Ford Expedition Roof Cargo Buyers Guide

To make your adventurous trips more convenient, you have got the Ford Expedition. The biggest SUV from Ford offers good cargo capacity. However, you feel the need for a little more space to carry some more equipment. You know that the Ford Expedition has roof racks for holding cargo boxes. But how do you know which is the best roof cargo box for Ford Expedition?

This article will help you find all the relevant information about the best roof cargo boxes on the market suitable for the Ford Expedition. You can use this article as a guide for buying a cargo box for your SUV. By reading this article, you will also know what to consider when buying a cargo box.

Comparisons table

5 Best Roof Cargo Box For Ford Expedition

Here I present in-depth reviews of the best roof cargo boxes on the market that fit well with a Ford Expedition. I know they will be good for you because I tested them myself with my SUV.

1. Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box

I like the way the clamps of the Thule Force cargo box get fixed to the SUV. The well-thought-out design ensures the perfect pressure of the clamps to do their job. You can tell if the clamp is on the car by hearing a clicking sound. The sound keeps me tension-free on my long trips with the cargo box.

I think the Force cargo box from Thule is a great product that ensures value for money. You can easily pack all your necessary items in the cargo box for a week-long outdoor adventure for the whole family.

However, I do not like the lid of the cargo box. While opening it, you may feel that it is not attached to the hinge well enough. Maybe the duel-opening feature of the box is responsible for this. I hope Thule will upgrade the lid on the next model.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 74.75 x 33 x 18 inches
• Load Capacity: 165 lbs
• Volume: 16 cubic feet
• Weight: 41 lbs

Features

Textured Surface: Force cargo boxes have a nice-looking diamond-shaped texture. It also made the box very durable. Along with the texture and the aerodynamic design, the cargo box never affects the speed of the Ford Expedition.

Quick-Grip Mounting: This cargo box comes with the technology- Quick-Grip mounting. It ensures a quick and easy attachment of the box on the top of your SUV. You will never need more than five minutes to attach the cargo box to your vehicle.

Dual Opening: You can open the lid of the cargo box from two sides. It has made packing and unpacking very easy. You can get your things out of the box quicker than many other cargo boxes.

One-Key Lock: Force cargo box has a unique single-lock mechanism for both the lid and the cargo box. It enables you to use a single key for locking and unlocking the top and the cargo box simultaneously.

Pros

• Diamond-textured surface
• Dual opening
• Quick-grip mounting
• One-key lock

Cons

• Plastic-made key latch

2. SportRack Vista Cargo Box

The first time I used the SportRack Vista cargo box, I took it on a 2300-mile trip to Colorado. It has become one of my favorites since then. All those bumpy roads in Colorado could not harm the cargo box. I should tell you that I overloaded the box on the first trip to put it through a test. The cargo box passed the test quite well.

I love the lightweight shell of the box. Unlike many other cargo boxes, it does not put an extra load on your vehicle, reducing fuel efficiency. In the last three and a half years, I took this cargo box on many outdoor trips to Arizona and New Mexico. I never had an issue with it. Moreover, I found the mounting process of the box very quick and convenient.

Another good side of the SportRack Vista cargo box is the affordable price. The price of this superb cargo box is less than many of its competitors. Nevertheless, I find the rear-loading system of the cargo box very awkward. It feels inconvenient to me. However, this mechanism ensures that none of your stuff can come out of the cargo box during a speedy ride.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 62.5 x 19 x 39 inches
• Load Capacity: 100 lbs
• Volume: 18 cubic feet
• Weight: 28 lbs

Features

Easy Installation: Attaching a SmartRack Vista cargo box on your Ford Expedition is very easy. It has some knobs to hold onto the roof rack of your SUV. You can quickly attach or release these knobs to install and uninstall the cargo box.

Perfect Fit: SmartRack Vista cargo box will fit just fine on a Ford Expedition. The SUV and the gearbox superbly complement each other. While mounting the cargo box on the vehicle, you will feel that the knobs are neither tight nor loose on the roof racks.

Sleek & Spacious: The 18-cubic feet volume of the cargo box may seem much less than other cargo boxes. But rest assured, the cargo box can take more loads than you may think it can.

Pros

• Good for bumpy roads
• Lightweight but durable shell
• Affordable price
• Easy installation

Cons

• Rear-loading system

3. JEGS Rooftop Cargo Carrier

Of all the cargo boxes I have used with my Ford Expedition, the JEGS Rooftop cargo carrier has the least weight. Despite that, the load capacity of the box is greater than many other brands. The reason for the less weight may be the plastic-made shell of the box. I think this cargo box could be a superb option for you if you do not need to carry heavy or sharp equipment.

At first, the hinges of the cargo box may seem a bit unsteady, but they work fine for a smooth opening and closing of the box. The side latches of JEGS cargo boxes may be difficult to handle for a vehicle with a tall height. But if you are using the cargo box on a Ford Expedition, you will not feel that problem at all.

However, I did not find the lock to be efficient enough. But it is enough to keep your goods secure if no one tries to break them with force. Besides, you can add two extra locks on the latches to ensure better security.

The aerodynamic design of the box is another positive aspect of the quality product. Above all, you will enjoy the waterproofing feature of the box in the rainy season.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 61.25 x 39 x 12 inches
• Load Capacity: 100 lbs
• Volume: 18 cubic feet
• Weight: 35 lbs

Features

Waterproofing: The shell of the JEGS cargo box is made of HDPE plastic. As a result, the cargo box is fully waterproof. So, if you are going on an adventure on a rainy day, this cargo box should be your priority.

Four-Corner Locking: You can lock the JEGS cargo box at all four corners. As a result, you can rest assured about the security of your valuables on an adventurous trip.

Value for Money: JEGS cargo box is much more affordable than most of its competitors on the market. However, it confirms quality service for a long time. If you care about value for money, you should choose JEGS cargo boxes.

Pros

• Lightweight body
• Aerodynamic design
• Waterproofing
• Ensure value for money

Cons

• Weak built-in lock

4. Goplus Cargo Box

When I first saw the Goplus cargo box for the first time, I was unsure if it would last for a long time. The reason behind my dilemma was the extremely light weight of the cargo box. However, after using it for three years on some rough country roads, I must say I very much count on this cargo box. I love how easily the Goplus Cargo Box fits on the top of my Ford Expedition.

Once, I took a 10-day road trip with a Goplus cargo box. The box stayed attached to my SUV’s roof throughout the whole tour. I was amazed to see that the clamps of the cargo box remained in place for such a long time. Since the cargo box is lightweight, I do not need to worry about fuel efficiency.

You will like how easily the Goplus cargo box will enable you to handle your goods. It is because of the dual-opening feature of the cargo box. Unlike many other cargo boxes, Goplus boxes make no noise, even when the SUV is traveling at 70 mph. Besides, the cargo box will protect your goods from extreme rain as it is very waterproof.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 63 x 31 x 15 inches
• Load Capacity: 165 lbs
• Volume: 14 cubic feet
• Weight: 25 lbs

Features

Double Lock: The unique locking system of the Goplus cargo box doubles the security of your valuables because it requires two keys to open. It is hard to lose the keys because you cannot remove them from the box while the lid is open.

Dual Opening: You can open the box from both sides of your car. So, it is favorable for easy and quick packing and unpacking.

Quality Materials: The cargo box has some strong materials like ABS and other materials used in making a PC. That is why you can use it for a long time with a load of 165 lbs.

Pros

• Easy loading and unloading
• Strong and lightweight body
• Do not make noise in high speed
• Double lock

Cons

• Clumps take up space from the inside

5. Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box

A pleasant characteristic of the Thule Pulse cargo box is its silence, even while the car is racing at high speed. I have used many strong and efficient cargo boxes that make irritating noises. I believe the modern aerodynamic design of the cargo box helps it cope with wind easily. That is why it can remain quiet when the SUV is running at a speed of 70 MPH.

Like many other Thule cargo boxes, the Thule Pulse also comes with a FastGrip quick-mount system. As a result, you can mount the cargo box on your Ford Expedition very quickly and easily.

However, I find it difficult to open and close the box's top. Furthermore, you cannot lock the cargo box unless it is properly closed. This feature saves you from untoward accidents. Since you cannot start a journey while the lid of the cargo box is open.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 67 x 35 x 16 inches
• Load Capacity: 110 Pounds
• Volume: 14 cubic feet
• Weight: 34 lbs

Features

Durable Design: The outer surface of Thule Pulse is rugged and can endure any scratches without harm. As a result, the strong-built shell effectively protects your valuables.

Safe Opening: You can only load and unload the cargo box from the passenger side of your SUV. It means your chances of getting hurt by other vehicles while packing or unpacking are thin.

Pros

• Does not make noises in high speed
• Easy mounting on the top of a vehicle
• Passenger-side opening
• Strong rugged surface

Cons

• Not waterproof

How To Buy The Best Roof Cargo Box For Ford Expedition?

When buying a roof cargo box for your Ford Expedition, you have to check if the capacity of the cargo box meets your requirements. You also have to make sure that the cargo box will fit on the rails on the top of your Ford Expedition.

What Will You Carry?

Generally, people carry their sleeping bags, tents, skis, ski boots, backpacks, and other lightweight equipment that they need on their adventures. You may also take beach supplies, toys for kids, and anything else with less weight that fits the roof cargo box.

Depending on the amount of stuff you will carry, you should choose a roof cargo box that is the perfect size. You may put those things in the box that take up a lot of space but do not weigh much. 

Dimensions of the Box

You need to check the dimensions of the roof cargo box carefully. Keep in mind the exact dimensions of the items you may carry in the roof cargo box. Do the math to confirm that your tools would fit in the box. Most cargo boxes are around 6 feet long. The length is enough to take a pair of ordinary skis.

For longer equipment like snowboards, you will need a long cargo box. But if you need to take small items like ski boots or a portable stove, buying a smaller cargo box will not do any harm.

Load Capacity

Every cargo box has a specific capacity for carrying weights. For most of them, the maximum weight capacity is around 165 pounds. But there are some cargo boxes with more load capacity.

You must know that you cannot fill up a cargo box to its maximum load capacity. To confirm the better durability of the box, pack things that weigh a bit less than the highest capacity of the cargo box.

Big is Not Always Convenient

A big cargo box will cost you more. Moreover, it will weigh more than a smaller cargo box. And more weight in the cargo box means less fuel efficiency for your Ford Expedition.

You may think it is always good to have a big cargo box, regardless of your actual requirements. But it will cost you more fuel to carry the extra weight of the large cargo box.

The Aesthetics

Apart from being robust and capable of carrying things, the cargo box needs to be beautiful too. Otherwise, it may hamper the aesthetics of your Ford Expedition. Most cargo boxes come with gorgeous and sleek finishes. However, it needs to complement the overall look of your utility vehicle.

Moreover, the cargo box should match the design of your Ford Expedition. You should also choose a befitting color for the cargo box, keeping in mind the color theme of your SUV. If the look of your Ford Expedition does not feel soothing with the cargo box, you will feel something is missing in your fun of outdoor adventures.

Conclusion

To make your adventures more fun, you must use the best roof cargo box for the Ford expedition. You cannot compromise on the quality of the cargo box because if the box spills out all the necessary gadgets on the street, your trip will be spoiled.

Besides, you may get involved in accidents just by using a below-standard cargo box.