[ScorpyMjolnir]

My new Pacifica will be taking 4 adults and two kids in car seats to Orlando. All 3 rows will be in use, clearly. I'm curious what people are using for cargo boxes on the roof. We have to bring a double stroller with us, so the back of the van will fill up fast. Thanks.

 

[JPhi]

Are you considering a tow hitch mounted platform or do you want to stick to the roof?

I know there is an official roof bag accessory, but we're going to look at hitch mounted options before the roof.

 

[cue003]

I don't have my Pacifica yet but I was looking at the Rhino-Rack RMFZ86 or the Thule/Yakima equivalent.

Don't forget that you have the stow n go bins that can be used for backbacks, kids toys, swim/beach toys/gear and other items on your trip that won't be needed as frequently. Maybe break your packing into smaller bags so you can put things into the stow n go underfloor spots.

 

[ScorpyMjolnir]

Sorry, ordered a hybrid, no hitch available. Otherwise, I would much rather do that. I don't really want ot lift everything up to the roof.

 

[JPhi]

I don't have a factory hitch either because I'm not going to tow, but I'll get an aftermarket hitch just for cargo and bike racks. I'm sure you can do the same on the hybrid if you're interested in that route.

 

[generaltso]

This is the cargo box that I have. I went with this one because it was the only one I could find that was low profile enough to fit in the garage when on top of our Explorer. Haven't actually tried it on the Pacifica yet, but the mounting system makes it super easy to take on and off. I've found Inno's mounts much easier than Thule or Yakima.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004FPXQZC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Autumn Thunder]

Pictures of Yakima Skybox 16 installed.

Here

 

[mlaukhuf]

I use a Yakima Skybox on mine and it works great. It's the bigger one that they make and it holds a bunch of stuff.

 

[gb1728]

This is the cargo box that I have. I went with this one because it was the only one I could find that was low profile enough to fit in the garage when on top of our Explorer. Haven't actually tried it on the Pacifica yet, but the mounting system makes it super easy to take on and off. I've found Inno's mounts much easier than Thule or Yakima.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004FPXQZC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have a Thule Sonic XL which I find is super easy to install, adjust and can access from both sides. It has quick mount clamps that you just twist till they "click" to lock. I don't know what you consider difficult but if the Inno's mounting system is that much easier your life must be rough haha.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00B...e+sonic+xl&dpPl=1&dpID=31DdqfQwl1L&ref=plSrch

 

[valtouf]

Pictures of Yakima Skybox 16 installed.

How did you get the Skybox clamps to be tight enough on the factory crossbars?
I just tried fitting the Yakima Skybox that I used on my previous car on my new '18 Pacifica. The clamps are not tight enough so the box moves around.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Autumn Thunder]

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

I didn't do anything special for it...so unfortunately I have no insight to share. I just adjusted the position of the clamps from within the Skybox, and made sure it would be tight enough when I pushed the levers down...if it wasn't tight enough I raised the levers and tightened the knobs some more, then placed the levers down.

Maybe there's a difference in the Skybox? I bought mine back in 2013 or so. I wouldn't think there would be a difference between the cross bars between '17 and '18, but who knows?

I've driven from WA to CA and back a few times with it on the Pacifica (about 2,000 miles round-trip), most recently for Easter of this year. No sliding issues.

 

[lightrules]

Here's my recent thread on the Thule Motion XT XXL on my Pacifica. Hope it's useful:

http://www.pacificaforums.com/forum...ion/37394-*thule-motion-xt-xxl-roof-box*.html

 

[valtouf]

I didn't do anything special for it...so unfortunately I have no insight to share. I just adjusted the position of the clamps from within the Skybox, and made sure it would be tight enough when I pushed the levers down...if it wasn't tight enough I raised the levers and tightened the knobs some more, then placed the levers down.

Maybe there's a difference in the Skybox? I bought mine back in 2013 or so. I wouldn't think there would be a difference between the cross bars between '17 and '18, but who knows?

I've driven from WA to CA and back a few times with it on the Pacifica (about 2,000 miles round-trip), most recently for Easter of this year. No sliding issues.

Thanks for the tip. It turns out I had not tightened the clamps all the way. After some more adjustments, the box fits nicely indeed.

Ready for a road trip !

 

[ptgrad2001]

Will be traveling to Orlando in Nov. I have a rear entry conversation (WC accessible) van. Right now, I have to load my husband's in the van first and then load all luggage in behind him. If we wanted to make a stop along the way, I'd have to unload entire van to get him out then put it all back in while we went to eat/shop/etc. Then do it all again to get back on the road

A roof top carrier would alleviate that problem, but I'd need something I could install/load/unload by myself. I am a fit 50 year old female of average height. My van came with luggage racks, and I think they are cross bars if that makes a difference. I don't really know anything about this topic. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[SciTchr]

Will be traveling to Orlando in Nov. I have a rear entry conversation (WC accessible) van. Right now, I have to load my husband's in the van first and then load all luggage in behind him. If we wanted to make a stop along the way, I'd have to unload entire van to get him out then put it all back in while we went to eat/shop/etc. Then do it all again to get back on the road

A roof top carrier would alleviate that problem, but I'd need something I could install/load/unload by myself. I am a fit 50 year old female of average height. My van came with luggage racks, and I think they are cross bars if that makes a difference. I don't really know anything about this topic. Does anyone have any suggestions?

The cross bars are stowed in the roof rails (luggage racks). Check the link in @lightrules post 12 above. He posted many nice photos of his roof top box and would probably be able to answer your questions about weight and installation. We haven't tried out our old Dodge GC box on our Pacifica van yet, but with the old van we could stand on the sliding door floor to reach things on top. There may be a weight limit to what can be stored in the box on top, but that might still help with your situation.

Where does your husband end up in the van? Could you put some luggage on one side next to a sliding door or does the van end up packed with people and luggage?

If you put your van info (year, trim, gas/hybrid, etc.) in the signature line of the UserCP (click next to log out) it might help others assist you.

 

[ptgrad2001]

@SciTchr thank you for your response. I'm still trying to figure out how to use this forum.

My husband's WC will be where the 2nd row seats would be and all luggage, if packed in van, has to be loaded behind him (after I get him settled), between his chair and the rear door. This is not really a problem, unless we want to stop and do something along the route to our final destination.

Previously I drove an Accord and he was in a manual WC. I loaded up all luggage in the back seat the night before and his WC went in the trunk. So it was accessible if we made a stop.

 

[ptgrad2001]

@SciTchr
"If you put your van info (year, trim, gas/hybrid, etc.) in the signature line of the UserCP (click next to log out) it might help others assist you."

Can't seem to find where this is. Or how you copied my post before responding. Seems like it's going to take me longer to figure out this forum than I thought. ?

 

[SciTchr]

@SciTchr
"If you put your van info (year, trim, gas/hybrid, etc.) in the signature line of the UserCP (click next to log out) it might help others assist you."

Can't seem to find where this is. Or how you copied my post before responding. Seems like it's going to take me longer to figure out this forum than I thought. ?

To copy someone's post in your response, click "quote" in the choices at the bottom of the post instead of "reply" on the post you want included in the response.
If you scroll to the top of the forum page, on the right side below the back wheel of the right Pacifica, it has "UserCP" in red letters. Click on "UserCP" and then you will have a place where you can "Edit Signature". You don't have to put your name, just type whatever info you want to include about your van.

My van has been a leap in technology for me. This is the first forum I have been a part of because there was so much to learn. I have been on the forum for a couple of years and know that there are some members that have wheelchair accessible vans that have been converted to various degrees. Maybe they will respond with suggestions for you. It seems like some have a side ramp which probably solves the problem you are encountering, but maybe someone has some advice.

@Nosdrapehs, @CrookedGuy, @turbomikestr, @DeBary_FL, @TomB985 any suggestions for posts 14 &16?