Wesfield luggage solutions

Wesfield luggage solutions

Author
Discussion

robp

Original Poster:

5,770 posts

265 months

Wednesday 28th May 2003
quotequote all
Quick question:

How much luggage space is there in Wide Body Westfield? The chance to motor round Europe in one has arose and I have no idea myself!
Will a tent, two sleeping bags and a few clothes fit in?
I have just done a quick net search and found a few aftermarket solutions, but nothing very helpful.

Any advice appriciated

moomin

311 posts

265 months

Wednesday 28th May 2003
quotequote all
Hi Rob.

As with all things kit car, it depends on your car.
Do you have a 'boot box'? Spare wheel carrier?

I have just been away for a week in mine, but I didn't have a passenger so was able to use the whole of that side of the car for all my stuff (one bag of clothes, one bag of helmet, one bag of camera and other odds & ends, one small bag of random car spares, one small bag of tools). I then had a 5 litre fuel can sitting on the rear deck, strapped to the roll bar.

If you are solo, then there is plenty of room and you should be fine. If you have a passenger it should be interesting.

I'm now in the thinking phase of making myself a boot box which will allow me to carry the emergency fuel, tools, spares, helmet, and tonneau. I will then buy a couple of waterproof canoe bags to bungy strap onto the rear deck. This will mean I can go on tour and still give scare rides : )

minimax

11,984 posts

257 months

Thursday 29th May 2003
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moomin, I'm looking at westys, and it says on some ads "lockable boot" - do you know what size this might be? Is it feasible to strap stuff to the roll bar? Thanks

Graham.J

5,420 posts

260 months

Thursday 29th May 2003
quotequote all
Tom,

I think the boot boxes are the same size just with a hinged cover over them.

I can't see why you can't strap stuff to the roll bar, it'd restrict rear vision of course but should be fine if strapped down tight enough.

Graham

moomin

311 posts

265 months

Friday 30th May 2003
quotequote all
Yes Graham is right, although there are two sizes of boot box depending on which fuel tank the car has - the long range tank is much larger and therefore has a smaller boot box.

Strapping stuff to the roll bar is fine as long it is done securely, and you are happy with the potential reduction in rear visibility.

Edited to add - you might actually get slightly more room in a lockable boot box as the lid sits on top of the box and is a little hollow... but we are probably talking a cc or two bigger!

>> Edited by moomin on Friday 30th May 12:12

minimax

11,984 posts

257 months

Friday 30th May 2003
quotequote all
Excellent thanks for the replies - sorted.

robp

Original Poster:

5,770 posts

265 months

Saturday 31st May 2003
quotequote all
Right, looks good.

So Moomin and Graham a question;

Is it feasible for two 6 footers plus a tent, two sleeping bags and a small bag of clothes to drive round Europe for a fortnight?

Graham.J

5,420 posts

260 months

Saturday 31st May 2003
quotequote all
Right....two 6 footers and that kit will be a squeeze but here's how I'd do it......

I would put the bag of clothes in the passenger footwell close to the seat and have the passenger rest their legs on it, shouldn't be uncomfy.

How big is the tent? If it's a 2 man 'bivvy' tent it should fold up and fit in the boot box.

Will it have an FIA Roll bar? If so it could play to you advantage and/or disadvantage.

Advantage - Easier to strap the sleeping bags too if they're rolled into one (put one inside the other and roll up tight)

Disadvantage - May take up some boot space, I wouldn't have thought too much but the tent may be a squeeze in the first place.

As I said, that's the way I'd go about it and I think that would work.

Hope this helps.

Graham


Edited to add - Doesn't seem like a bad idea thinking about it, maybe one for the future

>> Edited by Graham.J on Saturday 31st May 12:43

robp

Original Poster:

5,770 posts

265 months

Saturday 31st May 2003
quotequote all
Cant answer the questions because the car is still to be chosen! Will bear in mind your comments thought
Thanks.

Graham.J

5,420 posts

260 months

Saturday 31st May 2003
quotequote all
No problems, in all honesty I think you'll be fine with a wide body, it'd be a squeeze in a narrow but the extra inches will be in your favour with a wide.

Enjoy it mate

catflap

41 posts

261 months

Sunday 1st June 2003
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get yourself a luggage rack made

It clips onto the roll bar and offers an extra shelf, or 2 if required

I have one, and its enought to sling a tent underneath, and all I could want for a weekend away, without having to pack bits in all them little places.

I paid 75 for mine, and a friend made his own for 10 quid (he is handy with a welder though , im not so paid )


>> Edited by catflap on Sunday 1st June 01:13

minimax

11,984 posts

257 months

Sunday 1st June 2003
quotequote all

catflap said: get yourself a luggage rack made

It clips onto the roll bar and offers an extra shelf, or 2 if required

I have one, and its enought to sling a tent underneath, and all I could want for a weekend away, without having to pack bits in all them little places.

I paid 75 for mine, and a friend made his own for 10 quid (he is handy with a welder though , im not so paid )


>> Edited by catflap on Sunday 1st June 01:13


good idea! where can you get them from?

Graham.J

5,420 posts

260 months

Sunday 1st June 2003
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Factory?

moomin

311 posts

265 months

Monday 2nd June 2003
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A similar alternative is to get one made up to utilise the spare wheel carrier mounts (assuming you don't have a spare wheel).