Side photo of R1S with liftgate open?

[echerod]

I own a Thule Motion 900 rooftop cargo box that I hope to be able to install in my forthcoming R1S. This is a picture mock-up to scale (to the best of my abilities), placing the crossbars in the middle and back positions (the front and middle placement might work with the box, but it looks weird and, more importantly, aerodynamics would be horrible). What I’m wondering is if the liftgate could be opened all the way up, or if it would hit the box in the back. Does anyone have a side picture of the R1S with the liftgate open so I can have a better idea if this cargo box could be installed?

Thanks!

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[Matty J]

I own a Thule Motion 900 rooftop cargo box that I hope to be able to install in my forthcoming R1S. This is a picture mock-up to scale (to the best of my abilities), placing the crossbars in the middle and back positions (the front and middle placement might work with the box, but it looks weird and, more importantly, aerodynamics would be horrible). What I’m wondering is if the liftgate could be opened all the way up, or if it would hit the box in the back. Does anyone have a side picture of the R1S with the liftgate open so I can have a better idea if this cargo box could be installed?

Thanks!

Maybe this will help if you can see past the people...

 

[echerod]

Maybe this will help if you can see past the people...

Thanks! Looks like it might be tight...

 

[Smithery]

Thanks! Looks like it might be tight...

At first, based on your photo, I thought "no way will it work"

The real photo with the gate open convinces me it *MIGHT* actually work.

Agreed, it'll be tight if it does work!

 

[nukem384]

The power liftgate must have multiple height settings like most any other cars? I assume the pic is the highest setting which looks tight. So lowering the setting a "click" or two I'm sure would do the trick and you could fit it.

 

[Evan S]

The R1S has three mounting points for the crossbars, so it may be possible to mount the cargo box on alternative mounting points to avoid the rear hatch. P. 149 of the owners manual shows the three mounting points.

 

[Jblaze121]

here's a close up of the blue r1s with the surfboard...

 

[wicked2112]

I own a Thule Motion 900 rooftop cargo box that I hope to be able to install in my forthcoming R1S. This is a picture mock-up to scale (to the best of my abilities), placing the crossbars in the middle and back positions (the front and middle placement might work with the box, but it looks weird and, more importantly, aerodynamics would be horrible). What I’m wondering is if the liftgate could be opened all the way up, or if it would hit the box in the back. Does anyone have a side picture of the R1S with the liftgate open so I can have a better idea if this cargo box could be installed?

Thanks!

Hey! Doesn't the R1S have 3 set of engagement point on the roof?
If I remember correctly - it does and you would able to move the bars forward to eliminate hatch interference.

 

[echerod]

The R1S has three mounting points for the crossbars, so it may be possible to mount the cargo box on alternative mounting points to avoid the rear hatch. P. 149 of the owners manual shows the three mounting points.

True, but as I mentioned in my post, the aerodynamics would probably be pretty bad, so I think the range hit would be substantial. Here's a picture of what it would look like.

 

[electruck]

True, but as I mentioned in my post, the aerodynamics would probably be pretty bad, so I think the range hit would be substantial. Here's a picture of what it would look like.

I wouldn't make assumptions about aero, it's not intuitive. For example, I seem to recall a Tesla M3 owner finding that installing a similar box backwards (taper to the rear instead of front) was more efficient.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the crossbar spacing between bars 1-2 is larger than between 2-3 which might provide better support.

 

[TollKeeper]

I am just curious why you would do a roof top box instead of a trailer hitch swing out box? Better aero, easier to load and unload, and it doesnt block the glass roof for watching the stars?

Something like this..
https://www.drawtite.com/dt59109.html

 

[Dirty_B]

here's a close up of the blue r1s with the surfboard...

Well, that board is on the add on board/SUP bars so it sits higher.

As for aero, I think you're wrong on mounting points 1/2. Real world or test data will show, but I think 1/2 will be better for aero if mounted correctly. We'll see won't we. For your sake wish it was sooner rather than later, it's fun driving an R1# but boy is it different.

 

[echerod]

I wouldn't make assumptions about aero, it's not intuitive. For example, I seem to recall a Tesla M3 owner finding that installing a similar box backwards (taper to the rear instead of front) was more efficient.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the crossbar spacing between bars 1-2 is larger than between 2-3 which might provide better support.

I guess it's possible that aero is not too bad with the front location, but I would be very surprised if it were actually better. With regards to spacing, the distance between middle and back mounts is still within the recommended range by the cargo box manufacturer, so should not be an issue.

 

[echerod]

I am just curious why you would do a roof top box instead of a trailer hitch swing out box? Better aero, easier to load and unload, and it doesnt block the glass roof for watching the stars?

Something like this..
https://www.drawtite.com/dt59109.html

First reason is I already own it , but more importantly, I also use a hitch mounted bike rack.

 

[monzarottie]

My Thule box allows for some fore/aft adjustment. Doesn’t this model? That would completely solve the issue by mounting it as far back as possible without coming into contact with the lift gate.

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