Let's see those roof racks and cargo boxes (Thule)!

[Nightshade]

I'm one of those who absolutely love to hit the mountains, hiking, go off-roading, etc but will leave the off-roading to my '24 F-150 Raptor!

Currently looking at taking my '25 Explorer ST to the mountains (really close to where I live) on my short days off from the field. I am actively looking at roof racks + cargo boxes from Thule; specifically looking at getting either a Thule WingBar Edge (to reduce wind noise) or Thule WingBar Evo (to utilize the T-slots). Pairing that with the Thule Motion 3 XXL, low/slim version.

I'd love to see members on here who has done roof rack + cargo boxes on their STs! Would love to see those who did them or similar!

PFA.

 

[ConspicuousConsumption]

Subbing

 

[Chamorro85]

I was pretty excited to do this myself for road trips. Unfortunately the weight limitations with the pano-roof deterred me from ever putting anything on top. Maybe I'm paranoid.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Will need to wait a few weeks for my setup. I have a week-long trip to the lake planned for 2 weeks from now.

I have a sunroof on mine, so I'm well aware of the 75 pound weight limit. I went with the Ford OEM crossbars. I put them on last week and i've been up to 90MPH and don't notice any additional wind noise. I forgot to weigh them however, but I recall them being maybe 3 pounds each?

I'm using a Thule Motion XT XL box I believe. Need to weigh it first. I only plan on putting light stuff up there. Life jackets, towels, fishing rods, pool noodles. etc. I might have to buy a trailer hitch cargo box attachment.

Freshly installed OEM crossbars. I don't want to mount the box until closer to the trip so I will need to come back to this thread then. No interference with sunroof for those who are interested.

 

[Chamorro85]

Will need to wait a few weeks for my setup. I have a trip planned week of July 4th so I'll be using a cargo box.

I have a sunroof on mine, so I'm well aware of the 75 pound weight limit. I went with the Ford OEM crossbars. I put them on last week and i've been up to 90MPH and don't notice any additional wind noise. I forgot to weigh them however, but I recall them being maybe 3 pounds each?

I'm using a Thule Motion XT XL box I believe. Need to weigh it first. I only plan on putting light stuff up there. Life jackets, towels, fishing rods, pool noodles. etc. I might have to buy a trailer hitch cargo box attachment.

See you got it dialed in. My storage needs went way over so just didn't work for me. Glad you guys could get some use out of them.

 

[Nightshade]

Will need to wait a few weeks for my setup. I have a week-long trip to the lake planned for 2 weeks from now.

I have a sunroof on mine, so I'm well aware of the 75 pound weight limit. I went with the Ford OEM crossbars. I put them on last week and i've been up to 90MPH and don't notice any additional wind noise. I forgot to weigh them however, but I recall them being maybe 3 pounds each?

I'm using a Thule Motion XT XL box I believe. Need to weigh it first. I only plan on putting light stuff up there. Life jackets, towels, fishing rods, pool noodles. etc. I might have to buy a trailer hitch cargo box attachment.

Freshly installed OEM crossbars. I don't want to mount the box until closer to the trip so I will need to come back to this thread then. No interference with sunroof for those who are interested.
View attachment 29529

Can definitely wait and see on your experience! Definitely looks like you have it all planned out! I also do know the weight limitations as well, seems like most people in the FB group have been getting away with around 100 instead of the limit of 75, for a long time by their experience.

 

[Nightshade]

I was pretty excited to do this myself for road trips. Unfortunately the weight limitations with the pano-roof deterred me from ever putting anything on top. Maybe I'm paranoid.

I hear you, I’m in the same boat which prompted me to make this post! I do know the limit is 75, however I see a lot of people on FB groups for Explorers, they’ve been using the weight to 100 with zero issues on multiple occasions so I’m not sure!

 

[Cdubya]

I have the Yakima Skybox 16 Carbonite (16 cu ft, 47lb, Made in USA) with the OE crossbars. It works well. I mainly carry lighter goods up there if I can. IIRC, fuel mileage is around 17-18 mpg with mainly highway driving. The OE crossbars are the ones to get. To me, they look the best (least conspicuous) and I don't notice any additional noise whatsoever when not carrying the Skybox. Just about anything you car top will exceed the Ford recommended limit. I think if you drive cautiously, there should be no problems. When my wife drives, I have had to remind her that we have the Skybox up there and to take corners slower.

 

[MattJ716]

Factory Ford cross bars and the Thule XL? cargo box. 'Stolen' off Craigslist for $150.. true story.

 

[MattJ716]

Non XL (few years ago with old rims as well)
Borrowed this cargo from a friend.. definitely shorter and less room than the XL I posted above... just don't have a side shot of the XL.

The XL is above the size of the whole roof.. front goes to where the wind shield pops up for sunroof and the back goes to right about the sharkfin antenna.

Roof obviously opens fine since they are factory cross bars.

 

[Nightshade]

I have the Yakima Skybox 16 Carbonite (16 cu ft, 47lb, Made in USA) with the OE crossbars. It works well. I mainly carry lighter goods up there if I can. IIRC, fuel mileage is around 17-18 mpg with mainly highway driving. The OE crossbars are the ones to get. To me, they look the best (least conspicuous) and I don't notice any additional noise whatsoever when not carrying the Skybox. Just about anything you car top will exceed the Ford recommended limit. I think if you drive cautiously, there should be no problems. When my wife drives, I have had to remind her that we have the Skybox up there and to take corners slower.

Interesting, got a picture? As for fuel mileage, I knew it’ll drop due to the slight drag but nothing too crazy, not too worried about it haha. OE crossbars weight rating is too low imo, been a Thule fan since waaaay back in high school haha, tried and true for me! That’s smart but you do have a point.

 

[Nightshade]

View attachment 29530
Factory Ford cross bars and the Thule XL? cargo box. 'Stolen' off Craigslist for $150.. true story.

Man you definitely did pull of the stance on this, is your ST lowered on lowering springs? That is definitely a heck of a steal for a rack, I was originally looking at the XL or similar but deciding going with the Thule Motion 3 XXL Low, for a slimmer look! Definitely should minimize the wind resistance slightly!

 

[MattJ716]

Man you definitely did pull of the stance on this, is your ST lowered on lowering springs? That is definitely a heck of a steal for a rack, I was originally looking at the XL or similar but deciding going with the Thule Motion 3 XXL Low, for a slimmer look! Definitely should minimize the wind resistance slightly!

Appreciate that!

Steeda springs so there is a slight rake still (been debating on swapping out for Eibach springs... i do tow every now and then and i load stuff in the back somewhat often so the rake comes in handy)
22x10.5 +32 rims
305/40/22
Rear wheel camber adjusted for the flush look

 

[Mustang5L5]

I do know the limit is 75, however I see a lot of people on FB groups for Explorers, they’ve been using the weight to 100 with zero issues on multiple occasions so I’m not sure!

I've probably overloaded on other vehicles and they had a much more compliant suspension than the ST. It all depends on what i'm loading and where I'm going. I'd imagine Ford has built in a little safety factor not that I would recommend others ignore the limit. Just need to be smart about it and hopefully never have to make an evasive move at speed.


What is the physical limit of the Ford crossbars? I know 75lb is the Ford recommended weight with a sunroof, but what is the max loading in general?

I don't notice any additional wind noise with the Ford bars. I went with them because I wanted them to be as "hidden" as possible. I wasn't a fan of the bars that sort of hung over, and wanted all-black bars. I do recall the empty Thule box made a quiet rustling/droning noise at speed. Max speed on my particular box is 80MPH.