Cargo/ski boxes on a TRD-Pro rack

Since I searched a lot and found little info, I thought I would share my findings in searching for a cargo/ski box for my 4runner that is compatible with the 2019 TRD-Pro Rack.

My criteria started out as a box that fits my longest skis, (194s) and and a few snowboards (so it needed to be wide) and works with the tubular TRD-Pro rack... This proved to be more difficult than I thought....

First off, any of the boxes with recessed channels for the cross-bars is going to fit poorly, if it all. NO amount of shifting crossbars would allow a super low profile INNO box fit. The other big hurdle we hit, was most boxes couldn't shift far enough forward to open the hatch. Which was something I found unacceptable. So I started looking for flat bottomed boxes, Thule has some, and one that is long enough for my big pow skis...

At the shop (rackNroad in Seattle) the guys helped trial fit a few boxes. Very few wouldn't crash into the rear tubular bars....After the 4th or 5th box, we eventually found one that fit, a Thule Box. And due to a very upswept rear edge, it looked like it would fit with cross bars on the lower..

Here is the Thule Box mounted on crossbars on the top tube of the Rack:







And here she is nestled down on crossbars mounted on the lower tube, with a few mm to the rear lateral tubes, and fully open rear hatch. It over hangs a bit more than I would like in the front, but should be fine for now...
One thing that does annoy the heck out of me, is access to the key/lock. It is a tight fit as it lines up directly with the top tube of the rack. I'm trying to tell myself that the lock becoming hard to reach is a safety feature.... I'll see how annoying it gets when it is freezing cold and covered in snow..

 

that looks good thanks for sharing

 

Very helpful. Thank you

Do you happen to have a part number for that particular box?

 

https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/cargo-carrier/car-top-carrier/thule-hyper-xl-_-1680020

 

Looks good!! Is it hard to attach to the roof rack?

 

For anyone with a rear hatch ladder, a rear opening roof top cargo box like the Sportrack Vista LX may be of interest. Not 100% sure, but it should fit on a TRD Pro rack.

 

do you notice any difference in handling with the box on, especially at highway speed? Feels like my 4R is more sensitive to crosswind and the wake from semi's than my last vehicle as is, just wondering if the extra surface area makes a difference.

 

no,, once the bars are adjusted in space, actually attaching the box takes 4 minutes

 

Great question,,, not really, I suppose? Unless the sunroof is open, I forget the box is up there. Its pretty quiet. I kept it on for about 2 weeks and saw no change in fuel economy, but a vast majority of workday commute driving is stop and go city driving where the hit on Aero is darn near negligible. Weekend trips don't seem to show a difference either.. It's sitting in my garage now waiting for the mountains to be covered in snow before I need to put it back on, so I'll know more later..

 

What is the inside diameter of TRD Pro rack, pipe to pipe, and what is length? TIA.

 

I'm trying to borrow a friend's 3D scanner, if so, Ill give you exact dims and a CAD model if needed...

 

I only need the inside width and length. I can then use that to find a roof top cargo box that will fit. Thanks.

 

The Thule boxes are great because they can open from either side. Drivers or Passenger. I switched to the same box after my Yakima leaked driving in the rain. Living in Seattle hard to avoid that.

 

M_RED, wanted to say thanks a bunch for this post and info. I struggled with the right set-up for my TRD Pro as well, and your post and pics were invaluable. In fact, here's a pic of my rig (which will likely look really familiar!). Santa Fe awaits! Cheers, man.

 

That looks pretty sharp. I'm picking up my Thule Motion XT tomorrow for my SR5. I like the rack on the TRD Pro a lot better..makes carrying a box look cool.

 

Whoa whoa whoa.... What are you doing???? You can't copy me!!
There can be only one.
This is the way.

Hmm.....

 

Sweeeeet that might be my next mod thanks for the pics

 

Seriously now... NO MORE COPYING!!!
There can be only one.
This is the way.

 

If the sun ever comes out again, I'll take some new pics... I have some left over Satin finish white Plastidip, It's OK.... wish It was glossy to better match the 4runner...

 

looks nice. i will also go this route

 

Curious if anyone else has successfully mounted any other cargo boxes to the lower bars of a Pro Rack. My thule box broke, and I need to replace it. I found out a Hyper XL is both discontinued and out of production...
Crap...

 

An Update:

I couldn't find another box that just fit, so a few waterjet cut brackets later and I have another box on the low bars...

The box fits well, I can still open the sunroof, and the wind noise is remarkably quiet. No shimmy or shakes on the highway, or bombing down a fireroad...

About 2/3 of the way through installation, I figured out a much better way to do this, but I'll wait until I have more free time to design for a bracket Version 2...

 

That’s the first and only TuRD Pro rack setup I’ve seen that looks good. Like actually good, not just not-horrendous. Nice job.

 

Tell me where the TRD Pro Rack hurt you...

 

Mainly just the eye balls

 

Takes away the station wagon look.

 

umm... Thank you? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess. I quite like the big swoopy tubular look of the rack, especially with the box on the lower tubes...

 

So which box did you replace it with? And what modifications were needed to make it fit? Also, any pros or cons to having it sit on top of the rack vs sitting down inside the rack?

 

What is the exact height from ground to the top of the rof box? I.e., what is the clearance height for your 4runner as shown?

 

THe new box is a Thule Vector Alpine ( the longest ones, my 196cm skis fit in just fine).

The forward-most bar needs to be located on the slanted parts of the tubular rack, I had some custom brackets laser cut so I could add an additional method of restraint on the stock Thule ratcheting clamps, but I don't think they were necessary... Or my first round iteration was hurried and could be improved if needed. I think an extra-thick zip tie (0.5" wide, heavy-duty) would be more than sufficient to do the same thing...

Cons: reaching the key lock is a pain in the ass, especially since I am currently without steps on the truck.
Pros: about 3.5-4 inches lower overall height, and thus more clearance for a garage or a drive-thru, Looks way better in my humble opinion...