Thule or Kamei roofbox?
Discussion
Currently have a thule dynamic box which is very aerodynamic but not particularly tall so limits how practical it is.
Looking at either a Thule motion 3 or Kamei Fosco, which are both slightly taller and also both seem to boast aerodynamics, or at least as aerodynamic as a box on the roof can be.
I want something as aerodynamic as possible ideally, as it will go on our EV occasionally. I have BMW and also thule bars that it will need to work with.
The Kamei seems marginally cheaper like for like, any experience of these?
Looking at either a Thule motion 3 or Kamei Fosco, which are both slightly taller and also both seem to boast aerodynamics, or at least as aerodynamic as a box on the roof can be.
I want something as aerodynamic as possible ideally, as it will go on our EV occasionally. I have BMW and also thule bars that it will need to work with.
The Kamei seems marginally cheaper like for like, any experience of these?
I went through this a couple of years ago - wanted a good quality roof box that was also high capacity and aerodynamic.
Went for an Atera Casar XL in the end after speaking to the guys at roofbox.co.uk.
Very solid box, and managed a trip from Warwickshire to Berwick upon Tweed last summer in my Enyaq without a recharge, so it didn't hurt the range too much.
The bottom of the box is moulded so that it sits below the roof bars, which meant it didn't lose much in height.
Went for an Atera Casar XL in the end after speaking to the guys at roofbox.co.uk.
Very solid box, and managed a trip from Warwickshire to Berwick upon Tweed last summer in my Enyaq without a recharge, so it didn't hurt the range too much.
The bottom of the box is moulded so that it sits below the roof bars, which meant it didn't lose much in height.
I think the biggest factor will be getting a long thin box rather than a full width one, so that it has less frontal area.
I would be surprised if there is any meaningful difference in aero efficiency for similar shape boxes from the 3 brands mentioned (i have a hapro traxer from roofbox.co.uk).
I would be surprised if there is any meaningful difference in aero efficiency for similar shape boxes from the 3 brands mentioned (i have a hapro traxer from roofbox.co.uk).
Yes, bigger car is definitely better if possible. But where long items need to be carried that are incompatible with the interior (eg skis) then it has to be a box.
A slightly more aero box might make a slight difference but once you have any sort of coffin on the roof, your aero is compromised. The thinner ones look better, I’ll admit, but you might as well maximise the volume once you’ve decided on any sort of box.
I’ve just returned from 5 weeks and 3,000 miles in the mountains in the V90 CC diesel with a Thule Motion 3 XL 500l box on the roof. Average mpg was an indicated 40.7 vs approx 45mpg without the box. A 10% hit seems reasonable to me.
They do a low version of the same box with 400l volume. A consideration for me is height. Overall, my car + Box comes in at 1.97m, so just fits the “t” lanes on the autoroute.
A slightly more aero box might make a slight difference but once you have any sort of coffin on the roof, your aero is compromised. The thinner ones look better, I’ll admit, but you might as well maximise the volume once you’ve decided on any sort of box.
I’ve just returned from 5 weeks and 3,000 miles in the mountains in the V90 CC diesel with a Thule Motion 3 XL 500l box on the roof. Average mpg was an indicated 40.7 vs approx 45mpg without the box. A 10% hit seems reasonable to me.
They do a low version of the same box with 400l volume. A consideration for me is height. Overall, my car + Box comes in at 1.97m, so just fits the “t” lanes on the autoroute.
I've been a Thule roofbox owner for decades, until my sister destroyed two of them. 
I bought a Kamei Fosco 510 and it really is mahoosive. It has a slightly higher freeboard (if that is the term!) than the Thule, so as a short powerfully built company director, I use it in conjunction with a folding plastic step that I bought from TKMaxx.
I have on occasion bunked up Vikingette2 and got her to sit in the roofbox whilst loading it.
The 510 takes up the whole inner width of the roofbar on our Passat B8 and it is long, but just about allows the tailgate to open fully. Pros: Better quality and design, lip around the roofbox lid is longer and keeps water out (a few drops rather than a cupful on the Thules), better lock, more straps and the brilliant built in clamps that spread with a lever.
Cons: The height of the 510 on top of the roofbars and car takes it to 1cm over 2m. Many ferries state 2.1m, but a lot of car parks are 2m max.
I bought a Kamei Fosco 510 and it really is mahoosive. It has a slightly higher freeboard (if that is the term!) than the Thule, so as a short powerfully built company director, I use it in conjunction with a folding plastic step that I bought from TKMaxx.
I have on occasion bunked up Vikingette2 and got her to sit in the roofbox whilst loading it. The 510 takes up the whole inner width of the roofbar on our Passat B8 and it is long, but just about allows the tailgate to open fully. Pros: Better quality and design, lip around the roofbox lid is longer and keeps water out (a few drops rather than a cupful on the Thules), better lock, more straps and the brilliant built in clamps that spread with a lever.
Cons: The height of the 510 on top of the roofbars and car takes it to 1cm over 2m. Many ferries state 2.1m, but a lot of car parks are 2m max.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff