How Does the Kuat Varial XL Rooftop Cargo Box Open and Is It Easy to Remove?

Published 10/31/2026

Question:

Were planning a few family road trips next year, and Im looking for a rooftop cargo box that wont be a hassle every time we need something out of it. I came across the Kuat Varial XL KU48CR and noticed it says you can access your gear from three sides. Does that mean the whole lid opens from the front too, or do you still have to stand alongside the vehicle? Id also like to take it off between trips instead of leaving it on the roof all year. Is that pretty easy to do?

asked by: Jason

Expert Reply:

Hey Jason, the Kuat Varial XL Rooftop Cargo Box # KU48CR sounds like a great match for those family road trips! What makes this one different from most rooftop boxes is that you can access your gear from three sides, including the front of the box. So you're not stuck reaching in from just one side of your vehicle when you need to grab a jacket or dig out an overnight bag. You can also lock and unlock it from either side, which is especially handy when you're parked somewhere tight and don't have much room to move around. And with 18.5 cubic feet of storage space, you've got plenty of room for luggage, jackets, and all those extras that seem to pile up when the whole family comes along.

And yes, Kuat designed this one with seasonal use in mind! It has what they call a set and forget mounting system, which basically means once you've adjusted the hardware to fit your roof rack, you can remove the box and reinstall it without having to start from scratch every time. That's a nice perk if you only need it for vacations and want to keep your roof clear the rest of the year. The box measures 84 inches long, 36 inches wide, and 16 inches tall, so you'll want to make sure you've got enough roof space and garage storage for it.

What vehicle are you planning to put it on, and do you already have a roof rack installed?

expert reply by: Heather A