Roof box... good idea or bad?

[B J G]

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.

Weighed Thule standard square bar set I have & approx 5kgs. looked at various roof box specs and average weight is about 20kgs. Total guestimate would be 25kgs for bars & roof box leaving 25kgs of carrying capacity.

If 2 bikes plus bars and bike carriers put on roof no designed load capacity for a roof box would be left.!!

Obviously owners can put whatever they want up there but it would invalidate both insurance cover and legal position due to contravening 'Construction & Use' specifications.

 

[Kmann]

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

No problems at all – I would go for the same combo again. Or … the only change I would consider is a flattop box, so that I could mount the solarpanel on top ;-)

 

[Jonathan Duke]

I'm considering roof bars, as above Thule Wingbar and the Rapid Fixpoint XT 753. However, my car park has a 2.1m restriction! Anyone able to confirm the additional height of the above mounts/bars?

 

[Kmann]

I'm considering roof bars, as above Thule Wingbar and the Rapid Fixpoint XT 753. However, my car park has a 2.1m restriction! Anyone able to confirm the additional height of the above mounts/bars?

I measured the top of the Wingbar 969 was about 11 cm over the rails. So you need to ad that. I am not shure if Squarebar. Slidebar or Probar is thinner, and will give you a lower setup - as I recall this is the lowest setup you can get.

The new Thule WingBar Edge 9591B might be lover, but I am uncertain if it would fit? It is not presented in the online buyinguide on the Thule webpage. But on the other hand the 753 is not presented for the car model as well.

 

[MattBW]

Struggling with what roof box to go with but we definitely need one.

 

[Blackberry]

We used one for a 2000k France trip. Stored the awning and extra chairs in it.
We never raised the roof with anything in the box.
It did cost a bit more on the tolls and it was funny watching the wife trying to reach the toll tickets as the auto ticket machine assumed we was a lorry

 

[Andrew Folkes]

Yes, we had a wonderful time, thank you.

I agree with you and to give you an idea this is what we do and what we take.

To help packing each family member has two Eagle Creek Cubes for personal items. I'm amazed how much my wife can fit in them and we still come back with unused clothes. It took us a few years to recognise how few personal items we actually need.

We tend to pack a lot of activities in on our trips, this one included ice climbing in the Swiss Alps, rock climbing and down hill mountain biking in the french alps and road biking in the Pyrenees. All requiring specialist equipment. If we take out all our 'gear' we wouldn't need the extra space, but then again we are quite strict on personal items.

But then packing for holidays is like a gas: it fills the available space

So, unless you require a lot of gear or/and need a different pair of shoes for every day and every occasion by separating what you 'want' from what you 'need' you'll have plenty of space.

If you are interested check out https://twitter.com/bobontour/media

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Hi

Your trip looks fantastic.

I'm currently looking at the Eagle Creek Cube bags but there seems to be many different sizes/types. Which one do you have that's fits the rear cupboard?

 

[kave]

I bought these from Ikea, my wife don't like it but it keeps our extra clothing to a minimum. One set for all of us 4, for this summers trip I will be two more.
http://www.ikea.com/se/sv/catalog/products/30235115/

 

[MattBW]

I have two of these, and we dont use the stands much but use the drawers/bags a lot...

 

[soulstyledevon]

Question.
It's kind of related.

How are you getting up to the roof box...?
I have an issue with getting my surfboards on and off the roof bars. Currently use a telescopic ladder, but want to ditch this. I was thinking about a ladder on the rear doors and standing on the roof. But can the roof closed take my weight standing on it...???

 

[kave]

Stand on the wheels or inside the van through the open doors.

 

[Kmann]

Question.
It's kind of related.

How are you getting up to the roof box...?
I have an issue with getting my surfboards on and off the roof bars. Currently use a telescopic ladder, but want to ditch this. I was thinking about a ladder on the rear doors and standing on the roof. But can the roof closed take my weight standing on it...???

I would not recommend it. I use the telescopic ladder. I have modyfied it so it fits in the drawer. Perfect and easy solution for me.

 

[Deskman]

But can the roof closed take my weight standing on it...???

No! Never. Even thinking about it will cause the roof to bend beyond repair.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Stand on the wheels or inside the van through the open doors.

Still not quite high enough. Perhaps I'm a short ass

 

[soulstyledevon]

No! Never. Even thinking about it will cause the roof to bend beyond repair.

Lol
The middle does seem to compress if you press on it. The sides however seem a tad stronger ...?
I have the telescopic tied to one of the eye hooks in the rear which is fine. But would be great to get rid of it totally

 

[Victor]

Sorry if off topic but we are looking for a roofbox for our 5 week summer holiday. I currently have the Thule roof bars, am I right in thinking all roof boxes can fit to these or do I need something else?

 

[DM]

Sorry if off topic but we are looking for a roofbox for our 5 week summer holiday. I currently have the Thule roof bars, am I right in thinking all roof boxes can fit to these or do I need something else?

All roof boxes that I have ever seen attach to a 'standard' roof bar using U-bolts with knobs or nuts to tighten up inside the roof box. You just need to check that the width of the U-bolt will fit around the bar. Most have fairly wide bolts that will fit any bar but very cheap ones may be too narrow for wider Thule bars such as the Aero bar or slide bar.

 

[kave]

Correct, I have a 10 year old one which had too narrow U bolts. I bought Thules T bolt kit for roofboxes.

 

[Trebor]

I have the biggest box Thule makes (MOTION 900 XL) stuffed with my kitesurfgear. No problem with electric roof. We have never discovered the Roof coming down, not even slightly after several days. We use a telescope ladder to access the box (When the roof is down). I have slightly modified the ladder so it fits perfect in the underseat drawer, and fully extracted it reaches to the awning (or the rail), so it has no contact with the cars paint. On the bikerack we carry two (carbon) bikes and our inflatable zodiac and the electric engine. So both the roof and bikerack is maxed out regarding weight.

All that on the small 102 hp engine … runs 140 on the motorway with ease …


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Hi Kmann . How much weight do you carry on your roof including box and bars ? Do you take the load out to raise roof ?

 

[Jonathan Duke]

Lol
The middle does seem to compress if you press on it. The sides however seem a tad stronger ...?
I have the telescopic tied to one of the eye hooks in the rear which is fine. But would be great to get rid of it totally

My Mrs wants to "stand on the roof!"

I've stressed repeatedly, "NO WAY"

She's just sent me this photo:



I've said, "STILL NO WAY"

She asked how/why..... I said she's very petit, and that's probably a rental..... Ahh well, that's me in the dog-house tonight so

 

[soulstyledevon]

To be fair. That roof looks fine with her on top.
I’m sure spreading you weight across the sides would be ok.

I have a rental at the moment.
Might test it out

 

[Kmann]

Hi Kmann . How much weight do you carry on your roof including box and bars ? Do you take the load out to raise roof ?

The roof limit is 50 kg, and I stay under that. I have had no problems with the roof not getting up og sagging with the box (or other stuff) on top. Now we have the two SUP with us in Sweden. They weight approx. 30 kg. including the roof bars.

Regarding the roof box I have - as I recall the Thule Motion 900 with the Wingbar and Rapid 753 (the lover mount) weights together 23 kg. So I have 27 kg left, with is quite a bit. I use mine primarily for kitesurf equipment, that is not particularly heavy, but the kites take up quite some space.

Personally, If possible I would store bulky but light stuff up there, and the have heavier things in the car.

 

[MattBW]

It was a good experiment but I gave the roof box from my beach away, it just didn't quite tick all the boxes for us. I gave it to a chap with a hard top who loves it.

The beach roof struts are such that the box had to be completely empty to allow the roof to extend up fully. This meant loading and offloading it every time we stopped and wanted the roof up. Even then it wasn't quite as taut as it should be. Maybe a smaller box would suit... I tend to think a towbar unit on a pivot would be a good solution, but its an expensive experiment.

We loved having somewhere outside the van to relegate the laundry bag and wet dog towels to but otherwise it was more of a pain than a help.

 

[Kmann]

It was a good experiment but I gave the roof box from my beach away, it just didn't quite tick all the boxes for all. I gave it to a chap with a hard top who loves it.

The beach roof struts are such that the box had to be completely empty to allow the roof to extend up fully. This meant loading and offloading it every time we stopped and wanted the roof up. Even then it wasn't quite as taut as it should be. Maybe a smaller box would suit... I tend to think a towbar unit on a pivot would be a good solution, but its an expensive experiment.

We loved having somewhere outside the van to relegate the laundry bag and wet dog towels to but otherwise it was more of a pain than a help.

You are right. I need to mention my experience is on a Ocean with hydraulic roof. I beleive it is only doable with support - a pole? - if at all.

Emptying is not an option i my world. I would probably have sold ir as well then.


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[Trebor]

The roof limit is 50 kg, and I stay under that. I have had no problems with the roof not getting up og sagging with the box (or other stuff) on top. Now we have the two SUP with us in Sweden. They weight approx. 30 kg. including the roof bars.

Regarding the roof box I have - as I recall the Thule Motion 900 with the Wingbar and Rapid 753 (the lover mount) weights together 23 kg. So I have 27 kg left, with is quite a bit. I use mine primarily for kitesurf equipment, that is not particularly heavy, but the kites take up quite some space.

Personally, If possible I would store bulky but light stuff up there, and the have heavier things in the car.

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Great info Kmann but a bit worried about the “ lover mount !!! “! Is that
allowed ?

Yesterday I bought a pair of old Mercedes ski boxes cheaply . They’re old about 15 yrs and 300 litres each and open both ways . Thought it would be good to try after your enthusiasm. They’re made of polypropylene and fairly indestructible ( ha ha ! (I saw your horrible photos again yesterday on the website banner ).

Already Caligirl has booked one box for her shoes ! Anyway thought they may go side by side on top of the trailer for our 7/8 week Northern Lights Trip in Sept but thinking now one on trailer and one on Cali . Does anyone know about car parks in Norway Sweden Finland maybe Niborn does ? Do they have the 2.2 m bar like France .