Any thoughts/experience on a roof-mounted cargo box for our CMs? Yakima, Thule, MINI, other?

Even though I added the ski/snowboard rack (& base support bars) for my 2012 CM (due to arrive mid/late September - yea!), I'm exploring the idea of getting a roof cargo box for the extra space, protection and convenience of loading/storing skis & boards.

Many thanks!

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...y.php/cat/3535

 

OregonMountainMan, what brand/model is that cargo box? Looks very nice. Are you using it on the factory roof rack?

 

Yakima Skybox 16s, I have the same one.

 

Hey Guys -

With the Yakima Skybox 16s.... I'm wondering if it holds skis, say 2 pairs, 70 inches long? I'm also curious about wind noise? And, do you think that the short version of the antenna might be in order - looks as if the factory install gets bent with the skybox?

Thanks very much...

 

RE Skybox - my personal experiences

No noticeable wind noise at all - I was really impressed

I just take antenna of - I can still pick up stations, maybe a stubby would fit but you would have to push box forward

I measured it an 70" ski's should fit no problem (snowboarder myself so could not test for real)

I love mine - Its really well made, really handy to be able to access both sides of the box - Its surprising how tall the CM is though - You have to stand on the sills to load things up (and I am not short )

 

Can vouch for the Yak 16s (and for the skis) with some room to spare. Used the box to move lots of items back home after the purchase of Archie. It seemed to just keep swallowing up whatever Id throw at it. Very faint wind noise, but nothing that was bothersome (hardly noticed, actually). Note that i replaced the stock antenna with the stubby for a perfect fit (moved box slightly forward to accommodate). Worked great for aver 5000 miles.

M

 

I have the MINI-branded box (made by Thule) and one of the things I like about it is the width.

When this box is used on the MINI crossbars, there is still enough room for two bikes on the roof. While some of the other boxes out there are arguably superior, their width can be limiting.

I like the compromise of having storage but still having space on the rack for "other toys"...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bentyyc/5991952353/

 

Hey Fellow CMs -

Thanks for the opinions on the MINI box and the Yakima 16s. Any thoughts on the price/ what you all paid for MINI box and the Yakimas? Easy to attach and remove?

Also, wondering if the "stubby" antenna reception is any different than the standard long version?

Appreciate the feedback/answers....

 

Tomorrow or Thurs I'll post pics of my Thule Atlantis 1600:
http://thule.com/en-US/US/Products/C...-Atlantis-1600

It covers pretty much the entire roof but it holds a lot of stuff. I'll carry the bikes on the back.

I'll also post pics of my bike rack with four bikes on it. However, I am getting additional struts for the hitch to support the weight of four big bikes.

 

So far, no noticeable difference in reception with the stubby antenna I have.

 

Same here, and I live in an area with bad reception. Stubby picks up all the same stations that the "remote control" antenna.

Satellite, on the other hand i miss. Got very accustomed to it in the lower 48, but miss it up here in AK. I can get a few seconds to buffer at a time, but there are so many starts and stops...it saddens me. Satellite is from the "shark fin" though, right?

 

I put a Thule rack for a bike mount on my CM...previous cars I had Yakima stuff (10+ year old models).
Though I like the look and function of the Thule oval bars & bike mount on the CM...the install and removal is very tedious compared to the old Yakima setup...that used snap down levers on the rack posts (lockable). The Thule setup require lots & lots of wrenching with an Allen hex key on the 8 post bolts to tighten/loosen them for rack install/removal. Takes me over 20 min just to get the rack on/off the car. The Bike mount also takes another 20+ minutes...since the attachment points are free to slide along the bike tray...so it's difficult to get all the bits lined up correctly each time it's installed. If they could be fixed in place once set right, that would help tons.

 

I was thinking of a similar setup on my R56 with a Thule 1200 which is fairly skinny but not sure if the R56 roof rails are wide enough.

How wide are the countryman rails? I am having difficulty finding the specs.

 

I know this is an old post, but do you lose satellite reception with the Skybox?