Does anybody have experience with a reasonable roof cargo box (Thule, Yakima, etc.) that works well with the MDX? Probably would use only a couple times a year, but now at that point where I’m stuffing the back from bottom to top and it’s starting to not work anymore. The main concern is allowing the tailgate to open all the way, and opening on both sides is probably convenient. Otherwise I’m not too picky. Thanks!

 

https://usa.innoracks.com/product/brm864/

 

We have a 2020 MDX and have put a Yakima Skybox 18 carbonite on it. It fits, but not really. The gate can't open all the way, and the box has an extreme upward angle on it. I'll post pics when my wife gets home with the car. I'm planning to hack it to be better, and will post a thread on that (and cross-link here) when I do.

 

I have a thule from my RX days, It looks like it'll fit, but I dont have roof racks.. Do you have racks already ?

 

I'm surprised it wouldn't fit well on the MDX. I have the exact same box and it fits perfectly on my (much smaller) V60.

 

Nice looking setup!!

 

Here is my (dirty) Thule Motion XT L on top of my 2019 MDX advance with factory cross bars. I have it set on so the tailgate in full open position is about 1/2 inch away from the roof box. Although it looks like it is slanting upward in the front (which it probably is) The front of the box is 2-3 mm closer to the roof compared to the back. I have yet to try this out on the highway, will report back once I've don this.

 

This is how we roll on longer trips.. Inno wedge on top for Thule transporter on the back.
I really like the hitch box. Super easy to load and remove from car when not in use.

 

I have the same set-up with my Yakima Rocketbox 14 and StowAway Max swing out carrier for my MDXs. I haven't traveled as much to use max cargo configuration since lockdown started. So much easier using the swing out carrier compared to roof box if I need to use one.

 

Is the hitch box the distance shown in the photo when you are driving? I would imagine (like a roof box) you want to put your light bulky things in the hitch box, and keep your heavier items inside the vehicle? The hitch box in the photo looks like in would cause the rear of the MDX to bob up and down - but I don't know, I've never used one.

 

I stuff as much as I can into the hitch carrier. I don't notice any suspension bobbing. The rear sags a little, but that's because the car is so loaded. On ski weekends, its loaded with equipment, 4 people, food for the weekend, etc. I usually just have a small tunnel for visibility for the rear view mirror. One of those camera rear view mirrors would be cool. May have to go a little bigger on the next SUV..

 

You end up losing your rear camera, night time back up lights, rear back-up sensors, and the rear box might block the MDX rear lights a bit depending on box -vs- overloaded cargo rack. I like the box with 4-way lights over the cheaper cargo rack because of the weather proofing, built in lock, easy in/out for stuff for my 4'11" wife, and not affected by wind/crosswinds like the roof box. Parking can be a pain because of the extra length; but, I try to find parking spots next to sidewalk or grassy area and back into them with the box. I like my roof box for really long items like skis, large beach umbrellas, and large lawn chairs.

I never had any issues with bounce if you keep the cargo box total weight at or less than the hitch tongue weight. You will probably get more rear suspension sag with a max out cargo box if you are loaded down with 4-7 passengers and full cargo in the hatch area.

 

Agreed on all point. I would prefer a larger rooftop box, but being able to drive into the garage with the lower profile box is huge. I don't want to give up parking in the garage. Parking with the rear carrier is always fun .

 

I've heard too much wait in a hitch box can lighted up the front end to the point were the SUV does not brake or turn well. I'm guessing that is for smaller SUVs. Also, what ever you overload (hitch box, roof box) you are going to create safety issues.

 

I'm always way under the maximum 165lbs roof weight limit and under 300 lbs tongue weight for my hitch (hybrid MDX with electronic dampers). I think the problem come in when people overload the the interior, max out the rear hatch, overload the roof box, too much on cargo hitch, or use cargo hitch box extenders so they can have more room to open the hatch (why I like the swing out cargo box and drop down bike platform carriers).

 

If the max tow capacity of the MDX is 5000lbs, then max tongue weight should safely be around 500lbs. So in theory, anything under that should not cause any safety issues. I want to say the box is rated for 300lbs so there should be no issues with that.