Thule force xxLvs Yakima skybox21

Both have 21 cu ft capacity.
Both are same price.

I suppose it comes down to:

-clamps. Which is easiest?
-which lid is most stable?

Anyone have experience with both?

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Posted by DLauw

SWLA

Member since Sep 2011

6086 posts

Posted on 9/10/15 at 4:49 am to dstone12

I don't own a cargo box but I can say with almost certainty that either are a good choice. Both companies make great, long lasting,durable products. I'm a Yakima devotee and it started with my bike rack and bike cable then my bars and basket then my kayak carrier then my paddle board carrier. One of the features that sold me that Thule didn't offer at the time (they may offer it now) was the available lock cylinders. All of the lockable products listed above are all keyed the same and I have extras if I add to the lineup in the future.

This post probably didn't help make your decision easier but I thought I'd share anyway.

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Posted by dstone12

Texan

Member since Jan 2007

30354 posts

Posted on 9/11/15 at 8:04 pm to DLauw

Do you have a preference on the bar clamps?

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Posted by WMTigerFAN

Ouachita

Member since Feb 2005

4476 posts

Posted on 9/12/15 at 8:39 am to dstone12

I have the Yakima in a 16 I believe and it has been rock solid through rain and shine. Clamps are not cheap feeling, easy to adjust and never leave you wondering if you are about to lose your stuff. Get in from either side. Use it for ball equipment atop a Subaru Outback.

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Posted by thesoccerfanjax

Member since Nov 2013

6128 posts

Posted on 9/12/15 at 10:54 am to dstone12

Thule has higher quality hardware and their products go through way more rigorous testing and perform better in crash testing. Both are fine, but Thule is better IMO. And Thule makes a lot of stuff in the US, but not sure about the roof top boxes.

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Posted by LSUMurse

Metairie, LA

Member since May 2008

352 posts

Posted on 9/12/15 at 11:52 pm to dstone12

I bought a Yakima box for my folks this summer and was very pleased. we had zero problems. It's easy to get in and out of from both sides. The clamps to the crossbars are solid and easy to adjust.

I have no experience with Thule.

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Posted by specksondeck

BR/Metry

Member since Jul 2015

18 posts

Posted on 9/14/15 at 12:09 pm to dstone12

I've never owned either but installed both and have plenty of experience with both companies. The skybox might be just a little bit taller if that factors factors in for anything. As a whole I like Thule better for the price. Great company and great customer service as well as retail support, and to me the Thule lids and clamps feel more sturdy. That being said both can be installed in 5-10 minutes and after about 20 over three years I haven't heard anything bad about either brand's boxes. Let me know if you have any other questions.

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