In years of driving, I've never not seen any bounce in the modern boxes like Yakimas and such. This is the reason I would never buy one. Strangely, the old Sears S-Cargo ones almost never seemed to move.
Normal for some cargo roof box bounce while driving?
Hi all,
I just installed a Yakima skybox 21 and installed it more towards the back of the car as recommended by another forum. Cross bars are pretty far apart (the rear one as far back and the front one where the seam between the moonroof panels are).
I drove home with the cargo box empty, and noticed some bounce from the box while driving. It’s locked down tight. Is this normal for the cargo box to bounce a bit?
thanks
I just installed a Yakima skybox 21 and installed it more towards the back of the car as recommended by another forum. Cross bars are pretty far apart (the rear one as far back and the front one where the seam between the moonroof panels are).
I drove home with the cargo box empty, and noticed some bounce from the box while driving. It’s locked down tight. Is this normal for the cargo box to bounce a bit?
thanks
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I’ve seen some on some cars that have a little bit more flex in their crossbars. I’ve been running the jetstreams from Yakima with a Thule box and it doesn’t bounce watching it through the sunroof. We’ve ran the same Thule box on round Yakima bars without issue on a 2010 Honda Pilot. Before that a long Yakima box on round yakima crossbars, no problems on an Xterra.
i see. So it is normal to have some sort of bounce. I’ll see how it is with more weight in it. ThanksIn years of driving, I've never not seen any bounce in the modern boxes like Yakimas and such. This is the reason I would never buy one. Strangely, the old Sears S-Cargo ones almost never seemed to move.
Thanks. I have OEM bars pretty far apart. I guess I can move them farther if needed. I notice the nose is angle a bit higher, but I’m not sure I can remedy that part. Here’s a pic for reference. Does it look installed ok? Maybe because there was nothing in it the wind was bouncing it? Should I move the bars even farther?I’ve seen some on some cars that have a little bit more flex in their crossbars. I’ve been running the jetstreams from Yakima with a Thule box and it doesn’t bounce watching it through the sunroof. We’ve ran the same Thule box on round Yakima bars without issue on a 2010 Honda Pilot. Before that a long Yakima box on round yakima crossbars, no problems on an Xterra.
thanks
Positioning looks fine. You are right, the roof is higher upfront and slopes down in the rear, you won’t be able to change that. You could maybe go as far back as you can with the box, so that your windshield blows the air over the box. But your box is pretty big and again the further the box sits the front angles up. I would see how it goes when the weight is in it. If that doesn’t solve it, see how much flex you get in the crossbars.Thanks. I have OEM bars pretty far apart. I guess I can move them farther if needed. I notice the nose is angle a bit higher, but I’m not sure I can remedy that part. Here’s a pic for reference. Does it look installed ok? Maybe because there was nothing in it the wind was bouncing it? Should I move the bars even farther?
thanks View attachment 20534
View attachment 20535
thanks. Is there any detriment to driving with a little bounce in the box? Or is it more just an annoying thing?Positioning looks fine. You are right, the roof is higher upfront and slopes down in the rear, you won’t be able to change that. You could maybe go as far back as you can with the box, so that your windshield blows the air over the box. But your box is pretty big and again the further the box sits the front angles up. I would see how it goes when the weight is in it. If that doesn’t solve it, see how much flex you get in the crossbars.
A little is fine, if you didn’t have a sunroof, unless someone told you, you wouldn’t know. I’ve seen some on other vehicles that bounce so bad that I make sure I stay way clear of them.thanks. Is there any detriment to driving with a little bounce in the box? Or is it more just an annoying thing?
the skybox 21 is pretty light and pretty thin material wise. when empty it will surely "flex" while driving but I have never seen it "bounce". I run yakima aerobars and the box is the furthest back possible while not interfering with an open liftgate. Granted I only run with the box on for camping trips or the skiing season, so it's not a full time home up there. It's nothing to worry about IMO, but if it bothers you, keep some weight in there.
Thanks. I actually ran with it empty bc I just picked it up from someone. I’ll update when I load stuff in there. So to my understanding, run it as far as back as possible, and have the crossbars as far apart as possible also?the skybox 21 is pretty light and pretty thin material wise. when empty it will surely "flex" while driving but I have never seen it "bounce". I run yakima aerobars and the box is the furthest back possible while not interfering with an open liftgate. Granted I only run with the box on for camping trips or the skiing season, so it's not a full time home up there. It's nothing to worry about IMO, but if it bothers you, keep some weight in there.
I have a Thule Alpine box, so it is long but not as tall.
When empty it rattles and flexes a bit. However, when loaded up it settles down.
These boxes are pretty thin and light material. That has its upsides and downsides.
Mine is also back as far as possible, and I placed the rails in the middle of the boxes slots, which I think helps distribute the weight pretty well.
I think I can put mine a little further back too, but it's been good where it's at. My box is a Thule Ascent (yes- I guess it was meant to be, we bought it in 2010). I had to move the rear crossbar a little further forward because a bike tray's rear wheel holder wasn't working with the position of the crossbar.
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That hitch mounted bike rack is CRAZY!!I think I can put mine a little further back too, but it's been good where it's at. My box is a Thule Ascent (yes- I guess it was meant to be, we bought it in 2010). I had to move the rear crossbar a little further forward because a bike tray's rear wheel holder wasn't working with the position of the crossbar. View attachment 20537
Never seen one like that . What's the make?
Yakima Holdup with the Holdup +2 to make it a four bike carrier.That hitch mounted bike rack is CRAZY!!
Never seen one like that . What's the make?
I set my bars as you describe them to get the box as far back as possible. I've also noticed some flex and wiggle in the box when it's empty, but I attribute that to the material the box is made of. IMO it's not an issue, I know it's not going anywhere.Hi all,
I just installed a Yakima skybox 21 and installed it more towards the back of the car as recommended by another forum. Cross bars are pretty far apart (the rear one as far back and the front one where the seam between the moonroof panels are).
I drove home with the cargo box empty, and noticed some bounce from the box while driving. It’s locked down tight. Is this normal for the cargo box to bounce a bit?
thanks
Thx!Yakima Holdup with the Holdup +2 to make it a four bike carrier.
Maybe you should consider a small trailer?I think I can put mine a little further back too, but it's been good where it's at. My box is a Thule Ascent (yes- I guess it was meant to be, we bought it in 2010). I had to move the rear crossbar a little further forward because a bike tray's rear wheel holder wasn't working with the position of the crossbar. View attachment 20537
When the bounce really matters is when the box is loaded with contents. The downward motion of the box plus contents puts max strain on your crossbars.
Take this for what it’s worth from a guy who has had the same Yakima Skybox on a 2013-2019-now 2021 Outback. The box look real purty centered exactly on the crossbars, but that is where you will get maximum flex. It’s much stronger to have the box as far left or right, driver or passenger side, so that one side of the box is weighing on the strongest part of the crossbars, the anchor spot.
I like to have my box as far to the passenger side as possible for a few reasons. ONE the weight of the box plus contents on the passenger side is balanced somewhat by my 250 lbs on the drivers side when I’m in the car by myself. TWO and even better, the box shoved to the passenger side leaves much more available crossbar for other things like strapping say, a pole saw, or a tent, on the drivers side of the bars. And THREE now this may not apply to the Ascent, but on my Outback, if I have the box centered, I need a stool to access either side of the box. With it shoved to the passenger side, I can access most contents of the box flatfooted on the passenger side. Only needing a stool to access stuff that has drifted to the drivers side of the box.
Anyway, that’s my experience hope you enjoy your Yakima. You may know already, but you can change your locks to be the same as other Yakima products like Bike racks, etc so one key will service both. REI is one good source for Yakima stuff.
Take this for what it’s worth from a guy who has had the same Yakima Skybox on a 2013-2019-now 2021 Outback. The box look real purty centered exactly on the crossbars, but that is where you will get maximum flex. It’s much stronger to have the box as far left or right, driver or passenger side, so that one side of the box is weighing on the strongest part of the crossbars, the anchor spot.
I like to have my box as far to the passenger side as possible for a few reasons. ONE the weight of the box plus contents on the passenger side is balanced somewhat by my 250 lbs on the drivers side when I’m in the car by myself. TWO and even better, the box shoved to the passenger side leaves much more available crossbar for other things like strapping say, a pole saw, or a tent, on the drivers side of the bars. And THREE now this may not apply to the Ascent, but on my Outback, if I have the box centered, I need a stool to access either side of the box. With it shoved to the passenger side, I can access most contents of the box flatfooted on the passenger side. Only needing a stool to access stuff that has drifted to the drivers side of the box.
Anyway, that’s my experience hope you enjoy your Yakima. You may know already, but you can change your locks to be the same as other Yakima products like Bike racks, etc so one key will service both. REI is one good source for Yakima stuff.
I would have to figure out where to store a trailer. The thought did cross our minds, always could use extra storage space.Maybe you should consider a small trailer?
I noticed a tiny bit of bounce in my Thule box. wondering if this was normal, I began to pay attention to other cars with boxes. Looking closer, I noticed the same movement on just about every box I’ve seen on the road. So I assume it’s normal.
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