cargo boxes and garage clearances

[familyhauler]

Thanks to the great DIY posts, I just installed factory crossbars on my '05. The hardest part was waiting until today for a hardware store to open so I could buy a torx15.

I am now looking for a cargo box to carry skis, strollers, bags, and so on. Does anyone know of a low-profile box that fits in a standard sized garage? I am looking at the Thule Ascent 1100 but it looks like a tight squeeze. I measured 11.5 - 12 inches between the top of the crossbar and the top of the garage entry point. I haven't looked at them in person in a while, but do these boxes typically sit lower than, or at least flush to the crossbars? I'd appreciate any input from those of you who have crossed this bridge before.

Thanks!

[ollicat]

I would avoid a parking garage with any kind of roof box. You might be able to squeeze by an entrance beam, but as you go up or down, the angle of the roof and the box will probably encounter a problem and then you have a problem.

[familyhauler]

Ollicat,

I was speaking of my own garage and not a parking structure per se. I do enter my garage at at an upward angle due to the grading on our property, so I will take your advice into careful consideration. From what I understand, the 1100 rises 11" above the load bars, which should give me about 3/4-1 inch of clearance.

[chiph]

Uh-oh. That sounds too close for me -- I wouldn't do it.

Back when I carried my mountain bike on top of my car, I would park the rolling trash bin in the middle of the garage floor as a reminder to myself to not just drive in...

Chip H.