Yakima EXO GearLocker
With the functionality of a rooftop cargo box, the Yakima EXO GearLocker provides easier-to-access storage that securely mounts to your hitch-mounted EXO SwingBase or EXO TopShelf rack (not included).
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- Tool-free EXO cleat system attaches and locks the EXO GearLocker to the EXO SwingBase or EXO TopShelf in seconds (EXO SwingBase and EXO TopShelf not included)
- Locking SpeedKnobs securely attach and lock the EXO GearLocker to the rack without the use of any tools
- Easy-on-and-off design makes it perfect for hauling gear to and from your vehicle
- Rugged and lightweight, the EXO GearLocker provides 10 cu. ft. of storage space
- Wide-angle opening makes it easy to find your gear
- Included SKS lock keeps the GearLocker locked and secure if you need to venture away from your vehicle
- Maximum 100 lb. weight capacity when mounted on EXO SwingBase
- Maximum 80 lb. weight capacity when mounted on EXO TopShelf
- Backed by the manufacturer's 2-year warranty
- Requires EXO SwingBase or EXO TopShelf
Made in USA.
| Best Use | Travel |
|---|---|
| Gear Capacity (L) | 283 liters |
| Gear Capacity (cu. in.) | 17,280 cubic inches |
| Hitch Receiver (in.) | Fits 2 inches |
| Material(s) | ABS plastic |
| Dimensions | 62 x 26.5 x 16.75 inches |
| Weight | 28 pounds |
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Hinges are really bad but there may be hope
Just got the gearlocker and out of the box i experienced the same thing as the other reviewer. Spring was disconnected and laying in the box, one side didn't open right. I noticed this after i got home with it and couldn't easily return it, but called yakima. They said its a known issue on early production boxes and they were sending a replacement part. My concern is that the hole that the spring mounts to on the bracket that connects to the side of the box doesn't look robust enough to do the work it's been assigned. I'll update this review when i get the part. Not sure right now if i will keep it because its a lot of money to spend on something that was broken out of the box and still has issues.
Spacious and lightweight , but brittle build
The positive: it's wide and pretty lightweight to move around without the content The negative: build quality is not up to the standard for a gearbox. Yakima warranty team concluded the damage is due to low clearance impact - my hitch height 11" . Although the crack is around the inner portion of the box as shown in the picture , not the edges , so not sure how the positioning of the rack would cause this without visible grazing damage around the edges. Treat this box as a delicate product, protect the bottom with some paddings for impact protection. This type of material makes sense for roof top box but not for box that touches the ground more often.
Updated hinge design - great box and system
I got my GearLocker last week and thought I'd chime in since mine appears to have an updated hinge design. As shown in the attached photo, the hinge spring no longer connects to the small hole in the plastic hinge pivot/mounting post, but rather to a metal disc slipped over the post. I think this design is much more robust and should solve the hinge problems others have experienced. Other than the spring connection issue the hinges seems quite strong, certainly strong enough to hold up the lid which is quite light. Some have expressed doubts about the toughness of the box. Time will tell but after using it for a multi-day road trip I think it will hold up just fine. The box is light but that's arguably a positive: Weight being a zero-sum game, the lighter the box is the more weight I can carry in it and stay under EXO and/or vehicle tongue weight limits...as long as the box is strong enough to hold it. It's well supported from below by the two SwingBase arms, though the assembly instructions do recommend an even weight distribution and carrying heavier items in the center. I appreciate the included cinch-down straps to keep things from rolling around inside the box. The GearLocker gets 5 stars because it gives me exactly what I needed - secure external storage and the ability to carry two bicycles (with the TopShelf and DoubleUp rack.) Now I can take big/bulky items that I'd have left behind: a full-size floor pump, a maintenance stand, an inflatable kayak...you get the picture. Awesome job, Yakima!
Lightweight, Easy to Load, Kinda Expensive
Lightweight and can be installed with one person. I like that it's easy to load compared to a roof top box. As others have said, the hinges appear to have been redesigned and seem to be more robust. One thing to note: there is a trick to changing out the SKS core that I wasn't able to find out from the manual or online. Unlike other Yakima products, the key CANNOT be removed in the unlocked position (like rooftop boxes), so how do you change the core? Turns out that there is another position in between unlocked and locked -- at about 1:30 o'clock is where you want to remove the key to change out the core (3 o'clock is fully locked).
Updated hinges
Just picked up my replacement exo box and the hinges have been completely redesigned; bulky plastics ones now. The lid feels way less flimsy when opening and it stays open much better. Thanks for the upgrade!
Fantastic product and value
I have the GearLocker mounted to my EXO Swingbase system and couldn't be happier. I've used it for extra luggage space when bringing family and friends to the airport, camping trips, biking trips, you name it. Has been used in extreme rain and heavy snowy conditions and everything has stayed perfectly dry. Well worth every penny.
DO NOT PURCHASE - Cheap piece of junk
This gear locker is a piece of junk. Same issue as reported by others. The hinge system was broken on arrival, due to cheap plastic parts. Not even worth half the money paid for it. Because of this issue, I will be returning the whole system (exo base, gear locker, top shelf, double up bike rack) as I bought into the system mainly for the gear locker. This box will not hold up over time. It’s flimsy and cheap. Don’t waste your time or money.
lightweight but durable
I purchased this in December 2021 and took it on a ~1000 mile road trip over winter break. I attached it seamlessly to the exo rack which is hitched onto my 2015 Subaru Outback. A few notes: 1. Effect on driving: First, I barely noticed it was there when driving! Every now and then if the wind picked up heavily there was a *very* slight (like 2/10) fishtail effect but it was really quite small. I hardly noticed it there. At stops it was quite convenient. This probably isn't true for all tailgates, but at least for my make/model/year car, the trunk was able to open even with this mounted on! 2. Storage capabilities: we were able to fit close to as much as we would in a large roof carrier in the gear locker. On this trip, we had a full car camping setup for a family of 4 (so bags, 2 tents, pads, and cooking stuff) all stored neatly in here. 3. Durability: While I've only taken this on a single trip, it was a long one. We took interstates, very windy mountain roads, and a number of gravel roads while looking for trail heads, and I never noticed it ever. There have been some reports that it feels lightweight/weak, though I think the lightweightness is a feature not a bug. It's a zero sum game how much your hitch tongue can hold, so the heavier the box is, the less gear you can tote. Similarly, when you get to where you're going, you don't want it to be impossible for 2 people to lift on/off the car. In fact, I think yakima hit it just right as far as the sweet spot between lightweight but feeling durable. (I didn't have any issues with the springs at the hinges, but maybe this is a newer model?) We got rained on a *ton*. None of my stuff got wet though. I'm not saying I'd submerge the thing in water, but for normal driving precipitation it was great. Finally the only thing I'll note is that the actual SKS key lock feels a bit janky. This said, this is true of all Yakima SKS locks on all racks. I wouldn't trust it to guard like the hope diamond or anything. But it's enough to keep the opportunist theif away from your stuff.
Game Changer
Perfect for my usage. This cargo box lets us have more room for the dogs in the back of the car. Plus it swings out of the way with the EXO Swingbase making it easier for the dogs to get in and out of the car. One more benefit is that it is on the back of the car and NOT on top. My wife is on the shorter side and would need a step stool to get stuff out of a car top box. Being on the back of the car the box doesn't effect gas mileage as much.
NICE addition to my Subaru
With kayaks on the roof, where do put gear box stuff? This was turned out to be a great idea since the trailer hitch swingbase would still allow access to the back hatch. Comes on an off easy and locks in place even easier. We took the box off and put on the picnic table for easy access and not needing to walk to the parking spot for the Subaru. Light weight means easy to carry.