Main trade-off
Thule Force 3 L
The shell is 1.3 inches longer
Head-to-head
Thule Force 3 L vs Yakima SkyBox NX 16: Same volume and ski limit, Thule fits narrower bar spacing and weighs less
The short answer
Both boxes offer 16 cubic feet and a 175 cm ski limit. Choose Force 3 L for lower empty weight, a narrower shell or crossbars below 24 inches apart. Choose SkyBox NX 16 for its shorter body and Yakima SKS lock system. Hatch compatibility still needs the measurement specified by each brand.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
A 23-inch spread is a real differentiator
It falls inside Thule's range and outside Yakima's.
What this is based on
23 is above 21.875 and below 24 inches. Bar shape and the vehicle-approved rack position still need confirmation.
Main trade-off
Yakima SkyBox NX LG
Wider and approximately five pounds heavier for load planning
Thule Force 3 L
- Choose it for
- Fit approved crossbars between 21 7/8 and under 24 inches apart
- Use a lighter, narrower shell
- Main trade-off
- The shell is 1.3 inches longer
Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Choose it for
- Use Yakima's SKS lock system with your rack setup
- Keep the shell length to 75.5 inches
- Main trade-off
- Wider and approximately five pounds heavier for load planning
About this comparison
Compare Force 3 L and SkyBox NX 16 for equal cargo volume and ski length. Check bar spread, body size, roof weight and each brand's hatch-fit method.
Both boxes offer 16 cubic feet and a 175 cm ski limit. Choose Force 3 L for lower empty weight, a narrower shell or crossbars below 24 inches apart. Choose SkyBox NX 16 for its shorter body and Yakima SKS lock system. Hatch compatibility still needs the measurement specified by each brand.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Fixed approved bar spacing is 23 inches
Thule's spread includes 23 inches. Yakima requires at least 24.
- Thule Force 3 L
- Good
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Not suitable
Skis measure 180 cm
Both have a 175 cm stated ski limit.
- Thule Force 3 L
- Not suitable
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Not suitable
You need 16 cubic feet and 170 cm skis
Both published capacity and ski limits cover those requirements, subject to fit.
- Thule Force 3 L
- Good
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Good
The shell must be no wider than 34 inches
Force L is 33.3 inches wide and SkyBox NX 16 is 35.
- Thule Force 3 L
- Good
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Not suitable
You only have one hatch-clearance number measured without a method
Repeat the measurement separately using each brand's prescribed reference points.
- Thule Force 3 L
- Depends
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Depends
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
A 23-inch spread is a real differentiator
It falls inside Thule's range and outside Yakima's.
How we reached this conclusion
23 is above 21.875 and below 24 inches. Bar shape and the vehicle-approved rack position still need confirmation.
Identical volume does not mean identical shape
Thule saves 1.7 inches of width while Yakima saves 1.3 inches of length.
How we reached this conclusion
35 − 33.3 = 1.7 inches wide. 76.8 − 75.5 = 1.3 inches long.
Reserve five more pounds for the Yakima box
Using the more conservative fit-guide weight leaves less cargo allowance.
How we reached this conclusion
48 − 43 = 5 lb. This is a roof-load calculation, not a carrying-comfort test.
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
- Fit approved crossbars between 21 7/8 and under 24 inches apart
Checked facts
- Volume and ski limit: 16 cu ft and 175 cm
- Crossbar center spacing: 21 7/8 to 36 5/8 in
- External length and width: 76.8 × 33.3 in
- Empty weight used for load planning: 43 lb
Choice B
Yakima, SkyBox NX 16 LG
Yakima SkyBox NX LG
The box holds 16 cubic feet. It accepts gear up to 175 centimeters long.
- Best matched use
- Use Yakima's SKS lock system with your rack setup
Checked facts
- Volume and ski limit: 16 cu ft and 175 cm
- Crossbar center spacing: 24 to 36 in
- External length and width: 75.5 × 35 in
- Empty weight used for load planning: 48 lb in fit guide, 47 lb on product page
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Thule Force 3 L | Yakima SkyBox NX LG | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volume and ski limit | 16 cu ft and 175 cm | 16 cu ft and 175 cm | Capacity and maximum ski length do not separate this pair. |
| Crossbar center spacing | 21 7/8 to 36 5/8 in | 24 to 36 in | A narrow fixed spread can eliminate Yakima. |
| External length and width | 76.8 × 33.3 in | 75.5 × 35 in | Yakima is shorter while Thule is narrower. |
| Empty weight used for load planning | 43 lb | 48 lb in fit guide, 47 lb on product page | Use the stricter guide weight until the supplied unit is confirmed. |
| Hatch-fit measurement | Greater than 50 5/8 in to roof/hatch junction | 47 in minimum to edge of open hatch | These numbers use different reference points and cannot be directly ranked. |
| Mount and locks | PowerClick mounts and SlideLock | Torque-limited knob and SKS locks | Check clamp compatibility and any matching-key requirements. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Thule Force 3 L
- Thule lock components do not replace Yakima SKS components
If you choose Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Cannot mount at a 23-inch bar spread
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
Your fixed bar spread is below 24 inches but within Thule's range
Choose Thule Force 3 L. Yakima's mounts are outside their published spread.
A 75.5-inch shell length is the maximum you can accommodate
Choose Yakima SkyBox NX LG. The Force L shell is 76.8 inches long, provided Yakima also passes its hatch and rack checks.
Skis exceed 175 cm
Choose neither. A larger ski-length allowance is required.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
Begin with the shared limits
Both provide the same stated volume and ski length. Buyers carrying longer skis should move past this pair. For suitable luggage, the vehicle fit and existing rack hardware become more useful decision points.
Do two hatch measurements
Thule uses the roof meeting the hatch. Yakima uses the edge of the fully open hatch and specifies measuring across the tops of the bars. Comparing 50 5/8 to 47 without those definitions can give the wrong answer for a car.
Allow for the full roof load
Yakima's page and fit guide differ by a pound. Use the heavier 48 lb planning figure or confirm the supplied box's weight. Add racks and cargo, then follow the lowest applicable vehicle, rack and box limit.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- Neither box is guaranteed to leave room for a bike carrier. Required mounting area and the second carrier's clearance need their own measurements.
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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| Yakima SkyBox NX LG |
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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
Fit approved crossbars between 21 7/8 and under 24 inches apart
See price & reviews on AmazonYakima SkyBox NX LG
Use Yakima's SKS lock system with your rack setup
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.