Thule Force L Roof Box EXPIRED

Back in 2014 I purchased a similar Thule roof cargo box from Backcountry's discount hub for $260, free freight shipping, no tax, mainly for snowboard trips. Not quite as wide as this one however (Thule Thule Frontier ES Cargo).

Instant regret. Not only did it add very noticeable wind noise to my relatively quiet riding compact SUV (VW Tiguan), it also significantly impacted the aerodynamic of the car and significantly lowered my fuel mileage. It also barely fit through the top of the garage door while on top of my SUV (down to the centimeter even after adjusting the door to raise a little higher).

I mean, if you desperately need the cargo space then go for it but if you're not pulling a camper, I would just suggest a hitch mounted cargo carrier instead. The idea is to put the luggage behind the car. There the fuel mileage is hardly affected and no wind noise. If you need to carry skis and snowboards, Yakima makes a great hitch mounted ski/snowboard rack that can adapt to an existing hitch mounted bicycle rack. Again no noise and *much* less fuel mileage hit than a roof box. Biggest drawback to this solution is your skis/boards will get dirty from all the crap on the road but you can just hose it off when you get home.

Can this fit a body?

I bought this 10 days ago from REI (credit to OP and REI, REI did price adjust to this new price). Some notes that might be helpful if you are thinking about pulling the trigger:
- It was showing back-ordered at the time I purchased it and it showed up at REI within like 4 days (way faster than I was expecting).
- It wasn't in a box, REI just hauls it out with no box or wrapping of any kind.
- It's big. I have a full size suburban and it fit inside ok, but it won't in most cars, most should be prepared to install it in the parking lot at REI (which is not a big deal, see below)
- The key is under the adhesive label stuck to the outside
- It attaches SUPER easy. If your roof bars are already within the necessary width distance, this should take under 5 minutes to install and no tools required, just twist the knobs inside the unit to open the claws and then tighten.
- It's light enough to handle with one person pretty easily.
- When totally empty I can see it making some noise up top (it is just plastic), so maybe throw your emergency blanket or winter chains in there for a little weight to keep it from acting like a big drum.
- I attached it to a 1996 Suburban, which wasn't on the Thule's 'will fit' list, but as long as your bars are either adjustable (front to back) or already within the limits of this unit's adjustment you should be fine. I can get measurements if you can't find them on Thule's website.