What is it?
The Thule Force 3 is Thule's entry-level roofbox range and replaces the Thule Force XT range. The S version costing £440 rising to £650 for the XL. There are also two Sport versions in the range - these are narrower to fit alongside bikes or kayaks on your roof bars.
Thule describes the Force 3 as 'offering a robust solution for year round use' hence why rather than a gloss finish, it comes with what's called 'AeroSkin' - more akin to your traditional matt roofbox finish. We're testing the L which has 450 litres of storage.
It shares features with the Thule Motion 3 and Thule Vector roofboxes including the clever PowerClick mounting system, dual side opening and the slide lock system. Interior lighting is available as an extra for £49. You can buy the Thule Force range directly from the Thule website.
What's it like?
The Thule Force 3 is designed to be quieter and create less drag than the Thule Force XT range that it replaces. That's partly down to the revised shape with a lower profile, plus a more gently angled rear. Unfortunately the result is a 'which is the front and which is the back' appearance. It certainly doesn't look as sleek as the Thule Force range so if style is a priority, the Force 3 may not be for you.
Whatever size you're fitting, it's much easier with two people, especially if you're putting it on an SUV. Fortunately it's pretty foolproof as once in place you just have to make sure it's central and that it won't get in the way of the tailgate opening. Then you simply tighten up the clever PowerClick locks until they click (the clue is in the name here) at the correct torque. It means they can't be overtightened, which you'll appreciate when it comes to removing it.
We're testing the Thule Force 3 on an Audi A6 Avant e-tron which is fitted with Michelin noise cancelling EV tyres. So any noise outside of the ordinary is pretty noticeable. With no OEM roof rails fitted, we've gone for Thule WingBar Edge with the Edge Clamp fitting. It's far from the sleekest look and not the kind of thing you want on your car full time, but that's our fault for choosing a car with no roof rails. The good news is that it is quieter than the Force XT, most notably at speeds of 60mph plus.
In a back to back test on the same roads, we found the Thule Force 3 to be slightly louder than the more expensive Thule Motion 3. It's not intrusive though - we are testing this on an upmarket EV which is extremely quiet on the move. Up to around 50mph it's pretty quiet and once above that, while there's obvious wind noise there's no annoying whistling or resonance.
The other upgrade over the Force XTR, is the addition of the SlideLock system, which we much prefer to the old style locks. It makes unlocking and opening the roofbox easier and it feels more secure. Like the Motion 3 range, the Force 3 can be opened from either side and the spring hinges mean it's simple to open - again, handy if you're fitting this to a tall car.
We're testing the Thule Force 3 L which has 450 litres capacity. Our Audi A6 Avant e-tron has a 502-litre boot, so it's pretty much doubling what we have available. You can easily fit in a couple of cabin-sized bags but we find it ideal for softer duffel bags. In fact Thule sells a very handy duffel bag set for £220. We tend to put our big suitcases in the boot of the car and cram everything else - things like pillows, backpacks and even the children's fold down scooters - in the roof box. The fact the PowerClick mounts are located close to the edge means a wide flat floor so you can get plenty in. The box closes with a reassuring click so you know it's secure.
Should I buy one?
It may be the entry-level range in the Thule roofbox line-up but the Thule Force 3 has all the qualities of its more expensive counterparts. It's equally well built, robust and easy to use. We found it a little noisier than the Thule Motion 3 range, but the trade off is that it's significantly cheaper.
The lack of a gloss finish may not make it look as premium, but if you're after something that's more about function than appearance, the fact the it's headwearing and less likely to be scratched will be a plus. True rival roofboxes are cheaper, but Thule's quality shines through and as a long term investment, it can't be beaten.
