Main trade-off
Thule Force 3 XXL
The 91.4-inch body needs more storage and roof-length planning.
Head-to-head
Thule Force 3 XXL vs Yakima SkyBox NX 18: Thule fits skis above 195 cm, Yakima leaves more length and payload margin
The short answer
Choose Force 3 XXL when skis longer than 195 cm and up to 215 cm or bulky light luggage justify its longer shell. Choose SkyBox NX 18 when your gear fits its limits and you want the shorter, lighter box. Check the hatch, rack positions and remaining roof payload before choosing either.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
A 205 cm ski needs the longer model
A 205 cm ski falls 10 cm inside the Force XXL limit and 10 cm beyond Yakima’s limit. For that trip the extra Thule length solves a real problem. For 180 cm skis it is a space choice rather than a necessity.
What this is based on
215 - 205 = 10 cm and 205 - 195 = 10 cm. Verify bag and binding clearance separately.
Main trade-off
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
The 195 cm ski limit excludes longer equipment.
Thule Force 3 XXL
- Choose it for
- You need the documented 215 cm ski limit.
- Your approved roof setup has space for a 91.4-inch box.
- Main trade-off
- The 91.4-inch body needs more storage and roof-length planning.
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Choose it for
- Your skis are no longer than 195 cm.
- You prefer a shorter body and lower empty weight.
- Main trade-off
- The 195 cm ski limit excludes longer equipment.
About this comparison
Compare Force 3 XXL and SkyBox NX 18 for 205 cm skis, hatch clearance, roof-load budgets and bulky luggage before mounting a large cargo box.
Choose Force 3 XXL when skis longer than 195 cm and up to 215 cm or bulky light luggage justify its longer shell. Choose SkyBox NX 18 when your gear fits its limits and you want the shorter, lighter box. Check the hatch, rack positions and remaining roof payload before choosing either.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Carrying 205 cm skis
Only the Force XXL documents a ski limit above 205 cm.
- Thule Force 3 XXL
- Better fit
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Not suitable
An 18 cu ft load of shorter gear
The NX 18 meets that volume with a shorter and lighter shell.
- Thule Force 3 XXL
- Caution
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Better fit
Heavy bags near a 165 lb roof limit
Rack and box weight must be deducted before packing either model.
- Thule Force 3 XXL
- Caution
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Caution
A low garage entrance
Use the measured installed height. The Thule page has conflicting height fields.
- Thule Force 3 XXL
- Depends
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Depends
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
A 205 cm ski needs the longer model
A 205 cm ski falls 10 cm inside the Force XXL limit and 10 cm beyond Yakima’s limit. For that trip the extra Thule length solves a real problem. For 180 cm skis it is a space choice rather than a necessity.
How we reached this conclusion
215 - 205 = 10 cm and 205 - 195 = 10 cm. Verify bag and binding clearance separately.
A larger box can still carry fewer pounds
For a hypothetical 165 lb total roof limit and 20 lb rack, the Force XXL leaves 88 lb for cargo and the NX 18 leaves 92 lb. The 21 cu ft box is therefore a better answer to bulky bedding than to exceeding a weight budget.
How we reached this conclusion
165 - 20 - 57 = 88 and 165 - 20 - 53 = 92. The calculation is subordinate to every lower vehicle, rack and box limit.
Keep the hatch calculation separate from overall length
The Force XXL is 7.4 inches longer overall, which matters for storage and overhang. Its hatch check uses a different reference from Yakima’s, so subtracting the two printed clearance numbers would give a misleading universal fit advantage.
How we reached this conclusion
91.4 - 84 = 7.4 inches. Measure both manufacturer diagrams at the final legal crossbar positions.
Choice A
Thule, 645950
Force 3 XXL
The largest Force 3 trades a long, heavy shell for 21 cubic feet and a 215 cm ski allowance.
- Best matched use
- You need the documented 215 cm ski limit.
Checked facts
- Ski and luggage limits: 21 cu ft, skis up to 215 cm
- Empty weight: 57 lb
- Exterior footprint: 91.4 x 35.2 in
- Hatch check: Greater than 56.375 in using Thule’s diagram
Choice B
Yakima, SkyBox NX 18 XL
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
The box holds 18 cubic feet. It accepts gear up to 195 centimeters long.
- Best matched use
- Your skis are no longer than 195 cm.
Checked facts
- Ski and luggage limits: 18 cu ft, skis up to 195 cm
- Empty weight: 53 lb on current product page
- Exterior footprint: 84 x 36 in
- Hatch check: 50 in using Yakima’s open-hatch diagram
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Thule Force 3 XXL | Yakima SkyBox NX XL | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ski and luggage limits | 21 cu ft, skis up to 215 cm | 18 cu ft, skis up to 195 cm | Extra volume is useful for light bulky gear, while long skis impose a hard length requirement. |
| Empty weight | 57 lb | 53 lb on current product page | The smaller Yakima leaves four more pounds for cargo under the same total roof limit. |
| Exterior footprint | 91.4 x 35.2 in | 84 x 36 in | The Thule is longer but slightly narrower. Neither dimension alone proves roof fit. |
| Hatch check | Greater than 56.375 in using Thule’s diagram | 50 in using Yakima’s open-hatch diagram | Use the correct measuring reference for each brand. |
| Opening and securing | Dual-sided, PowerClick torque indication | Dual-sided, removable torque-limiting knob | Both support curbside access and a defined mounting-tightness check. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Thule Force 3 XXL
- Its 57 lb empty weight reduces the cargo allowance.
If you choose Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- The 18 cu ft interior gives less room for bulky light bags.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
My longest ski is 205 cm
Choose Thule Force 3 XXL. The Force XXL has a 215 cm ski limit.
My gear fits 18 cu ft and skis stay under 195 cm
Choose Yakima SkyBox NX XL. The NX 18 avoids the longer, heavier shell when its capacity is sufficient.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
Choose for the trip you actually take
The Force XXL is defensible when long skis or bulky light items will use the extra shell. A household carrying shorter skis and ordinary bags may prefer the NX 18 because unused space still adds a longer object to store and install. Neither box should be filled solely to its visible volume.
Make a roof-weight worksheet
Start with the lowest approved system limit. Deduct the rack and the empty box, then weigh the bags. Yakima’s manual has a 52 lb historical figure while the current page gives 53 lb. The example uses 53 lb and leaves the final supplied-unit check with the buyer.
Measure the installed vehicle
The Thule page lists conflicting exterior and above-crossbar heights, so an exact garage-height advantage is withheld. Measure the mounted vehicle directly. Check the rear hatch and front overhang before tightening everything into its final position.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- These are manufacturer fit limits and planning examples, not a vehicle-specific installation approval.
- Yakima documents differ by about 1 lb on empty weight. Use the heavier published figure until the supplied box is confirmed. No wind-noise or fuel-economy winner is established.
- Thule’s current page gives 17.9 inches exterior height and 21.4 inches height off crossbar. No precise mounted-height comparison is made.
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 XXL |
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| Yakima SkyBox NX 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 XXL
You need the documented 215 cm ski limit.
See price & reviews on AmazonYakima SkyBox NX XL
Your skis are no longer than 195 cm.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.