Show Me Your Box - the Roof Mounted Cargo Box Thread

[fr4nugen]

See my post above with my Atlantis 1600 and my two bike racks. It works well. No issues.

Are you using OEM crossbars to fit the box and two bikes?

[SoCalS4Avant]

Are you using OEM crossbars to fit the box and two bikes?

Nope. I've got Thule crossbars. You'll likely not get a bike and box on OEM bars if your box is too big - and most are.

[evo_ski]

Awesome setup.

BTW, I assume from your profile and user name that you work at Evo in Seattle? I have to say that I've scored some sweet deals there a few times. And a few weeks ago, we were gonna do our yearly trip to whistler and my wife desperately needed new boots on a shoestring budget. I did some online research and had 3 pairs store transferred from your outlet to the store so we could have her try them on as we went through Seattle... Your ski staff was very helpful and knowledgeable and my wife left there VERY happy with an amazing pair of boots for a RIDICULOUS deal. You guys totally hooked us up and it was an awesome experience...

Yep, I do work at evo. I am one of the customer service reps, so I deal with email and phone help for customers. That is nice you were able to get a sweet deal, we definitely have a lot of good closeout stuff right now.

I really like that, very very nice.. how did u blackout the rear badge.. did u have to remove it..

It is actually a set of A8 rings (slightly larger size) than the stock ones and I plasti dipped them before I put them on the car. You could probably do it while it is on the car if you used the same method that Fonzie from dipyourcar.com uses for painting his trim. I would just be slightly worried about the spots in between the rings getting painted and it being pretty tough to remove, but I am sure it is do-able.

[paulorama]

Damn, this thread makes me want to take my ski racks off and put my box back on. The only think keeping me from it is sunroof utility

[fr4nugen]

Nope. I've got Thule crossbars. You'll likely not get a bike and box on OEM bars if your box is too big - and most are.

I thought the Thule and OEM bars were the same other than the OEM are stamped Audi instead?

[tankdeer]

^ OEM bars are made by Thule. But that doesn't mean they're the same. Thule makes several different bars, in different lengths.

[fr4nugen]

^ OEM bars are made by Thule. But that doesn't mean they're the same. Thule makes several different bars, in different lengths.

Anyone running OEM bars able to fit a box and two bikes?????

[tankdeer]

Anyone running OEM bars able to fit a box and two bikes?????

It would depend on the box. I don't have any bike racks to test, but they definitely wouldn't fit with a 1600 on there. 1200 is narrower, so maybe

[trayson]

It would depend on the box. I don't have any bike racks to test, but they definitely wouldn't fit with a 1600 on there. 1200 is narrower, so maybe

I believe that the "OEM" bars that you speak of are only going from roof rail to roof rail. (same as the whisbar) Where as in contrast, my "aftermarket" thule bars have overhang past the factory rails. If you look at the pic of my box, you can see that if you had bars that ended at the roof rails, you wouldn't be able to fit a pair of bikes on there. Most boxes out there are similar in width to mine. Looking at the pic there's a *CHANCE* that one might be able to fit 1 bike and 1 box with OEM bars, but it'd be super tight and it's possible that as the box tilted that it would hit the bike...

With a narrower box (like a 1200), it might be feasible.

[fr4nugen]

I believe that the "OEM" bars that you speak of are only going from roof rail to roof rail. (same as the whisbar) Where as in contrast, my "aftermarket" thule bars have overhang past the factory rails. If you look at the pic of my box, you can see that if you had bars that ended at the roof rails, you wouldn't be able to fit a pair of bikes on there. Most boxes out there are similar in width to mine. Looking at the pic there's a *CHANCE* that one might be able to fit 1 bike and 1 box with OEM bars, but it'd be super tight and it's possible that as the box tilted that it would hit the bike...

With a narrower box (like a 1200), it might be feasible.

Thanks for the info. I can get OEM at a very good price so thought I would go that route. I guess it has to be Thule to fit a box and bikes though.

[tankdeer]

Correct, OEM bars do end at the rails. It would all depend on the size of the box you had/were getting.

[eastcoastsurfer]

I just realized I never posted in here. My setup is whispbars and a Packasport system 90.

Loving the set-up! How did you blackout the chrome piece at the base of the trunk? Been looking at doing that to color match the my blackout grill and emblem on the back!

[evo_ski]

Thanks man! I just used some matte black vinyl and wrapped it. I feel like it has probably stood up to abuse better than plasti dip. However you could definitely mask it off and plasti dip it as well.

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[PNW Avant]

Brett! I didnt know you have the votex rear wing. I just picked one up locally and it clearly needs to be modified to fit correctly. I gotta check yours out sometime soon.

[evo_ski]

Yeah for sure man let me know if you want to meet up or something. I love how it looks.

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[yourtoys7]

[kneel]

anyone have pics or experince with a thule evolution 900 series. (older style box)










like the color will match my car, but unsure of the size from the pics. Price is great from the seller. Claims four snowboards in there.

[ilko]

Mine is the evo 1600 and is the same shape but the one in your photos looks longer and narrower. It will most likely stick over the windshield.

Here's what the 1600 looks like on the car:

[kneel]

mine is a 1600 now. But looking for this one or anothr that closly matches the paint on mine.
I like the titanium color of the yakima ons but too pricey.

[dropshadow]

Anyone have any experience or opinions on the Inno line of boxes? They even show a couple of their boxes on a B7 Avant on their site: http://www.innoracks.com/product/roofbox/

I've got a chance to get a new Shadow 15 box for a little over $300, but I thought I'd check here first. I searched, and there aren't many mentions of Inno here on AZ. I like the low profile look, but I don't want to buy it if it's crappy. I probably will only use it 5-6 times per year, so it doesn't have to be bulletproof.

[kneel]

Anyone have any experience or opinions on the Inno line of boxes? They even show a couple of their boxes on a B7 Avant on their site: http://www.innoracks.com/product/roofbox/

I've got a chance to get a new Shadow 15 box for a little over $300, but I thought I'd check here first. I searched, and there aren't many mentions of Inno here on AZ. I like the low profile look, but I don't want to buy it if it's crappy. I probably will only use it 5-6 times per year, so it doesn't have to be bulletproof.

I guess it all depends on what you plan to put in there. I thought they only had the slim box. I like the 16cu one. Open both sides. Looks good to me

[a4audi4fun]

Anyone have any experience or opinions on the Inno line of boxes? They even show a couple of their boxes on a B7 Avant on their site: http://www.innoracks.com/product/roofbox/

I've got a chance to get a new Shadow 15 box for a little over $300, but I thought I'd check here first. I searched, and there aren't many mentions of Inno here on AZ. I like the low profile look, but I don't want to buy it if it's crappy. I probably will only use it 5-6 times per year, so it doesn't have to be bulletproof.

For usage 5-6 times a year, I'd say go for it. None of their range looks hugely different from many of the other boxes out there; suspect they may all be moulded by the same company anyway .

If you have a chance to see one at a local retailer in person, check the stiffness of the box material and whether the clamping mechanism makes it easy to attach/detach the box from your crossbars.

Good luck.

[trayson]

Anyone have any experience or opinions on the Inno line of boxes? They even show a couple of their boxes on a B7 Avant on their site: http://www.innoracks.com/product/roofbox/

I've got a chance to get a new Shadow 15 box for a little over $300, but I thought I'd check here first. I searched, and there aren't many mentions of Inno here on AZ. I like the low profile look, but I don't want to buy it if it's crappy. I probably will only use it 5-6 times per year, so it doesn't have to be bulletproof.

I've always found Inno products to be functional and decent, but not quite as polished as Yakima or Thule. Like going from my BMW or Audi and getting into my wife's Honda accord. I've never seen their boxes though, so accept my opinion based on my impressions of their other rack products.

For me, the ability for the Yakima boxes now to latch without having to lock is HUGE. the convenience is awesome and I love not having to fish for keys. I also adore not having to fight with my stupid thule box trying to get it latched with the key when I had the box stuffed with gear.

Looks like the Inno boxes latch like a Thule. Probably not an issue if you don't fill it to overflowing like I tend to do when I go to Whistler, LOL.

I would also be VERY interested in how they mount to the bars. the yakima skybox I have is awesome as it has basically a C shaped camlock mount that is super easy and quick to put on/off of the crossbars. My thule Evolution and North cape boxes had a "U-bolt" that cam locked, and it was good, but not quite as slick as the yakima. It looks like the newer Thule "Quickgrip" is a step up from their older u-bolt style, so the current Thule Atlantis line and similar have finally made some improvements.

Anything that doesn't camlock onto the bars will be a hassle.


But again, for a few times a year, I don't know what the price/convenience tradeoff will be for you. I'm using my box pretty much every weekend.

[trayson]

For usage 5-6 times a year, I'd say go for it. None of their range looks hugely different from many of the other boxes out there; suspect they may all be moulded by the same company anyway .

If you have a chance to see one at a local retailer in person, check the stiffness of the box material and whether the clamping mechanism makes it easy to attach/detach the box from your crossbars.

Good luck.

Agree with this. I did some research and from what I can find, the clamping mechanism is where Inno is cutting some corners. I'd be satisfied with their open/close/lock/unlock mechanism, but the clamping setup would be a bit of a hassle compared to current Yakima/Thule technology. Notice, the Inno doesn't even allow the ubolts to slide on a track, they just have multiple holes to choose from. so they aren't even up to the standards of the last generation of Thule clamping. they are more equivalent to clamping systems of boxes from 10+ years ago.

[dropshadow]

Thanks for the comments. I haven't had a chance to look at the box too closely, but the price is closer to what I'm willing to pay for something I probably won't use as often as you guys do. If I get a chance to look it over, I'll be sure to report back with my impressions, especially if I buy it.

[ilko]

My car is sold, so I would like to get rid of the Thule box. It's the Evolution 1600 and is in great shape. No scratches on the silver paint whatsoever, some scratches on the bottom of the box but they can be easily cleaned up. $375 picked up in NYC. Any takers?

This is for the box only, not the cross bars.

[kneel]

My car is sold, so I would like to get rid of the Thule box. It's the Evolution 1600 and is in great shape. No scratches on the silver paint whatsoever, some scratches on the bottom of the box but they can be easily cleaned up. $375 picked up in NYC. Any takers?

This is for the box only, not the cross bars.

sold i"ll take it!

avantneil@gmail.com

[ilko]

Email sent.

[kneel]

Email sent.

i didnt get it? avantneil@gmail.com

[ilko]

Weird! Just re-sent the email, sent you a PM as well. Thanks!

[kneel]

Weird! Just re-sent the email, sent you a PM as well. Thanks!

got it!

[BMWBig6]

Can't believe I never saw this thread before. Here is my Yakima Skybox Pro 16S on Whispbars, as featured before in my super long Whispbar review.

[kneel]

^ car/box looks amazing!

[SoCalS4Avant]

^ X2. Love the car and the box. Great combo.

[A6Avant]

^Very nice in deed!

[jumpinj]

Yakima Rocketbox 16 and 48inch crossbars. Bike carrier is the 'copperhead'

no issues opening back hatch and sat radio worked

[paulorama]

Can't believe I never saw this thread before. Here is my Yakima Skybox Pro 16S on Whispbars, as featured before in my super long Whispbar review.

Nice Box!

[BMWBig6]

Nice Box!

Cool, I like it! Is that the special silver finish that kind of resembles carbon fiber weave (or at least has a printed "high tech" pattern when you get really close)?

[BMWBig6]

^ car/box looks amazing!

^ X2. Love the car and the box. Great combo.

^Very nice in deed!

Thanks for the compliments everyone! This is now one of my favorite threads to follow, as Avants+Boxes just look proper!

[trayson]

I had a new box experience last weekend... I went to have Happy Hour with my wife at Portland City Grill in the US Bancorp Tower, and I was turned away from their parking garage because I was TOO TALL with my box on! The box hit the yellow and black striped pole and set off alarms and strobe lights. What kind of parking garage only has a 6 foot vertical clearance?!?!?! Crazy.