We've got a larger tent for this summer which takes up loads of boot space. Is it safe/legal to lay the tent bag on the roof bars of the car and cover with tarpaulin or do we need a roof box ?
I would put the tent in the boot and get roof box for all the other stuff. I dont fancy the idea of lifting a big tent up and into a box and I'm not sure I would want it exposed on the roof bars where it will get a battering from wind and weather.
I've got a vango aspen which takes up loads of boot space and is heavy so it goes in the boot, low down. A roof box will take a load of stuff as long as it is reasonably light so we put clothes and bags and books and toys and towels and games and lights and ehu and and and and ........
I don't believe it would be illegal as long as the load and any covering is securely fastened.
Roof boxes just make it easier to carry loads on the roof and are more aerodynamic than a roof rack. Check with your handbook for the maximum weight you can carry on your roof.
We pack our tent in the boot and put bulkier, lighter stuff in the roof box.
------------- I can remember when this was all fields.
max a roof rack on a normal car can hold 100kg thats if they the light weight ally and not the steel, a roof box max is 50 to 75kg max and even with 50kg up top you can feel it on corners.
I used to put my frame tent c/w poles on a roof rack no problem, I had a Renult 9 at the time and it used to take everything, every space was used. Me, wife 3 kids and 2 yorkies, not sure if I was legal though.....The longest journey I did was Inverness - Carlisle, just made sure the load was secure and covered with plastic sheet/tarp.
I used to put my frame tent c/w poles on a roof rack no problem, I had a Renult 9 at the time and it used to take everything, every space was used. Me, wife 3 kids and 2 yorkies, not sure if I was legal though.....The longest journey I did was Inverness - Carlisle, just made sure the load was secure and covered with plastic sheet/tarp.
I used to put my frame tent c/w poles on a roof rack no problem, I had a Renult 9 at the time and it used to take everything, every space was used. Me, wife 3 kids and 2 yorkies, not sure if I was legal though.....The longest journey I did was Inverness - Carlisle, just made sure the load was secure and covered with plastic sheet/tarp.
I used to put my frame tent c/w poles on a roof rack no problem, I had a Renult 9 at the time and it used to take everything, every space was used. Me, wife 3 kids and 2 yorkies, not sure if I was legal though.....The longest journey I did was Inverness - Carlisle, just made sure the load was secure and covered with plastic sheet/tarp.
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