Jeep Cherokee is a perfect choice for adventure tours. They are the most compact form of Sports Utility Vehicles. Now, adding a roof box can make your Cherokee as spacious as a large SUV. To buy the best Jeep Cherokee roof box, you must have adequate information about them.
In this article, I reviewed some of the best roof boxes. All of them can fit perfectly on top of a Jeep Cherokee. I have analyzed their designs and other technical information to help you choose the best one for your SUV. I have also included some guidance to buy the perfect roof box for your Jeep Cherokee.
5 Best Roof Boxes for Jeep Cherokee
A good quality roof box should carry all types of sports utilities without damaging them. It should be strong enough to endure the hardship of long road trips. Besides, it must confirm proper security to the goods it is carrying.
1. SportRack Vista XL
I first used the SportRack Vista XL on a Jeep Cherokee while taking a trip to Colorado. On the 2330-mile trip, sometimes we drove the SUV at 90 MPH. The roof box gave us just the support we expected from it. I loaded the roof box with so much equipment that a bulge came out in the middle of the roof box. We finished the 10-day trip with no hiccups regarding the roof box.
The outer surface of the roof box has a unique texture. You can clean even a thick layer of dirt from the surface in seconds. It is very satisfying that the sealed shell of the box does not let any dirt get through it. The roof box is very capable of keeping your utilities dry on a rainy day. Unlike many other roof boxes, SportRack Vista XL does not make irritating noise on the road.
Mounting and removing the roof box to and from my Jeep Cherokee takes almost five minutes. I think the process is simple and easy. However, I consider the rear-loading feature of the roof box very inconvenient. It makes the loading-unloading process slow. However, this system keeps the tourer safe from traffic while packing or unpacking goods.
Specifications
- Load Capacity: 100 lbs
- Volume: 18 cubic feet
- Dimensions: 63 x 38 x 19 inches
- Weight: 28 lbs
Features
UV-Resistance: The SportRack Vista XL has ABS material on its surface. This material can resist all ultraviolet rays of the sun. As a result, the roof box does not get pale with constant sunlight on your adventure trips.
Fits Well: This roof box perfectly fits on the racks of the Jeep Cherokee. You can use SportRack Vista XL on round or square load bars too.
Spacious: The 18-cubic feet volume of the roof box lets you take all your long sports gears. They can carry golf clubs or long ski boards safely.
Pros
- Easy to clean surface
- Resistance to ultraviolet rays
- Quick installation
- Spacious shell
Cons
- Rear-loading system
Don’t be confused by the lightweight body of the Goplus Waterproof roof box. It is as durable as any roof box can be. I have been using a Goplus cargo box for more than three years. All these three years, the roof box has gone through a lot and still manages to look and work fine. I smoothly completed some long road trips in California with a Goplus roof box.
Driving my Jeep Cherokee on the same roads with and without the Goplus roof box, I just wanted to know the impact of the roof box on the fuel efficiency of my SUV. Surprisingly, I found that the effect was close to none. The outstanding aerodynamic design and the lightweight of the roof box save me money by saving fuel.
With the Goplus roof boxes, you can load and unload your sports utilities very conveniently. The lid of the box opens from two sides of the vehicle. Besides, you don’t need to hold the shell to keep it open during the loading or unloading. Moreover, you will never need to worry about rain if you have a Goplus waterproof roof box.
Specifications
- Load Capacity: 165 lbs
- Volume: 14 cubic feet
- Dimensions: 63 x 31 x 15 inches
- Weight: 25 lbs
Features
Two-End Opening: You can open the box from both sides of your car. So, it is favorable for easy and quick packing and unpacking.
Strong Materials: The roof box has some strong materials like ABS. That is why you can use it for a long time with a load of 165 lbs.
Reliable Lock: The Goplus cargo box has a unique locking system, which doubles the security of your valuables. It requires two keys to open the lid. The chances of losing the keys are very thin because you have to lock the box first to remove the keys from the locks.
Pros
- A light but strong shell
- Quick loading and unloading
- Make no noise in high speed
- Double lock
Cons
- Thinner lid vulnerable to break-in
The Thule Force XT roof box is more pricey than most competitors. However, the extra bucks are worth spending on such a great product. You can sense the quality by noticing how the clamps hold onto your Jeep Cherokee. In my long trips, my first preference remains the Thule Force XT because they keep me tension-free on all kinds of troublesome roads.
The roof box is efficient and good-looking at the same time. You can easily carry all types of sports utilities with your Thule Force XT. Once I went to a week-long outdoor activity with my whole family. The roof box had all the utilities of all my family members conveniently. So, With Thule Force XT, space will never be a problem for you.
After analyzing for a long time, I can find a single drawback of the Thule Force XT roof box, which is the connection between the lid of the box and the hinges. Sometimes I feel they do not sync well. Maybe it is because of the dual-opening feature of the box.
Specifications
- Load Capacity: 165 lbs
- Volume: 16 cubic feet
- Dimensions: 74.75 x 33 x 18 inches
- Weight: 41 lbs
Features
Diamond-Shaped Texture: Force cargo boxes look great with the rugged diamond-shaped texture. The texture also ensures the supreme durability of the roof box. The unique texture and the aerodynamics in the design never make your Jeep Cherokee slow.
Easy Mounting: Thule Force XT roof box has superb technology- Quick-Grip mounting. It enables you to install and uninstall the roof box very conveniently. It may take five minutes to get the roof box fit on your Jeep Cherokee.
Two-Side Opening: The roof box has a great design to enable you to load and unload your sports utilities from two sides. The feature brings you convenience and also saves you time. As you know, you can never have enough time on an adventure tour.
Unique Lock: With the unique locking system of the Force XT roof box, you can secure the lid of the shell and the box with a single lock. This feature ensures more security and less hassle at the same time.
Pros
- Easy mounting system
- Diamond-textured surface
- Accessible from two sides
- A single lock secures the whole box
Cons
- Key-latch made from plastic
If you are looking for an affordable roof box for your Jeep Cherokee that will do the job properly, you may try the TRUNX rooftop box. The roof box has only nine cubic feet of volume but can take up to 110 pounds of goods. It proves that it is more sturdy than many other roof boxes. When I need to carry small but heavy utilities, I use my Trunx rooftop box.
I am amazed by the waterproofing capability of the Trunx roof box. Once I had to drive 30 miles in a hard rain with the TRUNX roof box on top of my SUV. The roof box managed to keep all my goods dry. The Trunx roof box can be a superb option for a smaller SUV like Jeep Cherokee. However, I found the process of attaching the clumps a bit difficult.
You will love the dual lock feature of the Trunx rooftop box. Along with the latches, it ensures total security for your goods during your long road trips. In short, this roof box is a quality product with a minimal price.
Specifications
- Load Capacity: 110 lbs
- Volume: 9 cubic feet
- Dimensions: 46.6 x 27.4 x 17.3 inches
- Weight: 21 lbs
Features
Side Access: You can access the shell from the side of your Jeep Cherokee. It is very convenient to load and unload sports utilities.
Belt Installation: The installation of the TRUNX roof box is simple. All you need to do is use the U-bolt to mount the roof box on the top of your Jeep Cherokee.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Strong-built body
- Solid waterproofing
- Easy installation
Cons
- Difficulty in attaching the clumps
5. Thule Pulse Rooftop Box
You will love how the Thule Pulse box carries sports utilities without making noises, even when the vehicle is moving fast. It has the most contemporary aerodynamic design to negotiate with the wind the best way. The result is a noiseless road trip for you. I went on a long road trip to California in my Jeep Cherokee with a Thule Pulse roof box without any problem.
You cannot help loving the exceptionally convenient mounting system of Thule Pulse. The FastGrip quick-mount feature is one of the reasons that made the Thule brand so famous among adventurers. It ensures quick and secured installation of the rooftop box. As you know, less tension with security can bring the ultimate fun of an adventure tour.
The one thing that I could not like about the Thule Pulse rooftop box is the top layer. I think it is very light and difficult to operate. However, the chances of leaving the roof box open during the tour are almost zero. Because if you do not close the box, you will not be able to lock it.
Specifications
- Load Capacity: 110 Pounds
- Volume: 14 cubic feet
- Dimensions: 67 x 35 x 16 inches
- Weight: 34 lbs
Features
Durable Surface: The surface of the Thule Pulse roof box is textured. So, it is convenient to handle. Also, the rugged surface enhanced the durability of the roof box.
Passenger-Side Opening: There are many instances when people got injured by traffic while loading or unloading their utilities from the roof box, standing at the driver’s side. To minimize the risk, Thule has limited the access of Thule Pulse to the passenger side only.
Pros
- Noiseless in high-speed trips
- FastGrip quick mount
- Safe access for loading-unloading
- A rugged durable surface
Cons
- Limited waterproofing
How to Choose the Best Roof Box for Your Jeep Cherokee?
From all those fascinating roof boxes on the market, it is a difficult task to find the best one for your Jeep Cherokee. However, if you consider the following factors, you may get the perfect roof box for you.
Mounting the Roof Box: You should be able to attach the roof box easily to your Jeep Cherokee. At the same time, the box should remain firm on the top of the compact SUV, even on the worst bumpy roads.
Access to Contents: Loading and unloading your sports utilities should be convenient with the roof box. On your adventure trips, you should keep up the jolly mood all the way. If packing or unpacking goods becomes a nuisance, you will miss the fun of the tour. I always prefer those roof boxes which are accessible from two sides.
The Dimensions: Check the dimensions of the roof box carefully. They should match the dimensions of the utilities you need to carry in the roof box. You should also know about the volume and load capacity of the roof box. Remember that you cannot use the total load capacity of the roof box to ensure better durability.
Security: There are two aspects of the security of a roof box. First, it has to fit tightly on the roof of your Jeep Cherokee. The clamps should be strong enough to endure any turbulence on the way. Secondly, the box should have a perfect locking system to avoid theft.
Durability: All the materials of the roof box should be tough enough to withstand all the troubles of a long journey. The shell of the roof box has to be sturdy to protect your valuables from the weather and damaged roads. Your roof box can have a long life only if it has a sturdy body.
Waterproofing: A good roof box should protect your utilities from hard rains. You may not be able to use your sports utilities for your adventures if they are wet. Besides, many goods may get damaged if they get in touch with water. On the top of your Cherokee, the rain will hit the box with the force of the wind. For that, many roof boxes use multiple protection against water.
Aerodynamics: Since the roof box will move at the same speed as the Jeep Cherokee, the front side of the box has to be aerodynamic. Otherwise, you will hear irritating noises while driving at high speeds. Moreover, your Cherokee will lose fuel efficiently for the extra force it has to deploy due to the conflict between wind and the roof box.
The lid of the Shell: On your long tours, you will frequently need to open and close the shell. Sometimes, you will be in a hurry too. If it is difficult to open the lid of the roof box, it will not help you at all. Another thing to consider about the roof box is its steadiness while it is open. It will be very inconvenient for you to keep the lip open with one hand while loading and unloading.
Conclusion
To get the best performance from a roof box, you should pay proper attention to the directives provided by the manufacturer. In most cases, people damage the roof box while mounting them on their vehicles. So, you must be extra cautious about that.
I believe after reading this article, you can now buy the best Jeep Cherokee Roof Box for yourself.
Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API