Recommended Roof Rack and Rooftop Cargo Box for 2004 Toyota Prius
Updated 07/21/2015 | Published 07/18/2015
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Question:
I own a 2004 Prius. What would I need to mount a rooftop cargo box on my car? What size would fit comfortably? Is this assembly transferable to another car?
asked by: Anthony R
Expert Reply:
Rooftop cargo boxes like the Thule Sidekick # TH78GC require that the vehicle have a roof rack to which they can attach with their included mounting hardware. This cargo box can be used on any other vehicle that has a roof rack as long as that other rack's crossbars are no larger than 3-3/4-inches in diameter and have a center-to-center spread between 23-5/8 and 28-inches.
For a roof rack I recommend the cost-effective Rhino-Rack system consisting of parts # RRVA126B-2, # RRRLKVA, and # DK079.
You can easily mount the Thule Sidekick # TH78GC on this rack and have full rear hatch access without interference with the box. For a larger box option Thule also recommends their Pulse Large # TH615 which is 16-cubic-feet in capacity - double that of the sidekick.
Often our customers that use rooftop cargo carriers also choose a tire step like # HE4040 which comes fully assembled and simply slips over a rear tire to give you a height advantage for loading and unloading.
