Yakima Skybox Lo Carbonite – Gear Review

These things happen all too often! It’s time to hit the road and seek adventure, and whether it’s your crew of weekend warriors or a backseat crammed full of rugrats, space has become a factor. We want to carry all of our gear the distance, and as much of it as possible, so this winter we took to the road with the Yakima Skybox Lo Carbonite Cargo Box atop our Jeep!

Key Features:

• Sleek aerodynamic Carbonite textured lid
• No assembly required
• Tool-free installation/removal from vehicle
• Fits Yakima round, square, factory, and aerodynamic bars
• Designed with internal lid stiffeners for added for durability and easy open and close
• SuperLatch™ security ensures your lid is secure to its base, and your gear is safe
• Dual-sided opening for easy access on either side of your vehicle
• Tapered design reduces hatch interference
• Available in five sizes: Lo, 12, 16, 18, and 21 cubic feet
• Hauls gear for up to 3 campers; fits snowboards and skis up to 215cm

Tech Specs:

• Weight: 52.00 lbs
• Dimensions: L 92.00” x W 36.00” x H 11.50”

Installation:

Out of the box the Yakima Skybox Lo is fully assembled and ready for a tool free installation. On top of that, the quick release mounting mechanism on this cargo box is designed to fit most crossbars, and there’s little worry about whether installation will be possible on your automobile.

During installation, we recommend double checking the added warnings in the provided instructions. One problem we did run into is that too many turns of the adjustment knob can dislocate the screw from the clamp mechanism, and because the receiving thread is pivoted, re-attachment proves extremely difficult. You’ve been warned. However, it takes a lot of turns to make that happen, and it’s improbable to run into the issue.

In all, even though we disassembled one of our clamp mechanisms for the sake of testing, we were able to install the Yakima Skybox Lo securely with two people in about 20 minutes. It is a large cargo box, and not recommended to hoist up there on your own. Normal installation can easily be done in approximately 5 minutes with two people.

Design:

With this particular model, it’s all about the aerodynamics! The Yakima Skybox Lo is impressively sleek and low in profile, so drag and wind noise are reduced exponentially in relation to the boxier carriers of decades past. We’ve taken this cargo box above normal highway speeds on multiple occasions both filled to the brim and empty, and we experienced very little in the way of driving difficulties as a result of wind resistance. The only time we experienced any kind of “white-knuckle” driving conditions were during gusting high winds. This is a phenomenon we’re very familiar with on coastal Lake Michigan, but any other cargo box would have more than likely had the same issue under these conditions.

In addition to basic aerodynamics in form, the Yakima Skybox Lo has a new textured lid that works in much the same way as dimples on a golf ball to reduce air resistance during high speeds. There are also internal lid stiffeners that add rigidity to the structure of the Skybox Lo, so the structure holds to form consistently in the winds, adding even more stability during high speeds.

Opening from both sides, the Yakima Skybox Lo is also extremely accessible. Tie down locations and cords are also included to secure the lighter loads, but heavier items such as skis or snowboards will stay in place pretty well on their own in the ridged rails as long as you don’t take your turns like a maniac.

We’d also like to point out the benefit of the ultra-low profile of the Skybox Lo in terms of clearance. Even uncommonly tall vehicles should have no problem accessing garages or getting under low branches with this particular cargo carrier attached.

Cargo Space:

The Yakima Skybox Lo, although shallow in design, is ultra wide compared to the majority of cargo boxes on the market, and spans almost the entire width of your average car. The 15 foot cubic volume has provided more than enough room this winter to store skis or snowboards, boots, and folding chairs for 3 travelers all at once. If you think you’re going to need more room than what we’re describing, we’d recommend taking a look at the less shallow lineup of cargo boxes offered by Yakima of similar construction to the Yakima Skybox Lo.

Security:

The Yakima Skybox Lo is not only built with solid structural integrity, but the SuperLatch™ locking system is both secure and user friendly. With a quarter turn of the key, the locking handle turns with ease to gain access to this cargo hold. When you’re fully loaded and ready to roll, the keys won’t release from the lock until the Skybox if fully shut. This feature doesn’t only prevent accidentally locking keys inside, but it also ensures that the Skybox isn’t capable of opening during travel and scattering your gear across the landscape. This security system is pretty much bomb proof as well as fool proof.

Value:

When in the market for a cargo carrier, there are a lot of factors that need to be considered. In the case of the Yakima Skybox Lo, the combination of storage capacity with a low profile that works almost perfectly with the aerodynamics of a fast ride is top notch. Add the benefit of a safe and secure locking mechanism, and the moderate price point when compared to the competition is quite agreeable in our opinion.

Buy Now: $549.99 or to learn more, go to: Yakima.com