Car roof boxes

[pzkpfw]

I'm thinking of getting a roof rack and roof box for the wagon, to carry more gear when I can't fold the seats down.

I figure someone here must have done that or at least used a roof box. Any advice?

(Alternative would be a small trailer, but I'd need one of those little ones that folds up or stands upright, else I wouldn't be able to store it - and I haven't been able to google-up one in Wellington.)

Cheers,

[Akzle]

"more stuff"
like what? fishing rods? skis? your collection of fine china? puppies? beer? jerry cans?

personally i'd roll with a cage-tray vis:
https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.all4x4.com.au%2FUploads%2FImag es%2Froof-rack-cage.jpg&f=1

and then waterproof penguin bags or hard cases:
http://www.rewellgroup.com/photo/pc555200-pvc_waterproof_bag_waterproof_dive_bag_waterproof_ backpack_waterproof_duffel_bag_lat.jpg

https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fi.ebayimg.com%2F00%2Fs%2FMTE0MVgxN TIx%2Fz%2Fa8UAAMXQd75SKIvg%2F%24(KGrHqJ%2C!lIFIlWq 9uumBSKIvgeOJw~~60_35.JPG&f=1

the difficulty with them being lifting them up and down if they're not permanently attached, or loading them from the top if they are, which is no good for women or bitches. but they double as campfire seats, emergency flotation/rafts, chilly bins etc and are ipxx proof so wont get gravel dust or sand in your undies as you drive.

but then there's the gay rhino system for townies and suv's and station wagons where "it won't look cool" or "it's not aerodynamic"
https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4wdworld.com.au%2Fuser_media%2 Fgallery%2F2064.jpg&f=1

i have no experience with them directly, but they're hard, lockable, and look gay as shit.
they also require you to fit roof racks (duh) which can be guttermount or drilled through, and if you need m0ar loading capacity, you can add a third or fourth rack.

[neels]

They are good, mainly for lightweight stuff though as the boxes themselves are not that strong, good for long awkward things. Lockable is a bonus although it probably only keeps the honest thieves out.

I got a longer narrow one so I still had room for the bikes on the roof rack beside it, all bought second hand off trademe except for the fitting kit to suit the car.

You can get a surprising amount of stuff in the thing, did quite a few family camping trips with the dirty old Terrano boot stacked full and the roof box on top.

[mashman]

Recently got a roof rack for the yak. Easy enough to put on and does the trick. We went the el cheapo route and got the square edged bars, but depending on the conditions they can give off a wee "howl". I'm not really a fan of carrying anything that can get soaked on the roof, even if it's covered, and am of a similar mind to a mate who prefers to use a trailer for that sort of thing. If you know someone who'll lend you their trailer, you could save yerself a few bucks.

[Waihou Thumper]

Buy a brand new Subaru! they are selling Thule racks for just $20.00 ! Awesome..:)
Just one catch of course....The rack will cost you over $35,000..:(

[Erelyes]

I figure someone here must have done that or at least used a roof box. Any advice?

Open your wallet wide.

[pzkpfw]

Thanks everyone,

Did just find this local folding trailer supplier: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/trailers/single-axle/auction-890367496.htm but a bit past my budget.

Probably off to buy the roof box tomorrow.

Cheers,

[Big Dog]

My advice: make sure you know what the total height of your vehicle is before you go to an underground carpark.
Seen a few 4wd owning soccer mom's come unstuck.


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[Swoop]

but then there's the gay rhino system for townies and suv's and station wagons where "it won't look cool" or "it's not aerodynamic"

BUT, you can transport your dead hooker in it.

[5150]

A much cheaper option me thinks ;)

318982

[Akzle]

BUT, you can transport your dead hooker in it.

midget hooker maybe.

[J.A.W.]

midget hooker maybe.

Well, if you're done with the deal.. dismembered as such.. might work.. or through a tree mulcher.. its fish bait officer!

[Erelyes]

Well, if you're done with the deal.. dismembered as such.. might work.. or through a tree mulcher.. its fish bait officer!

http://memecrunch.com/meme/25BJ8/woodchipper/image.png

[Ulsterkiwi]

got my whisper bar racks and a box from the roof box company out at Plimmerton. Very happy with it. Box is easy as to put on and take off. Well made, locks and completely waterproof. Depending on your height it might be a tad awkward to load etc but its very doable.
The whisper bar racks are worth it as the rack will likely stay on even when the box does not and they are definitely quieter. We have had great use out of it. All the camping gear plus clothing etc can go in ours. It left the back of the wagon free for all the scuba gear which is way too heavy to put up there.

[Hawkeye]

Thanks everyone,

Did just find this local folding trailer supplier: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/trailers/single-axle/auction-890367496.htm but a bit past my budget.

Probably off to buy the roof box tomorrow.

Cheers,

There's a place in Plimmerton who supplies roof boxes (and all the fitting kits needed). He was a lot cheaper than the Wellington suppliers.

Bought mine a few year ago and have used it regularly when hauling the family on extended breaks. Saves having the cage loaded to the gills and also easy to put on/take off.
Problem with trailers is parking. Cage with roof box fits in a single parking bay. (just remember you have a box on when entering parking buildings).


Oop's..... as he said above....:laugh:

[Tazz]

They're cheap as on tardme. Grab a tray/rack, grab some roof racks (Thules seem to be the shizzle), copulate them and you're done =)

[Big Dog]

Mostly muppets who sold the car they are off and wanting new prices for them. When they have been relisted a few times the price drops like a stone.
Prices a little higher in good weather.

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[FJRider]

BUT, you can transport your dead hooker in it.

That's how I dispose of the bodies too ... <_<


I've seen a few taken off at the entrance of the owners garage ... :laugh:

[Moi]

I've seen a few taken off at the entrance of the owners garage ... :laugh:

Which? the roof box or the hooker?? :innocent:

[FJRider]

Which? the roof box or the hooker?? :innocent:

The roses love dead hookers ... ;)

[Moi]

The roses love dead hookers ... ;)

Bit of blood and bone...

and don't forget the gross feeders... rhubarb especially

[eldog]

Hookers love roses the boxed kind - gotto love those hookers (not the seal kind)

Not just parking building, garages too, watch for those with a dip at the entrance :crazy:

[Gremlin]

As said, they can be tricky to load. Usually side opening, so you're standing on a door sill or suchlike, but the opposite side is almost impossible to reach, and you can't get to it from the other side because of the hinge.

Family have one, used very sparingly over the last decade or two (the wide boxy one, not long and thin), but handy when you suddenly need to haul it out and carry something. Had relatives visit, we could chuck it on top of a van, put the bedding stuff in it etc.

The leading edge is a good bug catcher too, and obviously as said, watch your increased height, put a tag on the steering wheel or something.

[Hawkeye]

watch your increased height, put a tag on the steering wheel or something.

As Gremlin has said :niceone: I have a laminated label that sits inside the box (have to go into the box to lock it onto the roof anyway). As soon as I put it on the roof of the car and open it to lock it in place, I retrieve the sign and put it on the dash as a reminder. Take the box off and return the sign to the box. Works well for me.:yes: and can certainly save those :facepalm: moments.

[oldrider]

As Gremlin has said :niceone: I have a laminated label that sits inside the box (have to go into the box to lock it onto the roof anyway). As soon as I put it on the roof of the car and open it to lock it in place, I retrieve the sign and put it on the dash as a reminder. Take the box off and return the sign to the box. Works well for me.:yes: and can certainly save those :facepalm: moments.

I often chortle at the cars with bikes up top - it conjures up memories of "Good Bye Pork Pie" when they drove into the garage in Dunedin! :killingme

[neels]

I often chortle at the cars with bikes up top - it conjures up memories of "Good Bye Pork Pie" when they drove into the garage in Dunedin! :killingme
My brother has done it twice, when he talked to the insurance company they told him they get a couple a week.

Never done it myself with either the roof box or the bikes, have remembered at the last minute a couple of times and had some awkward reversing to do though :facepalm:

[Moi]

My brother has done it twice ... have remembered at the last minute a couple of times ...

http://rcdn.roadbikereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/75822_569373866424249_998180839_n.jpg

[Akzle]

IMAGE

cyclists. suvs.

really.

[Gremlin]

My brother has done it twice, when he talked to the insurance company they told him they get a couple a week.
Yep, on bike forums it seems to happen often enough. Worst is the husband watching as the wife drives in, splat, 5 figures in bikes destroyed :crazy:

Kinda the reason I'm hesitant to lend out my van to mates. Unless they're used to tall vehicles, you don't think twice before driving into the height clearance bar....

[J.A.W.]

Yep, on bike forums it seems to happen often enough. Worst is the husband watching as the wife drives in, splat, 5 figures in bikes destroyed :crazy:

Kinda the reason I'm hesitant to lend out my van to mates. Unless they're used to tall vehicles, you don't think twice before driving into the height clearance bar....


Are you 'mates' - just as dense - as your missus then..

Must make you feel like a bloody MENSA candidate..eh, fella..

Stupid is as stupid does, like the pissed idiot from the toff's school up on the open-top double-decker bus..
..who got his block knocked "clean off" ( refer Dirty Harry) by 'sky larking' when a motorway bridge rudely ( & fatally) interrupted his shenanigans.. Doh!

[Big Dog]

Copied shamelessly from Facebook.

They call it the "can opener." Behold its wrath, and read more: http://nbcnews.to/1Rwyipv

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[oldrider]

Copied shamelessly from Facebook.

They call it the "can opener." Behold its wrath, and read more: http://nbcnews.to/1Rwyipv

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Judder bars strategically placed should catch their attention before they hit the bridge you might think - a little annoyance would be better than a crash surely? :rolleyes:

[Big Dog]

Judder bars strategically placed should catch their attention before they hit the bridge you might think - a little annoyance would be better than a crash surely? :rolleyes:
Or at least mean they were going 20mph slower. Meaning a nudge rather than a decapitation.

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[rambaldi]

Judder bars strategically placed should catch their attention before they hit the bridge you might think - a little annoyance would be better than a crash surely? :rolleyes:

Or distract them enough that they don't pay attention to the bridge more...

[Ender EnZed]

Or at least mean they were going 20mph slower. Meaning a nudge rather than a decapitation.

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Better than hitting it at full speed anyway...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jm3lC-xF2gI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Gremlin]

Copied shamelessly from Facebook.

They call it the "can opener." Behold its wrath, and read more: http://nbcnews.to/1Rwyipv
It has it's own website: http://11foot8.com/

:D

[Daffyd]

I knew of a bloke that put a couple of wheels on a Thule roof box and made it into a motorbike trailer. Needed some sort of light frame, I believe.

[russd7]

Copied shamelessly from Facebook.

They call it the "can opener." Behold its wrath, and read more: http://nbcnews.to/1Rwyipv

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the old road/rail bridge at seddon was known to take the occasional cows head off the top deck of a stock truck

[russd7]

I knew of a bloke that put a couple of wheels on a Thule roof box and made it into a motorbike trailer. Needed some sort of light frame, I believe.

seen a few of them around, there is also the speights trailor made out of a plastic 200l drum.

[pzkpfw]

Action:

I got the Hapro Traxxer 6.6 and Whisper bars from the guy in Plimmerton ( http://www.roofbox.co.nz ). Had spent some time pondering cross bars that go across (over) my roof bars or between them. I went with across, as they give greater loadable width. Between would have been "sleeker".

It was a small hassle he doesn't just operate a shop you can rock up to any time - but I suppose that's partly why his prices are good. And he was very flexible and helpful, so no biggie.

Result:

Average fuel economy went from about 8.6 l/100km to 9.6 l/100km - not too bad considering that's also with five people in the car and more luggage than it usually carries. (And a lot of the driving was up and down hills. Some stretches were way worse).

At first I thought the weight limit was going to be an issue, but I was wrong. A few duffle bags of clothing, the fold-up chairs for the concert, beach towels etc. (i.e. mostly soft and/or lightish stuff) - and suddenly I had more than enough space in the back of the wagon for the heavier or bulky items. I was amazed.


Thanks for all advice.