Recently discovered that my old Yakima Platinum 16 Cargo box would not fit on the Mazda. The mounting put it too far back and the hatch would not open.

The most important measurement for Cargo Box fitment is the Front clearance. This is the measurement from the center of the front cross bar (moved all the way forward) to the point where the roof meets the hatch (when it is opened).

For the CX-5 this is roughly 45.5"

Cargo boxes from the two major brands Thule and Yakima that fit the CX-5 are listed below.

Thule Sonic L 634 - (13cu/ft) - 44" Front Clearance
Thule Force L 624 - (13cu/ft) - 42" Front Clearance
Thule Pulse L 614 - (14cu/ft) - 43" Front Clearance

Yakima RocketBox Pro 11 (11cu/ft) - 45" Front Clearance
Yakima RocketBox Pro 12 (12cu/ft) - 40" Front Clearance
Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 (14cu/ft) - 45" Front Clearance

For me it was a tie between the Rocketbox Pro 14 and the Force L 624.
I ended up with the Rocketbox Pro 14 because the local shop did not carry Thule and I was able to trade my old one in so it came to only $325 for the Yakima. I think the Thule is a much better looking box though, if they had it I would have gone with it.

The Yakima does touch the rear antenna fin and push it down a bit, looking into getting some 1/4" or 1/2" spacers to raise the rear of the Cargo Box off of it.

And for those interested, the one that was on the SEMA CX-5 that had a vinyl kit on it was i believe a Thule Atlantis 16, which lead me to wanting the Thule Force L.

here are some pictures of it mounted.

 

Where did you take it to that they took your old box as a trade in? Also, what kind of spacers are made to raise the rear of the box? Or are you just going to come up with a homemade fix? I'm going to need to do this myself before long.

 

There is a place in Portland, OR called ReRack. They specialize in used racks, hitches, and hitch attachments. They carry new stuff as well.


I went back there after the purchase and asked if they had any spacers, they told me they did not carry and spacers specifically but they would give me some hefty pieces of rubber that "might help".


I am not sure if he was messing with me or not but what he gave me seemed to fit like it was made for it! Result, I now have plenty of room between the box and the fin antenna, even when loaded.


Pictures below.

 

does the roof rack must come with crossbars? coz ours did not come one. just roof rack.

 

No it doesn't. They can be had for about $99 plus shipping.

 

I actually just got a Yakima Skybox 16 for my CX-5 with factory rails and it’s a great fit. I think it might be the biggest box you can get without any hatch clearance and fit issues. The inside is long enough to fit skis up to 180cm. I love it.

 

Michael - I think we both have the same setup but my hatch hits the roof box. Did you do anything special to make it fit?

I need to figure out a good way to either make it fit or at least figure out how to avoid damage to car or roof box. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

Hey Juan, it should fit. Just play around with it. I got mine installed by the guys at the shops. Move it up and down and play around with the brackets.

 

My problem is that the front crossbar doesn't go far enough forward. and I've set the brackets on the roof box as far forward as possible. Not sure what I'm doing wrong, but I'll mess with it more to see if I missed something.

 

Hey Michael, what year cx5 do you have? I have a 2016 with factory rails and want a similar box. Yours looks great!