Looking to get out on the road but in need of some extra room?
A roof box is a great way to turn your Ford Escape into an adventure machine. All the outdoor gear you need can be stored away securely, safe from the elements.
So let’s take a look at the 5 Best Roof Boxes for Ford Escape:
1. Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box, X-Large
Thule is one of the strongest brand in this category. They consistently put out quality products with strong warranties.
And if you’re in need of a lot of space, this is a popular choice. This particular style of the Force XT has an option of up to 22 cubic feet of volume.
What does that mean for you? You can fit up to 5 snowboards potentially, or 7 skiis if you’re into snow-sports. Or if you’re into camping, you’ll have enough room to pack away a tent and the all your gear as long as it fits within the dimensions.
This model is a favorite of consumers but Thule does have a downfall. That is, they’re the pricey option. You’ll spend a little more with this brand and Yakima than with others.
But their build quality is exceptional. It really comes down to how often are you going to use it? If you’re going to be traversing the states every other weekend and need a ton of space, the Thule Force XT could be a great choice.
2. SportRack Horizon Alpine Cargo Box
The SportRack Cargo Box is a great pickup for those of you who might not need as much space as the Thule and want to save some money on price.
You’ll want to pick the “Large “option if you’re looking for value. Their “Extra Large” only has 1 more cubic foot of space while being much more expensive.
As for features, the Horizon Alpine is a side opening box. It comes with a lock and key. And it can still hold a good amount of skiis/snowboards if you’re into that. Their design is aerodynamic and low profile.
They aren’t the cheapest roof box out there, but they definitely meet the sweet spot between build quality and price. Overall, we think this is the best value out there.
3. YAKIMA - RocketBox Pro, Multi-Sport Rooftop Cargo Box for Cars, Wagons and SUVs, 14 (adds 14 Cubic ft. of Storage)
Yakima is a brand known for their sleek styling and features. They even have their own propriety SKS lock system to keep your goods secure.
No one wants their things taken, which is why you’ll see locks coming standard on nearly every roof box.
As we were saying, the RocketBox Pro is feature-packed. And this box can open from either side. The brand has been around for a long time, and has a similar build quality that is even with Thule. But like Thule, their products tend to be a bit expensive.
This product in particular will hold up to 14 cubic feet of storage. And it is going to run a bit more than the SportRack. We are partial to the visual look of Yakima’s. They always tend to put out appealing designs.
If you are planning on keeping your roof box as a long term addition glued to your roof, then this is a good pickup!
4. SPORTRACK SR7095 Skyline XL Cargo Box (Assembly Required)
This is the second SportRack featured on our list. And the Skyline is here for one very important reason.
It’s cheap as heck. If you want something that will get you from point A to point B, this will do while leaving your wallet intact.
With low prices comes struggle, though. And you’ll have to assemble this box bit by bit. Think legos for adults. This box doesn’t have the aerodynamic look of others we’ve shown but what it does have is meat and potatoes.
By that, we mean it can hold up to 18 cubic feet of goodies.
5. Rightline Gear Ace 2 Car Top Carrier, 15 cu ft, Weatherproof, Attaches With or Without Roof Rack
Are you looking at all of these cargo boxes with a sense of dread? “UGH! But I hate commitment!”
We feel you our dear reader, and we’re here to offer you reprieve.
With the Gear Ace you can skip the hardshell roof box if you wish. Cargo bags are incredibly affordable relative to boxes, while still protecting your things from the elements.
They have limitations, but also some good benefits. For example, you don’t need a roof rack for this particular model. And the cash you save by taking that out of the equation is significant.
If you want some extra space for a few trips a year, it might be a better choice to just grab a cargo bag instead.
When is a Cargo Bag better than a Roof Box?
When you need something simple, and you’re not trying to find a long term solution per se. A cargo bag isn’t the most glamorous solution to hauling extra gear but it is the most economically viable one.
Do I need roof racks to have a roof box?
For a hardshell roof box, you 100% will need to have a roof rack installed. All boxes use mounting systems to mount to your pre-existing roof rack.
We hope that you were able to make an informed decision on the right roof box for your family with the help of our guide.
When we look at all of the options available, there is one choice that we liked the best considering price. That is the SportRack Horizon cargo box. It hit the sweet spot of features, price, and value.
But there are other good choices here as well. If you end up picking something from this guide, we would be honored if you returned and let us know how it turned out in the comments. Thanks for stopping by!