It’s impossible to talk about roof boxes (or cargo boxes or cartop carriers or whatever you like to call them) without talking about Thule. The Swedish company has been around since 1942, making roof racks, roof boxes, and various other accessories to help make transporting your gear easier. There are plenty of other companies out there that make roof boxes and other similar items. And I won’t beat around the bush here: Thule roof boxes are on the more expensive side. So people often wonder if getting a Thule roof box is worth the investment.
For those who plan on taking a lot of road trips, there’s no going wrong with a Thule roof box. From design and testing to security and safety, Thule’s roof boxes are built to last. That said, anyone who will only be taking a trip or two will probably be better off with a cheaper roof box.
Still thinking about getting a Thule? Well, you’re in the right place. Here’s everything you need to know to make an informed decision about getting a Thule roof box.
Why Are Thule Roof Boxes so Expensive?
If you’ve done any cursory shopping and learned everything you need to know about roof boxes, you’ve likely noticed that Thule boxes tend to be on the higher end of the price spectrum. Since Thule has so many different roof box options, their price range is typically between $400 and $1,500, depending on features, size, and design.
At a glance, here are some feature you’re paying extra for when you purchase a Thule roof box:
- Secure locking mechanisms.
- The ability to access the box from either side.
- Interior lighting in the box, helping you rummage around there in the dark.
- Intentional and tested design to reduce the hit your gas mileage takes.
- Excellent customer service.
- Superior warranty.
- Ease of use and installation.
I would also argue that having a Thule roof box provides peace of mind to some extent — which can be attributed to their customer service and warranty.
Keep in mind that not all Thule roof boxes come with all the features listed above.
Are Thule Roof Boxes Universal?
Although Thule roof boxes are designed to fit most factory-installed roof racks, they are not universal. There are simply too many factors, such as car make and model, rack size, rear hitch range of motion, and roof rack weight limits for any roof box to be fully universal.
That said, it’s not hard to determine which roof box will fit your car. Any Thule authorized dealer will be able to help you determine which box will work for you. You can also find out online whether a certain box will fit your vehicle by visiting Thule’s website.
Are Thule Roof Boxes Waterproof?
No matter the kind of cargo box, people always want to know if it’s waterproof or not. This is only natural, as you don’t want your luggage getting wet if (or when) it rains while you’re on your road trip.
The fact is that Thule boxes are water resistant, not waterproof. This is because for something to be waterproof, it needs to be able to stay completely dry inside even when completely submerged in water. And while Thule roof boxes are good, they’re not that good.
Still, you don’t have to worry about your luggage getting wet in a Thule roof box under normal circumstances. Unless you accidentally drive into a lake, your luggage won’t get wet. Even torrential downpours won’t force water into a Thule, provided it’s undamaged and properly closed.
Are Thule Roof Boxes Safe?
Thule roof boxes are some of the safest on the market. And I mean this in two ways. Number one: you don’t have to worry about the lid coming open or the fasteners coming loose. Number two: you can lock Thule roof boxes, making them safe and secure against potential thieves.
According to Thule’s website, your safety is their number one priority. They have a testing facility dedicated to making sure all their products are safe before they are christened with the Thule name. These tests include extreme temperatures, UV radiation, water, wind, and even harmful chemicals.
Do Thule Roof Boxes Affect Gas Mileage?
Anything you add to the top of your car (or the sides, for that matter) will affect your gas mileage. Car makers spend painstaking hours optimizing fuel economy by making cars as aerodynamic as possible. But when you add a roof box, there’s simply no way to avoid hurting your gas mileage.
However, not all roof boxes are created equal in this regard. And roof bags are even worse. And the people at Thule realize how important gas mileage is. This is one reason they design each Thule roof box to be as aerodynamic as possible.
So while adding any kind of roof box to your vehicle will negatively affect your gas mileage, a Thule roof box is designed to affect it as little as possible.
Do Thule Roof Boxes Come With a Warranty?
All Thule roof boxes come with a limited lifetime warranty. Essentially, this warranty ensures that if there’s any kind of defect or damage that isn’t associated with normal wear-and-tear, you can have the Thule roof box replaced. If you don’t want it replaced, they offer a full refund for the price of the product or a credit equal to the price of the product that you can spend on another roof box.
There’s a bit more to this warranty, but those are the big takeaways. This is significant because many other roof box manufacturers only offer warranties measured in months or, at best, a couple of years.
What Types of Thule Roof Boxes Are Available?
There are a total of 19 different roof boxes available now from Thule. However, this doesn’t count any older designs that you may come across for sale used by a private owner. These 19 boxes cover five different series:
- Vector
- Motion XT
- Force XT
- Pulse
- Sidekick
Besides the Sidekick, each series has multiple options. For example, the Vector line has two different options: the Thule Vector M and the Thule Vector Alpine.
The Vector M weighs 59.3 pounds and has internal dimensions measuring 73.2” x 25” x 11.6”.
The Vector Alpine, on the other hand, weighs 65.9 pounds and has internal dimensions measuring 80.5” x 25.2” x 11”.
The Vector M is rated for 3 to 5 pairs of skis, while the Vector Alpine is rated for 4 to 6 pairs. Both of these roof boxes are available in black or gray/black.
As you can see, there are plenty of options when it comes to Thule roof boxes.
Thule Roof Box Sizes
Thule’s roof boxes range in size from small to XX-Large. But even among these sizes, there are still some major differences to keep in mind. Let’s look at the two small Thule roof boxes, the Thule Pulse Alpine and the Thule Sidekick.
The Thule Pulse Alpine is long and low. It weighs 30 pounds, features internal dimensions measuring 82.75 x 23.5 x 10.5 in, and has 11 cubic feet of space.
The Thule Sidekick is shorter and taller. It weighs just under 20 pounds, has internal dimensions of 48 x 23 x 13.5 in, and has 8 cubic feet of space.
It really comes down to what you want them for. The Thule Pulse Alpine would be an ideal small roof box for carrying skis. You couldn’t fit a single pair of skis inside the Sidekick, though, as it’s too short.
But, since roof boxes are often measured in cubic feet, I’ll give you a glimpse at the various sizes that Thule offers:
- Small – 8 and 11 cubic feet.
- Medium – 13 and 14 cubic feet.
- Large – 16 cubic feet.
- X-Large – 18 cubic feet.
- XX-Large – 22 cubic feet.
Thule Roof Box Recommendation – It’s Worth It
Now for my recommendation. I think that the best overall value for the casual user is in the Thule Pulse roof box. This 14-cubic-foot roof box is made from tough ABS plastic that’s designed to resist wear associated with proper use. Its mounting system is compatible with square, round, aero and factory-style roof rack crossbars. The quick-mount system allows you to install the roof box with just one hand for ease and convenience.
The exterior dimensions of the Thule Pulse roof box (medium) are: 67 x 35 x 16 inch.
The interior dimensions are: 61 x 33 x 14 inch.
The maximum ski length is 155 centimeters (61-inches).
This box is available on Amazon in 11 cubic feet and 16 cubic feet as well.
I recommend the medium because it’s not too big and not too small. But which size you get depends on how much stuff you plan on taking on your regular trips. The medium is good when you are packing a small car for camping because it can fit gear for two or three people fairly easily. But if you often go camping with four or more people, you may want to consider upgrading to the larger roof box.
I hope this article has helped you! Thule is really a great brand. If you plan on using a roof box regularly, there’s really no substitute for Thule if you have the budget!