Tell me about your Roof Box

[Farqui]

We're off to Belgium again in a few months but will be travelling 4 up this time and will need more luggage space.

Previously it's usually just the mrs and I that go 'on tour' and we simply use the back seat as overflow of stuff that won't fit in the boot.

I already have roof bars which are 920mm wide, 700mm center to center, with a 60 x 30mm semi aero bar profile.

I'm tempted by either of these from Hapro; 

Traxer 6.6, left/right opener, 5yr guarantee, longer/narrow/lower profile - https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php?HP25908

Roady 4000, left opener, 3yr guarantee, shorter/wider - https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php?HP31560

Both have quick fittings which appeals as I aim to use a bike carrier on the bars more often, so will swap carrier/box back and forth.  I did wonder about a really long and narrow box so I could fit both on the rack at once, but I'm not sure I'll use them both together.  I'm currently thinking of getting a fairly wide box for a good capacity boost as the boot is a mere 280 liters.

To simplify loading/unloading with a luggage set - I know Rob was planning on getting some and I thought there were a practical option back then;

Box storage isn't a problem as I've space in the garage to hang from the rafters and maybe even use it for storing bits/bobs.

The lighter boxes appear to be cheaper and less robust, so I'm looking for something that's a good all rounder and not too pricey.

Do you have any thoughts or experience of boxes, fitting systems, storage, usage, etc? 

Or maybe I should just get the 'luggage' and hire a box when we need it?

[Farqui]

No feedback? 

Since asking around several folks have offered to loan me their boxes, after which we'll then have a better understanding if we should buy our own.

Looking at vehicle and box heights, I doubt we'll be under the 1.85m height limit for standard carriages on the Eurotunnel.  Has anyone found the high carriages any worse, less frequent than std carriages?  From what I can find a train has a mix of carriages but I've only ever seen/used the std carriages.  Do Eurotunnel load high vehicles before or after std height vehicles?

[rich1068]

I've only got experience of Volvo boxes which are rebadged Thule ones. One of these in fact. All I know is that it's strong, secure and an absolute godsend on family holidays. Would you believe we picked up the box and a pair of Thule Wing Bars off eBay for 50 quid?  The guy had hardly used them and was just having a clearout.

[Farqui]

 

On 09/01/2018 at 7:56 PM, rich1068 said:

I've only got experience of Volvo boxes which are rebadged Thule ones. One of these in fact. All I know is that it's strong, secure and an absolute godsend on family holidays. Would you believe we picked up the box and a pair of Thule Wing Bars off eBay for 50 quid? [emoji3] The guy had hardly used them and was just having a clearout.

Wow what a find, you did snag yourself a bargain.

 

[rich1068]

Drove from Sheffield to Rayleigh in Essex to pick it up. I think it was even the next day in case he changed his mind.

[Farqui]

The roof box was going to take us over the height limit for the car/dual level carriages and after using the roof rack I wasn't happy with loading/unloading up there.

So I pushed on and fitted a tow bar to the GS and have myself a beefy rack from www.bak-rak.com, their website isn't great but their product is.  It's 100kg capacity means we can now add a couple of bike racks and get the wifes heavier e-bike on there too, which you wouldn't dare do on a roof rack.

[rich1068]

Glad you're sorted. And I agree, that website is awful. A close run thing with Lings Cars I reckon 

We've just ordered a new S-Max to replace the XC90 but will unfortunately need new roof bars because the Ford doesn't come with rails.