Low profile roof box?

[spanky]

I currently have a Yakima Space Booster (14" in height) but I don't fit in my garage with it. Anyone know of any lower profile roof top cargo boxes?

Ideally, I'd like something wide and short - basically just high enough to fit one pair of skis, but wide so that you can put many skis across box.

[mtskier]

try the thule ascent 1100 $299
dimensions: 88.5L x 28.5W x 12.4H
holds 6 pairs of skis

its wider and has a lower profile than the spacebooster. also a significant upgrade (quality wise) from the spacebooster. that box is crap.

if you've got money to burn take a look at packasport.

[Southeast Maggot]

try the thule ascent 1100 $299

+1

Great little box, used it all season this year. 6 pairs might be pushing it for longer/wider skis, but 3-4 pair is pretty easy, with room on top for packs, etc. I fit Moment Rubys, M1's, and a pair of Line Prophet 90's in there easily (+ room for another pair with some packing creativity); plenty of length for the 195 cm M1's. Highly recommended...

[oftpiste]

packasport

[El Chupacabra]

I had a Packasport 60. Quoted height was around 12", but that doesn't take into consideration the scalloped "cutouts" where the bars mount underneath, which reduces effective height by another inch or so.

If I got another Packasport, I'd go with the 90, which is 50% wider than the 60.

[memosteve]

I had this exact same dilemma at the beginning of this season...With my new SUV (07' Kia Sorento) I only had 12" clearance between my load bars and my garage door.

I got the Thule Ascent 1100 which actually sits down on the load bars, so the actual height is much lower than the 12.4" advertised. I have just about a 1/2 inch of clearance between the top of the box and my garage opening...I've had my BRO's, Goats, Snoop Daddies, ANT's and poles all in there at the same time w/out issues. I've crammed three pairs of skis in there along with a snowboard as well.

Freeking love the box and didn't cost a ton (got it at REI for $249 during a sale).

Another thing about the box is that I can't hear any xtra wind noise and my fuel mileage is exactly the same as w/out the box.

[spanky]

Thanks for the info. I'll check those out.

Yeah, the spacebooster isn't such a great box, but it was the smallest at the time and was low enough to fit when I had the Grand Cherokee. My Pilot sits a little higher and obviously doesn't fit with the box.

Edit: Anyone know if the Thule Ascent 1100 will fit on my Yakima round bars? I'd hate to have to switch to all Thule as I have Yakima round bar dependent bike racks.

[spanky]

if you've got money to burn take a look at packasport.
You weren't kidding about burning the money.

http://packasport.com/home/ps2/page_11

$699 MSRP.

[RobT]

It should fit on your Yakima bars. Thule trys to make all of their stuff universal unlike Yakima.

Rob

[memosteve]

Yes, it will fit just fine on the Yakima bars...

[hutash]

FYI there is a group buy on Thule being set up if you haven't already seen it.

[dfinn]

It should fit on your Yakima bars. Thule trys to make all of their stuff universal unlike Yakima.

Rob

Yakima has been doing that for the past couple years too.

[truth]

I had a Packasport 60. Quoted height was around 12", but that doesn't take into consideration the scalloped "cutouts" where the bars mount underneath, which reduces effective height by another inch or so.

If I got another Packasport, I'd go with the 90, which is 50% wider than the 60.

I have the 60. It's the good. Packasport boxes are far and away the best made. There isn't even a close 2nd place. They make a 60 LP (the L is for low, the P is for Profile) (http://packasport.com/home/ps2/page_11) now. Total height is 9".

[focus]

packasport are the best in regards to what? Build? Features? Aesthetics?

I was fairly impressed w/ my Thule Spirit, and am not sure where it could be substantially improved; but I've never handled a packasport, so....

[truth]

packasport are the best in regards to what? Build? Features? Aesthetics?


All of the above. They cost more but you get more. I've had mine for 9 years and the only signs of age are a few tiny scratches that I put in it trying to take it off solo.

[spanky]

Not even knowing about packasport boxes before this thread, I didn't know to search for them. I just searched for packasport and seems like these things are pretty bomber. Fiberglass instead of plastic. Carpeting inside, internal ski rack, gas shocks, marine grade hardware.

Negatives seem to be cost and weight (the 60LP weighs in at 52 pounds). For comparison, my space booster weighs just over 30 lbs.

[memosteve]

Packasport's are totally bomber (unquestionabally the highest quality construction on the market...But is that necessarily worth the xtra dough?), but you're looking at well over $600 for one. If you can afford one they are cool.

For my money the Thule is just fine. Functionally, it's just as good as the Packasport's, and only cost me less than half the money (more to spend on skis:D)...One thing I do find annoying about the Packasport is the rear opening...Seems like a pain in the ass, especially on a taller vehicle.

[El Chupacabra]

The rear opening on the Packasport is both good and bad. Good in that if the rear latches ever failed on the highway, wind pressure keeps it shut. Bad in that it is harder to load than the side-opening boxes.

[bossass]

I had a packasport 90, got it off CL in very good condition for $300. Sold it for $400 a few months later. That fucker was just too heavy. If I was an energy hog and drove a Tahoe or something like that, I might have kept it, but I like to be able to take a box on and off by myself and the 90 was too wide to have something like a surfboard up there too.

I got the Ascent 1100. Fits my needs perfect. Got 5 pairs of skis in (super fats all of them, but it was a VERY tight squeeze) last week. Yeah, it's not as nice as the packasport, but it weighs nothing, installs in like 30 seconds, and gets my shit from point A to point B with no issues.

Did anyone mention RV Inno boxes? That shit is super low pro.

[memosteve]

"Did anyone mention RV Inno boxes? That shit is super low pro."


Another one I considered, but once again, expensive...

[Flexon Phil]

"Did anyone mention RV Inno boxes? That shit is super low pro."


Another one I considered, but once again, expensive...

I saw those at SIA, very low. If I go with a taller car from my Subie, night be ny next choice.

[robnow]

The Thule site doesn't list internal dimensions and checking out the RV Inno site, lengths seem short for longer skis. The 1100 looks like a good one but those with one, what would you say about the internal length?

I'm also wondering about surfboards. Anyone with Thule boxes use them for surfboards as well? I'm guessing the 1100 would fit probably 2 boards maybe up to about 6'6" in length. And the 1700 maybe 4 boards??

[bossass]

The Thule site doesn't list internal dimensions and checking out the RV Inno site, lengths seem short for longer skis. The 1100 looks like a good one but those with one, what would you say about the internal length?

I'm also wondering about surfboards. Anyone with Thule boxes use them for surfboards as well? I'm guessing the 1100 would fit probably 2 boards maybe up to about 6'6" in length. And the 1700 maybe 4 boards??

Fit my 195 praxis no problem. I assume it would go longer, I wasn't really paying attention. I would guess it would do two SHORT surfboards with no problem. Personally, I lash my 9-0 to the roof.

[memosteve]

I just measured mine...

Internal measurements are as follows:

The length measures to about 85 3/4" (skis/objects up to about 215cm in length will fit w/room to spare). The width is 23" and the depth I would have to guess at about 10"-11" from the shallowest point of the bottom to the highest point of the lid.

[memosteve]

The Thule site doesn't list internal dimensions and checking out the RV Inno site, lengths seem short for longer skis. The 1100 looks like a good one but those with one, what would you say about the internal length?

I'm also wondering about surfboards. Anyone with Thule boxes use them for surfboards as well? I'm guessing the 1100 would fit probably 2 boards maybe up to about 6'6" in length. And the 1700 maybe 4 boards??



As per my measurements, the 6'6" boards will fit no problem.:cool:

[Flexon Phil]

Costco has the low profile INNO box for 399..shipped. Here. (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11268335&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|3960|21248|21350&N=4008215&Mo=19&pos=5&No=1&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=21350&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10615-Cat21248&topnav=) Such a deal.