Have just sold my 4 berth Lunar caravan, hated towing it, spent all our time in the Awning, only used the van to sleep and toilet, so the OH and I have bought a Vango Illusion TC 800xl, with all the kit I don't know where we are going to fit it, we have a Volvo V70 Estate with a towbar fitted, can any one give us some help, we are going on our first trip in July.
Personally I'd try to manage without a trailer, especially as you've said you hated towing. If there are only the two of you in the car that plus decent size roof box should be enough capacity I'd think. You might need to swap to some more compact kit than you'd got used to with caravan plus awning.
I'd agree with Sean.
Trailer as a last resort for us (We haven't succumbed as yet, touch wood!). Slower Journey times and more expense on Eurotunnel etc.
I'd never say never of course (I wouldn't dare!) but the longer we can survive with car+Roof box, the better!
I only take our bikes on the tow bar to stop me adding a trailer... hate the bloody cycling!
I outgrew a roof box when I bought a bigger tent that had a large packed volume.
My current tend is even bigger and did not fit into the trailer, and I could only take it in the old car without the folding bike.
Now with a bigger car, I can take the bike with me again.
Trailer definitely.
DK
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We have had the lot: roof box, backup box and trailer.
The roof box is a must, but get the biggest your vehicle can accommodate. We started off with a snazzy Thule, then changed it for a bigger capacity Kamei from the Roofbox Company (brilliant customer service and I'd thoroughly recommend this company). The Kamei is equally as good as the previous, top of the range, Thule.
The downside to a roofbox is that you've got to store it somewhere when not in use. And they're bulky. We got some free straps from the Roofbox Company with our Kamei purchase and so suspend ours from the garage rafters.
Thule Easybase and Backup box: give a good amount of additional luggage space but you have to be aware of weight limits etc. Biggest downfall is that it makes it a chore to access the rear door on the vehicle (have first to lower the Easybase, which is a PITA when there's a loaded box or bag on it). We then sourced a specific Thule bike carrier which can be used instead of the Easybase and is ostensibly easier to lower. It was still a PITA and we wouldn't get another.
We bought a Brenderup trailer with a Thule top. Then had extra sides added and changed the top for a hard top with rails. Then added a roof box to the rails. Then found it was too difficult to lift the lid with the roof box on, so had yet another set of sides added and got rid of the roof box. As you can tell, nothing is ever straightforward and requirements do change.
The downside to a trailer is storing it in the garage or on your driveway. You also have to work out where you'll store it on your pitch when the tent is pitched and the car parked (that can be a bit of a problem if the pitch is a bit tight or if there's a tree in the way etc.). The plus is being able to store the majority of your camping stuff in there (if it's watertight) and so - theoretically - being able to just chuck a few clothes in a bag and set off. If the trailer is big enough to accommodate all the stuff, that is.
Right now, we have a roof box and a trailer tent with underbed storage. The majority of our gear stays in the trailer and lighter stuff goes into the roof box. It's not a bad compromise.
I'd suggest starting off with the biggest roofbox you can safely fit (as has already been mentioned, you don't have to reduce your speed like you do when towing a trailer). If you then find you don't have enough space, look at getting a watertight trailer, big enough to accommodate most of your camping gear.
When we used to camp we bought a roof bag. We didn't have anywhere to store a roof box at home so the roof bag just folded up and went in the loft with the rest of the camping gear. The roof bag was also easy to fold away when we were on holiday.
I guess by 53lt you mean 530lt, that's a good size for a RoofBox, we have a Kamie Delphin 380lt for all the light weight stuff, Tent and Poles still go in the car, and the rest goes in the Trailer.
As there are only the two of us, I remove the rear bench seat from the car, which frees up a little more space, but more importantly allows the rear seat uprights to drop down flat, and makes for a better cargo area in the car.
We did once go down to the Ardeche with a Thule 900 Back Up a Box, hanging of the towbar, I sold the Thule Back Up Box the same week that we got back from France, for us it was not a good solution.
Yeh; sorry 530ltrs it's a good size box, arrived yesterday, it's a Dutch make it's call Hapro Traxer 8.6, purchased from The Roof box Company, brilliant service and highly recommend, they do some great package deals, trying it out in a fortnight at Whitby
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: Roof box or trailer
