Premium Roof Box Option for a 2018 Toyota Highlander with Factory Roof Racks.

Question:

Looking for a high quality roof top cargo box for a 2018 Toyota Highlander. Need 10 to 18 cu ft of space. Factory installed crossbars. Prefer minimal wind noise too.

asked by: Earl N

Expert Reply:

You'll want to take two measurements prior to purchasing a roof box, as the fit is somewhat unique to each vehicle.

To get your available clearance, you'll want to measure from the center of the front crossbar to the line where your roof meets your rear hatch. This distance is your available clearance.

The second measurement is the distance from the center of the front bar to the center of the rear bar. This distance is your Crossbar Spread and is the distance that you'll want to make sure that the box is able to fit prior to purchasing.

On most boxes, these measurements are listed in the detailed item description, for easy reference.

A great, premium box designed for minimal wind resistance and loaded with helpful features is the Thule Motion XT, part # TH629706. This box's striking style and additional features make it a premium box worth the price tag. With 16 cubic foot of storage available, and an internal lock, you can carry a wide range of items in the box.

The Motion XT requires a crossbar spread between 23-5/8 and 36-7/8 inches, and a minimum of 47-1/2 inches of clearance to install properly.

Another great premium box is the Yakima SkyBox NX 18, part # Y45AV. This box offers 18 cubic feet of storage, a more subtle carbon fiber look to its finish and easy to use clamps for quick installation. The Skybox also includes integrated safety locks that require the lid be closed fully before being able to remove the key.

The SkyBox 18 requires a crossbar spread of 24-42 inches and a rear clearance of 50 inches to install properly.