Finally invested in a roof bars & roof box and tow bar & tow bar bike carrier (ouch $$$)! Going on a camping trip soon, now wondering if I will be able to take both the roof box and the bikes at the same time. Not so easy to gather all required info and calculate the load weights etc. Wondering if anyone could look at the below and let me know if my calculations are correct or I am missing something obvious? Also would be nice to hear from anyone else who uses a roof box and bike rack at the same time and their experiences!
First of all specs:
Car - Nissan Qashqai +2 2009-2014 Specs
Nose weight: 75-110kg
Roof weight: 75kg
Loading weight: 545kg
Engine: 1.6 Petrol
Conclusion: 44.4kg Gear weight well within Roof Box Capacity (75kg) and 71.2kg Total Roof Weight within cars roof weight limit (75kg). All ok.
Loading Weight Calculation
Nose weight total (including Towbar/Bike Rack/Bikes): 87.4kg
Roof weight total: 71.2kg
Passengers: about 200kg (2 adults + 2 young children)
Heaviest boot item: Tent 40kg
Total load weight so far: 398.6kg
Conclusion: Well within loading limit (545kg). However not calculated other gear weight in boot, but leaves me with about 145kg to spare?
I will have to add weights of other gear in boot, but I assume as long as its less than 145kg worth (which it should be), I am ok with all weight limits is that correct - or am I forgetting anything else?
Do a test run, if you can hear the rear tyres rubbing on the wheel arch, then it’s probably safe to assume you have over loaded the car, also during the test go around some round about’s at speed, and see what the handling is like.
Back in July 2008 we set of to Frejus (1,100 miles) in a 2008 VW Golf Hatch, Thule Back Up box on the tow bar, and the car was packed to the gunnels, in fact I had even removed the rear seating in the car as there was only the two us.
Thankfully, we did not have a roof box as well, as I think that would have been the straw.
The slightest undulation on the road, and the sound of the rear tyres kissing the top of the wheel arch was quite unnerving, along with the steering which let’s say became vague especially at round about’s.
We made it to Frejus and back, and had a fantastic three week holiday in France, although I don’t think the car felt the same way, in fact it never did return to it’s full above road height, but all was fine as it was a firms car.
So really you need not worry, unlike me you have put some effort into the math required, and the car can probably handle 25% more than advertised, which will be the allowance for company car drivers.
Looks like you have done it all thoroughly and numbers appear to add up OK.
What you will notice on the road is all that weight on the roof, you'll likely get a lot more body roll on cornering. Depending on your normal driving style, you may need to be gentler on the corners than usual.
I would say double check the roof bar loading figures with absolutely latest published figures as the do get revised. My car had the load capacity retrospectively reduced by Thule by about 20%! The load capacity stated on packaging/instructions supplied was no longer valid, new info off Thule website and confirmed by customer support that existing and new bars/mounts had ALL been de-rated!
Thank you both, kept on wondering if I was interpreting all these weight limits properly. But now more comfortable that i wont even reach the limits even taking the bike and bike rack stuff.
Francis that's one way of doing it! If it gets to those levels the bikes will have to stay home but from the calculations should be ok - will check with a test drive beforehand though! With investing in a towbar, even considered whether if it was time to upgrade the car, but then paying £360 for towbar and fitting was more economical for now compared to the eye watering sums for an upgrade to the Qashqai!
That's a shame Monty15! I double checked the Thule gear specs on their website and thankfully its still the same and more than I need.
Yes will have to drive slower round corners and probably go a bit slower on the motorway as you are right it will be a bit more top heavy.
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Topic: Camping gear and car weights
