Toyota RAV4 Forums banner
1 - 10 of 10 Posts

crrrrrrrrrrraig

· Registered
Joined
·
1 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Need to bring the whole family up to a snowy wonderland in December so I just purchased the Thule Force XT XXL for my 2022 Rav 4 XLE.

Wondering if anybody has any experience with the XXL specifically? I don't have a garage and I have no issue with clearance, but I was wondering if anybody had any other comments regarding installation, mileage, etc. etc.

Thanks!
 
I bought the Thule Motion XT XL that is 84 inches long inside and it works great. I would not want a longer one on a Rav4. Attaching and removing the Thule box is incredibly easy with the Power Click system where you turn a knob and the fingers grap the crossbar with no tools needed.
 
I have the same Thule that Calson has. I would not want any more overhang over the windshield than I currently have -- the more overhang, the more drag from air deflected over the roof from the windshield. I would expect a greater hit on mpg's. I'm not an expert on aerodynamics, so this is just an intuition.

The XL size is plenty big. Just because you could put an XXL up there doesn't mean you should. Do you really need that much capacity? I associate those huge top boxes with full size SUV's, like Suburbans, etc. If you plan to leave the box on top year around, you'll experience a substantial hit on mpg's.

In terms of installation, probably not much difference -- just longer and wider and heavier, so slightly more awkward, esp. for one person to install. I need help, because my old, creaky, arthritic body just can't handle that kind of effort anymore. But as Calson observed, the attachment system is incredibly easy.
 
The smaller the car the bigger the reduction in fuel economy with a roof top cargo box in studies. Not much of a decrease with a 16-20 mpg SUV as compared to a 40 mpg small car.
The ratchet mechanism of the Thule boxes make it much easier to remove it when not in use. There are hoists that work for these to store them up out of the way when not in use if you have enough height in your garage.
 
I am looking at the same box and would love to know if it worked out well. The XL would be too short for my classic nordic skis, the XXL would work.

Need to bring the whole family up to a snowy wonderland in December so I just purchased the Thule Force XT XXL for my 2022 Rav 4 XLE.

Wondering if anybody has any experience with the XXL specifically? I don't have a garage and I have no issue with clearance, but I was wondering if anybody had any other comments regarding installation, mileage, etc. etc.

Thanks!
 
You might check Thule's website for information on compatibility, or check with the vendor from whom you would purchase it. My hunch is that it would fit and allow the tailgate to operate, but you might have considerable overhang over the windshield. I never had to do that because I wasn't interested in that particular Thule.
 
I have the same Thule that Calson has. I would not want any more overhang over the windshield than I currently have -- the more overhang, the more drag from air deflected over the roof from the windshield. I would expect a greater hit on mpg's. I'm not an expert on aerodynamics, so this is just an intuition.

The XL size is plenty big. Just because you could put an XXL up there doesn't mean you should. Do you really need that much capacity? I associate those huge top boxes with full size SUV's, like Suburbans, etc. If you plan to leave the box on top year around, you'll experience a substantial hit on mpg's.

In terms of installation, probably not much difference -- just longer and wider and heavier, so slightly more awkward, esp. for one person to install. I need help, because my old, creaky, arthritic body just can't handle that kind of effort anymore. But as Calson observed, the attachment system is incredibly easy.
Any tips on loading it up? Do you need to tie things down? waterproof?
 
waterproof?
As long as it is not a hurricane, they are fairly water proof due to the wide lip on the top half that goes over the bottom half. Someone already suggested stuff sacks; you can buy those in waterproof cloth; often used for sleeping bags on hikes.
 
1 - 10 of 10 Posts