Head-to-head · Best Roof Cargo Boxes

Thule Force 3 XL vs Yakima RocketBox Pro 14

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Thule Force 3 XL comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.4 vs 3.8). Thule Force 3 XL is best for: Buyers who want Thule's secure mount and proven weatherproof durability in a large box without paying for the Motion's premium styling. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Roof Cargo Boxes

Thule Force 3 XL

4.4

1 source$929.95as of Oct 11

Thule's value workhorse gives you the same 18 cubic feet and PowerClick mount as the pricier Motion, wrapped in a rugged AeroSkin shell built to last for years and keep gear dry in foul weather. The Force 3 XL pays for that with a boxier, slightly noisier shape and plainer looks. On durability per dollar, it is the smart Thule.

Strengths

— 18 cu ft fits bulky camping gear for a family of four
— Tough AeroSkin shell shrugs off years of weather and daily use
— Stays fully dry inside through snowstorms and mountain-pass driving

Watch-outs

— 165 lb load and 18 cu ft match rivals, so it wins on value not capacity
— Finish is durable but plainer than the premium Motion line

$929.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Roof Cargo Boxes

Yakima RocketBox Pro 14

3.8

3 sources$599as of Oct 10

Budget all-rounder duty goes to the RocketBox Pro 14: 14 cubic feet, DualSide opening, tool-free clamps and the lowest weight here, for hundreds less than the big boxes. It is one of the smaller boxes in this lineup and rides on an older shell. Two or three travelers who want a quiet, easy box without overspending will find it the value champion.

Strengths

— 14 cu ft covers the gear needs of two to three people for a trip
— Easy to install and remove with tool-free mounting clamps
— Lightest box in this group at 40 lb, manageable for one person on lower roofs

Watch-outs

— Tall but narrow shape limits how wide individual items can be

$599 · Buy at racknroad.com Full review →

How they stack up

Thule Force 3 XL

Shares the Thule Motion 3 XL's 18 cu ft and PowerClick mount for less money, trading the Motion's aerodynamic shell for a tougher, boxier one. It costs about $80 more than the Yakima SkyBox NX XL but matches its volume, and it is far larger than the budget Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 and the low-profile INNO Wedge 660.

Yakima RocketBox Pro 14

The budget pick here at 14 cu ft, holding far less than the 18 cu ft Thule Motion 3 XL, Yakima SkyBox NX XL, and Thule Force 3 XL, though it is taller and roomier than the low-profile INNO Wedge 660. It keeps premium features like DualSide opening while undercutting all of them on price and weight.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Thule Force 3 XL	Yakima RocketBox Pro 14
Capacity	18 cu ft (~500 L)	14 cu ft (~396 L)
External Dimensions	84.8 x 34.1 x 16.9 in	74 x 33 x 16 in
Internal Dimensions	81.5 x 29.5 x 14.7 in	—
Weight	49 lb	40 lb
Mount Type	PowerClick quick-mount	Universal clamp (StreamLine compatible)
Max Load	165 lb	—
Shell	AeroSkin	—
Opening	DualSide	DualSide
Material	Plastic	Plastic
Crossbar Spread	—	24-40 in
Locks	—	SKS included
Capacity (people)	—	2-3 travelers

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