Mounting Thule Cargo Box (or similar) on Prinsu / Westcott / similar roof racks?

[craigweich]

Hi,

Wondering what people have found mounting things like Thule cargo boxes to platform racks that have wider, flat crossbars.

The Thule attaches via "claws" that come out of the bottom and you open and close them with a handle inside the box. Not sure it can make secure contact with a bigger, flatter bar.

I think there might also be a secondary issue that the bottom of the box is not uniformly flat so might be hard to fit -- there I was thinking about maybe skipping some of the platform crossbars. Mostly will be mounting ski rack and cargo box, but want to upgrade from OEM crossbars and haven't found an aftermarket crossbar solution that I really like (and/or that isn't almost as much as a platform rack).

Are there maybe accessories that mount on the flat crossbars and then you can mount the box to those?

Thanks!
Craig

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[Fredot]

I use these (original version) but I have an older box. Had to drill 2 new holes on the floor of the box to line up but easy and no issues.

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessorie...263bshdQ_xsCy-BAVwZa29CLO8w1eUP4aApquEALw_wcB

 

[craigweich]

I use these (original version) but I have an older box. Had to drill 2 new holes on the floor of the box to line up but easy and no issues.

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessorie...263bshdQ_xsCy-BAVwZa29CLO8w1eUP4aApquEALw_wcB

That's very interesting thanks!

Sorry to be dense... did you have to drill new holes in the box to line up with the crossbars, or because these aftermarket latches don't fit through the existing holes in the box?

 

[UOduck23]

I’ve mounted my Yakima box to my Sherpa rack and it was smooth fit and easy install

 

[craigweich]

I’ve mounted my Yakima box to my Sherpa rack and it was smooth fit and easy install

great thanks!

 

[Fredot]

That's very interesting thanks!

Sorry to be dense... did you have to drill new holes in the box to line up with the crossbars, or because these aftermarket latches don't fit through the existing holes in the box?

The former - since I was unable to move/adjust the ARB cross bars, mounting was restricted since either the back OR the front holes lined up - but not both at the same location on the roof - to insert and secure the u-bolts to the crossbars. So I simply had to drill (same diameter) 2 new between the existing holes on the box (front or back depending on your own setup) and then mount as normal.

Note - tailgate will hit the box when fully open so I disabled trunk auto feature and affixed some black 3M sponge tape to the rear end of the box just in case.

 

[craigweich]

The former - since I was unable to move/adjust the ARB cross bars, mounting was restricted since either the back OR the front holes lined up - but not both at the same location on the roof - to insert and secure the u-bolts to the crossbars. So I simply had to drill (same diameter) 2 new between the existing holes on the box (front or back depending on your own setup) and then mount as normal.

Note - tailgate will hit the box when fully open so I disabled trunk auto feature and affixed some black 3M sponge tape to the rear end of the box just in case.

great thanks very helpful!

 

[Fredot]

great thanks very helpful!

great thanks very helpful!

 

[craigweich]

Update: found this from Thule: https://www.thule.com/en-us/products-_-611330

looks pretty good, am double checking with aftermarket rack guys to confirm fit, but they say "Fits load carrier bars with T-track width 20 mm” which seems pretty standard.

Gets the box higher up so you can access the recessed mounting points, and gives you a more traditional crossbar to mount to. Up a bit higher should give a bit more room for the tailgate (though am definitely adding some black sponge tape as someone above recommended...)

 

[Archer]

The former - since I was unable to move/adjust the ARB cross bars, mounting was restricted since either the back OR the front holes lined up - but not both at the same location on the roof - to insert and secure the u-bolts to the crossbars. So I simply had to drill (same diameter) 2 new between the existing holes on the box (front or back depending on your own setup) and then mount as normal.

Note - tailgate will hit the box when fully open so I disabled trunk auto feature and affixed some black 3M sponge tape to the rear end of the box just in case.

You can adjust how far your lift gate goes up. There's a post on here and in the manual, sorry running late or I'd look it up for ya.



.

 

[craigweich]

great thanks will check that out!

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