markandlynn Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 I am sure some of you may of spotted our tiny tent nestled away in the corner at the Shropshire event the other week. Others may of seen us arrive with a rather full car and some others may of seen us depart with a less full car (we drank some of the contents ). We knew we needed a roofbox before we left, we now KNOW we need a roofbox if we are to attend any more events with our teeny tent. So the question is where is cheapest for roofbars and roofboxes and what do we look out for (our car is a lift back ie small estate type car). Many thanks NB free tour of the dome to the winner Quote Link to comment
+The Hokesters Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 Firtly you need to find out the dimensions of the roof bars that fit your specific car. When you have done that you can see what your roofbox options are. I would guess you are looking at around £150 all in. I have never bought one but a friend of mine did shortly before we went away camping a month or so ago and he said that Costco have them pretty cheap. Alternativley go to Halfords to decide which one you want then scour the t'internet for the cheapest price Quote Link to comment
+Lennie's Keepers Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 Got mine from Towsure, at the time I couldn't find anywhere cheaper. See HERE Richard Quote Link to comment
+DesG Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 Got ours from The Roof Box Company Mark, we bought a 'Kar Rite Contour 380' and the roof bars to suit our Kia, which we couldn't find at the usual car accessory shops. We had ours on mail order but you can purchase from 'Indespension' stores, nearest one to you would be in Stoke. Des Quote Link to comment
+Stuey Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 Another vote for the Roofbox Company. They have a huge choice, and prices are good too (or were last time I looked). One suggestion though, don't discount your main dealer for the roofbars/rack. I bought Peugeot ones which fit perfectly and were much cheaper than generic halfords ones or the expensive (but ace quality) Thule ones. I bought a long 500 litre Thule Roofbox and it has given me four good years of service, and I've lent it to many people as well. Quote Link to comment
+The Cache Hoppers Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 (edited) Well you could have just come across to our Dome and asked us ya know! Knew you were coveting our roof box With bars (additional to the ones which came fitted with the Zafira) and the biggest roof box we could find (which apparently can hold as much as the boot of an estate car ) ours from Halfords came in at around £150. Brilliant buy, but we still think we need a bigger car with our four sprogs. Only snag with roofboxes is they take up storage space in your garage but the benefits outweigh that small drawback. Oh and I think they up the fuel consumption a bit but its not that noticeable. Our big one needs two of us to lift it on and off the car. Good luck Edited September 12, 2005 by The Cache Hoppers Quote Link to comment
+The Wombles Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 Yet another vote for the Roofbox company. I bought 2 x Kamei Grizzly boxes nearly three years ago and just before this Summer had lost some fixing nuts. I left them one message asking if I could buy replacements and they sent them free of charge in the next post. The Kamei Grizzly boxes are symmetric so they can be fitted to open outwards on both sides. They are also full length and half width on our MPV so you get the full roof surface area. Quote Link to comment
+Haggis Hunter Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 Go for Thule roofbars, (as for the box i'm not sure) If you buy Thule roofbars you will never need to buy bars again, the feet that meet your roof on them are interchangeable, so when you change car you change feet at a cost of £20-£30 rather than nearly 3 figure costs. the bar lenght onto roof is also adjustable, although i don't think you can go from a mini to a 4x4. I went from a Fiesta to a Mondeo with the same bars. You also don't need tools to fit them, you screw them on with your hand, and they are extremely secure. Quote Link to comment
+Brenin Tegeingl Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 One word of warning regarding Roof Boxes. It's easy to fill them, but keep an eye on the weight. If you check in your cars handbook you'll find a Maximum Loading weight for roof bars, and this figure includes the weight of the Roof box and bars. If your vehicle is still in it's Manufacturers Warranty Period, overloading on the roof which causes any warping or other damage voids the warranty. This is also to stop the handling of the vehicle being affected during emergency manouvers. Dave Quote Link to comment
+Nellies Knackers Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 In true geocaching style could you not get a large ammo box and some camaflouge straps and... Quote Link to comment
+Archer4 Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 (edited) The Roofbox company... They were giving away straps too so you could hang it from the rafters in your garage (with the bars on) + drop it down/bolt on when needed... Even if buying from somewhere else the site has lots of useful info about boxes Edited September 12, 2005 by Archer4 Quote Link to comment
+Tupperware Hunters Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 we have the largest black roof box halfords doo we gave £400 for it with bars we have just bought a mpv so dont need it i is 9 months old black v large fitted my mondao just comes with bars ( you will need new brckets they are £30 quid from halfords ) give me a offer around £180 for box and bars 07849 553554 honest nowt wrong with it just in the way and not needed Quote Link to comment
+MarkGPX Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 In true geocaching style could you not get a large ammo box and some camaflouge straps and... But how would you get the parallel sticks to stay on top at 70mph? Quote Link to comment
+The Hokesters Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Stickoflage! Quote Link to comment
+kbootb Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 I bought from roofracks.co.uk very helpful and quick Quote Link to comment
+pieces_of_8 Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 Roof box's great idea BUT 2 notes of caution.... 1. Bought mine from a major motor accessories retailer... during it first outing.. return leg... the hinge points failed spilling the contents of the box (luckily just sleeping bags) over the middle and fast lanes of the M5.... my that was exciting for a minute.. trying to recover them before there was and accident from people trying to avoid them... from a distance they looked like barels! If i'd been going 140+mph yes i could understand the box failing but i was doing a economic 60mph. Long and the short of this is i had a Friday afternoon box...they replaced it apparently never had this problem before.. so i always put a strap around the box as well now...belt and braces!! 2. Make sure you note the new hight of your vehical... for various barriers and/or carparks Apart from that, what have the Romans ever done for us.... Mart Quote Link to comment
+The Ollies Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 (edited) Thanks for that sound piece of advice Mart, although you could have told my wife earlier!!! Edited September 19, 2005 by The Ollies Quote Link to comment
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