The catch
Thule Pulse 2 L
Many adult skis are longer than its 175 cm ski limit.
Side by side
Thule Pulse 2 L vs Force 3 L: Pulse is lighter to lift, and Force adds SlideLock at the same volume and ski limit
Quick verdict
Pulse 2 L wins on the lighter lift and slightly lower shell. Force 3 L is the one to get if its SlideLock operation is worth the extra weight to you. Both advertise 16 cubic feet and 175 cm skis.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Same headline capacity, lighter carrier
Pulse 2 L matches Force 3 L at 16 cubic feet and saves 7.7 pounds.
Where this comes from
43 - 35.3 = 7.7 pounds, and 7.7 / 43 × 100 = 17.9% less empty weight.
The catch
Thule Force 3 L
Skis from 180 to 200 cm are too long for it.
Thule Pulse 2 L
- Why pick it
- The box comes off between short trips
- Your parking setup benefits from a lower installed shell
- The catch
- Many adult skis are longer than its 175 cm ski limit.
Thule Force 3 L
- Why pick it
- Opening and locking as separate actions suits you
- The Force interior shape works better for your particular bag
- The catch
- Skis from 180 to 200 cm are too long for it.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money
What this page compares
Pulse 2 L and Force 3 L share a stated cargo volume. See how they differ in lifting weight, installed height, internal fit and lock operation.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
The box comes off between short trips
Pulse 2 L matches Force 3 L at 16 cubic feet and saves 7.7 pounds.
- Thule Pulse 2 L
- Better fit
- Thule Force 3 L
- Good
You need opening and locking to be separate actions
Force has SlideLock, with opening and locking as separate steps. Pulse has a central lock.
- Thule Pulse 2 L
- Not suitable
- Thule Force 3 L
- Better fit
Your parking setup benefits from a lower installed shell
Height above the bars is listed at 1.2 inches less on Pulse. Check the actual complete vehicle height.
- Thule Pulse 2 L
- Better fit
- Thule Force 3 L
- Good
Your skis run past 175 cm but not past 180 cm
Neither compared model goes past 175 cm. Motion 3 L stretches the allowance to 180 cm at 16 cubic feet.
- Thule Pulse 2 L
- Not suitable
- Thule Force 3 L
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
Same headline capacity, lighter carrier
Pulse 2 L matches Force 3 L at 16 cubic feet and saves 7.7 pounds.
How we worked this out
43 - 35.3 = 7.7 pounds, and 7.7 / 43 × 100 = 17.9% less empty weight.
The height gain can be measured
Above the bars, Pulse sits 1.2 inches lower.
How we worked this out
Math: 16.8 - 15.6 = 1.2 inches.
The lock is where operation improves most
Pulse uses a central lock, while Force has SlideLock with opening and locking handled separately.
How we worked this out
SlideLock on Force and Central lock on Pulse are what the manufacturer descriptions identify. PowerClick and dual-side opening are listed for both.
Option A
Thule, Pulse 2 L
Thule Pulse 2 L
Inside you get 16 cubic feet, and the length limit for gear is 175 centimeters.
- Best for
- carry skis with the seats left up and stay clear of the rear hatch
Facts we checked
- Capacity is 16 cubic feet.
- Gear up to 175 centimeters long fits.
- Dualside access is how it opens.
- Published exterior dimensions are 76.7 x 33.2 x 15.6 inches.
Option B
Thule, Force 3 L
Thule Force 3 L
It offers 16 cubic feet and fits gear up to 175 centimeters in length.
- Best for
- take skis along with the seats left up and suit a shorter roof
Facts we checked
- Capacity is 16 cubic feet.
- Gear up to 175 centimeters long fits.
- Dualside access is how it opens.
- Its published exterior size is 76.8 x 33.3 x 16.8 inches.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Thule Pulse 2 L | Thule Force 3 L | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty box weight | 35.3 lb | 43 lb | Before you allocate cargo, take the shell and rack off the vehicle roof limit. |
| Exterior height | 15.6 in | 16.8 in | Overall shell height is useful for comparing bulk and says nothing certain about installed garage clearance. |
| Height above crossbar | 15.6 in | 16.8 in | To screen garage openings, add this to the measured top-of-crossbar height. |
| Exterior length | 76.7 in | 76.8 in | Look at where the shell sits on the roof, how the hatch moves and where it is stored. |
| Internal height | 14.5 in | 14.4 in | Your tallest suitcase or boots have to fit under the curved lid with no need to force it closed. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Thule Pulse 2 L
- Its central locking is more basic than the SlideLock feedback system on the Motion.
With Thule Force 3 L
- At 16.8 inches above the crossbar, it is not built for low garages.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Your skis run past 175 cm but not past 180 cm
Neither model fits. Motion 3 L raises the stated ski allowance to 180 cm and stays at 16 cubic feet.
Decision guide
How to decide
Same headline capacity, lighter carrier
If the box is your weekend carrier and comes off on Sunday evening, the difference is a practical one. The shell weight you save also leaves more allowance for luggage on the same vehicle and rack, as long as the whole system respects every load limit.
The height gain can be measured
Near a garage threshold the gap could help, though neither box is especially low. The final installed measurement counts for more than the model tier. Measure with the car on level ground, and leave room for an uneven approach.
The lock is where operation improves most
Both boxes come with torque-indicating clamps and open from both sides. What remains is whether the Force lock workflow makes frequent loading easier by enough to justify the heavier shell. With equal capacity and nearly identical ski limits, carrying space alone is a weak reason to upgrade.
What this page can’t tell you
- Wind noise, fuel use and the way a given bag packs around the mounting hardware are things cargo dimensions and manufacturer load ratings cannot predict.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the roof cargo boxes we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
18 of the 26 models checked meet every need here: “Haul camping gear” and “Load from both sides”.
18 models fit, out of 26 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “Haul camping gear” and “Load from both sides”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thule Pulse 2 L |
|
| |
| Thule Force 3 L |
|
|
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 Pulse 2 L
The box comes off between short trips
See price & reviews on AmazonThule Force 3 L
Opening and locking as separate actions suits you
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money