Will the Thule Motion XT Alpine # # TH629506 Fit My 2016 Mazda CX-5 without Hitting My Rear Hatch?
Question:
Dear experts at e-trailer.com, I am looking for a low profile roof box solution for a 2016 Mazda CX-5 Touring with OEM raised side rails 0000-8L-R01 and OEM cross bars installed 0000-8L-R02 - so that I could still drive into the garage with the roof box installed. Clearance between the garage door and the top of the car is 16.5 inches - so I thought your Thule Motion XT - Alpine with hight of 13.25 inches would fit the bill. I like the Thule Motion XT - Alpine as it is flat but still offers 16 cubic feet of space As I estimate the above OEM raised side rails and cross bars to be about 2.75 inches above the car roof - so the combination would come to 16 inches and should fit. Also noticed that the clamps in the Thule are inset - so maybe it is not actually 13.25 inches above the top of the cross bar, but slightly less? The Thule websites indicates that the above combination of OEM cross bars and Thule Motion XT - Alpine should fit - however I would like to ask for your expert help regarding the following: This box requires a Front clearanceinch of 55, which does not seem to be available in this car. Does this mean the box will interfere with the opening of the hatch? Can it still be opened - but makes contact once fully open? Are you aware of anybody having tried this specific combination? I saw another question on your website regarding the combination of the Mazda CX5 with the Thule Motion XT -XXL - which apart from the height has the same dimensions as the Thule Motion XT - Alpine and needs the same Front clearance. Here the answer was that this combination would fit which I found very encouraging, confirmed by a contact at Thule - but I think it used different cross-rails. So my second question to you here: would I be better off using different cross-bars to make this box fit on the CX-5, while maintaining the low profile? I would prefer using the OEM cross bars - but just trying to understand if that is the limiting factor here. The hatch opening question is my main point I would like to understand so I could proceed with the purchase of this roof box from your website.
asked by: Andreas G
Expert Reply:
Fortunately, we do have a review video that shows how we measure the 13-1/4 inch height of the Thule Motion XT Alpine # TH629506. The height is measured from the bottom of the box itself (not from the bottom of the clamps that attach the the crossbars). I went ahead and attached a video that shows this height measurement at time stamp 2:12. With this measurement, you will be under the 16.5 inches that is between the garage opening and the cargo box. With this height, there is no need to switch to a lower-profile crossbar system.
As far as the fitment around the crossbars, since I don't have the specs available, one definite way to confirm if the clamps fit is by measuring the crossbars themselves. As long as the crossbars do not exceed 3-1/2 inches in width x 1-11/16 inches in height, the clamps on the Thule Motion XT Alpine will fit your crossbars.
For the rear hatch clearance on your 2016 Mazda CX-5, there are a few factors that contribute to the hatch interfering/not interfering with the hatch. The first, as you mentioned, how much length is between the center of the front crossbar and the line where the roof and hatch meet. In order to maximize that length, it is important to have your front crossbar in the maximum furthest forward position allowed on the rack. Once the crossbar is in the furthest forward position, that is the measurement that confirms whether you have at least 55 inches of available length. Unfortunately, we do not have any way of knowing if or how much interference this particular model box will have with your trunk. However, you will get a rough idea by conducting that measurement from the center of the front crossbar and the line where the trunk/hatch meet. The setup of the roof rack (naked roof, flush rails, or raised rails) as well as the year of the vehicle does affect the length available on the roof. This is most likely why the Motion XT XXL # TH629907 fits some models of CX-5s and not others.
If you find that you do not have the required 55 inches of length, a great alternative is the Inno Wedge 660 Rooftop Cargo Box - 11 cu ft - Gloss Black # INBRM660BK. The Wedge only measures 11 inches tall and only requires 49 inches from the center of the front crossbar to the line where the roof and hatch meet. As far as making sure it can attach to the crossbars, your crossbars must measure between 1 and 3-1/2 inches wide and between 3/4 and 1-3/8 inches tall.
Products Referenced in This Question
Inno Wedge 660 Rooftop Cargo Box - 11 cu ft - Gloss Black
- Roof Box
- Aero Bars
- Factory Bars
- Round Bars
- Square Bars
- Medium Length
- Low Profile
- Small Capacity
- Dual Side Access
- Black
- Inno
more information >
Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Box - 22 cu ft - Titan Glossy
- Roof Box
- Aero Bars
- Factory Bars
- Round Bars
- Square Bars
- Extra Long Length
- High Profile
- Extra Large Capacity
- Dual Side Access
- Silver
- Thule
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Thule Motion XT Alpine Rooftop Cargo Box - 16 cu ft - Black Glossy
- Roof Box
- Aero Bars
- Factory Bars
- Round Bars
- Square Bars
- Long Length
- Medium Profile
- Large Capacity
- Dual Side Access
- Black
- Thule
more information >
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