Product Review · Rooftop Cargo Boxes · #6 Ranked
Thule Force 3 L
16 cu ft dual-side hard-shell box with PowerClick · Reviewed by Drew · amazon.com live, Sept 24 2026
Why it scored a 83
The Thule Force 3 L brings Thule's best mounting and locking systems in under the Motion 3's price: PowerClick with a torque click, SlideLock and dual-side opening on a 450-liter (16 cu ft) box rated for 165 lb. That earns features 88 and quality 90. Value is the lowest factor at 70, since $879.95 is still steep, and satisfaction is 84 because only 48 ratings back the 4.4 stars. For premium-box shoppers it is the sensible alternative to the Thule Motion 3. It needs crossbars, sold separately.
What you're getting
- Hard-shell roof box, 450 liters (16 cu ft)
- 76.8 x 33.3 x 16.8 in; 43 lb
- 165 lb load capacity
- 5-7 pairs of skis up to 175 cm, or 3-5 snowboards
- PowerClick mount clicks when correctly torqued
- SlideLock auto-locks the lid and signals when closed
- Dual-side opening; Thule limited lifetime warranty
- Needs crossbars (sold separately); 13 left in stock on Sept 24
ViperScore breakdown
At a glance
- 16 cu ft hard-shell box
- 165 lb load, dual-side
- Crossbars required
- Price$879.95
- Tier16 cu ft dual-side hard-shell box with PowerClick
- Category rank#6 of 10
Should you buy the Thule Force 3 L?
The Thule Force 3 L is for a family that loads the roof for ski weekends and summer road trips and wants Thule's click-to-confirm mounting without paying flagship prices. At $879.95 it ranks #6 of 10 in our Rooftop Cargo Boxes category. It needs crossbars, sold separately. The Thule Motion 3 adds an aero shape for $220 more, and the Yakima SkyBox NX 16 is the same size for $798.95.
Where it earns its score
- A mount you can trust. PowerClick clicks when the clamps reach the right torque, so you are not guessing in the driveway.
- Top load rating. 165 lb ties the other Thule boxes for the highest listed rating here, well above the 100 lb of the SportRack Vista XL.
- Ski-ready. It carries 5-7 pairs of skis up to 175 cm, or 3-5 snowboards.
- Smarter lock. SlideLock locks the lid automatically and shows when it is closed securely.
What to know first
- Value is the lowest factor at 70. $879.95 is about $55 per cubic foot, versus about $22 for the SportRack Vista XL.
- Few ratings yet. Only 48 ratings back the 4.4 stars, so satisfaction takes a small-sample deduction to 84.
- Crossbars are extra. It clamps to crossbars, sold separately, and stock was down to 13 units on Sept 24, 2026.
Our verdict
The Thule Force 3 L scores 83, a Good Buy, on Warranty (95), Quality (90) and Features (88). Buy it if you want Thule's PowerClick and SlideLock on a 16 cu ft box and do not need the aero styling of the Thule Motion 3. If you can live with rear access to save $480, the SportRack Vista XL (83) is the value pick.
Thule Motion 3
Questions buyers ask
Does the Thule Force 3 L need crossbars?
Yes. The PowerClick mount clamps to crossbars, which are sold separately.
How long can skis be in the Thule Force 3 L?
Up to 175 cm, with room for 5-7 pairs.
How much weight can the Thule Force 3 L hold?
165 lb. The box weighs 43 lb, so check that both fit within your vehicle's roof load limit.
Ready to check it out?
Thule Force 3 L · ViperScore 83 · Good Buy · $879.95
How the other 9 rooftop cargo boxes scored
86RoofPax XXL 28 Cu Ft Roof Bag
84Thule Pulse 2 M
84INNO Wedge 660
84Thule Motion 3
83SportRack Vista XL
82Yakima SkyBox NX 16
80Rightline Gear Sport Jr 10 Cu Ft
75FIVKLEMNZ 21 Cu Ft Roof Bag
74INNO Ridge BRA240 8 Cu Ft
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