The catch
Thule Force 3 XXL
A 91.4-inch body takes more planning for storage and for roof length.
Side by side
Thule Force 3 XXL vs Yakima SkyBox NX 18 compared: Thule fits skis above 195 cm, while Yakima leaves more margin in length and payload
Quick verdict
Force 3 XXL earns its longer shell when you carry skis longer than 195 cm and up to 215 cm, or bulky light luggage. SkyBox NX 18 is the better pick if your gear fits its limits and you prefer the shorter, lighter box. Whichever you lean toward, check the hatch, rack positions and remaining roof payload first.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
For a 205 cm ski, you need the longer model
A 205 cm ski sits 10 cm inside the Force XXL limit and 10 cm past Yakima’s. On that trip, the extra Thule length fixes a genuine problem. With 180 cm skis, it comes down to how much space you want and is not a necessity.
Where this comes from
215 - 205 = 10 cm and 205 - 195 = 10 cm. Bag and binding clearance need their own check.
The catch
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
Longer equipment is beyond the 195 cm ski limit.
Thule Force 3 XXL
- Why pick it
- The documented 215 cm ski limit is what you need.
- Space for a 91.4-inch box exists in your approved roof setup.
- The catch
- A 91.4-inch body takes more planning for storage and for roof length.
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Why pick it
- None of your skis exceeds 195 cm.
- A shorter body and lower empty weight appeal to you.
- The catch
- Longer equipment is beyond the 195 cm ski limit.
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What this page compares
Before mounting a large cargo box, weigh Force 3 XXL against SkyBox NX 18 on 205 cm skis, hatch clearance, roof-load budgets and bulky luggage.
Force 3 XXL earns its longer shell when you carry skis longer than 195 cm and up to 215 cm, or bulky light luggage. SkyBox NX 18 is the better pick if your gear fits its limits and you prefer the shorter, lighter box. Whichever you lean toward, check the hatch, rack positions and remaining roof payload first.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Hauling 205 cm skis
A documented ski limit past 205 cm belongs to the Force XXL alone.
- Thule Force 3 XXL
- Better fit
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Not suitable
Shorter gear that adds up to 18 cu ft
A shorter, lighter shell on the NX 18 still gives you that volume.
- Thule Force 3 XXL
- Caution
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Better fit
Heavy bags up against a 165 lb roof limit
Take the rack and box weight off the limit before you pack either model.
- Thule Force 3 XXL
- Caution
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Caution
A garage with a low entry
Go by the height you measure once it is installed. The Thule page lists conflicting height fields.
- Thule Force 3 XXL
- Depends
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Depends
In practice
Differences you will notice
For a 205 cm ski, you need the longer model
A 205 cm ski sits 10 cm inside the Force XXL limit and 10 cm past Yakima’s. On that trip, the extra Thule length fixes a genuine problem. With 180 cm skis, it comes down to how much space you want and is not a necessity.
How we worked this out
215 - 205 = 10 cm and 205 - 195 = 10 cm. Bag and binding clearance need their own check.
A bigger box may still hold less weight
Assume a hypothetical 165 lb total roof limit and a 20 lb rack. The Force XXL leaves 88 lb for cargo and the NX 18 leaves 92 lb. That makes the 21 cu ft box a better fit for bulky bedding than for a load that would push past a weight budget.
How we worked this out
165 - 20 - 57 = 88 and 165 - 20 - 53 = 92. Any lower vehicle, rack or box limit overrides this calculation.
Don’t mix up the hatch calculation with overall length
Overall, the Force XXL runs 7.4 inches longer, and that affects storage and overhang. Its hatch check works from a different reference than Yakima’s, so taking the difference of the two printed clearance numbers would suggest a universal fit advantage that isn’t real.
How we worked this out
91.4 - 84 = 7.4 inches. Work through both manufacturer diagrams with the crossbars at their final permitted positions.
Option A
Thule, 645950
Force 3 XXL
The biggest Force 3 offers 21 cubic feet and a 215 cm ski allowance, at the cost of a long, heavy shell.
- Best for
- The documented 215 cm ski limit is what you need.
Facts we checked
- Limits for skis and luggage: 21 cu ft, with skis up to 215 cm
- Weight when empty: 57 lb
- Outside footprint: 91.4 x 35.2 in
- Hatch check: Over 56.375 in, going by Thule’s diagram
Option B
Yakima, SkyBox NX 18 XL
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
You can fit gear up to 195 centimeters long in its 18 cubic feet.
- Best for
- None of your skis exceeds 195 cm.
Facts we checked
- Limits for skis and luggage: 18 cu ft, with skis up to 195 cm
- Weight when empty: 53 lb on the current product page
- Outside footprint: 84 x 36 in
- Hatch check: 50 in, going by Yakima’s open-hatch diagram
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Thule Force 3 XXL | Yakima SkyBox NX XL | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ski and luggage limits | 21 cu ft, skis up to 215 cm | 18 cu ft, skis up to 195 cm | Light, bulky gear benefits from the extra volume. Long skis, on the other hand, come with a firm length requirement. |
| Empty weight | 57 lb | 53 lb on current product page | With the roof limit held the same, the smaller Yakima gives you four more pounds of cargo room. |
| Exterior footprint | 91.4 x 35.2 in | 84 x 36 in | Thule’s box is longer and a little narrower. Neither dimension alone proves it fits your roof. |
| Hatch check | Greater than 56.375 in using Thule’s diagram | 50 in using Yakima’s open-hatch diagram | Use each brand’s own measuring reference. |
| Opening and securing | Dual-sided, PowerClick torque indication | Dual-sided, removable torque-limiting knob | Each can be reached from the curb and has a set check for mounting tightness. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Thule Force 3 XXL
- At 57 lb empty, it cuts into the cargo allowance.
With Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Bulky light bags have less room in an 18 cu ft interior.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
My longest pair is 205 cm
Go with Thule Force 3 XXL. Force XXL allows skis up to 215 cm.
All my gear fits in 18 cu ft, and my skis are under 195 cm
Go with Yakima SkyBox NX XL. If its capacity is enough, the NX 18 spares you the longer, heavier shell.
Decision guide
How to decide
Pick for the trips you really make
The Force XXL makes sense when long skis or bulky light items will use the extra shell. A household with shorter skis and ordinary bags may prefer the NX 18, since unused space still means a longer object to store and install. Neither box should be loaded just to use up the volume you can see.
Draw up a roof-weight worksheet
Begin with the lowest approved limit for the whole system. Subtract the rack and the empty box, then weigh the bags. Yakima’s manual carries an older 52 lb figure and the current page says 53 lb. The example works with 53 lb, and the final check on the unit you receive is left to you.
Measure the vehicle as installed
Thule's page lists exterior and above-crossbar heights that conflict, so no exact garage-height advantage is claimed. Measure the vehicle with the box mounted. Check the rear hatch and front overhang before you tighten everything into its final position.
What this page can’t tell you
- What you see here are manufacturer fit limits and planning examples. None of it approves an installation on a specific vehicle.
- Yakima's documents disagree by about 1 lb on empty weight, so go with the heavier published figure until you have confirmed the box you receive. No winner on wind noise or fuel economy has been established.
- Thule’s current page lists an exterior height of 17.9 inches and 21.4 inches of height off the crossbar. We make no precise comparison of mounted height.
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 XXL |
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| Yakima SkyBox NX XL |
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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 XXL
The documented 215 cm ski limit is what you need.
See price & reviews on AmazonYakima SkyBox NX XL
None of your skis exceeds 195 cm.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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