Just looking for people with experience with cargo boxes. I've done the searches. Now I looking for the latest opinions. I have a Yakima rack and I'm looking for a Yakima or Thule box to go on top. I've narrowed it down to a Thule Cascade XT 1500 or some such box. Not too big, not too expensive, opens on both sides, short enough not to hang over the windshield, not too heavy. Those are my main reasons. I'd like to hear others' opinions and experiences. I will be trying to keep the weight down on top. Thanks for the help. Steve

I have used a Karrite box with a 14 cu ft capacity for the past 3 winters. It is shorter than the length of the E's roof but has lots capacity for several snowboards/pairs of skis and other gear. The wedge shape is also fairly aerodynamic although not nearly as much as the new Thule and Yakima boxes. It was also quite a bit cheaper however.

What do you plan to use a cargo box for? There are lots of shapes and capacities out there.

The box will hold my gore-tex fishing waders, neoprene socks, wading boots, dirty clothes--all the things that smell up my car during 8 weeks on the road during the summer. Plus, some books and maybe a sleeping bag. I will also use it for nonessentials. I hope to only keep food, clothes, toiletries and small fishing gear in the E. Hopefully, most of that will be swallowed by the storage under my sleeping platform. I actually don't know if I'll fill more the 15 cu. ft. I like the build materials, easy mount and dual side opening features. But maybe I don't really need that. I'm 6'2" so I think I could get into the right box from both sides. Sounds convenient.

It sounds like the 15 cu ft model should be fine for you given most of the stuff you will be packing is "deformable" and light. Those boxes have an amazing capacity. I have put a rubber liner in mine to stop the rattles as well as tie down straps to keep stuff from shifting on rough roads. I like the latch mechanism on the newer boxes -they can be conveniently opened with one hand unlike mine.

I don't know about the dual side opening system. Even with your height you may find it more convenient to mount the box towards the passenger side of the rack -it is easier to reach to the back of the box that way (I'm only 5' 10" however). It also frees up one side of your rack for other things.

Post some pics after you make your purchase!

I wonder how hot it gets inside a cargo box during the summer. I know some things like the waterproofing on tents can get damaged if stored wet in warm conditions. But if the gear has a chance to air out periodically, storage in warm box might not be a problem.

paulj

I've often wondered about all those black cargo boxes sitting for hours in the sun. You'd think everything inside would fry. The top of the line boxes are silver and cost $50-75 more. They should be cooler. Do cargo boxes have any ventilation? My wading boots and socks get skanky if they don't get dried quick enough. I

The only ventilation in my low end Sidekick would come from the unused mounting holes. Ones I've looked at in the stores don't have any ventilation to speak of. They aren't air tight, so there is no problem with pressure changes as they heat up or cool down, but I don't expect the air circulate much either.

A lighter color should help reduce heat buildup, though probably not eliminate it. At highway speeds the air flow probably keeps the box at the air temperature. It's when parked that the box could heat up most.

The boating gear that I'd be most careful about is anything with latex seals, such as a dry suit. I wonder if there is a boating forum where they'd have more experience with this kind of thing.

paulj

I have a thule evolution 1600 silver box on my E. It seems ideal because it's wider & shorter than the next size smaller box (long & narrow 1200 I think). It does get a bit bouncy if you put heavy stuff up there & don't balance it correctly. By that, I mean that when I loaded heavy stuff in the front of the box, I could hear some squeaks coming from the rack on bouncy roads.

I was under the impression that the cascade opened on one side only, but I could be wrong. I think REI has 20% off on thule boxes right now.

Great pic. That set up looks great. I think the XT is a new line for '05 that upgrades the Cascade line to closer to the Evolution line. I prefer the shorter, wider boxes with no over hang. I need to check out the Karrite, also.

I have the same box as MrSilly and I love it. I was just in REI today (got stranded by the blizzard in Denver, so at least I got to go to REI) and they did have 20% off on Thule and Yakima.

http://www.missouri.edu/~ejc764/Katy/Thulebox.jpg

the cascade 15 is a great cargo box, in the truest sense of the word, if you don't want to carry long loads, like skis. around here, most people want to be able to carry some skis, which makes the evo1600 a better choice, because it will hold a ski up to 187cm, which is longer than any alpine ski now.

you are right, the xt version of hte cascades has dual sided opening capability which is excellent. i use an evo1600 on my e and love it centered. it's easy enough to access, i'm only 5'10". this is why the cargo doors on the element are so useful. you have a great place to climb up and stay balanced while loading.

the cascade 15 is a great box...if you check out rei's box sale, make sure you get the xt model, or you won't be getting the dual sided opening.

Thanks guys. That's what I was waiting to hear. All good experiences with Thule, it sounds like. When I drove down to Florida a month ago I couldn't believe how many Thule boxes I saw. They had to outnumber Yakima 5-1. It wasn't even close. I was surprised because I didn't think there was that much of a difference between them. I'll be going down to REI tomorrow to buy a Cascade XT 1500. Did you guys throw it inside to take home or hook it up in the parking lot?

Before you buy the cascade, look closely at the quick mounting/dismounting feature of the evolution. It's a 2-minute deal getting the box on, off, or making adjustments. That alone was worth the extra $$ IMO.

I installed my Thule Evolution right in the parking lot, it took less than five minutes.

Thanks for the word on the quick mount system. That was definetly something I was taking into consideration. Apparently, the XT has the mounting system of the Evolution, as well as the dual side opening. I'm not sure, but the only difference may be the material or color.