Roof box question

**skaredshtles** · 09-25-2023, 12:12 PM

Does anyone know of any roof boxes that will work on bars that are 42.5" apart? My Mazda's factory tower locations are apparently quite far apart - my existing Yakima box won't adjust far enough to clamp on the crossbars.

**Brownski** · 09-25-2023, 12:23 PM

Any reason you can’t drill new holes in it?

**El Chupacabra** · 09-25-2023, 12:24 PM

I think you'll have to drill to make the box fit.

**BmillsSkier** · 09-25-2023, 12:41 PM

I smell an opportunity to expand your rooftop box quiver.

**Jax** · 09-25-2023, 01:20 PM

Consider before drilling if it will allow the box to work with the hatch, or will in interfere, and also that the box isn't too far forward over your windshield.

Is it a newer Mazda? The Thule Force roof box seems to play along nicely with many, depending on which size.

Stupid question but, the factory bars aren't adjustable? What's your make/year? Use an online fit configurator if you are looking at a new box, though Thule messed their's up the past few years so it doesn't work as well as it used to. Rackstarz in Boulder absolutely knows their shit and maybe can help you with a solution as well.

**skaredshtles** · 09-25-2023, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by Jax

Consider before drilling if it will allow the box to work with the hatch, or will in interfere, and also that the box isn't too far forward over your windshield.

Is it a newer Mazda? The Thule Force roof box seems to play along nicely with many, depending on which size.

Stupid question but, the factory bars aren't adjustable? What's your make/year? Use an online fit configurator if you are looking at a new box, though Thule messed their's up the past few years so it doesn't work as well as it used to. Rackstarz in Boulder absolutely knows their shit and maybe can help you with a solution as well.

This car (2016 CX-5) didn't have factory bars - it had nothing. Fortunately, it *did* have threaded mount points under a metal trim piece. But these are fixed mount points.

Thanks for the Rackstarz suggestion - I'll contact them and see if they have anything that'll fit.

**skaredshtles** · 09-25-2023, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by BmillsSkier

I smell an opportunity to expand your rooftop box quiver.

I mean - that's what I'm looking to do. I'm not going to try to make the Yakima fit - it's got a weird sliding adjuster thing that I'm definitely not fucking with. It just won't adjust "long" enough...

**BmillsSkier** · 09-25-2023, 01:50 PM

Thule's spec sheet doesn't show any boxes with max bar spread over 40" (assuming this is the latest and greatest)

https://www.thule.com/-/s/approved/s...75.pdf?rev=3.6

**SumJongGuy** · 09-25-2023, 02:18 PM

I drilled new holes in one side of my Thule and added washers under the nuts to spread out the load.. 15 years ago and still holding up just fine..

**alpinevibes** · 09-25-2023, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by SumJongGuy

I drilled new holes in one side of my Thule and added washers under the nuts to spread out the load.. 15 years ago and still holding up just fine..

Yeah I've got 3-4 sets of holes in an old, giant Thule. Works great and has fit a bunch of different cars

**AK47bp** · 09-25-2023, 02:59 PM

Anyone with an over 200cm roof box and a 4Runner runs into similar issues, the factory rails are too far back and block the tailgate.

I bought a pair of cross rails online that clamp into the door frame, just installed one of them and shifted the box forward using one factory rail in the back and the after market rail up front.

So you could just add an after market cross rail at the 40 inch mark, easy and cheap on Amazon.

Saves drilling into the box and can remove after ski season back to normal.

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Ant...0-4513d670b6bc

**californiagrown** · 09-25-2023, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by AK47bp

Anyone with an over 200cm roof box and a 4Runner runs into similar issues, the factory rails are too far back and block the tailgate.

I bought a pair of cross rails online that clamp into the door frame, just installed one of them and shifted the box forward using one factory rail in the back and the after market rail up front.

So you could just add an after market cross rail at the 40 inch mark, easy and cheap on Amazon.

Saves drilling into the box and can remove after ski season back to normal.

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Ant...0-4513d670b6bc

I just slammed the box as far forward as possible, unevenly tightend the mounting clamps to keep the box as far forward as possible, and bobsyeruncle. The tailgate raises within an inch of its max height, so im calling it a success.

**AK47bp** · 09-25-2023, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by californiagrown

I just slammed the box as far forward as possible, unevenly tightend the mounting clamps to keep the box as far forward as possible, and bobsyeruncle. The tailgate raises within an inch of its max height, so im calling it a success.

I tried that and my tailgate pistons failed halfway through the season because they couldn’t fully extend.

**californiagrown** · 09-25-2023, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by AK47bp

I tried that and my tailgate pistons failed halfway through the season because they couldn’t fully extend.

Remove the spoiler/wing? I read somewhere that it does actually help with MPG, but idk how that can be true. Seems odd to be the only SUV on the road with a spoiler on the back for... downforce?

**::: :::** · 09-25-2023, 05:08 PM

i mean...cmon

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**AK47bp** · 09-25-2023, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by californiagrown

Remove the spoiler/wing? I read somewhere that it does actually help with MPG, but idk how that can be true. Seems odd to be the only SUV on the road with a spoiler on the back for... downforce?

I wouldn’t want to do that with a 5th gen.

**J. Barron DeJong** · 09-25-2023, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by californiagrown

Remove the spoiler/wing? I read somewhere that it does actually help with MPG, but idk how that can be true. Seems odd to be the only SUV on the road with a spoiler on the back for... downforce?

I wasn’t an aerodynamicist, but I do know that spoilers like that do reduce drag. Can’t tell you if it’s because of cleaner flow separation, or keeping flow attached for longer, or some other mechanism.

**mud** · 09-25-2023, 06:02 PM

Roof boxes suck for gas mileage.
Dead hookers should go in the trunk anyway, you could hurt your back getting them in a roof box.

**alembical** · 09-25-2023, 06:11 PM

Many of the spoilers are at least partly designed to ensure air flow goes down over the back window, rather than up from the rear tires. Seems real minor but can make a huge difference in seeing out the back window, and can have safety features if the rear window opens and could potentially bring exhaust into a car moving down the highway.

**::: :::** · 09-25-2023, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by alembical

Many of the spoilers are at least partly designed to ensure air flow goes down over the back window, rather than up from the rear tires. Seems real minor but can make a huge difference in seeing out the back window, and can have safety features if the rear window opens and could potentially bring exhaust into a car moving down the highway.

i always wondered why a wagon needed a spoiler at the rack

**dunfree** · 09-25-2023, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by californiagrown

I just slammed the box as far forward as possible, unevenly tightend the mounting clamps to keep the box as far forward as possible, and bobsyeruncle. The tailgate raises within an inch of its max height, so im calling it a success.

And you tied it on with bootstraps, right?

**SumJongGuy** · 09-25-2023, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by AK47bp

I tried that and my tailgate pistons failed halfway through the season because they couldn’t fully extend.

My 09 Forester hatch has been hitting the box for a good 14 years with no stay piston issues. I think you truck just doesn't like you..

**Rideski** · 09-25-2023, 06:30 PM

Good to know on the spoiler.

**AK47bp** · 09-25-2023, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by SumJongGuy

My 09 Forester hatch has been hitting the box for a good 14 years with no stay piston issues. I think you truck just doesn't like you..

4Runner tailgates are heavy as fuck due to the giant window that opens and closes.

Happy for you though.

**PNWbrit** · 09-25-2023, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by J. Barron DeJong

I wasn’t an aerodynamicist, but I do know that spoilers like that do reduce drag. Can’t tell you if it’s because of cleaner flow separation, or keeping flow attached for longer, or some other mechanism.

Having accidentally torn off one of those roof spoilers... you're going to get a trunk and tailgate full of water if you remove it.