Cargo Boxes for CX-5

[kevschu]

Recently discovered that my old Yakima Platinum 16 Cargo box would not fit on the Mazda with the stock rails/crossbars. The mounting put it too far back and the hatch would not open.

The most important measurement for Cargo Box fitment is the Front clearance. This is the measurement from the center of the front cross bar (moved all the way forward) to the point where the roof meets the hatch (when it is opened).

For the CX-5 this is roughly 45.5"

Cargo boxes from the two major brands Thule and Yakima that fit the CX-5 are listed below.

Thule Sonic L 634 - (13cu/ft) - 44" Front Clearance
Thule Force L 624 - (13cu/ft) - 42" Front Clearance
Thule Pulse L 614 - (14cu/ft) - 43" Front Clearance

Yakima RocketBox Pro 11 (11cu/ft) - 45" Front Clearance
Yakima RocketBox Pro 12 (12cu/ft) - 40" Front Clearance
Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 (14cu/ft) - 45" Front Clearance

For me it was a tie between the Rocketbox Pro 14 and the Force L 624.
I ended up with the Rocketbox Pro 14 because the local shop did not carry Thule and I was able to trade my old one in so it came to only $325 for the Yakima. I think the Thule is a much better looking box though, if they had it I would have gone with it.

The Yakima does touch the rear antenna fin and push it down a bit, looking into getting some 1/4" or 1/2" spacers to raise the rear of the Cargo Box off of it.

And for those interested, the one that was on the SEMA CX-5 that had a vinyl kit on it was i believe a Thule Atlantis 16, which lead me to wanting the Thule Force L.

here are some pictures of it mounted.

 

[kevschu]

Update to this.

There is a place in Portland, OR called ReRack. They specialize in used racks, hitches, and hitch attachments. They carry new stuff as well.

I went back there after the purchase and asked if they had any spacers, they told me they did not carry and spacers specifically but they would give me some hefty pieces of rubber that "might help".

I am not sure if he was messing with me or not but what he gave me seemed to fit like it was made for it! Result, I now have plenty of room between the box and the fin antenna, even when loaded.

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[Skorpio]

That's great customer service that's lacking in many businesses today, IMO.

 

[dawhoo]

That's great customer service that's lacking in many businesses today, IMO.

Those are Thule rack pad feet - not cheap. But that's what happens when you go to the small shops. I dropped off my extra Thule parts at a local rack shop so maybe some of their customers can benefit like kevschu.

If you want good customer service, shop local and buy local.

 

[Skorpio]

Those are Thule rack pad feet - not cheap. But that's what happens when you go to the small shops. I dropped off my extra Thule parts at a local rack shop so maybe some of their customers can benefit like kevschu.

If you want good customer service, shop local and buy local.

+1 I always try to buy local and to small businesses where I can. It's my small way of sticking it to the man (laugh)

 

[mazdaspeedmyk]

I went with the OEM Cargo Box and cross bars. The box was about $300 from the dealership. It was great to have on my vacation to Vegas and Zion National Park. I stuffed it with 2 medium duffle bags, a large one, a medium sized ice cooler, and 2 sleeping bags. I was getting about 25 mpg during the trip. I didn't notice any noise with it up there, but the car did sway whenever a large gust of wind hit it from the sides.

Cargo Box info:

CX5 OEM Cargo Box
Item Number: 0000-8L-G05

L 55" x W 35.2" x H 18.2”
Capacity = 13 cubic feet
Wt. 31 lbs.
It can hold up to 100lbs, including the weight of the box.

 

[dragonteeth]

Rad. I really dig this photo:

 

[JOE MAMA]

When I first purchased our CX-5, I added the roof rails and crossbars for our Thule Force XL roof top box (17cu ft). I quickly found out that the factory crossbars are extremely limiting. The cargo box prevented the hatch from opening and it rested on the Shark Fin antenna, regardless of the crossbar configuration.

It was important that I was able to have the largest roof top box possible while maintaining adequate clearance for the antenna and also have the ability for the rear hatch to open unobstructed.

I conducted a ton of research and ended up selling the factory crossbars and my Thule roof top box, which enabled me to start fresh. I purchased the Thule Crossroads 450 foot pack and 58" square crossbars (The Yakima Rail Grab towers would have also worked). It wasn't the cheapest option, but definitely the best. The factory crossbars are very low profile and don't provide enough height to clear the antenna with a cargo box. I also began researching roof top cargo boxes and narrowed it down to the Yakima Rocketbox Pro 14 (14cu ft) and the Thule Force L 624 (13cu ft). I ended up going with the Yakima because it was larger and cheaper. So far, I'm very happy with it.

After I purchased the Rocketbox, I noticed that Thule recently changed their Force lineup. Now the Force L is a 628 model and holds 16 cu ft of gear and it should fit no problem, as its only wider than the 624 model (may still rest or come very close to the Shark Fin antenna). The only problem is cost. I paid $340.00 for the Rocketbox and the Thule was $469.99. I simply couldn't justify the $130.00 price difference and I would have had to return the Rocketbox which is a pain.

As others have mentioned, the factory crossbars although look nice and are streamlined, they are not practical for a whole host of potential applications and I wish I had of known before I purchased them.

I can take some pic of the setup is anyone is interested.

 

[Ride92]

Are you positive the front measurement is 45.5? I emailed a dealer asking the same question and he said that he measured it at 47.5" can you confirm the 45.5 inches. It s the difference between my bike trays working vs not working.

 

[Redpoint]

cargo box clearance

Trying to pick a ski carrying cargo box for our 2016 Mazda CX5 and have what appears to be the same OEM low profile rack shown in the othe posts. However with the front rail maxed out forward my rail center to open tailgate (across the top) is exactly 44" not the 45" to 45.5" ish mentioned in previous posts (oh the difference an inch can make!).

Would like to install the Yakima Rocket Box Pro 11 (which Yakima recommends the 45" min clearance). I have suitable rubber shims if it fouls on the fin but still concerned that previous posts suggesting that both the Yakima 11 and 14 boxes will make the tailgate clearance may not work for this newer 2016 model. Does anyone know if Mazda has changed the max spacing dimentions for front clearance on their newer racks from 45" to 44"? Trying to avoid the shorter wide boxes if possible (folding skis anyone?).

Any ideas or info appreciated.

 

[Lbear]

I conducted a ton of research and ended up selling the factory crossbars and my Thule roof top box, which enabled me to start fresh. I purchased the Thule Crossroads 450 foot pack and 58" square crossbars (The Yakima Rail Grab towers would have also worked). It wasn't the cheapest option, but definitely the best. The factory crossbars are very low profile and don't provide enough height to clear the antenna with a cargo box. I also began researching roof top cargo boxes and narrowed it down to the Yakima Rocketbox Pro 14 (14cu ft) and the Thule Force L 624 (13cu ft). I ended up going with the Yakima because it was larger and cheaper. So far, I'm very happy with it.

Has anyone tried the Thule 7503 AeroBlade Edge Raised Rail L ?? Low profile and aerodynamic.

 

[rrrsma]

Here you can find some pics showing the CX5 equipped with the Thule Force L cargo box. It easily fits 2 pairs of ski's and 2 snowboards (no longer than 61 inches) together with shoes and helmets for 3 adults. Sometimes i have 3 pairs of ice skates too.

 

[MikeM.]

Thule Force L cargo box. It easily fits 2 pairs of ski's and 2 snowboards (no longer than 61 inches) together with shoes and helmets for 3 adults.

I'm not sure what kind of skis you are talking about. My shortest pair is 70.5". Even my wife's skis (which are super short) are 66". So it will only hold skis for small children? Where do the skis for mom/dad go? And I'm not a snowboarder but most snowboards I see on the mountain are 155-160 cm (all too long to fit).

You know, snow sports are not just for the little tykes!

 

[Ride92]

Has anyone tried the Thule 7503 AeroBlade Edge Raised Rail L ?? Low profile and aerodynamic.

Those look like they would be nice, but I would prefer them in black and then paint the side rails black as well

Has anyone tried the aerobar or whispbar mounted directly to the roof? I was thinking of making a hole thru the weather strip where the mounting point is for the oem side rails mount and use them as an attachment point. That way there would be no side rails at all

 

[Anerno]

This is an option that I found to work quite well for the CX-5, 2016 with fixed point load bar attachment to the roof. Thule Wingbar Edge bars and a Packline NX 195 roof box. I got clearance for the antenna as well as for opening the tailgate.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=214399&d=1467363110
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=214400&d=1467363110