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For those of you that have installed the Skybox, please post pics/comments. I’m thinking of going with the Skybox 16, but I don’t want to lose my satellite reception. Definitely like the fact it opens from either side! Would love to see them on some Countrymen!
I have a Thule roof case. I usually only have it mounted when it's being used (contains cargo), and I definitely lose satellite reception.
Some caveats.. when the case is empty, it seems to work; the signal can penetrate the box alone. In the downtown Dallas area, it seems to work (I think this is due to terrestrial repeaters).
But those caveats don't really help much since satellite radio is especially useful on road trips (away from terrestrial repeaters, and cargo box is loaded).
Google Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and even XMSirius via the smartphone app all solve that problem fairly well though, since you can get 4G along pretty much every major highway these days.
I have the Yakima SkyBox and I had no issues on long trips with satellite reception. I ended with the MINI OEM cross bars since Yakima did not made attachments to the OEM rails. The only downside is that when you fully open the boot hatch the rear spoiler touches the box. Also, I previously owned a a Yakima RocketBox--I would not recommend, which is much shorter and wider but I returned it since it vibrated while driving even letting water in the front corners.
Note: REI has their annual 20% Yakima and Thule sale going on thru Sept 7th.
I got the thule force alpine box and used it a few times on some long drives, didnt notice any wind noise and cant really say anything about satellite since i dont have it installed yet :(
in terms of the rear hatch it ends up clearing it by about an inch .. maybe two if you push the box up a little farther. Also drove into a few mall garages with a good amount of clearance on top .. seemed like if a larger suv could fit i didnt have any issues.
Anyways heres a pic from when me and my GF's moved
I have the Yakima SkyBox and I had no issues on long trips with satellite reception. I ended with the MINI OEM cross bars since Yakima did not made attachments to the OEM rails. The only downside is that when you fully open the boot hatch the rear spoiler touches the box. Also, I previously owned a a Yakima RocketBox--I would not recommend, which is much shorter and wider but I returned it since it vibrated while driving even letting water in the front corners.
Note: REI has their annual 20% Yakima and Thule sale going on thru Sept 7th.
Hi
Is the yakima skybox 16 classic? Thinking about purchasing ans wanted to make sure it would fit my car. Also does the length of the box get in the way of the trunk door?
Also, FYI, in the position the box is mounted above, the rear hatch when open does not contact the box. The nice thing about the Skybox is it has that angled shape at the back to allow for the rear hatch to clear, and it's fore/aft position is adjustable enough to allow you to push it forward to make sure there's clearance for the hatch. If you slide the position back, it is definitely possible to make the box make contact with the hatch, so you do need to pay some attention to that when getting it lined up.
The nice thing is it juuuuuuust clears our garage door when attached.
