Roof boxes

NVP · 23 Aug 2019 at 21:03

Looking like this trip is going to be tight, going to need a roof box for the next trip.

Never even browsed one before so no idea whether there are decent brands or it's best to go with oem etc.

All knowledge is appreciated

Thanks

Diddums · 23 Aug 2019 at 21:28

Lidl have one for £99 at the moment. I have no idea about fixings or whatever but if it's unlikely to get a lot of use then why not? Lidl stuff is generally decent quality too. 320l if I remember correctly.

BUDFORCE · 23 Aug 2019 at 21:39

I got one at Tesco direct before it shut down on Tesco vouchers was £75 it's not the biggest one but works fine.

You can go nuts on a roof box but really it's a price of plastic.

keylion · 23 Aug 2019 at 22:14

We got a Mont Blanc one, used it quite a few times. We chose to spend a little more than the cheapest ones. The extra money not only buys you a bit more quality but service as well. I managed to misplace the key for it whilst in Vienna and after a phone call to their UK number they were going to express mail a key to me at our hotel.

The manufacturers own roof boxes seem very pricey for what are often rebaded models from other manufacturers.

NVP · 23 Aug 2019 at 23:16

Diddums said:
Lidl have one for £99 at the moment. I have no idea about fixings or whatever but if it's unlikely to get a lot of use then why not? Lidl stuff is generally decent quality too. 320l if I remember correctly.

Oooh, is that big? Lidl ransoms are occasionally decent quality, still have an air compressor going strong (could have been aldi, no idea)

BUDFORCE said:
I got one at Tesco direct before it shut down on Tesco vouchers was £75 it's not the biggest one but works fine.

You can go nuts on a roof box but really it's a price of plastic.

Good point, but surely some are designed better for aerodynamics and security etc. ?

keylion said:
We got a Mont Blanc one, used it quite a few times. We chose to spend a little more than the cheapest ones. The extra money not only buys you a bit more quality but service as well. I managed to misplace the key for it whilst in Vienna and after a phone call to their UK number they were going to express mail a key to me at our hotel.

The manufacturers own roof boxes seem very pricey for what are often rebaded models from other manufacturers.

That's more like it. How much?

keylion · 23 Aug 2019 at 23:44

NVP said:
That's more like it. How much?

I'll have to look through some old email to find out as I've had it around six years now. It wasn't crazy though.

NVP · 23 Aug 2019 at 23:47

Couple hundred odd was expected. Don't got to any extra effort mate

Edit: eww it's weird saying "mate". Prefer "brudda"

keylion · 23 Aug 2019 at 23:56

Found it. £242 and I've only had it four years.

NVP · 24 Aug 2019 at 07:22

Decent price considering their pens cost that much haha

Will do more googling once we are back from the beach

BUDFORCE · 24 Aug 2019 at 08:54

Up to you and how much you think you'll use it.

I don't regret not going for a more expensive one.

Although that reminds me I have a different car from last time I used it, probably need new roof bars

NVP · 24 Aug 2019 at 08:57

Oh my car already has these...

...do I need something specific from BMW ?

Schizo · 24 Aug 2019 at 09:35

NVP said:
Oh my car already has these...

...do I need something specific from BMW ?

Looks like the same bars on my Volvo v40,the price for mine from Volvo are £175 and I can’t find anything that will work as the roof bars are very close to the roof.

ron3003 · 24 Aug 2019 at 16:34

Those are called closed roof rails, the car to the rear in that pic has what's called open roof rails ie you can get your hand underneath.

Dup · 24 Aug 2019 at 17:06

Problem with a roof box is storing it when you're not using it. I had this realisation when looking at options and found some places hire them out (and fit them for you) so could be an option. I never bothered in the end so no actual experience to share unfortunately.

TripleT · 24 Aug 2019 at 18:49

I've got a roof bag, comes with a protective mat and straps. As above storing a roof box is annoying, this folds flat.

Depends how much room you need though.

https://bigdaddyoutdoors.com/

HoneyBadger · 24 Aug 2019 at 18:56

I have had larger plastic ones which broke over time so now we have a fabric Thule collapsible job. Works well but hard use it. Means it folds down and lives in the garage roof. The base is fixed.

NVP · 24 Aug 2019 at 19:50

ron3003 said:
Those are called closed roof rails, the car to the rear in that pic has what's called open roof rails ie you can get your hand underneath.

Thank you very much

Dup said:
Problem with a roof box is storing it when you're not using it. I had this realisation when looking at options and found some places hire them out (and fit them for you) so could be an option. I never bothered in the end so no actual experience to share unfortunately.

True, I've got a couple of sheds I'm sure there is space in as long as they can fit through a normal door.

TripleT said:
I've got a roof bag, comes with a protective mat and straps. As above storing a roof box is annoying, this folds flat.

Depends how much room you need though.

https://bigdaddyoutdoors.com/

HoneyBadger said:
I have had larger plastic ones which broke over time so now we have a fabric Thule collapsible job. Works well but hard use it. Means it folds down and lives in the garage roof. The base is fixed.

Thanks for the suggestion, but someone can literally just cut those off and run. I would prefer something a lot more secure.

AiiR · 24 Aug 2019 at 20:02

Is roof box theft common? I've never heard of it happening, ever. :rolleyes:

NVP · 24 Aug 2019 at 20:15

I've never heard of anyone stealing/breaking into a roof box. But I know a few people who wouldn't think twice about taking a bag to shift for some funds.

Chief Wiggum · 24 Aug 2019 at 20:41

I picked one up from Roofbox.co.uk as a bundle with bars. I’ve got “closed” bars on my V90, no issues fitting, everything is self limiting torque systems so you can’t over or under tighten.