Main trade-off
Thule Force 3 L
Cannot accommodate skis over 175 cm
Head-to-head
Thule Force 3 L vs Force 3 XL: XL adds ski length and volume but tightens the hatch-clearance requirement
The short answer
Choose Force 3 L for shorter skis and a lighter box on a tighter roof. Choose Force 3 XL when 18 cubic feet or skis up to 200 cm are necessary. Both use the same published bar-spacing range, but the XL adds length, weight and a stricter hatch-clearance requirement.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
The ski limit is the clearest upgrade boundary
A 190 cm ski fits only the XL's published length limit.
What this is based on
190 exceeds the L's 175 cm limit and is below the XL's 200 cm limit. This assumes the complete load fits and the box is installed correctly.
Main trade-off
Thule Force 3 XL
Adds 6.6 lb before any cargo is loaded
Thule Force 3 L
- Choose it for
- Carry skis up to 175 cm with less box weight
- Use a shorter box and a less demanding hatch measurement
- Main trade-off
- Cannot accommodate skis over 175 cm
Thule Force 3 XL
- Choose it for
- Carry skis above 175 and up to 200 cm
- Gain two cubic feet when the roof and hatch checks pass
- Main trade-off
- Adds 6.6 lb before any cargo is loaded
About this comparison
Compare Force 3 L and XL for 175 versus 200 cm skis, cargo volume, roof-load allowance and hatch clearance. Check the measurements before upsizing.
Choose Force 3 L for shorter skis and a lighter box on a tighter roof. Choose Force 3 XL when 18 cubic feet or skis up to 200 cm are necessary. Both use the same published bar-spacing range, but the XL adds length, weight and a stricter hatch-clearance requirement.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Skis are 190 cm long
Only XL is rated for ski lengths up to 200 cm.
- Thule Force 3 L
- Not suitable
- Thule Force 3 XL
- Good
Thule-method front clearance is 52 inches
L passes the published hatch threshold and XL does not.
- Thule Force 3 L
- Good
- Thule Force 3 XL
- Not suitable
Fixed crossbar spacing is 38 inches
Both exceed their 36 5/8-inch maximum spread.
- Thule Force 3 L
- Not suitable
- Thule Force 3 XL
- Not suitable
You need at least 18 cubic feet
L is 16 cu ft and XL is 18.
- Thule Force 3 L
- Not suitable
- Thule Force 3 XL
- Good
You have a 150 lb roof limit and a 15 lb rack
Subtract the box and rack, then obey whichever vehicle, rack or box limit is lowest. L leaves 92 lb and XL 85.4 lb under this hypothetical total limit.
- Thule Force 3 L
- Depends
- Thule Force 3 XL
- Depends
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
The ski limit is the clearest upgrade boundary
A 190 cm ski fits only the XL's published length limit.
How we reached this conclusion
190 exceeds the L's 175 cm limit and is below the XL's 200 cm limit. This assumes the complete load fits and the box is installed correctly.
Extra volume also consumes roof capacity
XL adds 12.5% volume and 6.6 lb of box weight.
How we reached this conclusion
(18 − 16) ÷ 16 = 12.5%. Manual weights give 49.6 − 43 = 6.6 lb that cannot be used for cargo under the same roof-load ceiling.
The hatch check can block the upgrade
A 52-inch Thule front-clearance measurement clears L's threshold but not XL's.
How we reached this conclusion
52 is greater than 50.625 and less than 53.0625 inches. Final fit still includes the specified bar and clamp checks.
Choice A
Thule, Force 3 L
Thule Force 3 L
The box holds 16 cubic feet. It accepts gear up to 175 centimeters long.
- Best matched use
- Carry skis up to 175 cm with less box weight
Checked facts
- Cargo volume: 16 cu ft
- Maximum ski length: 175 cm
- Body length and width: 76.8 × 33.3 in
- Box weight in installation manual: 43 lb
Choice B
Thule, Force 3 XL
Thule Force 3 XL
The box holds 18 cubic feet. It accepts gear up to 200 centimeters long.
- Best matched use
- Carry skis above 175 and up to 200 cm
Checked facts
- Cargo volume: 18 cu ft
- Maximum ski length: 200 cm
- Body length and width: 84.8 × 34.1 in
- Box weight in installation manual: 49.6 lb
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Thule Force 3 L | Thule Force 3 XL | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo volume | 16 cu ft | 18 cu ft | The extra space does not increase your vehicle's permitted roof load. |
| Maximum ski length | 175 cm | 200 cm | Use the longest ski or snowboard dimension, including how it packs. |
| Body length and width | 76.8 × 33.3 in | 84.8 × 34.1 in | XL is longer and slightly wider. |
| Box weight in installation manual | 43 lb | 49.6 lb | Subtract rack and box weight before calculating the cargo allowance. |
| Crossbar center spacing | 21 7/8 to 36 5/8 in | 21 7/8 to 36 5/8 in | Bar profile and rack compatibility still require their own checks. |
| Hatch front-clearance threshold | Greater than 50 5/8 in | Greater than 53 1/16 in | Measure front-bar center to where the roof meets the hatch using Thule's method. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Thule Force 3 L
- Two cubic feet less cargo volume
If you choose Thule Force 3 XL
- Needs more hatch clearance and eight inches more body length
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
Your skis exceed 175 cm but not 200 cm
Choose Thule Force 3 XL. XL is the only model whose published ski limit covers them.
Your Thule hatch measurement passes L but falls below XL's threshold
Choose Thule Force 3 L. The larger box cannot be assumed to clear the hatch.
Your fixed bar spread exceeds 36 5/8 inches
Choose neither. Both fail the published spread range.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
Measure the longest item first
A 190 cm ski makes the smaller box unsuitable regardless of how much empty volume remains. If every item fits within L's dimensions, the larger shell is optional rather than an automatic improvement.
Check the hatch with the correct reference
Thule's method measures from the front bar center to the point where the roof meets the hatch. The product and chart have small rounding differences, so the more conservative values are used here. Trial-check opening clearance after installation.
Calculate the usable load
The box's 165 lb cargo limit is only one ceiling. Vehicle and rack limits may be lower and include the rack and box themselves. More cubic feet can help bulky bedding while adding little useful capacity for dense equipment.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No vehicle is declared universally compatible. Published volume does not establish how a particular suitcase set will fit.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current roof cargo boxes comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thule Force 3 L |
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| Thule Force 3 XL |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Thule Force 3 L
Carry skis up to 175 cm with less box weight
See price & reviews on AmazonThule Force 3 XL
Carry skis above 175 and up to 200 cm
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.