Efficiency test: mounting ski box over R1T bed vs. on the roof

[KootenayEV]

Hey friends, after running my ski box on my roof for my first winter with the truck ('23/24), in December '24 I tested mounting the ski box over the truck bed instead.

Result: I found it reduced the range impact by 1/2 as compared to mounting it on the roof. Cost wise - the parts to modify my ski box were about $50, and I estimate I'll save about $25/winter at least (more if I'm doing road trips).

Other improvements: significantly easier access to the box (though the gear tunnel doors do make it way easier than any other tall vehicle!) and elimination of wind noise. I ran the box that way for the remainder of the '24/25 winter and finally got around to writing a blog post about it tonight.

Negatives: I don't love the look of the box sticking out the back, and if you aren't careful, you might smoosh it into things (though having it on the roof presents its own problems with garages!)

Check out the blog post for more details and a short vid.

https://kootenayevfamily.ca/r1t-efficiency-tests-ski-box-on-the-roof-or-over-the-bed/

(My blog doesn't make me any money, just puts a dent in hosting fees. I do appreciate you reading it there, but the key points are in this post.)

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[CO.R1T]

It looks good! Looks like it would be a lot quieter. And MUCH easier to get to. Nice mod!

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Not surprising. It is pretty much in the wake of the cab and presenting less frontal area to on-coming air. Less wind noise too right? If it works... I'd maybe add a red flag to the end of it or wrap it in high-vis red.

 

[Joules Burn]

Nice conversion but you may need a red flag on that in the States.

 

[beatle]

Might depend on the state, but at least in VA it's gotta stick out 4 feet before you need a flag.

 

[messinator]

Nice -- I actually recently got a box and have been mounting it similarly over the bed, didn't require any mods for the Yakima Skybox 18:

The overhang isn't great but the utility is definitely there. Can still see out of the rear view window when put to the side.

 

[messinator]

Might depend on the state, but at least in VA it's gotta stick out 4 feet before you need a flag.

I think in BC it's 1 meter, so a similar length.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

Result: I found it reduced the range impact by 1/2 as compared to mounting it on the roof. Cost wise - the parts to modify my ski box were about $50, and I estimate I'll save about $25/winter at least (more if I'm doing road trips).

Negatives: I don't love the look of the box sticking out the back, and if you aren't careful, you might smoosh it into things (though having it on the roof presents its own problems with garages!)

Since you're overhanging by that much, try dropping the tailgate down too. It might help you taper the air flow underneath it.

 

[KootenayEV]

Nice -- I actually recently got a box and have been mounting it similarly over the bed, didn't require any mods for the Yakima Skybox 18:

The overhang isn't great but the utility is definitely there. Can still see out of the rear view window when put to the side.

Ha looks very similar!

My box is a bit wider than yours, but the rear-view is still fine with it mounted near the side.

For those mentioning flags etc, it is well within the limit allowed without a flag in BC.

 

[Joules Burn]

Might depend on the state, but at least in VA it's gotta stick out 4 feet before you need a flag.

Looks like three to four feet in the States and we usually don't have tailgating moose.

 

[Joules Burn]

Looks like three to four feet in the States and we usually don't have tailgating moose.

 

[Cycliste]

A moose once bit my sister...No realli!

Mynd you, moose bites Kan be pretti nasti...

 

[2kwik4u]

@KootenayEV Try taping over the "vents" on the back of the cab and test again. This guy had excellent success doing that.

 

[Yossarian]

I have the same Thule box and am in the process of mounting it on my R1T. In my case, I'm using the Mars Expedition bed rack, which, since the crossbars can be moved pretty much anywhere on the rack, I thought would allow me to simply use the Thule clamps. Unfortunately, that's not the case, though it is possible to use the Thule's clamps for the forward-most mount. I plan to use T-bolts for the second (rear-ward) mount, which will require drilling two holes into the box.

 

[KootenayEV]

A moose once bit my sister...No realli!

Mynd you, moose bites Kan be pretti nasti...

Just watched that with my 14 year old son on the weekend - he found the whole thing funny, including the credits!

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