If you’re in the market for a Yakima rooftop cargo box, you may be wondering which
one is right for your 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, or 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. Here, we’ll compare and contrast 3 cargo box
offerings from Yakima: the CBX, SkyBox Carbonite, and the RocketBox.
The first major difference between all 3 boxes is the look.
The Yakima CBX has a
more edgy and rugged look, with sharper lines and more angles. Its matte black finish, black chrome
badging and texture add a premium finishing touch.
The Yakima SkyBox has
a more traditional, sleek, and aerodynamic look. Yakima claims that the SkyBox has a matte finish, but
here at Titan Truck, it looks to us more like a textured gloss.
The Yakima RocketBox is probably the most traditional of the 3, offering a standard textured finish and
traditional red Yakima badging.
One thing all 3 cargo boxes have in common is the SKS, or Single
Key System. All Yakima boxes and racks utilize this system, meaning that with just one key, you can lock
and access all of your Yakima gear.
One thing you’ll notice about most of Yakima’s cargo boxes is that their carrying capacity is built into
the name. The CBX 18 has 18 cubic feet of cargo capacity, the RocketBox 14 has 14 cubic feet, and so
on.
Each style has a range of capacity, with a bit of an overlap. The RocketBox comes in both 11
and 14 cubic foot capacity, making it well suited for small SUVs or vehicles with minimal roof space. The
CBX is offered in 16 and 18 foot capacities. Lastly, the SkyBox has the widest range of capacities: coming
in 12, 16, 18, and 21 cubic feet.
With its angles and lines, the CBX is the strongest of the 3 boxes, with less flex and
more rigidity in the design. You can tell when opening the lid that this box is extremely well engineered.
The internal lid stiffeners add to its durability and give it an easy open and close. Moreover, the easy
grab handle locks gear inside and locks the box to your vehicle.
Another feature of the CBX is the
unobstructed flat floor design. The torque limiting knobs are removable, meaning they won’t take up space
and won’t snap off. This is a major improvement over the old days when knobs would break and you’d lose the
ability to use your box until you bought replacements. The CBX also features interior tie down points for
securing your gear inside the box, and opens from either side, allowing for maximum accessibility. As a side
note, the CBX also comes with an optional solar panel, allowing you to make good use of that lid space. It
provides a 36 watt, 5 volt output with 2 USB ports – enough juice for a campsite or charging your phones,
tablets, and cameras.
Like the CBX, the SkyBox also opens from either side. Its lid features
internal stiffeners as well, making opening and closing easier with less flex. It features what Yakima calls
the SuperLatch, ensuring the lid is secured to the base. Moreover, the design is more aerodynamic, reducing
drag and wind noise. No tools are required for installing or removing it from the vehicle, and it fits on
Yakima square, round, factory, and aerodynamic bars.
The RocketBox also features accessibility from
both sides, a tool free installation and mounts on Yakima square, round, factory, and aerodynamic bars. The
security latch is actually a push button on this model. However, unlike the SkyBox and CBX, the RocketBox
doesn’t feature integrated lid stiffeners.
All 3 include limited lifetime warranties from the
manufacturer, and both the SkyBox Carbonite and CBX are made right here in the USA.
The RocketBox is the least expensive of the 3, ranging in price from $469 to $549. The SkyBox Carbonite meanwhile ranges in price from $629 to $779, while the CBX ranges from $979 to $1,499.
Watch our comprehensive product overview video below!
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