How to Install a THULE Cargo Box

[@vegetablehead]

better than the phone instructions i received.

[@5MinuteFixit]

I’m glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@vegetablehead]

@@5MinuteFixit actually, the phone instructions were absolutely perfect..."i think you can pull up a youtube video that shows you how." kudos to both.

[@webcoderltd]

A great video but majority of cars are not like this so I would be interested to learn what's the best positioning in terms of front and rear of the car as I can't find any official Thule guidelins based on their tunnel test? I have had my Motion XT XXL for about 6 years now and just bought the updated version Motion3 XXL (still have both so can do comparison). A Thule dealer suggested moving bars thus the new box as far as possible to the front. I did that but it just didi't feel right with such unneccesary front overhang in Skoda Kodiaq (unfortunately can't be avoided in smaller Seat Leaon Estate/Kombi) while thre's plenty of spae available at the back. ChatGPT suggested the below: What's is the best place to attach large roof boxes such as Thule Motion XT or 3 XXL on car's roof bars to minimise drag and improve fuel economy? ChatGPT said: " To minimize drag and improve fuel economy when attaching large roof boxes like the Thule Motion XT or 3 XXL on a car's roof bars, the placement is critical. Here are the optimal steps: 1. Position the Box Slightly Rearward Slightly rearward placement is generally the best approach, meaning the front of the box should be just behind the roof's leading edge. This allows the windshield to deflect airflow smoothly over the box, reducing turbulence. Avoid placing the box too far forward, as it increases drag by disrupting the airflow at the front of the car. 2. Align Symmetrically Along the Roof The box should be centered between the two roof bars, without tilting to either side. Symmetry is crucial to maintaining proper aerodynamics and balance. Uneven positioning can disrupt airflow and reduce fuel efficiency. 3. Avoid Excessive Overhang Minimize the overhang at both the front and back of the vehicle. An overhang beyond the rear windshield can create a drag pocket, increasing wind resistance. Make sure the box is not extending too far past the roofline of the car. 4. Adjust for the Roof Bar Height Some cars have adjustable roof bar heights. Lowering the box as close to the roof as possible will reduce wind resistance. Ensure the roof box is mounted securely with minimal gap between the box and the roof. 5. Secure the Roof Box Tightly Ensure the roof box is firmly attached and doesn’t shift or wobble. Movement can increase drag and affect handling, so double-check the attachment points. 6. Smooth and Aerodynamic Shape While the Thule Motion XT and 3 XXL already have aerodynamic designs, placing the box in the correct position amplifies the benefits. These boxes are designed to direct airflow more efficiently when placed slightly rearward and centrally aligned. By positioning the box slightly rearward, centering it on the roof, and minimizing overhang, you can reduce drag and maintain better fuel efficiency while driving. " Once water got inside my Motion XT XXL during driving in very heavy rain when attached to my Volvo XV60 (sold now). Cheers, David

[@writewithdelight]

Great video! I found it helpful.

[@jvu703]

thank you so much for this video, super helpful and to the point.

[@5MinuteFixit]

Thank you for watching! I’m glad it was helpful!

[@netfun8087]

Great video, did the arms ever hit the roof or hurt the pain on the roof in any way? Also, once you finished the install what kind of clearance do you have between the arms and the roof?

[@EPHONIC]

Curious: How much weight could you put in the box that would safely work with your crossbars?

[@5MinuteFixit]

Many times it is printed right on the crossbar itself. If not it should be in your owners manual. I tend to put the bulkier items that aren’t extremely heavy into the cargo box. Usually 2-3 Duffle bags if going on a road trip or longer items that I prefer to not be in the cabin. Hopefully this helps! Thank you for watching and please consider giving me a thumbs up if you haven’t already! Thank you!

[@1lionyouth]

Is there a store that installs racks for you? I have a Honda Civic with no roof rack of any sort. I want to make sure I don't mess up my car.

[@michaelinzitari]

Yes go to the roof rack shop and there will be a MAN there who can help you with your Civic. Good luck!

[@jamesdewer]

Yes, if your car doesn't have rain gutters, which 99.9% of cars don't there are Yakima or Thule or a million other brands of inexpensive racks that clamp onto the seam where your door closes? You won't even know they're there and they're permanent if you want or they'll show you how to put them on and remove them. But it's actually quite easy. But keep in mind, crossbars are fundamental, literally the foundation and without a good set of crossbars forget about this installing a hard shell. Unless you plan on drilling through the shell and through your roof and bolting it. There is no other way to mount them. You have to have cross bars and then that you're looking at another $300 to $400 for a set of Thule. The bars are sold separately and so are the feet also called towers cost and it's all determined by the type of car you have. It could be as much as $500 just for a good set of racks, but keep in mind Thule or Yakima racks will last as long as your car. And by racks I mean the towers that the cross bars fit onto. Once you have these racks installed, it's an investment in your vehicle, the same as a car stereo or or a good set of tires. It's literally the sky's the limit. Once they're installed you can put bike racks on their kayak racks, ski racks. Anything you can turn your car into a go anywhere. Do anything camping vehicle all with a set of racks installed. Totally worth the price if you're an outdoors person

[@1lionyouth]

@@jamesdewer A lot to consider. Thanks for the details.

[@pacora07]

HI the box you are showing in your video. do you know the model? I have the same box, but I need parts to fix few things, but I do not know the model. when I bought it all that info is gone,

[@5MinuteFixit]

This box is the Thule Atlantis 1600, hopefully this helps! Thank you for watching and please consider giving the video a thumbs up if you haven’t already! Thank you!

[@PriyaSarkar-ly4nw]

Nice video

[@5MinuteFixit]

Thank you for watching, I’m glad it was helpful! Please consider giving the video a thumbs up if you haven’t already! Thank you!

[@ijimppangi]

If the knobs slide back and forth freely to adjust to the spacing of the crossbars, doesn’t the cargo box move back or forth during hard acceleration or braking or even strong wind?

[@5MinuteFixit]

Once you tighten down the clamps the “shell” of the box is sandwiched between the clamps and the bar preventing it from sliding. Hopefully this helps! Thank you for watching and please consider giving the video a thumbs up if you haven’t already! Thank you!

[@JamMastaJew]

You can see when he's tightening the knobs that there are ridges or teeth on the inside of the box that will interface with the sliding part when tightened

[@rao249]

Thank you

[@5MinuteFixit]

Thank you for watching! I’m glad it was helpful! Please consider giving the video a thumbs up if you haven’t already! Thank You!

[@VJSlots]

Whats the size of your thule?

[@5MinuteFixit]

This is a Thule Atlantis 1600, 74 x 16.3 x 36 inches.

[@thomasvasquezjr4011]

I need to replace a broken rivet on my cargo box any suggestions ?

[@5MinuteFixit]

I would drill out the broken rivet with a small drill bit and replace it using a rivet gun and an aluminum or stainless rivet. Hopefully this helps, thank you for watching!

[@mudasr]

I have this box but the 2100, on the highway, the front wobbles up and down depending on my speed, does this have the same issue?

[@5MinuteFixit]

My box wobbles very slightly, try moving the box forward or back just a bit to see if the wind hitting it in a slightly different spot makes a difference. Hopefully this helps! Thank you for watching and please consider giving the video a thumbs up if you haven’t already! Thank you!

[@michealchristopher7865]

Where do the straps go?

[@5MinuteFixit]

There are small slots on the clamps on the inside of the box that they thread through. They aren’t particularly useful in my opinion.

[@lauriemccraigie1426]

Thank u

[@5MinuteFixit]

Thank you for watching, I’m glad it was helpful!

[@nancybrowning3380]

does the cargo box come with the cross bars?

[@5MinuteFixit]

Thank you for watching, unfortunately they don’t come with cross bars.

[@nat.serrano]

But how do you install the rack with those bars?

[@5MinuteFixit]

Thanks for watching, are you asking how to install the crossbars onto the vehicle?

[@piwi565]

Where did you get those crossbars?

[@vcool1745]

Its is a thule force m… or thule polce m…???

[@5MinuteFixit]

This is a Thule Atlantis 1600. Thank you for watching!

[@darkobelisk4076]

Every video just casually assumes cars have cross bars but nobody explains how they magically appeared on their car.

[@charleslefebvre5515]

I think it should go without saying that before you think about installing something on your crossbars that'd you'd ensure you have said crossbars.

[@eriknievera192]

They didn’t explain how they got the car either, how far back do you need them to think for you?

[@Mr_I_Eat_Your_Doritos]

Wait, but how did they get the financing to purchase the car?

[@MJ-fj9yv]

Apparently there are 16 other idiots who also don’t know how the crossbars appeared 😂

[@jamemule5326]

They already know unlike you

[@nunez1282]

Well the title of the video is installation of the crossbar cargo box and not the crossbar. Try typing crossbar installation instead

[@Labios_Rotos]

That box sounds very flimsy

[@5MinuteFixit]

They are all fairly flimsy, loaded with gear we haven’t ever had an issue with ours and use it on long trips 4-5 times a year.

[@moart87]

That’s normal with every box