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Rocket box vs load warrior- which would you get?

Original Post
Vanilla Drilla From Manila · · Goiter, CO · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 50

I'm gonna need a roof top carrier soon and wanted to know what you find more useful for outdoor stuff.

fossana · · leeds, ut · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 13,318

I have one of each type (albiet the Thule version for the cargo carrier) for my 2 vehicles. I prefer the Rocketbox b/c it already has rain and theft protection by design, and you don't have to worry and tiedowns. It also forces you to pack in a lower profile, more aerodynamic way. The downside is if you occasionally need to carry wider or taller items. The other slightly annoying thing on the version I have is that the locks are finicky and need adequate clearance to close.

Parker Wrozek · · Denver, CO · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 86

I use a thule force. Super great for winter and summer. Skis, boards, camp gear, climb gear, pretty much everything goes in it and is safe and secure.

Aaron Nash · · North Bend, WA · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 212

Half roof box, half roof basket. Done

Works really well on the van; not sure if it'll work on a subi or suv.

webdog · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 0

I got both, I keep the basket on my lesbaru. I store my whitewater canoe on top and wet stuff in the basket. If I'm on a longer trip I'll put the rocket box on so stuff is a bit more secure. If I didn't paddle then the box would be way more useful the majority of the time, plus the boa keeps skis free from road crud

Matt Westlake · · Durham, NC · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 662

I've got the rocketbox 14. I initially tried the 12 but it was too small. Was afraid my little Kia Soul wouldn't be able to handle it but the 14 fits without trouble. I haven't had it too long and have only had occasion to use it a few times but am pretty happy overall. It is easier to overload it a bit with squishy things on top so you can fight the lid and latch together. I noticed that some brands or particular boxes within the same brand can have a bit of a weak overlap a the front which can cause rain to sneak in or wind to pry it up a bit if you load it badly so pay attention to the front.

The one annoying tradeoff was that the bigger box is bit tricky to remove by myself. It's just a little too heavy and awkward for my 5'0"ft tall wife to want to help although she might just be feeling tentative about the process. We recently added an Outback to the stable (which was promptly recalled within a month or so over that steering column issue) and my over-enthusiasm to get it down from that car caused us to put a little scratch on the car roof from one of the front claw/feet things. I'm thinking I may try to finagle some felt or cloth around the bottom of the clamp via zip ties or something to try to avoid having this happen in the future. Anyone else found a decent workaround for this issue? (haven't really dug into google for this yet, I'm sure solutions abound...)

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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