The Roof Box Size Guide, crafted by our expert team, offers concise recommendations to help you choose the ideal roof box dimensions for your needs, ensuring optimal storage and aerodynamics during your travels.
Roof Box Size Guide
While choosing a roof cargo box, you always have to make sure that it comes with enough storage space that you need and that it is compatible with your car and as well as your roof rack.
You have to consider all the factors, including the cubic feet of the roof box or how wide and tall it is so that you can make the right decision. You can take the help of a cargo box size guide so that you can understand the various sizes and factors, and then you will be able to make the right decision for you.
In this article, you will find a guide about roof cargo boxes. You will also find our favorite boxes in sizes to make sure that you understand the various sizes and factors and make the right decision for you by considering all of them.
At first, you should consider the length and width of the roof box. You should know that an extra inch length or an extra inch height does not provide so much storage space. So you will be able to store almost the same amount of cargo in the roof cargo box.
By considering the length and width of the roof box you are willing to buy, you will be able to make sure that it will not cause any problem in opening the rear hatch of your car or seeing out of the front windshield.
Here’s our Roof Box Size guide:
1. Choosing a Half-Width Roof Cargo Box
We Selected: Thule 682 SideKick Cargo Box
- Compact roofbox, ideal for small loads such as camping gear or golf clubs
- Sturdy U-bolts with reinforcement plates and adjustable brackets provide a secure fit to rack
- Compact design leaves room for other roof mounted accessories
- Passenger side opening for easier loading and unloading
- External Dimensions: 54 x 25 x 15.5 in
- Internal Dimensions: 48 x 23 x 13.5 in
- Load Capacity: 75 pounds
- Volume: 8 cu ft. of storage space
- Product weight: 16 pounds
If you are looking for a roof cargo box so that you can have some extra space on your roof rack after installing a roof cargo box, then this roof cargo box will be a great option for you.
This roof cargo box comes with a narrower design. This Thule cargo box is only 25 inches wide. It is one of the skinnier models available on the market. So while installing this roof box, you do not have to keep it in the middle of your roof rack. You will be able to attach it on one side, and there will be a good amount of space to attach other items to the roof rack securely. It really comes with the great build quality, but if you have a large family and you are looking for something to carry all the items of your family hen this roof box may not be large enough for you.
This Thule cargo box will provide you with a lot of great features. It comes with a U bolt mounting system so that you can install it with more security. It also has two included locks, so there is nothing to worry about your items getting snatched from your roof box. Moreover, you will be able to store it in a small space in your garage while it is not in use.
A usual half-width cargo box comes with the following specification:
- Capacity: 220 liters or 7 cubic feet
- Dimensions : 137 x 64 x 39 cm or 54 x 25 x 15 inches
- Weight (lbs) : 16 lbs
- Weight (kg) : 7.2 kg
2. Choosing a Wide Roof Cargo Box
We Selected: JEGS Performance Products 90098 Rooftop Cargo Carrier
- Secure & protect your gear in this 18 cubic ft. HDPE plastic hard shell vehicle cargo carrier; high-capacity interior dimensions 57 L x 38 1/2 W x 17 3/4 H inches; aerodynamic design for fuel efficiency
- Weatherproof storage for your luggage with a four corner locking system, front latch, and weather-tight seal for ultimate car rooftop protection and security
- Easy & convenient loading and unloading from either side of the car make for smooth travel and hassle-free storage
- No tools required, easy assembly and installation. All mounting hardware and simple instructions are included to get you safely on the road quickly
- Made in USA, limited lifetime guarantee. The JEGS car top carrier’s high-quality construction and performance give you peace of mind
- Holds 3 golf bags
This roof cargo box is 39 inches wide, so you will not be able to attach anything else to your roof rack after installing this cargo carrier.
This type of carrier will provide you with a lot of storage space, including enough security for your items inside the cargo box. So you will be able to carry all your items easily without worrying about damaging anything.
This roof cargo box comes with 18 cubic feet of storage space. So if you are looking for something to carry all your family’s items with enough security, you should check out this one. This cargo box has enough room for all your belongings. It would be best if you read till the end of this roof box size guide so that you can make the right decision for yourself and your family.
Though this roof box is much larger than a half-width roof box, it can still be installed easily on top of your car. Moreover, the installation process does not require any tools. This roof cargo box only weighs 28 lbs. So anyone will be able to lift this cargo box very easily and install them without facing any problem.
A usual wide width roof box comes with the following specification:
- Capacity: 510 liters or 18 cubic feet
- Dimensions : 144 x 99 x 48 cm or 57 x 39 x 19 inches
- Weight (lbs) : 28 lbs
- Weight (kg) : 12 kg
3. Choose a Short Roof Cargo Box
We selected: SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box
- 18 cubic foot (510 L) internal cargo capacity
- Made from durable UV-resistant ABS material
- Rear opening for easy access away from traffic
- Tool-free mounting hardware for easy installation and removal
- Includes key and lock to secure contents in the box, and the box to your rack
- Fits SportRack Rack Systems, square bars, round bars and most factory racks (check fit guide)
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 63 x 38 x 19 in / 160 x 96.5 x 48 cm
- Min-Max Crossbars Spacing: 23 5/8 - 29 3/4 in (60 - 75.5 cm)
- Max Weight Capacity: 100 pounds (45 kg)
You will need to take into consideration the size and style of your car and the length of the roof cargo box as well. So that you do not face any problems while driving the car or the cargo box, and do not make any problem in your vision through the windshield.
There are available roof cargo boxes for shorter cars as well, but you have to choose the right size so that it does not make any difficulty in driving the car.
If you buy a roof cargo box that is too long for your car, then you might not be able to open the rear hatch door of your car fully. It can also interrupt your vision through the front windshield.
The SportRack Vista XL Roof The Cargo Carrier is 62.8 inches long only. Though this roof cargo box is much shorter than others on the market, it still comes with enough space for all your belongings. You can easily install it on top of a shorter car without facing any problems.
When you are looking for a short roof cargo box, you should know that these cargo boxes are short, but they are tall enough to provide you with enough storage space. The design of the cargo box can affect aerodynamics, so you have to consider all dimensions while you are actually looking for a shorter roof cargo box.
A usual short-width roof box comes with the following specification:
- Capacity (liter) : 100 pounds
- Capacity (cubic feet): 18 cubic feet
- Dimensions : 19 x 63 x 38 inches
- Weight : 28 lbs or 12 kg
4. Choose a Long Roof Cargo Box
We selected: Yakima Skybox Carbonite Cargo Box.
- Fit more friends: Add more cargo space so you can bring more friends; SkyBox 21 fits gear for up to 5 people and is roomy enough for skis and snowboards up to 215 cm.
- Less noise, more room: The tapered, aerodynamic design with textured lid (made from up to 80% recycled material!) reduces drag, wind noise and hatch interference.
- Accessible & easy: Internal lid stiffeners add durability and make it easy to open and close; Dual-sided opening allows you to access your gear from either side of your vehicle.
- Keeps gear safe: Our SuperLatch secures the lid to the base, keeping your gear safe and sound; Includes SKS (Same Key System) Locks for extra peace of mind.
- Works with most racks: Fits YAKIMA round, square, factory and aerodynamic bars; Requires a crossbar spread between 24 in and 42 in; Tool-free installation with no assembly required.
This roof cargo box from Yakima is a great option for Longer vehicles. There are a lot of long roof cargo boxes available on the market. So you can easily choose the one that satisfies your needs according to your budget.
Longer roof cargo boxes will provide you with a lot of storage space. You can even transport skis, snowboards, or fishing rods with it. You do not have to worry about accidentally damaging anything. If you are looking for a roof cargo box to carry any sports equipment, you have to make sure that the cargo box you are willing to buy has enough storage space to accommodate the sports gear you want to carry.
This roof cargo box can accommodate skis and snowboards up to 72 inches long. It also comes with a very sleek and aerodynamic design. So it will not decrease your gas mileage that much.
This Yakima roof cargo box is made out of 80% recycled material. It comes with internal lid stiffeners, so the lid will not bend or become warped when you open and close the cargo box, which is an important feature for longer roof cargo boxes.
A usual long roof box comes with the following specification
- Capacity: 510 liters or 18 cubic feet
- Dimensions: 252 x 92 x 41 cm or 92 x 36 x 16 inches
- Weight : 52 lbs or 24 kg
5. Choose a Small Capacity Roof Cargo Box
We selected: JEGS 90097 Rooftop Cargo Carrier.
- Secure & protect your gear in this 10 cubic ft. HDPE plastic hard shell vehicle cargo carrier; high-capacity interior dimensions 46 1/2 L x 30 1/2 W x 17 1/2 H inches; aerodynamic design for fuel efficiency
- Weatherproof storage for your luggage with a four corner locking system, front latch, and weather-tight seal for ultimate car rooftop protection and security
- Easy & convenient loading and unloading from either side of the car make for smooth travel and hassle-free storage
- No tools required, easy assembly and installation. All mounting hardware and simple instructions are included to get you safely on the road quickly
- Made in USA, limited lifetime guarantee. The JEGS car top carrier’s high-quality construction and performance give you peace of mind
If you are looking for a roof cargo box to carry only a few items, you should choose a smaller one. These cargo boxes are less expensive, lighter in weight, and very easy to install and remove than a large roof cargo box. These cargo boxes are easier to store also when not in use.
This roof cargo box comes with nine cubic feet of internal storage space. So it is a great option for carrying extra clothing, toys, or gear that won’t fit in the car.
This type of roof cargo box is a suitable option for smaller families. The JEGS 90097 Rooftop Cargo Carrier weighs 21 lbs only. So anyone can easily lift this cargo box and install them on top of their car. It is very easy to remove as well.
When you are specifically looking for a very small roof box, you have to make sure that the cargo box you want to buy is compatible with the roof rack of your car. You should check both the internal and external dimensions so that you do not face any problems in fitting this cargo carrier on top of your car.
A usual small capacity roof cargo box comes with the following specification
- Capacity: 255 liters or nine cubic feet
- Dimensions : 120 x 69 x 43 cm or 47 x 27 x 17 inches
- Weight : 21 lbs or 10 kg
6. Choose a Large Capacity Roof Cargo Box
We selected the Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier
- Oversized roof-mounted cargo box provides 22 cubic feet of additional packing space.Height off crossbar : 17 in
- Designed for optimal space efficiency, aerodynamics, and vehicle fit
- Quick-mount system "clicks" when roof box is secure and properly mounted
- Dual-side opening for quick access from either side of the car
- Easy to open and close with grip-friendly handles and supporting lid-lifters
- Full trunk access and no roof box contact
- Lid automatically locks in place and indicates a secure closure (One Key System compatible)
- Fits 5-7 pairs of skis / 3-5 snowboards
- External dimensions: 91.5 x 37.5 x 18 inches; Internal dimensions: 84.5 x 33 x 16 inches
- Load capacity: 165 lbs; Product Weight: 55 lbs
This roof cargo box from Thule is XX-Large, and it can provide you with 22 cubic feet of storage space. While providing you with this much storage space, this roof cargo box also comes with an aerodynamic design. So you do not have to worry about your gas mileage being affected negatively.
Though it is a larger-sized roof cargo box, it is designed with many safety features so that you do not face any problems while using it, and all of your items inside the cargo box will be safe and far from any kind of damage. It also comes with a slide lock system that has separate opening and locking functions on it. So you never have to worry about the security of your items inside the roof cargo box.
This type of large roof cargo box comes with the possibility of making problems in opening the hatch door of your car, but this cargo box from Thule is designed to sit in a forward position on the roof of your car so that you do not face this type of problem. All you have to do is make sure that the forward position of this cargo box will not cause any problems for your driving so that you can be safe on the road.
A usual large-capacity roof cargo box comes with the following specification
- Capacity: 623 liters or 22 cubic feet.
- Dimensions : 234 x 97 x 46 cm 92 x 38 x 18 inches.
- Weight (lbs) : 55 lbs or 25 kg.
Conclusion
We hope that this roof box size guide will help you to make the right decision for you and your family. You can easily choose from some of the best quality roof cargo boxes.
You should consider the relationship between the internal capacity, width, and length of your new roof cargo box before you make any purchase so that you do not have to regret your decision.
You should consider the size of your roof cargo box very carefully. Then you have to consider the style and appearance so that you do not face any problems after buying.
-our editorial board has reviewed this article and has been approved for publication according to our editorial policy.
Last Update : 2024-06-27
