[k23435]

Attached couple photos of our Thule Motion XT Alpine from this morning.

I would have chosen a bigger one, but our garage door limits the height (0.2 inches to the top of the box ). I had previously Thule Dynamic L, and the locking system is much better on the Thule Motion XT.

I have also Thule roof rack, happy with both.

[Tr4ckD4ys]

Originally Posted by k23435

Attached couple photos of our Thule Motion XT Alpine from this morning.

I would have chosen a bigger one, but our garage door limits the height (0.2 inches to the top of the box ). I had previously Thule Dynamic L, and the locking system is much better on the Thule Motion XT.

I have also Thule roof rack, happy with both.

Attachment 2799135

Attachment 2799136

Off-topic: Very unpopular opinion but I find smaller rims and more sidewall look so much better on an SAV/SUV than those 21-inch's, 22-inchs. If I had the choice from factory, I'd always chose to downsize the wheels versus upsize. There is literally 0 (non-subjective) benefit to larger rims. Your picture just goes to show, it looks great.

[unfoundnemo]

Originally Posted by k23435

Attachment 2799135

Of topic, but that's the first time I think I saw an X7 without the privacy glass in the second/third rows. It fits the look of the luxury/chrome accents well. Not sure I'd go for it myself, but you guys get all the options at least!

[LowerEast]

This is my Thule Hyper XL box, which at the time I bought it, was the top of the line, biggest box Thule sold. It's comparable to the XXL. It's on Yakima Railbars, so sits significantly lower than the OEM bars.

A couple of notes on the pic - 1. the car is filthy from driving around in the snow. 2. the scale looks weird with the basketball hoop lowered to 7 feet for my son and his buddies to have dunk contests.

[Staszek]

Originally Posted by LowerEast

This is my Thule Hyper XL box, which at the time I bought it, was the top of the line, biggest box Thule sold. It's comparable to the XXL. It's on Yakima Railbars, so sits significantly lower than the OEM bars.

A couple of notes on the pic - 1. the car is filthy from driving around in the snow. 2. the scale looks weird with the basketball hoop lowered to 7 feet for my son and his buddies to have dunk contests.

This is really helpful thanks! I was hoping someone had the Railbars with one of these carriers, that's the ones I want to buy.

[superpanjy]

Originally Posted by Staszek

Thanks, I decided to wait and just get the XL, I probably don't even need that much but since both the XL and L are back-ordered I am getting the XL. Sirius became a big issue for me if I went XXL, it still may work but I didnt want to take the chance.

Now it's crossbars. I am really like the low profile of the Yakima in black, has anyone used those with the Motion XT?

https://www.bentgate.com/thule-motio...box-black.html
https://www.bentgate.com/thule-force...ack-matte.html

is this what you are looking for?

I think it's a legit website.

BTW, what crossbars are you going to use? BMW OEM or Thule brand?

[Staszek]

Originally Posted by superpanjy

https://www.bentgate.com/thule-motio...box-black.html
https://www.bentgate.com/thule-force...ack-matte.html

is this what you are looking for?

I think it's a legit website.

BTW, what crossbars are you going to use? BMW OEM or Thule brand?

I was able to get a Motion XT XL that was in the back at an REI by me. As for crossbars I am thinking Yakima Railbars, I will only have them on when I am using the box so the not opening sunroof thing doesnt bother me too much.

It was between that and the Thule Aero blades. The OEM ones are just too tall for my taste and they are not black.

[jbeemer13]

A few angles of the Thule XXL

[Bele]

For reference. Thule Vector L:

[jsmonet]

I'm groaning because the vector large would have been the perfect size had it been offered here. I couldn't believe how much stiffer/more stable it was at 80mph+

[Staszek]

Originally Posted by Bele

For reference. Thule Vector L:

Yea I wish they had the Vector large here, I would by that in a second. The Vector M is just a bit too small.

[phellar]

Originally Posted by toddwalton

Agreed.

Note that the BMW side rails have very specific crossbar mounting positions, they mark them deliberately. So that's the stance of any cargo box you buy, they tend to be more forward than rearward, just BMW's decision based on weight, balance, safety, etc.

How many in your family? 4? 5? 6? I can tell you that as a family of 6 we can fit 6 large duffels up there which is really important as with the 3rd Row up you lose 80% of the interior storage area, if you've got a stroller, forget it. Not just for skiing, even a summer weekend trip needs a cargo box. 4 people, different story, with the 3rd Row down its nice and spacious.

Originally Posted by toddwalton

Agreed.

Note that the BMW side rails have very specific crossbar mounting positions, they mark them deliberately. So that's the stance of any cargo box you buy, they tend to be more forward than rearward, just BMW's decision based on weight, balance, safety, etc.

How many in your family? 4? 5? 6? I can tell you that as a family of 6 we can fit 6 large duffels up there which is really important as with the 3rd Row up you lose 80% of the interior storage area, if you've got a stroller, forget it. Not just for skiing, even a summer weekend trip needs a cargo box. 4 people, different story, with the 3rd Row down its nice and spacious.

We are 5 and all 3 small kids, so stroller is a must… what would you suggest… XL or XXL ?

[phellar]

Originally Posted by Staszek

4, we have a very small backpack stroller we use which is great when we travel and fly. Smaller kids so pack and play for sleeping etc all take up space, the luggage clothing part isnt to bad.

Originally Posted by toddwalton

Agreed.

Note that the BMW side rails have very specific crossbar mounting positions, they mark them deliberately. So that's the stance of any cargo box you buy, they tend to be more forward than rearward, just BMW's decision based on weight, balance, safety, etc.

How many in your family? 4? 5? 6? I can tell you that as a family of 6 we can fit 6 large duffels up there which is really important as with the 3rd Row up you lose 80% of the interior storage area, if you've got a stroller, forget it. Not just for skiing, even a summer weekend trip needs a cargo box. 4 people, different story, with the 3rd Row down its nice and spacious.

Originally Posted by Staszek

4, we have a very small backpack stroller we use which is great when we travel and fly. Smaller kids so pack and play for sleeping etc all take up space, the luggage clothing part isnt to bad.

If you've already got the XL… what would be your recommendation… XL or XXL?

[Staszek]

Originally Posted by phellar

If you've already got the XL… what would be your recommendation… XL or XXL?

I didn't get either, I ended up getting the Vector M

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by phellar

We are 5 and all 3 small kids, so stroller is a must… what would you suggest… XL or XXL ?

The stroller will not go in the rooftop cargo box. That would fit in the space between the third row (upright and in use) and the back window. If you stand it on its edge it will fit. Most of them, at least. With an X7 and the third row in operation you need to get the smallest and most compact strollers they make for the most part.

The size of the cargo box revolves around how many duffel bags you need, and if it's 2 big ones and 3 medium ones, the XL will do just fine.

EDIT: Not my photo, but illustrates the space behind the third row when in use. About 12" deep. That's how a stroller must fit. The clothes and such go in duffel bags on the roof in the cargo box.

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by phellar

If you've already got the XL… what would be your recommendation… XL or XXL?

Roll with the XL. It can handle 6 large duffel bags (each filled 80% full, has to be a bit of empty space to squish down) with no problem. Again, the stroller would go in the small area behind the upright third row seats and the back glass.

[jsmonet]

The XXL fits just fine on the x7, and is good for the guy above with the 3 kids.

My vector m did fine for a weekend trip, 4 adults, 2 little kids, NO stroller.

[PerStockholm]

I am using Skiguard 960 with Thule Wingbars. It works pretty well and give's a really low profile. Can fit 8-9 skis in it with some extra padding for protection.

www.skiguard.com

[phellar]

Originally Posted by toddwalton

The stroller will not go in the rooftop cargo box. That would fit in the space between the third row (upright and in use) and the back window. If you stand it on its edge it will fit. Most of them, at least. With an X7 and the third row in operation you need to get the smallest and most compact strollers they make for the most part.

The size of the cargo box revolves around how many duffel bags you need, and if it's 2 big ones and 3 medium ones, the XL will do just fine.

EDIT: Not my photo, but illustrates the space behind the third row when in use. About 12" deep. That's how a stroller must fit. The clothes and such go in duffel bags on the roof in the cargo box.

Originally Posted by toddwalton

[img]https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/03...g?v=1634057970[/img]

The stroller will not go in the rooftop cargo box. That would fit in the space between the third row (upright and in use) and the back window. If you stand it on its edge it will fit. Most of them, at least. With an X7 and the third row in operation you need to get the smallest and most compact strollers they make for the most part.

The size of the cargo box revolves around how many duffel bags you need, and if it's 2 big ones and 3 medium ones, the XL will do just fine.

EDIT: Not my photo, but illustrates the space behind the third row when in use. About 12" deep. That's how a stroller must fit. The clothes and such go in duffel bags on the roof in the cargo box.

I definitely meant for the stroller to go in the back.. would be a pain to get it on to the roof even if it fits 😀.. Thank you for the info… very helpful..

[phellar]

Originally Posted by Staszek

I didn't get either, I ended up getting the Vector M

How is it working for you?

[jsmonet]

even with my XXL I put the stroller in the back because the shame was awkward and took up WAY too much extra air space that I could fill in easier when it was behind the last row.

3 rows up and the vector m up top, with some stuff behind the third row (couple coolers/incidentals) and a very minimal amount of stuff in the passenger cabin was good enough for 4 adults + 2 kids' worth of clothes and extras for 3 day trip, and easily could have held twice as much in soft bags up top.

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by phellar

I definitely meant for the stroller to go in the back.. would be a pain to get it on to the roof even if it fits 😀.. Thank you for the info… very helpful..

Happy to help, we have the captain's chairs and when we travel all 6 seats are occupied with family members so having the right sized stroller and a strong duffel bag game is very important.

We have 6 identical duffels each in different colors, we fill them 80%, and they all fit up top. The stroller and heavier items like, say, a cooler, fit in the area behind the 3rd row. There is also a nice bit of space under the floor of that rear deck, you can fit diaper bags or several smaller and heavier items in there.

Once you get the hang of it, it's quite a large amount of stuff, you can haul a week's worth of clothing and essentials for a traveling family of 6. But the right sized cargo box is the key to it all, and the right sized duffels that fit perfectly in it.