Rooftop Cargo Box for 2014 Subaru Crosstrek for Maximum Garage Clearance

Updated 08/21/2017 | Published 08/18/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Yakima SkyBox NX 16 Rooftop Cargo Box - 16 cu ft - Black Nano-Texture

(26)

$775.15

Telesteps Folding Step Stool - Aluminum - 300 lbs

(5)

$37.16

Thule Pulse Alpine Rooftop Cargo Box - 11 Cu Ft - Matte Black

(33)

$694.93

Question:

Do you have recommendations for roofboxes for a 2014 crosstrek factory crossbars optimizing for low garage clearance? Ive read that the total height of a crosstrek with a skybox 16 for example is 68inch which would not work. Will some of the longer thinner boxes like the skybox Lo work with the hatch clearance on a crosstrek? Thanks!

asked by: Chris B

Expert Reply:

Among the lowest-profile rooftop cargo boxes available are the Thule Pulse Alpine Rooftop Cargo Box # TH613, which is 12-1/2-inches tall as compared to most similar boxes that are 14- to 18-inches tall. The 16-cubic-foot Yakima Skybox NX 16 # Y95AV that you referenced is 16-inchs tall.

You can check hatch clearance by moving your front crossbar as far forward as possible and measuring from its center back to the roof/hatch seam. The box requires 52-7/8-inches clearance from the front bar to avoid hatch contact.

Often users of rooftop cargo carriers choose a handy accessory, an inexpensive folding step # TE97FR, which comes fully-assembled and which gives you a foot of extra reach for loading and unloading your rooftop cargo.

According to my research the XV has a maximum roof weight limit of 149-lbs, so once you deduct the 40-lb weight of the Sonic Alpine box you can safely load up to 109-lbs of cargo, which happens to be right at the weight limit for the box.

expert reply by: Adam R