It’s Time to Hit the Road! But then reality kicks in – there’s just not enough space in the car for all your gear. Thule claim to have the perfect solution: the Thule Santu hitch-mounted cargo box. It’s designed to add extra storage, and can transform even a compact car into an adventure-ready vehicle. And if you install it on a Thule Epos 3 bike rack, there’s still room for a bike! We put the box through the wringer for you.

Thule Santu | € 899.95 | 260 liters (manufacturer specification) | 13.26 kg (empty weight) | Manufacturer Website

Run out of space? We all know the situation – the look of disbelief when the car is packed to the brim for a weekend bike trip or a family holiday, and there’s simply not enough room. This is exactly where Thule step in with their hitch-mount cargo boxes, providing a solution for those who already own a Thule bike rack. But does the Thule Santu cargo box really put an end to all the pre-trip packing stress? We put it to the test to find out.

The Santu is a hitch-mount cargo box designed to be compatible with the Thule EasyFold 3, EasyFold XT, and Epos bike racks. A particularly handy feature: when using the Thule Epos 3, you can even place the cargo box alongside a bike at the back of your vehicle. Less drag than a roof box? Definitely. Lower fuel consumption? Oh yes!

But does that alone justify the price of nearly € 900? We tested the Santu box on our award-winning Thule Epos 3 bike rack and uncovered all crucial details for you.

Important information: The Thule Santu cargo box has a capacity of 260 liters, but the maximum load depends on your car’s tongue weight limit and Thule’s specifications:

  • Front rails: Mounted further from the trunk, leaving space for an additional bike. Maximum load: 25 kg.
  • Rear rails: Positioned directly in front of the trunk. Thule allow a maximum load of 45 kg here.

In any case, the total weight on the Thule Epos 3 rack, which has an empty weight of 13.26 kg, must not exceed 60 kg. And we certainly wouldn’t recommend exceeding it – overloading could cause damage to both the rack and your vehicle.

Thule Santu Cargo Box on test

A trolley on the bike rack? Thule’s hard-shell cargo box features two wheels at the bottom, which allow you to easily roll the large box from the garage to your car – even when fully loaded. Practical! And mounting it on the Thule Epos 3 is just as easy: with a clear instruction manual and the included tools, installation takes as little as five minutes.

Keep it Rollin’ – thanks to the wheels at the bottom, the Santu cargo box can be transported ergonomically and effortlessly to the bike rack!
Instead of securing bike tires on the rails, you simply attach the mounting brackets.

Goodbye back pain! Loading the cargo box is a piece of cake – and thanks to the comfortable height of the bike rack, it’s ergonomic too. Even the tilt function remains available, with the Thule Santu never touching the ground. This means that you can always access the trunk, even with a bike on the rack.

Thule took the car’s tailgate into account. While the lid snaps open like a crocodile’s mouth when the latch is released, there’s no need to panic – it stops just as abruptly, ensuring it never comes close to the tailgate.

Everything securely in place: Bolt it on, fasten your luggage with the tension straps on the two metal brackets, and you’re ready to go! The included stickers are used to seal the mounting openings in case the box is used on other bike racks.
A net inside the box helps organize smaller items or store the tension straps when not in use.

The SlideLock system, which comes standard with two keys, secures the box with three sturdy locking points and a lockable latch, giving you extra peace of mind whenever you leave your car unattended. Thule include two tension straps – though these are not meant to be used to secure the cargo box itself, but to keep your gear inside safely in place and prevent it from slipping around.

In typical Thule fashion, the Santu has some well-thought-out details: the integrated net inside the cargo box ensures that smaller items or water bottles stay securely in place.

Strap it, Baby! The stock tension straps keep everything securely in place – no cargo slipping around the box!
There’s plenty of space: Two big duffel bags? No problem. With a bit of packing skills, you can even fit a third piece of luggage.

After a trip with the Thule Santu fully loaded – and, of course, with the cargo securely fastened using the tension straps – everything stayed perfectly in place. Most importantly: it all stayed dry! A rubber seal between the lid and the frame keeps the box reliably waterproof, ensuring not a single drop gets through.

The cargo box is especially suited for dirty or wet riding gear, shoes, sweaty protectors, muddy helmets, and rain jackets – perfect for stashing your well-worn items outside the car. The mounting holes inside the box, which are designed to be compatible with other bike racks too, are only covered with stickers. While this may not feel particularly premium, they held up just fine during our rainy test rides.

If you need access to your gear at night but don’t happen to have night vision goggles, Thule offer an optional light that can be attached to the inside of the lid with adhesive strips. If the € 80 price tag seems a bit steep, a simple battery-powered LED light from your local hardware store will do the trick – just stick it on with double-sided tape, and you’re good to go.

The Thule Epos 3 is wide enough to acommodate both the Thule Santu cargo box and a bike – perfect for those who want to transport luggage and a bicycle at the same time. Just be sure to keep an eye on the maximum load capacity of 25 kg in this position.

Bringing an extra bike on your holiday to cruise to the bakery from the campsite? No problem if you’ve mounted the box on a Thule Epos 3 rack – there’s still enough room for a bike. Just make sure to position the pedals correctly or remove them beforehand to avoid scratching the box.

Conclusions about the Thule Santu Box

The Thule Santu Box is a practical companion for trips with lots of luggage or kids, ensuring you have enough storage room for all your essentials. A bike can also fit effortlessly alongside the box on the Thule Epos 3 bike rack. After an outdoor adventure in wet conditions, the Santu is the perfect place to stash dirty gear– saving your leather seats from the mess. While the maximum load capacity is limited by Thule’s specifications, the box still impresses with ample space, well-thought-out details, and unrestricted trunk access. The SlideLock system and rubber seal provide protection against theft and rain, allowing you to fully enjoy your trip without worrying about your gear.

Tops

  • Theft protection
  • Wheels for ergonomic transport

Flops

  • High price

Find more information at Thule.com

Words: Robin Ulbrich Photos: Manfred Schmitt