Main trade-off
Yakima SkyBox NX XXL
Its 60.5 lb shell leaves less cargo allowance on the same roof.
Head-to-head
Yakima SkyBox NX XXL vs Thule Force 3 XXL: Yakima fits wider bar spacing, Thule saves weight at the same ski limit
The short answer
Choose SkyBox NX XXL for approved bar spacing above 36 5/8 and no more than 40 inches, or when its extra cubic foot matters for bulky gear. Choose Force 3 XXL when reducing box weight is more useful. Both accept skis up to 215 cm, so neither solves a longer ski load.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
Fixed 38-inch bars can select the Yakima
If the approved rack positions leave 38 inches between crossbar centers, SkyBox’s 40-inch maximum covers the spacing while Force’s 36 5/8-inch maximum does not. This is a mounting boundary that extra Thule payload cannot overcome. Confirm clamp width and profile as well.
What this is based on
38 - 36.625 = 1.375 inches beyond Force. The 38-inch spacing is within Yakima’s 24 to 40-inch range. Assume approved fixed rack positions.
Main trade-off
Thule Force 3 XXL
Its 36 5/8-inch maximum spread excludes wider fixed layouts.
Yakima SkyBox NX XXL
- Choose it for
- Your approved bars are 38 inches apart.
- Your light, bulky load benefits from 22 rather than 21 cu ft.
- Main trade-off
- Its 60.5 lb shell leaves less cargo allowance on the same roof.
Thule Force 3 XXL
- Choose it for
- A few pounds of remaining roof allowance decide whether your bags fit the load budget.
- Your gear fits 21 cu ft and your rack falls within the Thule mounting range.
- Main trade-off
- Its 36 5/8-inch maximum spread excludes wider fixed layouts.
About this comparison
Choose between two long-ski roof boxes by fixed-bar spacing and remaining payload, with separate hatch measurements and honest garage limits.
Choose SkyBox NX XXL for approved bar spacing above 36 5/8 and no more than 40 inches, or when its extra cubic foot matters for bulky gear. Choose Force 3 XXL when reducing box weight is more useful. Both accept skis up to 215 cm, so neither solves a longer ski load.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Approved crossbars fixed 38 inches apart
SkyBox allows 40 inches and Force stops at 36 5/8.
- Yakima SkyBox NX XXL
- Better fit
- Thule Force 3 XXL
- Not suitable
An 86 lb cargo load under the example 165 lb limit with 20 lb rack
The calculated allowances are 84.5 and 88 lb, subject to every actual lower rating.
- Yakima SkyBox NX XXL
- Not suitable
- Thule Force 3 XXL
- Caution
Carry 220 cm skis
Both publish a 215 cm ski limit.
- Yakima SkyBox NX XXL
- Not suitable
- Thule Force 3 XXL
- Not suitable
A tight garage or rear hatch
Installed height and the correct manufacturer hatch reference must be checked separately.
- Yakima SkyBox NX XXL
- Measure first
- Thule Force 3 XXL
- Measure first
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
Fixed 38-inch bars can select the Yakima
If the approved rack positions leave 38 inches between crossbar centers, SkyBox’s 40-inch maximum covers the spacing while Force’s 36 5/8-inch maximum does not. This is a mounting boundary that extra Thule payload cannot overcome. Confirm clamp width and profile as well.
How we reached this conclusion
38 - 36.625 = 1.375 inches beyond Force. The 38-inch spacing is within Yakima’s 24 to 40-inch range. Assume approved fixed rack positions.
An 86 lb load can make the lighter shell matter
With an illustrative 165 lb roof limit and 20 lb rack, SkyBox leaves 84.5 lb for cargo and Force 88 lb. An 86 lb load is therefore over the Yakima example budget but inside the Thule one. That does not authorize loading until the actual vehicle and rack limits are checked.
How we reached this conclusion
165 - 20 - 60.5 = 84.5 lb. With Force, 165 - 20 - 57 = 88 lb. An 86 lb load exceeds 84.5 lb by 1.5 lb and remains 2 lb below 88 lb.
A 220 cm ski still needs another transport plan
Both boxes advertise 215 cm maximum skis. Buying the 22 cu ft Yakima instead of the 21 cu ft Thule does not solve a 220 cm ski requirement. Before using the extra volume as an upgrade reason, confirm whether the inconvenient item is too long or merely bulky.
How we reached this conclusion
220 - 215 = 5 cm beyond both published limits. The one-cubic-foot difference cannot establish an unlisted longer-ski fit.
Choice A
Yakima, 8007371
Yakima SkyBox NX XXL
A 22 cu ft, dual-opening box for skis up to 215 cm. Its 60.5 lb shell and longer hatch-clearance requirement need checking before packing.
- Best matched use
- Your approved bars are 38 inches apart.
Checked facts
- Cargo volume: 22 cu ft
- Maximum ski length: 215 cm
- Empty box weight: 60.5 lb
- Crossbar spread: 24 to 40 in
Choice B
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
- A few pounds of remaining roof allowance decide whether your bags fit the load budget.
Checked facts
- Cargo volume: 21 cu ft
- Maximum ski length: 215 cm
- Empty box weight: 57 lb
- Crossbar spread: 21 7/8 to 36 5/8 in
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Yakima SkyBox NX XXL | Thule Force 3 XXL | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo volume | 22 cu ft | 21 cu ft | The volume difference is modest for two large boxes. |
| Maximum ski length | 215 cm | 215 cm | Neither extends the long-ski limit of the other. |
| Empty box weight | 60.5 lb | 57 lb | Thule leaves more weight allowance on the same roof. |
| Crossbar spread | 24 to 40 in | 21 7/8 to 36 5/8 in | Yakima accepts wider fixed spacing. |
| External dimensions | 90.5 x 36 x 19 in | 91.4 x 35.2 x 17.9 in | Measure storage space and actual installed height. |
| Hatch check | 55 in using Yakima’s open-hatch reference | More than 56 3/8 in using Thule’s roof-to-hatch reference | Different reference methods prevent a direct subtraction. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Yakima SkyBox NX XXL
- Its extra volume does not extend the 215 cm ski limit.
If you choose Thule Force 3 XXL
- Its 21 cu ft volume is smaller when bulky gear is the real constraint.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
My approved bars are 38 inches apart
Choose Yakima SkyBox NX XXL. SkyBox covers that spacing and Force does not.
My cargo fits 21 cu ft and a lighter shell resolves the actual load budget
Choose Thule Force 3 XXL. Force’s 57 lb shell preserves 3.5 lb compared with SkyBox.
My skis are 220 cm long
Choose neither. Both maximum ski lengths are 215 cm.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
Check the rack before choosing capacity
A large roof box can have the right volume and still fail on the installed crossbars. SkyBox allows a 40-inch maximum spread, while Force stops at 36 5/8 inches. Fixed positions make that difference decisive. Do not move bars or modify mounts without the rack maker’s approval.
Keep luggage weight separate from luggage volume
These boxes mainly suit gear that needs a lot of space. Their own weight consumes a significant part of a typical roof allowance. Use actual rack and bag weights before assuming a 22 cu ft box can carry more pounds than a 21 cu ft box. A lighter shell can be the useful upgrade.
Use two separate clearance drawings
Yakima measures to the edge of the open hatch. Thule measures to where the roof meets the hatch. Apply each drawing separately and test the actual door movement. For garages, measure the installed vehicle and box because outer shell height alone does not establish the final clearance.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- The Thule product page has conflicting height fields, so no precise garage-height advantage is claimed.
- No direct numerical hatch-clearance advantage is inferred across the two different reference methods.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima SkyBox NX XXL |
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| |
| Thule Force 3 XXL |
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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.
Yakima SkyBox NX XXL
Your approved bars are 38 inches apart.
See price & reviews on AmazonThule Force 3 XXL
A few pounds of remaining roof allowance decide whether your bags fit the load budget.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.