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Roof box... good idea or bad?

Trebor said:
Excellent post icbob . Could Gould tell me the size of the cubes and where you get them from please . I've found Eagle Creek on the web but lots different shapes and sizes. Thanks.
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I've had the cubes for years and got them in France.

I'm away at the mo and ha e no way of measuring them but they look about 36x35cm ish... I think this is the new version

http://m.cotswoldoutdoor.com/eagle-...gclid=CNf044bumdICFe8V0wodVPEGaw&gclsrc=aw.ds

Plus you get 15% discount with VIP

HTH
 
We have 2 each totalling 8 however it's usually just two of us now and we tend to take 4 each and spread our clothing between them.

I should add; we've just spent 10days in the Alps and tried something a bit different. I packed all my smalls and base layers in the Brandrup seat pockets and gloves and hats etc in drawer pockets, Jane used the cubes in the seat drawer. Worked well with all clothes easily accessible.
 
Regarding overloading I've noticed that everyone regards the gross vehicle capacity as what can be carried. This isn't strictly true.

You have to be careful not to overload an axle. Rear axle - Beach 1550 kgs, Ocean 1575 kgs.
This can easily be done by fitting both a rear bike rack and a towbar mounted carrier plus loading up the rear of the Cali with luggage to leave room in the seat travelling area.

If pulled by the Police etc for a weight check they will check axle weights and you would be looking at £300 upwards plus points and having to unload the excess before being able to proceed on your trip. Additionally your Insurance cover would not be valid, another offence.
They regard this as a Major offence as you would be considered as putting other road users lives at risk. Even the tyres could be beyond their design capabilities. Not to mention you own family members safety.

A roof box could help to resolve this problem if weight balance correctly. Personally consider roof box too high for access and clearance issues.

750kgs trailer would be my choice. Good ones available for comparable prices to roof boxes. Can be used for tip runs etc.
Have little effect on fuel slip-streaming a Cali.
No speed restriction on French Autoroutes.
can be left parked on-site if staying in one location.

Not intended to be a DOOM & GLOOM item just opening up the decision making process.
 
B J G said:
Regarding overloading I've noticed that everyone regards the gross vehicle capacity as what can be carried. This isn't strictly true.

You have to be careful not to overload an axle. Rear axle - Beach 1550 kgs, Ocean 1575 kgs.
This can easily be done by fitting both a rear bike rack and a towbar mounted carrier plus loading up the rear of the Cali with luggage to leave room in the seat travelling area.

If pulled by the Police etc for a weight check they will check axle weights and you would be looking at £300 upwards plus points and having to unload the excess before being able to proceed on your trip. Additionally your Insurance cover would not be valid, another offence.
They regard this as a Major offence as you would be considered as putting other road users lives at risk. Even the tyres could be beyond their design capabilities. Not to mention you own family members safety.

A roof box could help to resolve this problem if weight balance correctly. Personally consider roof box too high for access and clearance issues.

750kgs trailer would be my choice. Good ones available for comparable prices to roof boxes. Can be used for tip runs etc.
Have little effect on fuel slip-streaming a Cali.
No speed restriction on French Autoroutes.
can be left parked on-site if staying in one location.

Not intended to be a DOOM & GLOOM item just opening up the decision making process.
Click to expand...

We have a trailer for getting stuff around at home. Mostly cardboard and branches, leaves, etc. from the garden to the dump. But I would never ever consider a trailer for a holiday trip … I love that the California is agile, and that is lost with a trailer. Small narrow villages in the mountains – with a trailer on the knob – no way. Then rather leave some stuff at home … ;-)
 
Kmann said:
We have a trailer for getting stuff around at home. Mostly cardboard and branches, leaves, etc. from the garden to the dump. But I would never ever consider a trailer for a holiday trip … I love that the California is agile, and that is lost with a trailer. Small narrow villages in the mountains – with a trailer on the knob – no way. Then rather leave some stuff at home … ;-)
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Unfortunately it seems that some don't agree with the " rather leave some stuff at home " and don't take into account axle weights concentrating Bly on MGW.
 
i was thinking of the times I've seen vehicles arrive on site and disgorge extended families, then boats, bikes, chairs, tables, tents etc from what could only be a Tardis in disguise when I suggest a trailer.
 
There have been several good threads on the forum about the payload limitations of the SE/Ocean (especially if you have DSG / 4Motion). Eg:https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/loading-capacity-in-a-cali-se-ocean.14789/

If it's just two people, a dog and the usual camping gear you're unlikely to get near the limit, but if you need to add kids, bikes, awnings etc it really does need to be checked carefully.

Yes the (rear) axle load limit is the primary factor but you're not going to able to calculate that accurately (I used to drive HGVs and I can't remember the formulas, but they were pretty unreliable in the real world). I suspect the main issue here is (loaded) bike racks - if you have one of those AND are generally loading up the van to anywhere near the gunwales, then you do need to watch out.
 
Velma's Dad said:
There have been several good threads on the forum about the payload limitations of the SE/Ocean (especially if you have DSG / 4Motion). Eg:https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/loading-capacity-in-a-cali-se-ocean.14789/

If it's just two people, a dog and the usual camping gear you're unlikely to get near the limit, but if you need to add kids, bikes, awnings etc it really does need to be checked carefully.

Yes the (rear) axle load limit is the primary factor but you're not going to able to calculate that accurately (I used to drive HGVs and I can't remember the formulas, but they were pretty unreliable in the real world). I suspect the main issue here is (loaded) bike racks - if you have one of those AND are generally loading up the van to anywhere near the gunwales, then you do need to watch out.
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My cancelled order Ocean 150 dsg front wheel drive only is rated at 3080 kgs gross vehicle weight, is this normal? In the brochure it indicates it should be 3000 kgs.
 
Velma's Dad said:
If it's just two people, a dog and the usual camping gear you're unlikely to get near the limit, but if you need to add kids, bikes, awnings etc it really does need to be checked carefully.
Click to expand...
It's a bit scary that the payload limit on a 204 DSG Ocean would be exceeded by four adults of average weight 85Kg, each with a 15Kg bike and 20Kg of other luggage, equipment and supplies.
 
Crispin Family said:
It's a bit scary that the payload limit on a 204 DSG Ocean would be exceeded by four adults of average weight 85Kg, each with a 15Kg bike and 20Kg of other luggage, equipment and supplies.
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Yes absolutely - your data looks right. While some of the T6 panel vans can carry up to 1.2 tonnes of stuff, the 204 DSG 4Mo Cali (but without ANY other optional bits) only has a payload spec of 460kg before the driver gets aboard, so your 4-pax 480kg loading would exceed that.

I guess we just need to keep in mind that the Cali is a heavily-encumbered converted van (even though converted nowadays in a VW-owned factory) not a purpose-designed Mystery Machine cum Routemaster bus.
 
Velma's Dad said:
Yes absolutely - your data looks right. While some of the T6 panel vans can carry up to 1.2 tonnes of stuff, the 204 DSG 4Mo Cali (but without ANY other optional bits) only has a payload spec of 460kg before the driver gets aboard, so your 4-pax 480kg loading would exceed that.
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The limit per person for seven adults in a 7 seat beach is even lower: under 100Kg per person.
 
Apparently, roofbox while camping wintertine with a beach is not a good idea.
Anyone noticed how gas struts seems to be less agile in winter? Maybe your rear hatch wont stay up? Imagine a California roof with a roofbox and three pair of skiis and ski boots, no go. I took out the boots, then I could actually lift the roof but it fell down right away. Skiis out, it stays up if bed is up stabilizing it since they are warm from the heater inside. I am lucky its just med and the boys so we can all three sleep downstairs. Right now I am not in love with my Cali.
 
Crispin Family said:
I stuck a 6' by 10' cotton tarpaulin in with one chair and the roof topper in with the other chair and now my hatch won't stay up. Heaven knows what it might be like loaded with two Bromptons and two toy bikes.
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Won't stay up, I'm afraid.
It will improve as temperatures rise but doubt, even in the South of France in he height of summer , that the gas struts will be able to hold up a fully loaded bicycle rack.
You could fit uprated gas struts but then it will become extremely difficult to close if the rack is empty.
If your vehicle came with the rack then it should have uprated gas struts to compensate for the rack weight, 1250n rating I believe.
 
WelshGas said:
Won't stay up, I'm afraid.
It will improve as temperatures rise but doubt, even in the South of France in he height of summer , that the gas struts will be able to hold up a fully loaded bicycle rack.
You could fit uprated gas struts but then it will become extremely difficult to close if the rack is empty.
If your vehicle came with the rack then it should have uprated gas struts to compensate for the rack weight, 1250n rating I believe.
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I bought the bike rack from Banwy for £360+vat and delivery - my dealer fitted it and some other accessories from Everything California (SpareSafe and B pillar black outs) for £50.

I'll look around for an appropriate stick. 1.8m will probably be about right, telescopic would be helpful: link

Where do people stow their awning winders?
 
Crispin Family said:
I bought the bike rack from Banwy for £360+vat and delivery - my dealer fitted it and some other accessories from Everything California (SpareSafe and B pillar black outs) for £50.

I'll look around for an appropriate stick. 1.8m will probably be about right, telescopic would be helpful: link

Where do people stow their awning winders?
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In with the chairs. BTW pleased its finally landed!
 
Crispin Family said:
I bought the bike rack from Banwy for £360+vat and delivery - my dealer fitted it and some other accessories from Everything California (SpareSafe and B pillar black outs) for £50.

I'll look around for an appropriate stick. 1.8m will probably be about right, telescopic would be helpful: link

Where do people stow their awning winders?
Click to expand...
Check you have the correctly rated gas struts fitted on the tailgate.As other vehicles in the T6 range with a tailgate are fitted with Lower Rated Gas Struts and it is not impossible yours has as well.
 
As our roof could not be held up tonight me and the kids, 6 and 8 yo, slept downstairs. As always I am in bed listening to all kinds of sounds, but I could not hear the fridge under us. I turned the heater off att 22:30, at 3am it was 2 degrees. I can recommend the Sense Peanut to be able to keep up with temps.
Nice way of saving energy :)
Waking up with this view makes me like the Cali again:
i-Bpmn67g-X2.jpg
 
Returning to the topic, I just read in the manual fot T6, models with popup roof have a maximum roof load of 50KG, what is left sfter bars and box? I have never weighed it since I assume the limit was 100KG.
 
Kmann said:
Just a little advice on roofbars.

We had the genuine WV (Logo) bars on our former Cali, they are very very tall and it looks odd. This time we went for the Thule Wingbar (less windnoise) and the Rapid Fixpoint XT 753.

The fix point is not recommended by Thule. But we found out it fits perfect. And because it is lower than the one Thule wants you to buy for the Cali (XT751), it looks a lot more nice and tidy. You can see it on the picture in my post above.

Thule WingBar - 127 cm (Bars)
Thule Rapid FixpointXT 753 (Foot)
Thule Kit 3057 (Adapter)

(And do not forget to check and tighten the bars now and then – they might become loose)
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Hi. I'd like to buy this setup (I like low and silent). Just wondering if you have any second thoughts using it. Thule does not recommend it as you said. Did you have any problems in the time after this post? Would you buy the same if buying again? Thanks
 
I have that setup and it works fine, the only thing is if you fasten it too hard you cant get the locking panels over the feet since they are made of rubber and the deform too much.
I have no idea if the recommended feet have this problem.
Another issue with the wingbar is that they are very wide so my roofbox didnt fit with it's U bolt design so I had to get a T-bolt fastener instead. Never a problem with my "wingbars" for my BMW or Volvo.

You have this thread as well:
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/cali-thule-roof-rack-foot-pack-height-751-or-753.13200/
 
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