Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Well I ain't gonna buy a bigger car. So if I need more stowage I gotta get one of them there roof boxes.

I've checked a couple of sites like Halfords etc. and it seems basically you're gonna pay a couple of hundred quid upwards for a chunk of plastic that happens to have beem moulded into a sort of streamlined coffin shape.

Any tips as to decent makes / models and stores that sell 'em ?

My fears are contents getting soaked through rain seepage, theft (I understand they are quick to attach, which implies quick to detach). Any advice at all appreciated.

Cheers KK

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/34986-roof-boxes-for-cars-any-advice/
Share on other sites

KK - attachments are from inside the box - so as long as it's locked shut the easy access doesn't imply easy theft.


In my experience the cheaper Halford's version, which is of thinner plastic, tends to flap in high winds or above speeds of 60mph. This can cause rain seepage, altho' in practice I never experienced it. It did cause a hell of a lot of noise which was annoying and once, memorably, it forced the lid off by distorting the shape and effectively releasing the locks. Thus leaving quite a bit of Marmora family irtems strewn along the A303.


My actions thereafter were to buy a top of the range box and lash it down, fore and afte, with nylon straps which reduced noise and likelihood of opening.

Cheers MM, if I get one it won't be an 'own-brand' version, when you say you lashed it down do you mean stowage-type straps (the mini version sof what hauliers use) ?


They seem to go up to ?600 or even more !


With full car of chums my mini estate just can't fit the baggage plus tents and other gear.


dbboy - I'd hope it's minimal, due to streamline of the boxes' shape.

We have the Exodus make, so far no problems and has good reviews. Much much cheaper than Thule and our contents survived the recent downpours - I'm not sure how the contents would get wet, as the lid overlaps the base, unless the product is defective. Halfords often have a half price sale on roof boxes (incl. Exodus and Thule) so don't pay full price unless you need it asap.

Got a KAMEI 450, symmetrical from www.roofbox.co.uk a couple of weeks ago. They do a package deal with roof bars. Came to about 330 quid with Thule roof bars. It's quite a big one but will still fit through the loft hatch.


Not cheap but like anything else worth paying a bit more for a bit more quality/longevity/peace of mind.


Did a camping run down to Dorset last week. Little bit of extra noise. About 2mpg less on a Volvo. After 5 minutes you won't even notice it (except I put it on slightly skew and it gave the car a very slight pull to one side).


Absolutely recommend it.

I bought a Kamei XXL (because lots of people told me they regretted buying a smaller one) and it's mahoosive! Haven't used it yet but it looks up the trip to France we about to embark on, was ?350 or so from roofbox.co.uk with the Whisper bars and some free strap things.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • The sites in question though are not comparable to the builders yard by the station and less likely to be granted planning permission for 9 storey buildings. The builders yard fronts on to the railway line on one side and virtually no residential property surrounding on the other sides. The Gibbs & Dandy /Kwikfit and ED trading trading estate are surrounded at close proximity by residential, and in the case of the latter a Grade II building, so there would more stringent height restrictions. Both these sites are tired and sad looking, and in need of development to provide much needed housing.
    • Not sure if this is any help but was initally told to use google chrome as the browser and the code was the reference. However the person at Southwark parking took pity on me and did it for me 
    • I can see how it could've worked 20 or 30 years ago, when you couldn't swing a pool cue in the Foresters without hitting a sparks, a plumber or a chippy, but the area has changed somewhat. I'm not sure people around here have such trade-able skills these days. Have a word with someone in your local and you'll see. People are always going to need their boiler fixed, a damp patch sorted or their dimmer switch dimmed, but I can pretty much guarantee I'm never going need my corporate policy complied with, my social media planned, my data mined, my green transport tsared, my information architected or my analytics analysed. It reminds me of the great DIY con of the mid to late seventies. My Mum bought into it, my Dad didn't. Anyway, my Mum won out and we let the gardener go (he went on to be TV's Timmy Mallett, so that's a warning from history), but my Dad shorted the house out and singed his head when he cut through the flex on his new Black & Decker hedge trimmer. We all laughed, of course, but he got his own back when, because we didn't use a qualified electrician to do things properly, she electrocuted herself when she pulled the back of the plug off her Carmen heated rollers while it was still in the socket. Keep things professional, say 'No!' to this sort of nonsense. We pay people a decent rate of pay because they're specialists at these things. I did once barter my sister's space hopper and roller skates for twenty-odd square foot of crazy paving, though. That was a birthday present my Mum never forgot, and not in a good way.  
    • Thanks both of you. I have also been having the same problem. I emailed the named person on the letter, with no response. I also tried phoning and was transferred to another number which cut me off. I hope they extend the deadline for applying as there are likely to be many people without a permit by the deadline for applying.
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...