Thule Cargo Box on LC Stock/Factory Rails? (4 Viewers)

[TXlandcrusher]

Anyone currently running a Thule roof box on their Land Cruiser? If so, which model, and are you mounting it to your factory roof rails without issue?

I'm considering the Thule Motion 3 XL, but I don't live near any retailers that sell it, so I'd have to get it shipped to me and just try it out. Thule recommends their own roof rails for best compatibility with their cargo boxes. But their roof rails look big/bulky, and I don't really want to use them if it's not necessary. After searching Reddit, it sounds like owners of other vehicles (not Land Cruisers) have successfully used the factory roof rails with the Thule. But not sure about the 200 series LC.

 

[sedole]

Currently use a Yakima but used to have a large Thule box on my old Montero which has factory cross bars similarly shaped to the LC's. It will be fine. Most of the boxes use attachment methods that will work with round, square, or aero shaped bars.

The only thing I run into with my yakima that you might with the thule as well is the factory cross bars sit close enough to the roof that I can't get the box on unless its perfectly lined up in the depressions on the roof. There is space between the bars and the raised portions of the roof when the feet are closed/locked, but not when open to get onto the bars.

 

[canyonrider]

Yes, I have used a Thule Pulse Alpine for many years on our 200's factory crossbars without issue. I have also used Thule square bars when carrying a couple of bikes plus the roof box. Overall the Thule bars are much more sturdy and solid, but sit higher and seem to be louder than when I just mount the box to the factory bars.

 

[04UZJ100]

XL Yakima box on mine. May slightly decrease amount rear hatch can be opened but it’s not big deal.

 

[doru]

The current Thule system (with 4 claws) fits many models including our bars. It is a self-adjusting system so no worry.

 

[TXlandcrusher]

Thanks everyone