The box opens in a clamshell configuration and is plenty wide for adding or removing bulky items. Both have identical handles and integrated locks, which allow you to easily load or grab small items you’ve stowed in the interior’s nooks and crannies.
CARBONITE REVIEW DRIVER
In the case of the Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite, this means you can open the box from either the driver or passenger side of the vehicle. One of the advantages in opting for a mid- or high-end box is easy access to the interior. But at 47 pounds, the SkyBox leaves plenty of leeway for hauling fairly heavy items (for reference, my Thule rack can handle 165 pounds and my vehicle’s roof is rated for the same). Weight is important to keep in mind as your rack system-whether from the manufacturer or aftermarket-as well as your specific vehicle will have weight limits. Combined with the bulky dimensions, it’s best to move the box with a partner (more on this in “ Installation and Removal” below). In terms of weight, the SkyBox 16 clocks in at 47 pounds.
Finally, its 36-inch width works well with a narrow vehicle like my Alltrack, and you’ll have the option to add accessories like a bike rack on larger vehicles with wider cross bars. And we touched on the height above, but at 15 inches (interior dimensions are about 1 inch less), it does come with some limitations on what squeezes inside. I haven’t had any fit issues on my Volkswagen Alltrack, but to ensure it will fit, you’ll want to measure from your front cross bar to the closest contact point of the open hatch ( Yakima has a useful guide for nailing this down). Overall, it's long enough at 6 feet 9 inches to accommodate most skis and a fair amount of gear, but with ability to slide the clamps fore/aft, it works with a wide variety of vehicles. The dimensions of a roof box are a key consideration-you need to make sure it won't interfere with your vehicle's rear hatch-and this is one of the largest appeals of the SkyBox 16. This also impacts what you can fit inside, but it’s far from a deal breaker, and overall we’ve been very pleased with how much gear the SkyBox can hold. In addition, the four raised levers that secure the box to your vehicle’s crossbars do take up a little space along the interior and keep the floor from being completely flat. As such, you’ll run into issues stacking items that are long (like camping chairs) or especially tall (some strollers that have large 16-inch wheels won’t fit). It’s great for camping gear, but it’s only 15 inches tall at its peak (and those are the exterior dimensions) and lower towards the front. One thing to keep in mind with the SkyBox 16 is its aerodynamic shape does limit what you can haul to items that are fairly low-profile. It's worth noting for those with larger vehicles and a need to haul even more gear, Yakima offers the SkyBox in larger 18- and 21-cubic-foot capacities (Switchback’s founder picked up a SkyBox 21 for a big family move).
CARBONITE REVIEW PLUS
Yakima lists the maximum length at 185 centimeters, but I can confirm it was just long enough for a couple pairs of 182-centimeter all-mountain skis plus a snowboard. And for winter-time use, the box easily swallows snowboards and skis. It required some strategic packing, but it stores an impressive amount (especially with items that are soft-sided and compressible). Its manageable size fits on most vehicles, and our model has accommodated bulky camping gear for a family of four, including a large tent, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, and a stove (plus a kid’s Strider bike). There are a wide range of cargo box designs and shapes on the market, but we’ve found the Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite hits the sweet spot in gear capacity for all-season use. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best rooftop cargo boxes. Below we break down our experiences with the SkyBox 16. It has hauled everything from firewood and camping gear to skis and snowboards and performed nearly flawlessly throughout.
We’ve had the 16-cubic-foot model on the top of our vehicle for a few years now and have found it to be endlessly useful. Yakima has been a leader in the cargo roof box game for some time, and their core and arguably most versatile product is the SkyBox Carbonite.
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