Station Wagon Roof Cargo Boxes Buyers Guide

Going on road trips is the best way to enjoy outdoor adventures with your family and friends. However, this can be a little challenging depending on the vehicle you choose to travel in. For instance, it wouldn't be much of a massive deal if you chose to travel in an RV; however, you may have a hard time storing your gear and luggage if you travel in a wagon.

Most wagons' cargo capacity ranges between 24 cu ft to 70.5 cubic ft. Regardless of where it lies within this scale, your wagon's cargo capacity can be too little or too much, depending on your needs. For instance, you could have a 70.5 cu ft capacity wagon but are traveling with your entire group of family or friends that have to carry their luggage.

Lucky for you, we've done our research and tests and have made a list of some of the best rooftop cargo boxes that you can use to store your cargo whenever you need to. It would help to go through the list keeping in mind your preferred model (if you have one), approximate cargo capacity, price, and durability.

Let's dive right in and find out which cargo box best suits your wagon.

Best cargo box for your wagon

1. Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box Carrier

This cargo box carrier is perfect for vehicles with a roof rack. It's designed with a quick-mount cargo box to make road trips less stressful. The simple installation mechanism cuts the installation time to five minutes, which some users have described as absurdly easy.

Additionally, the cargo box has an easily accessible internal and external space. It's surprisingly spacious and can be accessed easily because the hinged design allows users to open it from either side. One other nifty feature is that it doesn't get in the way of trunk access allowing users to access the trunk efficiently and conveniently.

The cargo box costs 580 to 750 dollars and can hold lots of cargo. It has a generous height and sturdiness. It can also work well in extreme weather conditions, is durable, and is durable, making it the perfect choice for off-road adventures that involve (among others) winter trips to various ski mountains. However, it isn't as streamlined as other cargo boxes in its category.

Specifications

• Model options: Sport XXL, XL, L
• Load capacity: 165 pounds
• Volume: 22, 18, 16, 11 cu ft
• Locks: Included
• Weight: 52, 47, 41, 32, pounds
  

Carry capacity (Skiis)

• XXL: 5 snowboards or seven pairs of skis (215cm max. length)
• XL: 5 snowboards or seven pairs of skis (195cm max. length)
• L: 5 snowboards or seven pairs of skis (175cm max. length)
• Sport: 4 snowboards or five pairs of skis (175cm max. length)

Pros

• Easy installation
• Huge carrying capacity
• Double-sided access
  

2. Inno Wedge 660

Most rooftop cargo boxes add more than a couple of inches to your vehicle's total height, which can be a bit risky for people that park their vehicles in a garage or frequently go to enclosed parking lots. This may present a problem for your wagon, and if you are concerned about keeping a low profile, then the Inno wedge 660 is designed for you.

The inno wedge 660 features a contoured design with an 11-inch depth and rises above your wagon's rack's crossbars by 9.6 inches. It also has a stylish, aerodynamic design that minimizes wind resistance and noise and accommodates the rear hatch and antenna. In addition, it has a premium finish and fit and includes a tool-free installation mechanism.

The cargo box can also be opened from either side, increasing organization and helping you access its contents more efficiently. There are many other cargo boxes to choose from if you are more concerned about clearance, like the Yakima Grand tour, Thule pulse Alpine, etc. However, you'll have to take some time and do your math before purchasing. Inno wedge 660 costs 690 dollars.

Specifications

• Capacities: 14.1, 13.4, 12.4, 10.6 cu ft
• Dimensions: (L x W x H) 80 by 33 by 11 inches
• Skiis: 6 to 8 pairs of skis that are up to 185cm long
• Access: Double-sided access

Pro

The cargo box has a contoured base, which helps you keep a low profile without minimizing the depth.

3. Yakima Grand Tour 16

The Yakima Grand Tour is the best-looking rooftop cargo box if you are on the market for a stylish but still functional cargo box. It has a contoured base that sits low in your wagon's roof rack, has a short but wide profile, and a high gloss finish that enhances your vehicle's profile.

It's also designed with a mounting system that utilizes a removable knob, which you can use to tighten and secure each clamp to your vehicle's rooftop. It's also made with durable materials meant to secure your box and its contents from the elements and other factors that may stress its physical integrity.

You can use the Yakima grand tour to efficiently store your suitcases, skis, child's portable crib, or dirt bike equipment. It shares a similar set of features with various other premium boxes and can be opened from both sides. It's also equipped with tie-down points to secure your gear to prevent damage.

Additionally, it uses stiffeners to keep its lid from flopping; however, it has a less streamlined nose design, but this defect is countered with its more polished aesthetics. IT also has big, easy-to-use handles that you can toggle to open the box and close when it's not in use. The cargo box costs 779 dollars, and some of its features include:

Specifications

• Capacities: 18, 16, 15 cu ft
• Access: Double-sided access
• Dimensions: 79 by 35 by 18 inches
• Skis: Can store 185cm long skis
  

4. Yakima CBX solar 16

If you liked the Yakima grand tour 16, you are about to love the Yakima CBX Solar 16. Yakima's CBX solar 16 variant is a high-end cargo box with a neat design and an integrated 5V- 36Watt solar panel. The cargo box is fitted with two USB device-charging ports that can be used while in motion or when camping.

The cargo box has an intriguing user-friendly design that comes in handy in off-grid adventures. You can use it to charge various devices like camera batteries, headlamps, lanterns, phones, etc. You could choose to get an alternate power source for charging your devices; however, the cargo box's design is meant to be seamless, efficient, and hustle-free.

Specifications

• Capacity: 16 cu ft
• Skis: Can store 185cm-long skis
• Access: Double-sided access
• Dimensions: 83 by 38 by 15 inches
  

5. Thule Motion XT L

Thule's Motion XT L easily stands out and could be the perfect cargo box for your wagon. It has a refined finish and fit. It also has an easy and user-friendly installation process. The motion XT cargo box comes in four sizes (16 to 22 cu ft), including an alpine variant perfect for toting skis and low clearance.

Thule's cargo box delivers and is perfectly priced at $800, while other cargo boxes cost as much as $1500 with similar or fewer features. Thule's premium all-rounder is perfect whether you are a weekend warrior or a road tripper that needs some extra space to store your climbing gear and still blend in the city streets whenever you are in town.

You could try to save some money by choosing more affordable options; however, there are a few things that you'll be missing out on. For instance, the cargo box has a PowerClick mounting system that makes an audible click when it fits securely onto your rooftop. Additionally, it's easy to close and open, secure, and has better wind resistance.

Specifications

• Capacity: 22, 18 (Alpine), 18, and 16 cu ft
• Access: Dual-side access
• Dimensions: 77 by 36 by 17 inches
• Skis: it can fit 5 to 7 pairs of skis that are up to 175cm long
  

How to select the best cargo box

You should select your cargo box depending on various factors, including capacity, design, durability, and access. Your decision will be influenced by the amount of cargo space you have, the type of cargo you'd like to store, etc. Other factors include assembly and installation and the type of rack you've installed on your wagon.

If you wonder whether rooftop carrier boxes are worth it, you should know that they are. However, it would be best if you also remembered that cargo boxes affect your gas mileage regardless of whether it's full or empty. However, you could reduce the amount of fuel wastage by purchasing more streamlined cargo boxes to save more fuel since they reduce wind resistance (and noise).

Conclusion

While various other types of cargo transportation alternatives are available, cargo boxes are by far the most sophisticated, inexpensive, and secure options available. They are cheaper than renting an RV, safer than truck racks, and ultimately more convenient when accessing dirt roads and snow-filled mountainsides.

If you are looking for a cargo box rooftop carrier for your wagon, you can be assured that these are some of the best cargo boxes available. Have fun! Select one of the cargo boxes listed above, and you are good to go.

Meta

Searching for the best cargo boxes for your wagon? Look no further! Here are 4 of the best 2022 rooftop cargo boxes you can rely on for efficiency, durability, and cargo capacity.