Main trade-off
SportRack Sidekick
The 50 lb minimum for driving above 40 mph rules out many light bulky highway loads.
Head-to-head
SportRack Sidekick vs Thule Force 3 M: Sidekick requires a 50 lb minimum load above 40 mph, Force suits light bulk
The short answer
Choose Sidekick for compact cargo only after checking its manual’s minimum 50 lb load for driving above 40 mph and the stricter 75 lb maximum cargo rating. Choose Force 3 M for a light, bulky highway load or access from either side. Sidekick’s lighter shell does not mean it can carry the heavier load.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
A 30 lb highway load favors the larger box
A bulky 30 lb camping load sits below Sidekick’s explicit 50 lb minimum for driving above 40 mph. Its small shell is therefore a poor match for that trip despite ample remaining weight capacity. Force M stays in consideration once vehicle fit, attachment and total roof load pass.
What this is based on
Assume the secured cargo weighs 30 lb and the trip exceeds 40 mph. Compare 30 with the exact SR 7020 manual’s 50 lb restriction. Do not add arbitrary ballast as a workaround.
Main trade-off
Thule Force 3 M
Its heavier and wider shell consumes more roof allowance and neighboring space.
SportRack Sidekick
- Choose it for
- Your compact cargo meets the manual’s highway load restriction and all roof limits.
- A short, narrow shell and passenger-side access suit the intended loading area.
- Main trade-off
- The 50 lb minimum for driving above 40 mph rules out many light bulky highway loads.
Thule Force 3 M
- Choose it for
- You want to drive on the highway with a 30 lb bulky load.
- You need access from either side or more than 75 lb of approved cargo.
- Main trade-off
- Its heavier and wider shell consumes more roof allowance and neighboring space.
About this comparison
Compare compact roof storage with a larger dual-opening box, including the Sidekick’s unusual highway load restriction.
Choose Sidekick for compact cargo only after checking its manual’s minimum 50 lb load for driving above 40 mph and the stricter 75 lb maximum cargo rating. Choose Force 3 M for a light, bulky highway load or access from either side. Sidekick’s lighter shell does not mean it can carry the heavier load.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
A 30 lb camping load travels above 40 mph
Sidekick calls for at least 50 lb at higher speeds. Do not treat its empty weight as permission to ignore that warning.
- SportRack Sidekick
- Below manual minimum
- Thule Force 3 M
- Candidate after fit checks
The secured highway cargo weighs 60 lb
Both still need the actual vehicle and rack load calculation and verified mounting.
- SportRack Sidekick
- Within 50 to 75 lb range
- Thule Force 3 M
An 80 lb load uses a 165 lb roof and 20 lb rack
Force M remains a candidate under the stated assumptions. Use the lowest actual system rating.
- SportRack Sidekick
- Above 75 lb box cap
- Thule Force 3 M
- Within example 108 lb allowance
A wall blocks the passenger side
Dual-side access gives Force M a practical loading option that Sidekick lacks.
- SportRack Sidekick
- Move to a suitable loading position
- Thule Force 3 M
- Open from the other side
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
A 30 lb highway load favors the larger box
A bulky 30 lb camping load sits below Sidekick’s explicit 50 lb minimum for driving above 40 mph. Its small shell is therefore a poor match for that trip despite ample remaining weight capacity. Force M stays in consideration once vehicle fit, attachment and total roof load pass.
How we reached this conclusion
Assume the secured cargo weighs 30 lb and the trip exceeds 40 mph. Compare 30 with the exact SR 7020 manual’s 50 lb restriction. Do not add arbitrary ballast as a workaround.
The lighter shell still stops at the lower cargo cap
With an assumed 165 lb total roof allowance and a 20 lb rack, Sidekick leaves 125.15 lb by subtraction but its own 75 lb limit still applies. Force M leaves 108 lb. An 80 lb load can therefore eliminate Sidekick while remaining within this Force M example.
How we reached this conclusion
Sidekick: min(165 - 20 - 19.85, 75) = 75 lb. Force M: min(165 - 20 - 37, 165) = 108 lb. Use the actual lowest vehicle, rack and box ratings before loading.
A smaller shell buys roof space rather than heavier cargo
On a hypothetical 50-inch usable bar span, Sidekick leaves 25 inches beside its shell and Force M leaves 18 inches. The seven-inch difference may help a neighboring accessory. Check its clamps, lid movement and weight as a complete system, including Sidekick’s highway load requirement.
How we reached this conclusion
50 - 25 = 25 inches. 50 - 32 = 18 inches. This is a preliminary shell-width comparison, not a shared-rack compatibility approval.
Choice A
SportRack, SR7020
SportRack Sidekick
An 8 cu ft passenger-opening box weighing 19.85 lb. Its manual has a 50 lb minimum-load warning for higher-speed travel, so check that restriction before planning a light highway load.
- Best matched use
- Your compact cargo meets the manual’s highway load restriction and all roof limits.
Checked facts
- Cargo volume: 8 cu ft
- Empty box weight: 19.85 lb
- Maximum box cargo rating: 75 lb using the stricter current page
- Higher-speed load restriction: At least 50 lb for travel above 40 mph
Choice B
Thule, Force 3 M
Thule Force 3 M
The box holds 14 cubic feet. It accepts gear up to 155 centimeters long.
- Best matched use
- You want to drive on the highway with a 30 lb bulky load.
Checked facts
- Cargo volume: 14 cu ft
- Empty box weight: 37 lb
- Maximum box cargo rating: 165 lb subject to roof and rack limits
- Higher-speed load restriction: No comparable minimum identified in reviewed instructions
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | SportRack Sidekick | Thule Force 3 M | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo volume | 8 cu ft | 14 cu ft | Force M provides more room for bulky gear. |
| Empty box weight | 19.85 lb | 37 lb | The lighter shell does not override Sidekick’s lower cargo rating. |
| Maximum box cargo rating | 75 lb using the stricter current page | 165 lb subject to roof and rack limits | The lowest applicable rating controls the actual loaded system. |
| Higher-speed load restriction | At least 50 lb for travel above 40 mph | No comparable minimum identified in reviewed instructions | Sidekick’s exact manual warning matters for a light highway load. |
| External length and width | 54 x 25 in | 69 x 32 in | Sidekick occupies a shorter and narrower external footprint. |
| Loading and mounting | Passenger-side opening with U-bolts | Dual-side opening with PowerClick | Force M offers access from either side when one side is obstructed. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose SportRack Sidekick
- Passenger-side access and a 75 lb cargo cap constrain how it can be used.
If you choose Thule Force 3 M
- The greater cargo rating still cannot exceed the vehicle or rack limit.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
My highway cargo weighs only 30 lb
Choose Thule Force 3 M. Force M avoids Sidekick’s documented 50 lb minimum cargo restriction for driving above 40 mph.
My cargo weighs 80 lb and the complete system permits it
Choose Thule Force 3 M. Sidekick’s stricter 75 lb cargo cap excludes that load regardless of spare vehicle roof allowance.
My compact highway cargo is 60 lb and the narrower shell is essential
Choose SportRack Sidekick. A 60 lb load meets Sidekick’s stated 50 to 75 lb cargo window, subject to mounting and lower roof limits.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
Read the minimum load warning before choosing the small box
Sidekick’s exact SR 7020 manual has an unusual higher-speed restriction. It warns against empty travel above 40 mph and calls for at least 50 lb in the carrier for higher-speed travel. This matters for blankets, bedding or other light bulky cargo. Choose a different carrying plan when the intended load does not meet that instruction.
Calculate the complete system and then apply the box cap
Start with the lowest allowed vehicle and rack load, subtract the rack and empty box, then apply the box’s own cargo limit. Sidekick’s current page gives 75 lb even though its manual also contains a higher figure, so the stricter figure is used here. A lighter box can still have a smaller usable cargo allowance.
Check how you will load it in real parking spaces
Sidekick’s shorter footprint and passenger-side opening may suit a compact load and a known loading area. Force M offers more packing room and access from either side. Measure bar compatibility, hatch movement and overhead clearance for the actual vehicle. Neither external size alone nor a generic fit label proves the installation works.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No older Thule Sidekick hatch or mounting measurements are transferred to the current SportRack SR 7020.
- The current Sidekick page and manual disagree on maximum cargo, so the lower 75 lb limit is used.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SportRack Sidekick |
|
| |
| Thule Force 3 M |
|
|
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.
SportRack Sidekick
Your compact cargo meets the manual’s highway load restriction and all roof limits.
See price & reviews on AmazonThule Force 3 M
You want to drive on the highway with a 30 lb bulky load.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.