OEM/Thule Cargo Box's

[cooldude919]

Has anyone gotten either the "medium" or "extra large" Thule boxes through ford? The prices dont seem bad when going through one of the volume ford sellers, or getting your local dealer to match. $436 for the large, and i would need the ~$120 cross bars.

I measured, and 84" seems snug to still allow the rear hatch to open, along with not sticking over the front to avoid extra wind noise/etc.

https://accessories.ford.com/kit-luggage-rack-10864.html

https://accessories.ford.com/kit-luggage-rack-10867.html

We would use this only once or twice a year for long family trips, and the OEM ones (with discounts) seem cheaper than comparable ones such as FORCE XT from amazon.

 

[Black]

Thule, Yakima, SportRack boxes are all over Craigslist and FB marketplace.
I got my SportRack (Thule’s Economy line) brand new off Craigslist for $75 like 8 years ago and is still going strong.
Granted they are worth every last cent they charge new there is no reason to pay it.

 

[Deadman]

Why not put the cargo box in the receiver hitch? That way its bigger, not sucking wind and hurting MPG, easy to get into without breaking your neck climbing onto the roof, and listening to all that wind noise. This can also be mounted into all your other cars with a 2" receiver hitch. I bought the swing away model and absolutely LOVE it. The Kida can access it themselves to get things and so can my wife. On long trips we just throw beach toys or whatever in it and its great. 2 people can sit inside it, its huge! .

https://www.stowaway2.com/max-cargo-carrier-black

 

[scottdm]

Why not put the cargo box in the receiver hitch? That way its bigger, not sucking wind and hurting MPG, easy to get into without breaking your neck climbing onto the roof, and listening to all that wind noise. This can also be mounted into all your other cars with a 2" receiver hitch. I bought the swing away model and absolutely LOVE it. The Kida can access it themselves to get things and so can my wife. On long trips we just throw beach toys or whatever in it and its great. 2 people can sit inside it, its huge! .

https://www.stowaway2.com/max-cargo-carrier-black

We also have the stowaway2. With the pop-up glass on the Expedition liftgate, it's easy to grab items in a hurry if you don't want to swing the stowaway2 out of the way. I also like that I can park the Expedition in our garage with it mounted. Roof boxes won't work with a typical 7' garage door. We also have the panoramic sunroof, so our roofrack is limited to 125# (including the weight of the box). The stowaway 2 is rated for 200# of gear in the box, which is way more robust.

 

[cooldude919]

We also have the stowaway2. With the pop-up glass on the Expedition liftgate, it's easy to grab items in a hurry if you don't want to swing the stowaway2 out of the way. I also like that I can park the Expedition in our garage with it mounted. Roof boxes won't work with a typical 7' garage door. We also have the panoramic sunroof, so our roofrack is limited to 125# (including the weight of the box). The stowaway 2 is rated for 200# of gear in the box, which is way more robust.

Dang, those do look pretty cool. Can i ask a few questions?

Obviously you lose backup cam?
Does it block brake lights, do you hook up or use the lights on the unit?

This does look like a good option.

 

[Deadman]

I bought mine with the LED light upgrade, as they come with taillights and you just plug it into your trailer plug in. Theres also a license plate mount on the rear, I swap my plate, so I don't get hassled. I would NEVER run a rear item with no additional lights. I'm not nervous, but there's no reason to expose my family to unneccesary accidents because someone didn't see my taillight or turn signal....

I absolutely love this rear box. Its built very very solid and has a great locking mechanism and is gasketed and really seals up well. I've had well over 200 lbs in it and hauled it cross country. I didn't even know it was back there until I stopped as its inside the body margins and doesn't show up in the mirrors.

 

[Deadman]

I like the hitch mount because I can throw it on my wifes Flex, my truck, etc..... It literally fits anything with a hitch.
It swings open, so you can open the rear hatch too...

 

[Flexpedition]

+1 for the hitch alternative.

Option C might be to do what I've done a few times. Since the wife and daughter pack 6 weeks months worth of stuff for a 1 week trip, knowing they'll shop while on the trip, I've had to FedEx / UPS boxes of crap home. Including boots, jackets, and sweatshirts, from Florida. In July.

FedEx Freight has a flat rate box that will hold a ton of stuff. If you are a business owner with an account or can use your employers, the rates are even more attractive. Delivery & hold at the FedEx dock is even better.

Not having to unload a roof or bumper nightly at hotels is worth it to me. Theft is always another concern.

 

[Black]

Why not put the cargo box in the receiver hitch? That way its bigger, not sucking wind and hurting MPG, easy to get into without breaking your neck climbing onto the roof, and listening to all that wind noise. This can also be mounted into all your other cars with a 2" receiver hitch. I bought the swing away model and absolutely LOVE it. The Kida can access it themselves to get things and so can my wife. On long trips we just throw beach toys or whatever in it and its great. 2 people can sit inside it, its huge! .

https://www.stowaway2.com/max-cargo-carrier-black

None of these things are an issue with a properly place rooftop box.
I have no added wind noise or loss of mpg.
I just stand on the rear wheel to get stuff in and out.
Plus I need the hitch for these.

 

[Deadman]

None of these things are an issue with a properly place rooftop box.
I have no added wind noise or loss of mpg.
I just stand on the rear wheel to get stuff in and out.
Plus I need the hitch for these.
View attachment 30880

NO LOSS OF MPG with a roof carrier??????? LOL LOL

 

[cooldude919]

OK you guys convinced me, i ordered the StowAway max, with LED lights and lock. Thanks for all the info!

 

[Deadman]

OK you guys convinced me, i ordered the StowAway max, with LED lights and lock. Thanks for all the info!

You will LOVE it! Its so easy to use and no need to climb like a money on the darn roof. My kids love it, because they can put things in it and they are still pretty small. My wife would NEVER climb on the roof, so it would be on me every time someone needed anything from the roof mount carrier.

Make sure you ordered the swinging model, as they used to offer a fixed model. The fixed one did not allow you to open the rear lift gate with the carrier on and that's not nice. I think most models swing now, but just double check.....

 

[cooldude919]

You will LOVE it! Its so easy to use and no need to climb like a money on the darn roof. My kids love it, because they can put things in it and they are still pretty small. My wife would NEVER climb on the roof, so it would be on me every time someone needed anything from the roof mount carrier.

Make sure you ordered the swinging model, as they used to offer a fixed model. The fixed one did not allow you to open the rear lift gate with the carrier on and that's not nice. I think most models swing now, but just double check.....

Yea i got the swinging model, no worries there!

 

[Black]

NO LOSS OF MPG with a roof carrier??????? LOL LOL

Not on these vehicles you won’t see a loss when properly placed same with added wind noise.
As long as the box is set back and not over the front of the Windshield.
I have used it on my old Explorer, wife’s Highlander, and the Expedition no loss in mpg.

 

[scottdm]

OK you guys convinced me, i ordered the StowAway max, with LED lights and lock. Thanks for all the info!

When you swing the box out, it puts quite a moment on the hitch so I also use the anti rattle hitch pin and u-bolt clamp at the links below to keep everything nice and solid. The trailer chain loops on the hitch get in the way of the U-bolt clamp a bit, so you have to use the flat side of the plate instead of the angled side. The anti-rattle hitch pin also serves as a lock which is nice.

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Anti-Rattle/Softride/SR25219.html
https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Anti-Rattle/Malone/MPG908.html

 

[veedub]

250 pounds seems awfully light amount of cargo for such a big box. Any other options out there that can store more weight than 250?

 

[Gumby]

Not on these vehicles you won’t see a loss when properly placed same with added wind noise.
As long as the box is set back and not over the front of the Windshield.
I have used it on my old Explorer, wife’s Highlander, and the Expedition no loss in mpg.

Yeah, no...not my experience at all. I have a Thule Boxter and have used it on many different vehicles as with my Expedition now. When mounted on the bars (you have to move the rear bar to the second notch) it does provide some additional wind noise. Especially when faced with a stiff head wind. It comes with the territory TBQH. I assume there is a slight loss in MPG, I hardly notice that aspect since I am often running the box in the dead of winter, with accessories running, winter fuel and knobby winter tires *shrug*

 

[hellohithere]

None of these things are an issue with a properly place rooftop box.
I have no added wind noise or loss of mpg.
I just stand on the rear wheel to get stuff in and out.
Plus I need the hitch for these.
View attachment 30880

Agreed. I have a Thule Motion XT XL on the factory crossbars and have almost no additional wind noise and no MPG reduction.The Expedition drives exactly the same. Very happy with it! @Black, I use a 3 step thin foldable ladder that I keep strapped to the back of 3rd row chairs for more stable access to the roof box.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07S5L1XRM

NO LOSS OF MPG with a roof carrier??????? LOL LOL

It's true! No real noticeable MPG difference on our last few road trips.