Roof Boxes for cars - any advice ?

[KidKruger]

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

[Annette Curtain]

I keep mine inside the back of my Volvo estate

No rain seepage that way.

[Marmora Man]

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.

[dbboy]

Does a roof box contribute to reducing MPG?

[KidKruger]

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.

[DirtyBox]

You could do worse than having a look around http://www.roofbox.co.uk/ if you have any questions they seem happy to answer them and there is a pretty good FAQ section.

[KidKruger]

Cheers too DB

[ClareC]

We bought a Thule one - not cheap but no problems whatsoever and would recommend.

[KidKruger]

Thanks Clare - useful tip.

[Marmora Man]

KK - it was a Thule box with nylon "self locking" straps that you can buy in luggage depths at airports and the like.

[KidKruger]

Cheers MM, Thule seems recommended by many - I'm just gutted at the prices, it's a bit of moulded plastic !!

[srisky]

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.

[Albert Fegg]

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.

[Albert Fegg]

... just noticed mini estate. Might be a bit lengthy?

[DirtyBox]

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.