Thule Force Cargo Box + OEM Rack = Can't open the trunk

[MazdaCA]

Also, they make plenty of hitch mount bike racks that swing out of the way, in different ways. My Yakima ACE Double Down 4 swings down when you pull a pin. You can only do this when the bikes are off or if you are careful you can do it with a couple light bikes still on, but awkward to do.

Also with bike fitting on the hitch bike racks, a lot of people complain that all their bikes don't fit because either it's a women's bike or a dual suspension, etc. etc. They sell adapters that is a bar between the stem and seat post that allow you to lace the bikes onto the rack and nest them more easily. People complain that the Yakima Top Tube Adapter is $40 or something (http://amzn.com/B00066YTGO), however, I purchased three Allen Top Tube Adapters for $17 from Amazon and they work just fine (http://amzn.com/B000ELSSZE)

 

[CoSkier]

We've got the CX-5 with factory rails/crossbar and nothing easily works on it. Luckily we followed the hatch clearance guide from Thule and went with the Force L that worked but as OP mentioned, there is no room for bike trays on the side. And if there were, they'd hit the hatch as well. Not to mention it rests on the crossbar collars, not the crossbars themselves.

This rack design is horrible at best. Same goes for skis. Put a ski rack on as far forward as possible and what do you get? Hatch interference, 100% of the time.

 

[nj01]

We've got the CX-5 with factory rails/crossbar and nothing easily works on it. Luckily we followed the hatch clearance guide from Thule and went with the Force L that worked but as OP mentioned, there is no room for bike trays on the side. And if there were, they'd hit the hatch as well. Not to mention it rests on the crossbar collars, not the crossbars themselves.

This rack design is horrible at best. Same goes for skis. Put a ski rack on as far forward as possible and what do you get? Hatch interference, 100% of the time.

Sorry for bringing back a 2-year-old post but i'm wondering if anyone found a cargo box that will work with oem crosd bars? I bought a Thule Force L and was greatly disappointed that it wouldn't fit on my 2016 CX-5 (the hatch was hitting ad well as the antenna).I tried a few different adjustments but still no luck so i returned the Thule.

Anyone know of a box that will fit?

 

[SIGNAL_CX5]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

 

[mwin7]

Hey guys, just installed a box on my 2013 CX-5 and figured I’d share my experience here.

It is really a pain to get anything fitted on Mazda OEM bars with I was able to get a Thule Frontier 668ES on my CX-5. I’m able to open the back hatch all the way as well. I did however have to drill some holes in the middle but everything seems to be solid and stable on the highways.

I do of course check every once in a while to see things are ok. The placement of the box however is pretty far forward. I do often get vibrations once I hit the speed 70mph+ but seems to be safe so far.
This box is of course an older model and I’m curious if any of the newer ones would be more compatible with the CX-5s. I do see on the Thule website about how newer boxes are more forgiving regarding the hatch opening and the back end of the boxes.

 

[Mazdiod2]

The roof isn't long enough for a lot of boxes.

Some have the rear with the slope that allows the hatchback wing to clear, but don't mount a box that could damage the shark fin, it will distort the sheet metal.