Main trade-off
Thule Force 3 XL
The selected version is black matte, so choose Motion if a glossy shell is your preference.
Head-to-head
Thule Force 3 XL vs XXL: XXL takes skis above 200 cm, XL keeps the shell shorter and lighter
The short answer
Choose XXL for skis over 200 cm or bulky family packing that needs its extra three cubic feet. Choose XL when its 200 cm limit covers the gear and a shorter, lighter shell suits the vehicle.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
Long skis provide a hard reason to size up
The XXL extends the stated ski limit by 15 cm.
What this is based on
215 - 200 = 15 cm. A 205 cm ski exceeds XL by 5 cm and is 10 cm below XXL maximum.
Main trade-off
Thule Force 3 XXL
A 91.4-inch shell requires a careful hatch and roof-length check.
Thule Force 3 XL
- Choose it for
- All your skis fit inside 200 cm
- You want less weight to lift onto the roof
- Main trade-off
- The selected version is black matte, so choose Motion if a glossy shell is your preference.
Thule Force 3 XXL
- Choose it for
- Your skis are between 201 and 215 cm
- You need extra room above packed luggage
- Main trade-off
- A 91.4-inch shell requires a careful hatch and roof-length check.
About this comparison
Compare Force 3 XL and XXL by long-ski fit, shell length, empty weight and usable luggage height before choosing the larger roof box.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Your skis are no longer than 200 cm and 18 cubic feet is enough
XL meets those limits in a shorter and lighter shell. XXL extends the ski limit to 215 cm and volume to 21 cubic feet.
- Thule Force 3 XL
- Better fit
- Thule Force 3 XXL
- Good
Your skis are longer than 200 cm and no longer than 215 cm
XL stops at 200 cm. XXL has the required published 215 cm maximum.
- Thule Force 3 XL
- Not suitable
- Thule Force 3 XXL
- Better fit
You want less weight to lift onto the roof
XXL weighs eight pounds more before luggage is loaded.
- Thule Force 3 XL
- Better fit
- Thule Force 3 XXL
- Good
Your skis are longer than 200 cm and no longer than 215 cm and a lower profile matters
Motion 3 XXL Low lists 13 inches of height above the bars and 215 cm ski capacity. Measure the full vehicle height before choosing it.
- Thule Force 3 XL
- Caution
- Thule Force 3 XXL
- Caution
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
Long skis provide a hard reason to size up
The XXL extends the stated ski limit by 15 cm.
How we reached this conclusion
215 - 200 = 15 cm. A 205 cm ski exceeds XL by 5 cm and is 10 cm below XXL maximum.
More volume also means a longer shell
XXL adds 16.7% nominal volume and 6.6 inches of exterior length.
How we reached this conclusion
(21 - 18) / 18 × 100 = 16.7%. 91.4 - 84.8 = 6.6 inches.
Lifting and payload change together
The XXL consumes eight additional pounds of the roof-load allowance before luggage.
How we reached this conclusion
57 - 49 = 8 pounds. With identical vehicle and rack limits, available cargo allowance falls by the same eight pounds.
Choice A
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 without folding the seats and pack for a family of four
Checked facts
- The box holds 18 cubic feet.
- It accepts gear up to 200 centimeters long.
- The documented crossbar spread runs from 21.875 to 36.625 inches.
- The box uses dualside access.
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
- Long skis and bulky family luggage on a vehicle that passes the fit guide
Checked facts
- 21 cubic feet of advertised volume
- 215 cm published maximum ski length
- 91.4 by 35.2 by 17.9 inches outside
- 57 pounds empty
- 15.6 inches of published internal height
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Thule Force 3 XL | Thule Force 3 XXL | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo volume | 18 cu ft | 21 cu ft | Compare the space needed by bags after checking their individual dimensions. |
| Maximum ski length | 200 cm | 215 cm | A ski longer than this documented limit needs a different carrier. |
| Exterior length | 84.8 in | 91.4 in | Check roof placement, hatch movement and storage space for the shell. |
| Exterior width | 34.1 in | 35.2 in | This consumes crossbar room that might otherwise hold a bike carrier. |
| Empty box weight | 49 lb | 57 lb | Subtract the shell and rack from the vehicle roof limit before allocating cargo. |
| Internal height | 14.7 in | 15.6 in | The tallest suitcase or boots must fit beneath the curved lid without forcing it closed. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Thule Force 3 XL
- The front-bar-to-hatch measurement must exceed 53 1/16 inches in the US fit chart.
If you choose Thule Force 3 XXL
- The official installed-height field conflicts with overall dimensions, so garage clearance needs a direct measurement.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
Long skis are essential and a lower installed profile matters more than tall bags
Choose neither. Motion 3 XXL Low accepts 215 cm skis with 13 inches of height above the bars.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
Long skis provide a hard reason to size up
Measure the longest pair that will travel, not only the skis you use most often. A 205 cm Nordic pair rules the XL out on published fit even if the rest of the luggage is compact. Confirm bindings and ski bags still fit within the usable interior.
More volume also means a longer shell
That longer box must clear the hatch and sit within the rack placement allowed for the vehicle. Move crossbars only when the car and rack instructions permit it. Extra cargo space has no value if it prevents access to the trunk.
Lifting and payload change together
For light sleeping bags, volume may be the binding constraint and the larger carrier is useful. For dense tools or heavy cases, a bigger shell can actually reduce the weight available for contents. Weigh the planned load instead of filling the box until it looks full.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- Cargo dimensions and manufacturer load ratings cannot predict wind noise, fuel use or how a particular bag packs around mounting hardware.
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.
Compared set
18 of 26 models checked match every need here: “Carry camping gear” and “Open it from either side”.
18 matching models from 26 checkedSee the checked facts and calculation notes
Match countThe count uses the current product-to-need assignments for “Carry camping gear” and “Open it from either side”. A need with no documented match does not count.
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thule Force 3 XL |
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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.
Thule Force 3 XL
All your skis fit inside 200 cm
See price & reviews on AmazonThule Force 3 XXL
Your skis are between 201 and 215 cm
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.