Here’s a quick guide on what to expect when you plan to buy a Thule SideKick Rooftop Cargo Box.
Thule has been a world leader in helping you transport anything you care for with ease and safety. They made it their sole business to support your active life, and assist you in any way they can, from your work errands to family road trips. From cargo carriers for automobiles to outdoor storage boxes and strollers, Thule offers a wide range of products and accessories that would make your travel experience teeming with comfort and style.
Among these tools that you might find helpful, the Thule SideKick Rooftop Cargo Box could be the one for you. We did a thorough research for this product so that we could provide an overview should you decide to get one.
You may like to read: Cargoloc Roof Rack Review
Who should get the Thule SideKick Rooftop Cargo Box?
The Thule SideKick Rooftop Cargo Box is an excellent solution to get that extra space for your car. It is perfect for all compact car owners that lack room for baggage and other important items such as sporting gear and outdoor equipment. This cargo box is also popular amongst grocery shoppers and lifestyle shoppers alike. It could easily store small baggage that won’t normally fit inside the trunk of your car.
While other roof cargo boxes boast a larger size for storage, the relatively smaller build of the Thule SideKick Rooftop Cargo Box makes it almost hassle-free to install, to unmount, and to store when not in use.
The SideKick also includes locks, and a hard shell casing to completely protect your items from the unpredictable weather, essentially making it water-resistant storage. The SideKick offers the same benefits as that of a soft roof bag except that it keeps everything nice and dry.
What are the features of the SideKick?
Here are some key points worth considering when you plan to get a Thule SideKick Rooftop Cargo Box.
- External Dimensions: 54 x 25 x 15.5 inches (137 x 63.5 x 394 cm).
- Internal Dimensions: 48 x 23 x 13.5 inches (122 x 58.4 x 34.3 cm.
- Weight: 16 pounds (7.26 kilograms). It is incredibly lightweight.
- Load Capacity: 75 pounds (34 kilograms)
- Volume: 8 cubic feet (226.5 liters) of storage space.
- Compact roof box: The space is ideal for small loads such as camping gear or sports equipment.
- Sturdy U-bolts: This bolt design comes with reinforcement plates and adjustable brackets to provide a secure and snug fit to the rack.
- The compact design gives ample space for other roof mounts such as bike racks.
- Passenger-side opening provides easier loading and unloading.
Compact Roof Box
The compact feature of the Thule SideKick Rooftop Cargo Box allows for easy installation, all thanks to its U-bolt system. It can carry up to two sets of golf clubs, no problem, leaving room on your roof rack for bikes, skis, and more. This is why the SideKick is perfect for items too big or too long to fit in the trunk. Try to avoid larger items such as travel luggage as it can be difficult to fit.
Sturdy Bolts
The SideKick’s U-bolt system will not take too much of your time when installing. Compared to other cargo boxes, which are slightly more premium, it is very easy to know how this bolt system works. Also, the U-bolt mounting system requires a series of holes that make the fit universal. As such, it mounts to all after-market racks, and factory-installed roof racks available out there.
Sleek Design
The SideKick comes in 2 elegant color choices: black and gray. Both are equally stylish and seamless when mounted on the car. Its unique curved shape design makes it aerodynamic and cuts most of the air resistance when moving. Other cargo boxes, although much bigger, might look bulky when installed on smaller cars. The SideKick looks a lot nicer on smaller, more compact vehicles.
Passenger-side Opening
This feature is incredibly ergonomic. The SideKick’s passenger-side opening allows easy access especially for drivers traveling alone. You don’t have to go all the way around or move away from your seat when you have to access the box. After which, you simply close the lid and lock it in place.
Durability and Security
The SideKick is impact-resistant because of its polyethylene construction. The hard outer casing ensures water-resistant storage as protection from the elements. The cargo box likewise protects your things from strong physical jolts and thumps. Also, the SideKick has two locks included for double the protection.
Value for your Money: Is it worth it?
Overall, the Thule Sidekick Cargo Box should perform well for its price range. The SideKick delivers all the features also offered by its close competitors such as the SportRack Horizon Alpine and the Yakima Skybox 12. For an instant storage addition, this cargo box provides a solution for compact cars that lack space.
The SideKick is easy to install thanks to its universal U-bolt system and its smaller body. The only compromise could be the amount of added storage. The Sidekick’s compact design only allows small baggage to be stored such as sporting gear and camping equipment. Should you opt for a bigger space, I might suggest getting the Thule Force XT Sport Roof Box instead at a much higher price.
Its sleek and elegant design surely compensates for the lack of space. The overall aesthetic of the Thule Sidekick Cargo Box blends perfectly with the car. You can also be ensured of the safety of your belongings for its dual lock system and polyethylene case protecting them from weather and resisting strong impacts.
The Thule Sidekick Cargo Box won’t disappoint. At an affordable price, it is a good investment for your car. Be mindful of the space it provides as it may not be as spacious as you would think. At 8 cubic feet, the SideKick is quite small compared to other roof boxes in the market. Nonetheless, it provides the value you would get with your money. Make sure to consider other product lines from Thule for more quality and bigger storage boxes.
Thule Sidekick Price
You can check out the Thule Sidekick Cargo Box here on Amazon:
- Compact roofbox, ideal for small loads such as camping gear or golf clubs
Is the SideKick a Good Tandem for you?
Here’s a quick buying guide to determine whether the SideKick is fit for you. A short run-through will be provided here for those who need that extra space! Be sure to make a checklist.
Functionality
You have to think about what you want to use the cargo box for. What will you store in your SideKick? Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie who typically enjoys outdoor activities, an avid mall shopper who likes to get their hands on designer clothes, or a boy scout who wants to be ready for every situation, you have to know if the SideKick would always be put to good use. Ask yourself this too, “How often will I need to use the SideKick?”
Budget
Of course, having that extra space equates to spending that extra money. Do the few hundred dollars seem worth the benefit? The SideKick is an excellent mid-tier cargo box available in the market. It provides the right amount of space for your car without spending too much on space you won’t often need in the long run. If you think you need more space, then there are many other cargo boxes from Thule that could be right for you. Be cautious in buying because cargo boxes aren’t that cheap.
Sizing
Before you click that “buy” button, you have to be 100% sure that your chosen cargo box would fit your car. It’s no use if you can’t mount a nice cargo box just because of sizing issues. This can easily be avoided. Check the hatch clearance first. At the same time, read more about hatch clearance because it is very crucial. Check up with your sales specialist if you aren’t too sure about this issue. As a rule of thumb, small matches with small, and the other way around.
Appearance
Appearance is equally as important as the other items in this checklist. You have to know and visualize how the cargo box will look on your vehicle. Does it look cool, or does it seem off? You have to take into account three main aspects: size, color, and finish. You have a lot of options to choose from; take your time.
Larger vehicles like SUVs and pick-up trucks go for bigger cargo boxes while the smaller more compact vehicles usually go for the smaller ones. Next, pick the right color. Usually, neutral colors work best such as black or grey. Lastly, consider the finish. Do you like it to be a shiny or matte finish? Both look great, but it’s up to you to decide.
We hope that this short buyer’s guide would come in handy when you check out the right cargo box. Feel free to leave us a comment below if you have questions.
FAQs About the Thule SideKick
Can I fit my suitcase in there?
Suitcases are typically not a fit for the SideKick. We would suggest smaller bags such as duffel bags, and backpacks
Will it fit larger cars (or any other car)?
Yes, it would definitely fit larger cars such as SUVs and trucks plus more space for other items on your rack.
Is the SideKick waterproof?
The SideKick 682 is water-resistant, but not waterproof.
Can you mount a single bike rack alongside the cargo box?
You can, but it would typically depend on the length of your roof rack and the width of your bike rack.
What was the difference in gas mileage?
Because of its aerodynamic design that reduces drag, the load is negligible and unnoticeable. You would forget that it’s up there.
