The Best Cargo Box For Skis: Greatest Buying Guide In 2024
By, Scott NelsonUpdated
Our Top Picks
1. Best Overall: Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box, XX-Large
The Thule Force XT is a versatile cargo rooftop box that fits 5-7 pairs of skis/snowboards. Dual-side opening makes it easy to access all areas of the box, from either side of the vehicle. The roof-hinge design allows for more space when open and can be tilted for a cleaner drive. Fits the vast majority of vehicles with a roof rack and crossbars to which the Thule Force XT can be attached. Read Review
2. Best Compact: Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box, Alpine
The Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box is the perfect storage solution for your vehicle. Designed with a passenger-side opening, it’s easy to load and unload your cargo. With a unique external design that’s ideal for outdoor applications and an internal capacity of 82.75 x 23.5 x 10.5 inches, the Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box is the perfect storage solution for your vehicle. Read Review
3. Best Quality: YAKIMA, MegaWarrior Roof Cargo Basket
The Yakima MegaWarrior Roof Cargo Basket is a durable design, which offers the best for larger vehicles like trucks, SUVs and off-roaders. The MegaWarrior is made from weather-resistant heavy duty steel and has a best for larger vehicles like trucks, SUVs and off-roaders. It will accommodate most Yakima gear mounts for all your outdoor activities. Read Review
4. Best Performance: Mockins 60"x20"x6" Gray Folding Cargo Carrier Hitch Mount Cargo Bag
This Hitch Hauler Cargo Carrier will allow you to transport your cargo with ease. With a two-inch rise, this cargo carrier will give you improved ground clearance, and the fold-able basket folds in when not in use for easy storage. This hitch basket is not compatible with cars that have a tire on the back as your side swing door will not open. The Hitch Hauler Cargo Carrier Bag measures approximately 57.7" L X 19.4" W X 24". Read Review
If you want to pack up your skis for a weekend trip or a longer cross-country ski tour, your car probably isn’t the best choice. You’ll need something that can securely hold your skis as well as fit through standard doorways. Luckily, most car makers have thought of this and offer space.
In this article, we look at the top 10 best cargo for skis. These are compact and lockable spaces that let you transport skis in your car without damaging them. We explore what makes a great cargo box and detail the pros and cons of each one so you can choose the right one for you.
You are strongly encouraged to pay close attention to the Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box, XX-Large as our top product. Or you can check the Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box, Alpine as the other great option, even if the first option didn't meet all of your requirements.
Our Top Picks
- Quick-mount system "clicks" when roof box is secure and properly mounted
- Fits 5-7 pairs of skis / 3-5 snowboards (up to 215 cm)
- Fits 4-6 skis/3-4 snowboards
- Functional rooftop cargo box provides 11 cubic feet of additional packing space
- Compatible: Accommodates most Yakima gear mounts for all your outdoor activities; Fits Yakima round, square, factory and aerodynamic crossbars
- Durable design: Rooftop cargo basket made with weather-resistant heavy-duty steel; Best for larger vehicles like trucks, SUVs and off-roaders
- Take it easy: For nearly 4 decades we have, packed, safety, design sensibility and street smarts into our products so you can take it easy on your next adventure
- We’ve got your back guarantee: Covered by our Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Easy installation: Quickly installs with minimal assembly required; Custom wind fairing included for extra noise reduction
- The product comes in a box packaging 31.5*9.5*23.5; however, After assembly the tray is 60" | The 60” long x 20” wide x 6” tall cargo basket car rack makes it convenient to haul anything you may need and provides multiple easy access tie down points. Hitch storage rack comes with a simple to clean mesh floor as well and great to us for all occasions such as camping road trips or tailgates. The car trailer hitch carrier is constructed with heavy duty steel and has the capacity to hold up to a hefty 500 Lbs of cargo such as luggage carrier or camping gear and any construction material
- Hitch hauler with a 2" rise for improved ground clearance and the fold-able basket folding trailer for when not in use this hitch basket will work great with any vehicle car SUV van or truck that has a 2" receiver. This cargo carrier is not compatible with cars that have a tire on the back as your side swing door will not open.
- The cargo carrier bag is approximately 57.7" L X 19.4" W X 24" H and 15.5 cu ft. ✅ Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed: 1 Year Limited Warranty - Our customers are our #1 priority. If you have questions or concerns about your cargo carrier, please contact us and we will resolve any issues you may have. Carry your cargo in style!
- Nuestra Canasta de Transporte de Carga Gris hace el transporte más fácil guardando espacio en su coche y protegiendo sus contenidos durante viaje. Viene 1 brazo plegable cuando no en uso, con 1 Bolsa de Carga Impermeable, 2 correas de trinquete, 1 red elástica de carga y 1 transportador de enganche de 50.8 mm. Este transportador de carga no es compatible con carros que tienen una llanta en la parte trasera, ya que la puerta lateral no se podrá abrir Lím 500 lbs Dim 1524 mm x 508 mm x 152 mm
- Includes a Waterproof Cargo Bag with carry handles, 6 buckle straps, 2 ratchet straps, a safety bag lock, & an extra-thick 6mm heavy-duty cargo net to ensure your belongings are securely transported. The included storage bag makes storing your cargo carrier bag, and accessories, easy and mess free. Also included is a hitch stabilizer to reduce noise & a hitch lock to lock your carrier to your car to help prevent theft. For extra security, each set of keys is specific to its lock. (The loss of keys cannot be covered under the warranty).
- Water-resistant PVC-coated nylon
- Self-sealing zipper with flap cover
- Includes 6 adjustable tie-down straps to secure to vehicle roof
- Measures 59" L x 24" W x 24" H
- 19.6 Cubic feet vehicle cargo storage bag; works with roof-mounted racks, built-in cross bars, or hitch mounted carriers
- 100% WATERPROOF: Maelstrom car roof bag use the premium waterproof zipper.A long rope is added at the end of the zipper so as to find the zipper quickly.There is 6 extended Velcro to fix the zipper flap. Also,we design a ring-shaped fixing belt so that the items in car bag can be more compacted together and prevent the rain curtain from being opened by the storm.Our widened rain curtain is 17 CM,which is 8CM wider than others,protecting your items from wetness when traveling at high speed.
- SAFE and SECURITY: Maelstrom roof bag has 10 perforated fixed buckle straps,which is tear resistant. Its special binding method increases the friction of the straps and fix the rooftop cargo carrier more firmly on the car, so that you don’t worry your luggage bag for car roof will fall off when traveling at high speed. Besides, this roof rack storage bag come with a lock which will not only protect the zippers from slipping, but also keeps the luggage secured.
- 840D HIGH QUALITY MATERIAL: Made of wear-resistant, waterproof and sunscreen 840D PVC fabric.Maelstrom rooftop cargo carrier can protect your items from any damage and wetness in extreme weather like rainstorm.
- LARGE CAPACITY: 21 cubic feet Maelstrom roof rack cargo carrier ( 53.15”x 40.55”x 16.93”) is designed to solve the problem of limited storage space in the car. This vehicle cargo carrier allows you to hold 4-6 suitcases,tents, sleeping bags and so on. This car roof bag comes with 1 non-slip mat,10 buckle straps, 6 door hooks,1 lock and 1 storage bag.
- UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY: Maelstrom soft car roof top carrier suits for cars and SUV of any sizes, and work both car with or without roof rack.Installed in minutes easily whether there is a rack on car or not. To fix the cargo box for car rooftop,you can tie the straps on the sided crossbars/rails/roof rack/basket directly,or use the included 6 door hook straps to attach under the door's rubber seal gasket.
- Car Top Carrier: Our convenient roof cargo carrier allows you to keep your gear up top, so you can transport belongings and passengers without compromising on safety, comfort, or convenience
- Seamless Storage: Our rooftop cargo bag folds down for storage in the included stuff sack; Car roof bag, 4 attachment straps, 4 car clips, and stuff sack with sewn-in setup guide included
- Quality Construction: Constructed of UV-protected PVC semi-coated mesh, our durable vehicle cargo carriers are designed to keep your belongings dry and won't fly off your roof
- Intuitive Features: Specially designed to keep your gear dry, our waterproof car roof cargo carrier features welded seams, an urethane-coated zipper, and a hook-and-loop-close zipper flap
- Simple Setup: Simply attach the straps of the roof bag to your vehicle’s roof rack or use the included car clips to attach the straps to your vehicle’s door frame weather molding
- Fit All Cars: Our rooftop cargo carrier fits for any car, truck, or SUV. The 6 door hooks and 8 strong straps can always secure your roof top carrier bag.
- Upgraded Waterproof Zip: While other rooftop carrier bags let in water through the normal zipper, we've upgraded it to a waterproof zipper and fitted it with a widened 4" zipper flap that helps keep your items 100% dry.
- Spacious Roof Bag: Whether you’re planning a cross-country trip or you’re in the mood for a little off-roading, our roof top carrier is ready for any adventure! Great for cars, vans or SUVs with roof rack systems, it provides 15 cubic feet of convenient, secure storage.
- Upgraded Safe Design : For security reasons, we use 8 reinforced adjustable straps to keep the cargo carrier in place. In addition, equipped with free anti-slip mat to keep the cargo bag stay in place even in high speed road or bump road, no slip, no scratch to your car.
- Easy to Use: Thanks to 8 built-in tie straps, our car top carrier attaches in only a matter of minutes! At 43”x34”x17,” it comfortably holds odd-shaped and oversized objects. When it isn’t in use, the soft-sided, compact design allows you to fold and store it anywhere
- Provides 13 cu ft of storage space
- Cargo bag folds down easily for compact storage
- Product weight: 3.5 lbs
- Large storm flaps help keep your gear dry during loading and unloading
- Easy access to gear via coated 3-sided zipper
- Twin compression straps secure cargo minimizing friction and noise
- Bag is attached to roof rack crossbars or side rails with included heavy-duty, double stitched webbing straps
- Weather-resistant rooftop cargo bag help keep your cargo dry longer
- Compatible with: 2004-Current Nomad
- Adjustable cargo rack slides up or down for ease of access to rear trailer storage
- Recommended weight limit for rack is 20 lbs. Total combined weight limit of trailer and rack should not exceed maximum of 100 lbs.
- Sturdy aluminum construction
- Adds more storage space to the Nomad for your next adventure
What Are the Key Factors for Customers to Follow to Pick best cargo box for skis?
A range of influences contributes to the best cargo box for skis. Depending on the product, there are several ways to study it. As a result, we've come to lend a hand, offer advice, and offer answers to these issues.
A thorough search of trustworthy websites should be conducted using as many resources as feasible. Our experts use high-tech tools and a well-tuned product listing system to provide a sort of service.
It'd also be fascinating to go more into the development and analysis of these aspects. Consider the following tips in mind:
Price
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."
Access
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.
Looks
Fuel Economy
Size
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.
Security
Aerodynamics
Weight Capacity
Ease Of Use
FAQs
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.
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%
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
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
We decide facts since we are product consulting professionals with extensive expertise. Even so, we maintain and update the list of best cargo box for skis so the information is correct and up to date.
After reading this article, you should discover that selecting a best cargo box for skis that is both handy and economical to you is not difficult. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you require assistance.
About Scott Nelson
