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BLACK

Yakima SkyBox 18 Roof Box

$499.00

(15)

Item # 784507

REI Members get back an estimated $ 49.90 on this item as part of their annual member refund.

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Take a step up from the Blacktop to the SkyBox 18 with this next evolution of Yakima cargo boxes.

At 18 cu. ft., cargo box has plenty of space for your gear plus the gear for 3 of your friends; hauls kayak paddles, snowboards, skis and even lumber!
Aerodynamic design reduces drag, resulting in less noise and more stability
Cargo boxes are made from up to 80% recycled ABS plastic
Lid is 50% stiffer than other Yakima® cargo boxes for reduced vibration; 1-handed opening and closing is as easy as pie
Rapid-fire installation is quickest and easiest yet—all adjusting and tightening is done from inside the box
Dual side opening conveniently allows the box to be opened from either the right or left side
Smooth-action support lets the lid lift effortlessly; wide-mouth opening is easy to load and unload
Lid shape is easy to grab regardless of the size of your hands
Super Latch Security ensures that the lid is secured to the base
Matte black antiscratch finish gives a stealth look to your vehicle
SkyBox series has integrated track system for accessories so you can protect and organize all your gear
SKS lock cores included
Fits round, square or most factory-rack crossbars (sold separately); fits crossbar spreads as short as 24 inches

Please note: Yakima products can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.

Imported.

Item 784507

Manufacturer’s rebate of up to $125 available when you purchase select Yakima roof boxes by 3/22/12. Get Rebate form and see full details (PDF 156KB)

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Yakima SkyBox 18 Roof Box Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Yakima SkyBox 18 Roof Box

4.0

(based on 15 reviews)

87%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Easy to use (11)
Stable (11)
Durable (10)
Easy to install (10)
Lightweight (5)

Cons

Best Uses

Suv's (8)
Large cars (4)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual/ recreational (6)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (8)

Reviewed by 15 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-10

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Aug

2009

(10 of 10 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

SkyBox is the bomb!

By KristopherBuck

from Troy, Ohio

See all my reviews

Pros

BIG
Durable
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

SUV's

Comments about Yakima SkyBox 18 Roof Box:

We use the Skybox 18 for travel (500+ mile trips). The 2006 pathfinder loses maybe one-half a mile a gallon in fuel mileage with the box. I was able to run with traffic to Florida from Ohio without a problem (70/80 mph). We love it over a rack because nothing gets wet. I went through a very large downpour in the Everglades and the interior was day.

You will need to watch how you pack it in that nothing heavy is on either end (suitcases, etc.). You will see a little wind movement at speed. Finding a home for your new box will also be a challenge. I mount it myself without help, but the job should have two people (similar to carrying plywood in wind). You will notice crosswinds a bit more.

We just bought a set of bags for the box, but have yet to try them. We have used the cargo net to keep everything still in the box. We haven't had any trouble with the locks or securing the unit. You will learn where to stand on your SUV to gain access to the box contents as it is high to get into.

Overall, I love that there is room in the SUV for all of us plus empty seating to stretch out in.

Apr

2011

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Quietly does what it should.

By SavoySpecial

from Elk Grove, Ca

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Use
Lightweight
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

Large Cars
Small Cars
SUV's

Comments about Yakima SkyBox 18 Roof Box:

I spent a good amount of time deliberating and comparing the fit on my 2002 Forester between the dealer recommended 1600 and the bigger 1800. Once inside REI I went with the 1800 only after trying it on my car in the parking lot first. The 1800 fits great.
I had to only make some minor, but normal positioning changes on my factory cross bars and the box slipped right on.

In my opinion, the box is light enough for one person to handle but it's the length and width which makes it awkward enough to threat scratching the vehicle, dropping the box or hurting yourself.

The box feels very sturdy and rigid when mounted and is virtually silent while driving windows down on the freeway.

The reason I went with the Yakima over the Thule to begin with was because of the more durable lock/lever mechanism (according to Yakima and user reviews). Yakima has the user turn the key and then use the lever/handle to pop the box open. The Thule's use the torque on the key and this was a big selling point. However this is no longer correct. The Thule boxes today have a lock that is now designed to avoid using torque on the key also.

I do favor the Yakima design in the rear of the box which allows it to sit as far back on my smaller vehicle as possible but allow my liftgate to fully open.

PROS: also to be mentioned...
The built in tie downs inside which work well with bungees.
The fact that my key will not release unless the box is safely latched shut.
One latch to secure, not three on a Thule.
Opens from either side (one at a time only).
The handle to open the box is larger and easy to grab with wet hands or snow gloves.

CONS: After no time at all the three red 'Yakima' logos are looking like they are working their way unstuck from box.
The key turn seems to be moody; not wanting to turn at times. Always making me think twice about the correct way to turn it.

OVERALL: I'm happy with the Yakima and it does what I think it should do. Also, having peace of mind knowing I can bring it back to REI if I'm simply not happy is pretty cool. (Not a plug, but something to note for the undecided like myself).

Jul

2009

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Awesome

By FNG

from MN

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy To Install
Easy To Use
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

Large Cars
Minivans
SUV's

Comments about Yakima SkyBox 18 Roof Box:

We took this on a 2500 mile 12 day road trip from MN through SD and finally ending in the mountains of CO. We drove back through NE and IA ending up in MN. This helped out tremendously with space since we had 7 people in one vehicle and luggage for 12 days! I would not go any larger than this as you could over load the carrier since there is so much space to use. This went through elevation, a VERY heavy rain storm, heavy wind, and a "cloud" of bugs. We only got a few drops of water inside and about 3 mosquitos in it. I will be using this for every trip!! It secured very easily and didn't move an inch throughout the trip (should be noted that we have factory installed roof bars on a 2003 dodge caravan). You could not hear anything from the box when driving (80+ mph) and it didn't even really affect the gas mileage. Only downside is where to store it when not on the vehicle!!! :-) This is a must have for any larger family.

Sep

2010

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Yakima skybox is bombproof

By CoyoteSage

from Santa Barbara, CA

About Me Anytime

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy To Install
Easy To Use
Love my box
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

Honda Element

Comments about Yakima SkyBox 18 Roof Box:

After having a SpaceCadet15 box for several years with no issues whatsoever, I acquired a fourth hounddog and needed to free up more space in my Element...so i did the logical thing and added 3 square feet with this purchase. The dimensions made me hesitate but now with my purchase on the racks and having experienced a nice load uptop and absolutely no noise from the box, I know that I made the right move. All of my rack equipment has always been Yakima and now with this box, I'm a brand-faithful firm believer that this company is hard to out-do. Yakima rocks!

Mar

2010

(3 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Wide, better value than Pro, SKS core

By jfaughnan

from Saint Paul, MN

About Me Intermediate

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy To Use

Cons

Best Uses

SUV's
Van

Comments about Yakima SkyBox 18 Roof Box:

We bought this product to replace an earlier Yakima box that met a sad end in an underground garage. I haven't used it enough to provide a definitive review but I can share some early experiences:

1. There's no reason to spend more for the Skybox Pro 18. I think the only difference is a pad and a cargo net.

2. It's WIDE. Our old box (10 yo?) was narrower. This one doesn't leave much room for a bike on our Yakima bars.

3. The new mounting system is likely a nice improvement on the old install, but I do recommend skimming the manual prior to installation. We were left to our own devices by REI staff who were clearly a little toasty midway through REI's massive spring sale.

4. The lock cores are SKS standard - unchanged from 10 years ago. I was able to install our single key cores and thus use our old keys.

5. For safety reasons you can't use this box without locking it.

Overall this feels like a reasonably well made pragmatic choice; the best value in the skybox line.

Mar

2010

(3 of 14 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

If you ski DO NOT GET THIS BOX!!!!!!

By JsaonS

from Portland, Oregon

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy To Install
Lightweight

Cons

See Below horrible idea
Weak Construction

Best Uses

SUV's

Comments about Yakima SkyBox 18 Roof Box:

The box is big and fits 3 snowboards and 3 pair of skis but there is one major problem....the box has to be locked for it to be closed. This may not sound like a big deal but if you ski and you head up to the hill cold weather or snow, the locks freeze shut and you either can't get the key in or when you do you can't twist the lock to unlock. This happened to me last weekend, I had to heat my key up with a lighter and struggle for a half hour to get my gear out! This was a replacement for my older box that had the hardware break after 6 uses. I am going to sell this piece of junk and get a cargo box from a different company.

Jul

2009

(3 of 10 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Yakima Skybox locks are cheaply made

By Jeff the Golfer

from Salt Lake City, UT

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy To Install
Easy To Use
Lightweight
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

SUV's

Comments about Yakima SkyBox 18 Roof Box:

The lock on one side broke the second time I used it. Luckily the box had access on both sides or I would not have been able to get my stuff out of it

Apr

2011

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Extreme Conditions

By JRoman

from Raleigh, NC

About Me Expert

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy To Install
Easy To Use

Cons

Tough to fit with Faring

Best Uses

Comments about Yakima SkyBox 18 Roof Box:

I've only had this box for a short time. I purchased this size as I was trying to find a box that could fit a short Surfboard or two and carry some gear as well. This box can handle about a 6'9" maybe a 6'10" on an angle. I just finished the ultimate test run. I drove from Raleigh to Cape Hatteras through Tornado warnings that just ravaged the state. Granted I was running a couple hours ahead of the storms but I'd say I was dealing with 20-30 mph with 40+ gusts, probably more over the bridges on the Bay and by the ocean. The Box held on like a champ, I was nervous and there was some movement but my boards and gear arrived safe and sound.

Mar

2011

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

I may be buried in this

By Steve in Portland

from Portland, OR

About Me Intermediate

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy To Install
Easy To Use
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

SUV's

Comments about Yakima SkyBox 18 Roof Box:

Just got back from a 2,500 mile trip to L.A. We went through torrential rains, 50 inches of snow, and 50-60 mph winds in the mountain passes and along the coasts. The natives said it was the worst week of weather they could ever remember in March, from the Oregon border all the way down. The Skybox withstood all of it. It held our gear, kept it dry and gave us a ton of extra space. I installed it on my Jeep Liberty, and it did not interfere with the tailgate. I recommend this one over the 16 (despite the Yakima guidelines) if you need the extra space. Outstanding!

Aug

2010

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great Cargo Box!

By Redmond Camper

from Redmond, WA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy To Install
Easy To Use
Holds a lot
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

SUV's

Comments about Yakima SkyBox 18 Roof Box:

Just returned from a four day camping trip, over 400 miles of Interstate, Highway and City roads. This is my first cargo box and this was the first trip wtih the Yakima 18 Skybox. Zero issues and it worked very well. Four recreational sleeping bags, an 8 man tent, four camping pillows and three kites fit niecely into this box. Easy to install and rode very well on the factory roof rack of my '07 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. I bought this over the Thule as it seemed a bit more sturdy and it does open and close easier with one hand than the Thule did at REI. Zero issues with wind or ride quality on the car and I lost maybe a half mpg. Love this box and am glad I bought it. We could not do car camping without the extra room it gives us.