The catch
Thule Force 3 L
The shell runs 1.3 inches longer
Side by side
Thule Force 3 L vs Yakima SkyBox NX 16 compared: Volume and ski limit match, and Thule fits narrower bar spacing and weighs less
Quick verdict
The two boxes match at 16 cubic feet and a 175 cm ski limit. Force 3 L wins on lower empty weight, a narrower shell and crossbars less than 24 inches apart. SkyBox NX 16 wins on its shorter body and the Yakima SKS lock system. Either way, hatch compatibility still depends on the measurement each brand specifies.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
A 23-inch spread sets them apart
Thule's range includes it, and Yakima's does not.
Where this comes from
23 is more than 21.875 and less than 24 inches. Bar shape and the vehicle-approved rack position still need confirmation.
The catch
Yakima SkyBox NX LG
For load planning, it is wider and about five pounds heavier
Thule Force 3 L
- Why pick it
- Your approved crossbars sit from 21 7/8 up to under 24 inches apart
- A lighter, slimmer shell is wanted
- The catch
- The shell runs 1.3 inches longer
Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Why pick it
- Yakima's SKS lock system suits your rack setup
- The shell length should stay at 75.5 inches
- The catch
- For load planning, it is wider and about five pounds heavier
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What this page compares
Force 3 L and SkyBox NX 16 match on cargo volume and ski length. Check bar spread, body size, roof weight and each brand's hatch-fit method.
The two boxes match at 16 cubic feet and a 175 cm ski limit. Force 3 L wins on lower empty weight, a narrower shell and crossbars less than 24 inches apart. SkyBox NX 16 wins on its shorter body and the Yakima SKS lock system. Either way, hatch compatibility still depends on the measurement each brand specifies.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Approved bar spacing is fixed at 23 inches
23 inches is within Thule's spread, while Yakima requires at least 24.
- Thule Force 3 L
- Good
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Not suitable
The skis are 180 cm long
A 175 cm ski limit is stated for both.
- Thule Force 3 L
- Not suitable
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Not suitable
You need 16 cubic feet, and your skis are 170 cm
The published capacity and ski limits of both cover those requirements, subject to fit.
- Thule Force 3 L
- Good
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Good
The shell can be at most 34 inches wide
Force L measures 33.3 inches wide, SkyBox NX 16 35.
- Thule Force 3 L
- Good
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Not suitable
The one hatch-clearance number you have was measured without a method
Measure again for each brand, using its prescribed reference points.
- Thule Force 3 L
- Depends
- Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Depends
In practice
Differences you will notice
A 23-inch spread sets them apart
Thule's range includes it, and Yakima's does not.
How we worked this out
23 is more than 21.875 and less than 24 inches. Bar shape and the vehicle-approved rack position still need confirmation.
Matching volume does not guarantee matching shape
Yakima saves 1.3 inches of length, and Thule saves 1.7 inches of width.
How we worked this out
Width: 35 − 33.3 = 1.7 inches. Length: 76.8 − 75.5 = 1.3 inches.
Set aside five more pounds for the Yakima box
The more conservative fit-guide weight leaves less cargo allowance.
How we worked this out
48 − 43 = 5 lb. It is a roof-load calculation and not a carrying-comfort test.
Option A
Thule, Force 3 L
Thule Force 3 L
It offers 16 cubic feet and fits gear up to 175 centimeters in length.
- Best for
- Your approved crossbars sit from 21 7/8 up to under 24 inches apart
Facts we checked
- Volume and ski limit: 16 cu ft and 175 cm
- Crossbar center spacing: 21 7/8 to 36 5/8 in
- External length and width: 76.8 × 33.3 in
- Empty weight used for load planning: 43 lb
Option B
Yakima, SkyBox NX 16 LG
Yakima SkyBox NX LG
Volume is 16 cubic feet, and it takes gear up to 175 centimeters long.
- Best for
- Yakima's SKS lock system suits your rack setup
Facts we checked
- Volume and ski limit: 16 cu ft and 175 cm
- Crossbar center spacing: 24 to 36 in
- External length and width: 75.5 × 35 in
- Empty weight used for load planning: 48 lb in fit guide, 47 lb on product page
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Thule Force 3 L | Yakima SkyBox NX LG | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volume and ski limit | 16 cu ft and 175 cm | 16 cu ft and 175 cm | This pair cannot be told apart by capacity or maximum ski length. |
| Crossbar center spacing | 21 7/8 to 36 5/8 in | 24 to 36 in | Yakima can be eliminated by a narrow fixed spread. |
| External length and width | 76.8 × 33.3 in | 75.5 × 35 in | Thule is narrower, and Yakima is shorter. |
| Empty weight used for load planning | 43 lb | 48 lb in fit guide, 47 lb on product page | Until the supplied unit is confirmed, go with the stricter guide weight. |
| Hatch-fit measurement | Greater than 50 5/8 in to roof/hatch junction | 47 in minimum to edge of open hatch | Because the reference points differ, these numbers cannot be ranked directly. |
| Mount and locks | PowerClick mounts and SlideLock | Torque-limited knob and SKS locks | Look into clamp compatibility and any matching-key requirements. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Thule Force 3 L
- Yakima SKS components cannot be replaced by Thule lock components
With Yakima SkyBox NX LG
- Will not mount at a 23-inch bar spread
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Your fixed bar spread is under 24 inches yet inside Thule's range
Go with Thule Force 3 L. The published spread does not cover Yakima's mounts.
The most you can accommodate is a 75.5-inch shell length
Go with Yakima SkyBox NX LG. The Force L shell comes to 76.8 inches long, provided Yakima also passes its hatch and rack checks.
Skis longer than 175 cm
Neither model fits. You need a larger ski-length allowance.
Decision guide
How to decide
Start from what both share
Stated volume and ski length are identical. If you carry longer skis, look beyond this pair. For luggage that suits either box, vehicle fit and your existing rack hardware are the more useful points to decide on.
Take two hatch measurements
Thule works from the point where the roof meets the hatch. Yakima works from the edge of the fully open hatch and measures across the tops of the bars. Comparing 50 5/8 with 47 without those definitions can give the wrong answer for a car.
Count the whole roof load
A pound separates Yakima's page from its fit guide. Plan with the heavier 48 lb figure, or confirm the weight of the box you get. Add racks and cargo, then stay under the lowest limit that applies among vehicle, rack and box.
What this page can’t tell you
- Neither box is guaranteed to leave space for a bike carrier. The mounting area it needs and the clearance of the second carrier each have to be measured.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the roof cargo boxes we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thule Force 3 L |
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| Yakima SkyBox NX LG |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Thule Force 3 L
Your approved crossbars sit from 21 7/8 up to under 24 inches apart
See price & reviews on AmazonYakima SkyBox NX LG
Yakima's SKS lock system suits your rack setup
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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