We took a Ford Focus Estate on our first camping trip this weekend. We packed only the boot and only up to the window line with 2 84 litre boxes (1 with clothes and 1 with cooking stuff, inflateable beds and other stuff), 4 sleeping bags, 3 folding chairs, 1 folding table, 1 6 berth tent, coats, laptop, and a couple of odds and sods.
We are in the same predicament. We have a Zafira but with 4 kids we can only drop one of the back seats down so are trying to work out a solution to the luggage problem.
Looked at the inflatable roof rack http://www.handirackuk.com/ and Handiholdall but not sure how safe and secure it is and also if the handiholdall will be that waterproof. Has anyone got any experience of these? Otherwise we will have to keep looking at the roofbox or trailer options.
We too, are having the same conversation, back at home. We have a Picasso, and 2 kids, and can pack everything we need into the car.....BUT, thats only for 2/3 nights. I have now bought a gas stove, and a windbreak, and have no clue as to where they will fit!!! I have roofbars, but no box, so this would be the cheaper option, but like the idea of these little ERDE trailers, that i can store in my garage, full of stuff!!
After reading this thread, I think its time to find a tow bar!!
I really did want a trailer but not having a garage hubby said it would be very difficult tipping it on it's end and rolling it up the street... can see his point of view. does anyone else have this problem and how id they overcome it?
Like the idea of the pig/ barbie.lol
I nicked some bread basket wheels from asda to move mine. The ally trailers only weigh about 50 kilo & are easily man handled. The new halfords ones are designed to fold down & have little wheels on the end already (so you don't need to nick a set)
Remember you cannot exceed 60 mph on a motorway nor overtake in the outside lane either.
Ali
But thats only 10mph less than without a trailer, and driving a bit slower will help with fuel consumption. And with fuel prices going up thats not a bad thing!
And the outside lane is often the slowest lane and is also where most of the accidents are caused! Try driving from London to Leeds up the M1 on a Friday . . . . . . . . . . You will arrive at journeys end just as quick if you stick to the inside lane, and not be quite as stressed nor have as many near misses as you would in the outside lane - I know as I did that journey every week for a couple of years. Thankfully no more!
I personally don't have room in my garage for a roofbox or anything else for that matter, its already full to the brim. Thats why I bought a proper box trailer that is watertight and secure so that I can store my camping gear in it on the drive.
I think that the solution to peoples storage needs is going to differ - some will be better with a roof box, some would suit a trailer more. There is never going to be a "one size fits all" solution
Well, my planned campsite (Glyn y Mul) is only a hour away from me so I shall be taking all the gear crammed into my 21yr old VW Caravelle (syncro) with 7 captain seats and taking 2 days to pitch and organise my turf.
I am taking (dragging, after they've been horsewhipped of course) 5 grandchildren for a month mind.
We have a large people carrier (Toyota Previa) and a large Kamei roofbox which even with the rear row of seats out in the car and the roofbox rammed we use all available space. Now baby number 3 is on the way next on our list is a trailer with risers and abs lid and mounting bars. If you can afford it get the best trailer you can first as its more flexible as can be detached and left at the site with a wheel clamp on where as a roofbox is left attached to the car and then gives issues with multistorey carparks etc.
If you cant afford a good trailer then buy a good quality roofbox.
Quote: Originally posted by JustinParker on 02/6/2008
We have a large people carrier (Toyota Previa) and a large Kamei roofbox which even with the rear row of seats out in the car and the roofbox rammed we use all available space. Now baby number 3 is on the way next on our list is a trailer with risers and abs lid and mounting bars. If you can afford it get the best trailer you can first as its more flexible as can be detached and left at the site with a wheel clamp on where as a roofbox is left attached to the car and then gives issues with multistorey carparks etc.
If you cant afford a good trailer then buy a good quality roofbox.
Justin
I always take my roofbox off when I arrive & chain it securely to something, petrols too expensive to leave it on.
Try one of these, a back box. No drag so you don't use so much fuel and no trailer so you are not limited to slower speeds.
Ours works a treat.
Ali
Gave one of these consideration but to my way of thinking if you put a huge heavy box hanging over the rear of the vehicle it could affect the handling of the vehicle. I got a trailer instead.
I think we will go for this...
(and upgrade to a trailer if we are still camping and outgrow that)
We have gone down the same route as everyone else. When we first started camping it all had to fit in the car. Then came the roof box, the biggest we could get. OH saying he is not towing anything, well this year we have a trailer (102) and now we are about to purchase an extension to the trailer. Where does all the stuff come from, We store the trailer on its end and hoist the roof box on rope to hang from the rafters of the garage.
Thanks for letting me know about up ending a trailer.
I am still a little confused though! Can you leave all your camping gear in the trailer when you up end it with the water tight lid??? as it will have to stay in the garden!
We have all three, car, trailer and roofbox. Mind you the kids toys and wellies and other light stuff go in the roofbox. All the heavy gear goes in the trailer.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Rooftop Box or Trailer??
