Roof Boxes

[steve singh]

After having a European jaunt last weekend with the family, I started to entertain the idea of purchasing a roof box (boot was rammed and had some bags in the cabin which I don't like).

Does anybody know whether roof boxes (with appropriate fitting equipment) scratch the paintwork?

TIA.

[paulmoonraker]

No - they are fine. I use one on my Impreza. Its so much better than having your car full of crap

[croyde]

+1

[angusc43]

+ 1

[Prince Jefri]

+1

I've got a Thule for skiing. Not the cheapest; but very good.

[Lefty]

+1 for Thule, we've got a big Atlantis thingy, 900 maybe?

Got luggage for a weeks holiday for a family of 4 (2 adults, 1 toddler and a baby) in it, leaving just the buggy in the boot of my Golf.

They are quite expensive but the quality is great. No marks on t5he roof from the thule bars and feet.

[Hub]

If your car has slots for attachable roof bars then you'll need some of these too, but is the best way to go as the box just goes on top of these. Will increase your fuel consumption a fair bit on the motorway though!

[JM]

Prince Jefri said:

+1

I've got a Thule for skiing. Not the cheapest; but very good.

I use ski's for skiing and the roof box as a sledge.

Much better.

[Mars]

steve singh said:

After having a European jaunt last weekend with the family, I started to entertain the idea of purchasing a roof box (boot was rammed and had some bags in the cabin which I don't like).

It was a holiday in France that convinced us to buy one too. Seemed like 3 or 4 out of every 5 cars had one.

steve singh said:

Does anybody know whether roof boxes (with appropriate fitting equipment) scratch the paintwork?

TIA.

No, they normally mount onto a roof-rack which itself is specified for your car make/model, but you can get roof BAGs which have inflatable "bars" that tuck into the door openings (I think). It's a bit of a budget idea and not one I'd feel comfy with though.

[paulmoonraker]

If you have brackets (like I do as the roof does not have slots) then dont do them up too tight, as they will leave little dings...

[paulmoonraker]

See - look how good that looks Like the plane that launched the first space shuttle!

[steve singh]

Brilliant - thanks chaps.

I'll have a look tonight to see if I've got the slots for the roof rack(s) on the GTI (MK5).

I'm assuming I can buy any set of roof racks as opposed to vehicle specific?

Out of interest what is the percentage impact on mpg with the box on?

(I'll do a detailed google search later when I'm back home, but if someone knows the answers then great)

[Mars]

steve singh said:

Brilliant - thanks chaps.

I'll have a look tonight to see if I've got the slots for the roof rack(s) on the GTI (MK5).

I'm assuming I can buy any set of roof racks as opposed to vehicle specific?

Out of interest what is the percentage impact on mpg with the box on?

(I'll do a detailed google search later when I'm back home, but if someone knows the answers then great)

Roof rack installation normally comes in five different guises:

1. The old-style with channels. No modern cars have these any more (look at the original mini for example)
2. Modern channels where the door closes to hide the channel. Can't think of a specific car that has these but I've definitely seen them
3. Nothing at all to fix to. Toyota Avensis. You need a roof rack that has "feet" placed on the edge of the roof, and brackets that hold onto the door "frame". The door closes over the bracket (it's very thin).
4. Roof rails. Normally reserved for estate cars and 4x4s.
5. Hard points. My Legacy has them. It has a cosmetic plastic strip like a roof rail, with 4 removeable doors/hatches within which are captive nuts welded onto the roof. You buy a foot-pack which allows you to screw the foot onto the hard point.

Pop to Halfords and have a look at the Thule section. They're easily the best roof racks. You can choose the length of bars to suit your car and load, and the foot pack for your specif model of car.

They're not cheap though. And then you've the roof box to purchase too.

[yellowbentines]

Have a look at www.towequipe.co.uk , I've used them before - good site with lots of good Thule and Mont Blanc stuff on there and photos so you can get an idea of what's what.

Edited by yellowbentines on Wednesday 27th April 14:12

[r129sl]

Have a look at www.roofbox.co.uk.

This site seems very informative and they stock a wide range. I have just purchased a Kamei Corvara 390K DuoLift. It should arrive tomorrow so I'll let you know what it is like.

[paulmoonraker]

steve singh said:

Out of interest what is the percentage impact on mpg with the box on?

for me - about 99%

[mike325112]

yellowbentines said:

Have a look at www.towequipe.co.uk , I've used them before - good site with lots of good Thule and Mont Blanc stuff on there and photos so you can get an idea of what's what.

Edited by yellowbentines on Wednesday 27th April 14:12

+1 for towequipe - They are also 2 miles from my house!!!

I bought a Karrite roof box a few years ago - its been battered hauling family holiday gear all over the country. There well made (by Thule apparently) and ours is still in perfect nick - make sure you have somewhere to store it!

I bought BMW OEM aerobars new off ebay for around £100 they are much queiter that the cheap generic ones I used to have. Overall I don't notice any difference in fuel but I take it steady with the roofbox on, circa 0.8 leptons...

[croyde]

Bought a set of used bars for my Beemer off eBay for £20 inc postage, a couple of bike racks off gumtree for £12 and a new 380L Karrite roofbox for £127 but you do see plenty on eBay as well.

[mike325112]

croyde said:

Bought a set of used bars for my Beemer off eBay for £20 inc postage, a couple of bike racks off gumtree for £12 and a new 380L Karrite roofbox for £127 but you do see plenty on eBay as well.

Blimey the Karrite boxes are a bit dearer now - I bought a 470 litre one for about £100 a couple of years back.

[Bill]

r129sl said:

Have a look at www.roofbox.co.uk.

This site seems very informative and they stock a wide range. I have just purchased a Kamei Corvara 390K DuoLift. It should arrive tomorrow so I'll let you know what it is like.

+1 for them. Thule are very good and have a claw system that means they're easily removed, which is a bonus if you have a people carrier/4x4 and the additional height of the box makes carparks an issue.