the roof rack it seems like it would not have any opportunity to come off.

 

[jeeden]

So I have an older Yakima skybox with the single clamps on it. I haven't tried it on my roof bars yet for my R1S but I guess I better before our upcoming summer trips.

I was already thinking a little bit about how it would mount on the bars. I can't remember if it's an actual requirement of the skybox to have the clamps completely surround the bar or not. Is that the case? Since you can crank the clamps out really tight and they're facing backwards so the air resistance will always be driving the box into the roof rack it seems like it would not have any opportunity to come off.

Following up on my own comment here. I called Yakima and asked them if the spec is to have the clamp fully "closed" around the cross bars or if they can be "open" as long as they are tight. They confirmed that it is not required to be closed fully as long as it is tight. This seems to be supported by some of the installation instructions I see where they indicate it can be open and by the fact that if you have the box facing the correct direction any wind would continue to drive the box into the cross bar and the clamp is really there to prevent lifting off the vehicle or lateral slide.

This is the clamp style I'm talking about:

On the range issue, I saw a number of threads on Reddit (cached of course because of the black out protest) that seem to indicate 5% loss with some very tall looking roof boxes. Not too bad, maybe the OP had a lot of headwind?

 

[echerod]

Following up on my own comment here. I called Yakima and asked them if the spec is to have the clamp fully "closed" around the cross bars or if they can be "open" as long as they are tight. They confirmed that it is not required to be closed fully as long as it is tight. This seems to be supported by some of the installation instructions I see where they indicate it can be open and by the fact that if you have the box facing the correct direction any wind would continue to drive the box into the cross bar and the clamp is really there to prevent lifting off the vehicle or lateral slide.

This is the clamp style I'm talking about:

On the range issue, I saw a number of threads on Reddit (cached of course because of the black out protest) that seem to indicate 5% loss with some very tall looking roof boxes. Not too bad, maybe the OP had a lot of headwind?

Only concern I would have with clamp not closing fully is in case of emergency braking and having the cargo box fly off and hitting something in front of you.

 

[jeeden]

Only concern I would have with clamp not closing fully is in case of emergency braking and having the cargo box fly off and hitting something in front of you.

Yea, although I can see that happening even if it was closed all the way given enough force... even if it was turned around there is a limit that would sheer the bracket off. I wonder what the requirements are for them in terms of how much force they need to be able to endure and still hang on. When you think of a loaded up 21 cubic foot box at 70mph, that is a lot of force in a crash. I guess it is the least of anyone's problems then though.

 

[Windblade]

I've the R1S and looking for the same setup. Just to confirm, does the stock Motion XT XXL Roof Box simply clamp onto the RIVIAN bars or are the Thule bars required?

Thanks,

 

[echerod]

I've the R1S and looking for the same setup. Just to confirm, does the stock Motion XT XXL Roof Box simply clamp onto the RIVIAN bars or are the Thule bars required?

Thanks,

It clamps to the Rivian bars just fine.

 

[chrismc]

You need a better Yakima dealer. I bought a Skybox 18 and the clamps didn’t work. My dealer called up their Yakima rep on the spot and said “wtf, you made these crossbars!”. Yakima rep immediately knew the answer- swap the Skybox clamps for the CBX clamps (no, they’re not the same) and you’re all set. Dealer had me squared away in minutes. FWIW, the Skybox 16 will not work due to a combination of the chunky crossbars and crossbar spacing. 18 and larger is ok.

 

[Chewy734]

Hi, here are my answers. Range is definitely reduced, but can’t say by how much due to the cargo box, as I also had a lot of cargo and people plus a hitch bike rack last time I used it. Wind noise wasn’t too much of an issue for me, but then again I always listen to music, so that masks it to some extent. To get stuff in and out I actually step on the floor of the back seat (at least I couldn’t reach from running boards if I had them), but it’s not bad. Finally, the lift gate does barely hit the back of the cargo box, but it senses the obstruction and backs off a couple of inches, but it doesn’t affect your ability to load stuff in the back by any means.

Do you think the XL instead of the XXL will avoid the lift gate hitting issue?

 

[Swilly]

You need a better Yakima dealer. I bought a Skybox 18 and the clamps didn’t work. My dealer called up their Yakima rep on the spot and said “wtf, you made these crossbars!”. Yakima rep immediately knew the answer- swap the Skybox clamps for the CBX clamps (no, they’re not the same) and you’re all set. Dealer had me squared away in minutes. FWIW, the Skybox 16 will not work due to a combination of the chunky crossbars and crossbar spacing. 18 and larger is ok.

4 kids. + R1T = Which one of the kids do you put in the skybox?

 

[echerod]

It clamps to the Rivian bars just fine.

You can see it here

 

[echerod]

Do you think the XL instead of the XXL will avoid the lift gate hitting issue?

It’s likely, can’t say for sure. However it’s not bad at all with the XXL, it just nudges it.

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