Will Roof Mounted Cargo Box Interfere With Antenna On 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee  

Question:

Expert Reply:

The best way to find a cargo box that will fit your 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee is to take a measurement. You would need to measure from the center of the front crossbar to the seam that separates the roof and the rear hatch. That is the clearance needed when determining if a cargo box will allow you to open up your rear hatch all the way without hitting the cargo box.

The Yakima SkyBox 18 Rooftop Cargo Box, part # Y07336 you referenced requires a clearance of at least 57 inches to be able to open the rear hatch. This is an 18 cubic ft cargo box and measures 92 inches long x 36 inches wide x 16 inches tall, and weighs 52 lbs. This cargo box has a dual-opening lid which allows you to open and reach your cargo from either side of the vehicle. This box also includes a locking system that keeps the cargo in the box secure and safe. I have attached a link to a product review video you can check out.

For a bit smaller cargo box you can check out the Yakima SkyBox NX 16 Rooftop Cargo Box, part # Y95AV. This 16 cubic ft cargo box requires 47 inches of clearance for the hatch to be able to open fully and has the same features the larger Skybox 18 has. This cargo box measures 75-1/2 inches long x 35 inches wide x 16 inches tall, and weighs 48 lbs.

Since there can be different styles and height antennas used on the roof of your Jeep, it would be tough to know if you would have a cargo box that would interfere with the antenna. With the crossbars raised off the roof and since many of the cargo boxes will have a tapered bottom, you may find that the cargo box will not interfere with the antenna. Since many of the antennas are flexible, some customers will let the cargo box rest on the antenna and not have a problem.

Many times, customers will install a shorter, stub antenna to use when they are planning on carrying a cargo box. You may be able to install the roof box more to one side of the roof rack to see if that would help for antenna clearance.

You will want to check your owner's manual or with your dealership to make sure you do not exceed the roof weight capacity of your vehicle. Please keep in mind that the weight of the carrier needs to be considered along with the weight of any cargo when calculating the weight you are carrying.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

0

Sue

5/30/2020

I have a 2007 Toyota Corolla. It has a 17 inch antennae at the back of the roof, in the center. I want to put a THULE SUP TAXI roof rack on the car. Is this possible with the antennae?

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Chris R.

6/3/2020

The Thule SUP Taxi # TH810001 itself won't be an issue, but I can't imagine the antenna wouldn't come into contact with the boards. With an antenna this large and right in the center, there's not really a way around this - it'll just need to bend below the boards or taken off completely.

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