Roof Rack and Cargo Box for Mid Length Skis on a 2018 Acura RDX

Question:

Hi, I am possibly looking to install a cargo box on an acura, I was thinking Thule Alpine, but it appears too long for the vehicle based on the video you guys have on the site. Is there a cargo box I have a naked roof, so I need all the bars etc, which can host skis I guess 74 inch and up, my skis are 163 cm, which would install onto a car and not block the hatch?

asked by: Vadim

Expert Reply:

You've got a lot of great options for your 2018 Acura RDX. With the vehicle being so new, there's fits being added for the vehicle all the time.

Normally, you'd need to take a clearance measurement to fit the box. You'd do this by measuring from the center of the front crossbar to the line where the hatch meets the roof. Any box you pick will need to have a minimum clearance of less than this number to fit to your vehicle.

Without a roof rack, however, this is a little difficult to do. Yakima is one of the few brands that has already listed a fit for your vehicle, including cargo boxes, and I strongly recommend them as it is because of the durability and quality of their products. One of the best features of Yakima kits is the ability to customize the tilt and angle of your roof rack to the vehicle, giving you a quieter ride.

I recommend Yakima's BaseLine JetStream kit for your 2018 Acura RDX, consisting of:

Yakima JetStream Crossbars, 60 inches, part # Y00426
Yakima BaseLine Towers, part # Y28TR
Yakima BaseClip Fit Kit for Front, part # Y06148
Yakima BaseClip Fit Kit for Rear, part # Y06105

Be sure to purchase both part # Y06148 and part # Y06105 as they are different fit kits that are assigned to the front and rear bar of the vehicle.

Yakima lists the clearance of your vehicle as 64 inches from the front bar to the hatch line, so you've got a lot of room to work with.

Yakima is a sport-centered brand, and they have a multiple options that fit what you're looking to do. Their SkyBox and RocketBox lines feature a similar base group of features, such as dual side access, integrated keyed alike locks and an easy to use mounting system.

The Skybox NX 16, part # Y95AV, can fit your ski. They hold skis up to 175 cm. The box is great for cargo and trips.

I've included a link to our video review of the crossbars on the smaller 2016 Acura MDX so you can see what the installation process looks like of these bars. Notably, they use the CoreBar variation of the Yakima Aero style, and the JetStreams will not have the round bracket attachment.