Head-to-head · Best Roof Cargo Boxes

Thule Force 3 XL vs Yakima RocketBox Pro 14

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Thule Force 3 XL comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about Buyers who want Thule's secure mount and proven weatherproof durability in a large box without paying for the Motion's premium styling. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Roof Cargo Boxes

Thule Force 3 XL

4.6

$929.95as of Jun 7

The Force 3 XL is Thule's value workhorse: the same 18 cubic feet and PowerClick mount as the pricier Motion, wrapped in a rugged AeroSkin shell built to last for years and stay dry in foul weather. The trade-off is a boxier, slightly noisier shape and plainer looks. For durability per dollar, it is the smart Thule.

Strengths

— 18 cu ft fits four pairs of skis and poles or bulky camping gear for a family of four
— Tough AeroSkin shell shrugs off years of weather and daily use
— PowerClick mount with torque indicator and SlideLock auto-locking lid, like the Motion

Watch-outs

— Boxier, less aerodynamic shape than the Motion can add wind noise
— 165 lb load and 18 cu ft match rivals, so it wins on value not capacity
— Long 84.8-inch body crowds shorter roofs and can block a hatch

$929.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Roof Cargo Boxes

Yakima RocketBox Pro 14

4.3

$599

The RocketBox Pro 14 is the budget all-rounder: 14 cubic feet, DualSide opening, tool-free clamps, and the lowest weight here, for hundreds less than the big boxes. It is the smallest in this lineup and uses an older shell, but for two or three travelers who want a quiet, easy box without overspending, it is the value champion.

Strengths

— Lowest price here while keeping premium features like DualSide opening
— 14 cu ft covers the gear needs of two to three people for a trip
— Quiet at speed with users reporting only about 1 mpg fuel penalty

Watch-outs

— 14 cu ft is the smallest capacity here, tight for a family of four
— Older shell design lacks the stiff multi-rib lids of the NX boxes
— Tall but narrow shape limits how wide individual items can be

$599 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Thule Force 3 XL

Shares the Thule Motion 3 XL's 18 cu ft and PowerClick mount for less money, trading the Motion's aerodynamic shell for a tougher, boxier one. It costs about $80 more than the Yakima SkyBox NX XL but matches its volume, and it is far larger than the budget Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 and the low-profile INNO Wedge 660.

Yakima RocketBox Pro 14

The budget pick here at 14 cu ft, holding far less than the 18 cu ft Thule Motion 3 XL, Yakima SkyBox NX XL, and Thule Force 3 XL, though it is taller and roomier than the low-profile INNO Wedge 660. It keeps premium features like DualSide opening while undercutting all of them on price and weight.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Thule Force 3 XL	Yakima RocketBox Pro 14
Capacity	18 cu ft (~500 L)	14 cu ft (~396 L)
External Dimensions	84.8 x 34.1 x 16.9 in	74 x 33 x 16 in
Internal Dimensions	81.5 x 29.5 x 14.7 in	—
Weight	49 lb	40 lb
Mount Type	PowerClick quick-mount	Universal clamp (StreamLine compatible)
Max Load	165 lb	—
Shell	AeroSkin	—
Opening	DualSide	DualSide
Crossbar Spread	—	24-40 in
Locks	—	SKS included
Capacity (people)	—	2-3 travelers

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