Show Me Your Box - the Roof Mounted Cargo Box Thread

[MikeWire]

I'm supposed to pick up a Thule Atlantis 2100 tomorrow for $100, but I'm not sure how I'm going to bring it back.

The seller stated that they don't have mounts and that they just used straps. Do you guys think I'll be able to use tie downs to get the box home?

BTW they're selling cheap because there was a small 5" crack on the top of the box which was supposedly repaired with bondo and repainted. I guess "it's barely noticeable" but I guess I'll see tomorrow. Here's the avant it's going on:

They must not have the mounting hardware that mounts the box to the bars. It's basically 2 pieces of flat stock (per mount, there are 4 mount points) that has 2 carriage bolts (1/4 inch?) and 2 wingnuts. You could probably find what you need at a hardware store, or maybe a Thule dealer has enough spare parts to put something together. How far do you have to drive? I'm not so sure on the straps...it's probably how it broke in the first place.

Edit: 2100, that's a big box! It's gonna need to slide forward a bit to clear the hatch.

[SoCalS4Avant]

What's the new Thule equivalent to the Atlantis 1600? Looks like they've changed their line up...

Just was on the fit guide and still saw it there. Dunno. I think the Atlantis is their bread/butter. Can't imagine them changing.


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[AvantinUSP]

Yeah they're phasing them out. Stores once cleared won't get them anymore. See my post #955 on page 24. The Force is supposedly the same shape as the Atlantis but with a new skin and different sizes. The Sonic is going to be their highest end model. Looks like either go smaller in cargo space or deal with overhang.

[kneel]

I'm supposed to pick up a Thule Atlantis 2100 tomorrow for $100, but I'm not sure how I'm going to bring it back.

The seller stated that they don't have mounts and that they just used straps. Do you guys think I'll be able to use tie downs to get the box home?

BTW they're selling cheap because there was a small 5" crack on the top of the box which was supposedly repaired with bondo and repainted. I guess "it's barely noticeable" but I guess I'll see tomorrow. Here's the avant it's going on:

Use stainless steel tie straps, but you can def get it home. Will look badass on your Avant. Big box on a big avant!!

[TCHUN003]

Don't understand how they don't have mounts. They break? Check the tracks where the mounts are supposed to be and make sure they look ok. If they do and everything else checks out I don't see why you couldn't strap it securely to your bars temporarily for the trip home.

Ya I'll take a good look before purchasing. The price sounds too good to be true, so I don't have high hopes, but maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.

They must not have the mounting hardware that mounts the box to the bars. It's basically 2 pieces of flat stock (per mount, there are 4 mount points) that has 2 carriage bolts (1/4 inch?) and 2 wingnuts. You could probably find what you need at a hardware store, or maybe a Thule dealer has enough spare parts to put something together. How far do you have to drive? I'm not so sure on the straps...it's probably how it broke in the first place.
I have to drive an hour to get it home.

Edit: 2100, that's a big box! It's gonna need to slide forward a bit to clear the hatch.

Use stainless steel tie straps, but you can def get it home. Will look badass on your Avant. Big box on a big avant!!

Thanks! I'll post pics if I end up getting it.

[TCHUN003]

It was a total bust :( The thing had way too much damage. Luckily I was down there for other reasons, otherwise I would've been pissed.

[fbox]

Contributing a better shot of our new box for this season...

[dropshadow]

What do you think of the Inno? I looked at them last year but couldn't find many reviews about them.

[AvantinUSP]

That's nice! Is that the shadow 15 or 16? I'm thinking of getting the 16 to replace the thule.

[latte]

Is that the 1600? It looks great.

Yes it's the Atlantis 1600.

[fbox]

What do you think of the Inno? I looked at them last year but couldn't find many reviews about them.

it's a fantastic box. to us, it feels more solid than similar offerings from thule and Yakima. the lid doesn't vibrate as much and feels much less flimsy overall. in particular, the locking mechanism works very well -- it's smooth to operate and doesn't stick in extremely cold temperatures (something that did affect our old yak skybox). installing takes just a few minutes and position adjustments are a breeze.

we like the low profile and overall shape of the box, too.

here's a snap of our old skybox. in retrospect, that thing was huuuuge.

[fbox]

That's nice! Is that the shadow 15 or 16? I'm thinking of getting the 16 to replace the thule.

thanks. :)

it's the 15. we picked it up from racknroad in Bellevue a couple of months back.

[trayson]

it's a fantastic box. to us, it feels more solid than similar offerings from thule and Yakima. the lid doesn't vibrate as much and feels much less flimsy overall. in particular, the locking mechanism works very well -- it's smooth to operate and doesn't stick in extremely cold temperatures (something that did affect our old yak skybox). installing takes just a few minutes and position adjustments are a breeze.

we like the low profile and overall shape of the box, too.

here's a snap of our old skybox. in retrospect, that thing was huuuuge.

What size is your Inno? Which size was your Yakima? I have the same platinum pro (the predecessor to the skybox). Mine is the 18 which yes, it HUGE. I think we really could easily step down to a 16 from the 18, but man, it's pretty nice to be able to put a ton of stuff in there and not think about it...

[SoCalS4Avant]

It's funny, I really wish I'd gone up to the 1800 or 2100 Atlantis when I got mine, but the 1600 seemed so damn huge on the B6. Yet, throw it on the B8 or Toaureg and its tiny. I know the wife wishes she had even more space! LOL

[trayson]

So, my neighbor just got a new Skybox. I didn't realize that when Yakima went to the skybox that they changed to a "super latch security" feature where the box is SURE to seal. I can see this by the fact that they went to a system like Thule where you can't open or shut the box without the key. And you can't take the key out while it's open. (He had it happen where his locks froze up at the ski area and worked fine back at home. Lame if you ask me.)

Personally, I HATE this "feature" of having to lock the box for it to close. Honestly, I hardly almost NEVER lock my box. I love the fact that I don't have to fumble with keys to load it up in my garage. I like that I don't have to fumble with keys at the end of my ski day to get into the EMPTY box. The only time I ever lock it is when I'm parking with ski gear inside and I'm in a sketchy area. But most the time it's unlocked and EMPTY!

I have the Platinum Pro. I love that it has the same clamping system to attach to the load bars as the skyboxes (which is awesome). And now I'm really liking the fact that if I want to lock it, I can.



I have to imagine that the reason Yakima did this was because there must have been people that shut their boxes and didn't hear the distinctive 3 clicks showing that it was shut (but not locked) and they must have had people that had their boxes that weren't totally latched blow open on the freeway or something???

What do you all think??? Do you agree that it's kind of a PITA to always have to have a key to open/close?

[tankdeer]

What do you all think??? Do you agree that it's kind of a PITA to always have to have a key to open/close?

No. Not even a little. It's never once bothered me that I have to use the keys. And I like the fact that it's always locked. One less thing to remember

[trayson]

No. Not even a little. It's never once bothered me that I have to use the keys. And I like the fact that it's always locked. One less thing to remember

So, a few weeks ago, we were at Meadows for a powder day. The wife quit before I did, so I gave her the keys to the A6 in case she wanted to get her book out of the car and put her gear away. She ended up not doing that, so when I was done, she walked out at met me at the car with the keys... She unlocked the car, and I put the gear away and started to brush off all the snow from the car. Of course, Audi in it's infinite wisdom put a feature on the central locking that if you unlock the car with the remote and don't open a door within a few minutes, it'll re-lock the car. So, of course, that's what happened to us. So, by that time, I am asking the wife if she gave me back the keys of if she put them in her pocket or what. As you know, between shell jackets and mini-puffers, there's a TON of pockets these keys could have been in. They were nowhere to be found and we were about to have a classic husband/wife moment. We ended up finding the keys burried in the powder behind the rear of the car. Yep, she dropped them in the pow and they were burried in the snow behind the car. So now she only gets the spare key on ski days.

I'm still one that would rather have less keys to worry about on the slopes, not more. (plus, I'm always loading the gear in the car when it's off and parked in the garage and the keys are inside hanging on the rack.)

[tankdeer]

I actually leave the box keys separate. They stay in the lock when it's in storage, and when it's on the car, they're either in the lock or in the glove box. I know what you mean about the central locking thing - kinda awkward

[trayson]

I actually leave the box keys separate. They stay in the lock when it's in storage, and when it's on the car, they're either in the lock or in the glove box. I know what you mean about the central locking thing - kinda awkward

And the "Wife dropping the keys in the deep snow" feature.... REALLY awkward!



Well, at least this discovery gives me motivation to just keep my box. I like the 'no keys' option and it's actually pretty damn close to color matched with the silver of my Avant...

[Axel-]

I never give my keys to anyone, not even my girlfriend. Plain and simple :) (I learned my lesson with my old beemer on my first long term road trip with her. She managed to "lose" the car keys in a record 40 seconds).

[flir67]

I never let anybody borrow or give my keys, or just take the car for a trip to the store or just out and about. never. period.

[tankdeer]

I never let anybody borrow or give my keys, or just take the car for a trip to the store or just out and about. never. period.

Wife doesn't usually count as letting somebody borrow the keys. Besides, she has her own set

[trayson]

I went up to Meadows this weekend and this guy parked behind me. REALLY loved the red rings and the color matched packasport. and of course being debadged and S-line is WIN.

[paulorama]

Woah, cool! Like it except for the red rings, just a bit over the top IMHO but to each their own. I always see cool avants at meadows, last time I was there I spotted two silver b6 avants lowered debadged with huuuuge exhaust tips. One had a matrix plate frame iirc and the other had an nwquattro sticker on the rear side window.

[AvantinUSP]

Yea the red rings are horrible IMO.

[duhbrr]

what they said ^^^

[Theflave]

Gotta love the color matched box, tho! Kinda makes up for the red rings...


Sent from my iPad to Audizine via satellites in space!

[S4nikator]

Uber clean! Nice...

[philthyphil]

[SJJ28]

selling a packasport system 90xp in the chicago area for $400. (new is $999.) Box is in excellent condition. Black gel coat bottom half, pearl white ('12 A4 color) color match top half... includes 2 sets of clamps, keys, cargo straps etc... complete kit.

pm me if interested...

[S4nikator]

Looks great... Is your Thule a 669ES Mountaineer?

[philthyphil]

Looks great... Is your Thule a 669ES Mountaineer?

I think it's just the 669 mountaineer. It doesn't have the quick release mounting stuff on it. I got it for free from my buddy since he never used it anymore. The mounting hardware was in pretty rough shape but I got new hardware for $60, so I can't complain!

[feelgood156]

Made my drive from SD > PDX on my summers interesting...

[flir67]

Made my drive from SD > PDX on my summers interesting...

awesome picture, but whats the green bandaid looking thing on the drivers door.

[S4nikator]

I think it's just the 669 mountaineer. It doesn't have the quick release mounting stuff on it. I got it for free from my buddy since he never used it anymore. The mounting hardware was in pretty rough shape but I got new hardware for $60, so I can't complain!

I have pretty much the same box, which I bought at a charity auction, but also never used...still has all the stickers and packaging on it. I sat it on top of the new Thule Rapid 450R feet & ARB 47 bars the other night just to get a preview, but i thought it looked a wee bit too big for the car and had contemplated scrapping the idea of using that box....But now that I see it on yours, I think it looks hot! Your photo made my day, . am going to colour match though. Will post pix asap.

[boostedAvant]

awesome picture, but whats the green bandaid looking thing on the drivers door.

Probably covering up a dent.

[S4nikator]

Looking for some input & expertise on cross bars... as mentioned below, I just picked up Thule Rapid 450R Foot Pack, locks & ARB 47 Aeroblade cross bars, which are pretty sweet. However, the 669ES box is sitting a little too high for my liking, and I am wondering if the Whispbar S53 might be the solution? I haven't seen the S53's up close, just online... but they are definitely lower placement between the rails vs. on top of the rails...

• Please advise if you have/had the S53's and are you happy with them?
• Any fitment issues with differing brand accessories?
• Strength/weight differences?
• Anyone selling a used pair? PM me...
• Is $300 a decent price for a new pair?

Thanks,

[Theflave]

^^ here's the S53's with a packasport. Gives you an idea of how low it sits...



The fit for the packasport mounts are just okay. The bars need to go about an inch and a half more forward for the hatch to fully open. The sun roof can only crack open about half an inch. Overall, happy with the S53's. I definitely love how flush the box sits.

$300 is a good price for new.

I've had skis and poles for four, one snowboard, a sport brella, five folding camping chairs at once and the bars are solid..

Here's a pic of the 'brella...



Good luck!

[philthyphil]

Looking for some input & expertise on cross bars... as mentioned below, I just picked up Thule Rapid 450R Foot Pack, locks & ARB 47 Aeroblade cross bars, which are pretty sweet. However, the 669ES box is sitting a little too high for my liking, and I am wondering if the Whispbar S53 might be the solution? I haven't seen the S53's up close, just online... but they are definitely lower placement between the rails vs. on top of the rails...

• Please advise if you have/had the S53's and are you happy with them?
• Any fitment issues with differing brand accessories?
• Strength/weight differences?
• Anyone selling a used pair? PM me...
• Is $300 a decent price for a new pair?

Thanks,

I have the S53's on my car too. I dont think I would like the box sitting up much higher since it's already a tall box as is. I paid $315 shipped for mine a few weeks ago, I was very impressed with the fit and finish when I got mine. If you want I can snap a few pics of how low they sit with the 669 box tomorrow for you. Let me know.

[philthyphil]