Thinking about the big summer holiday, 2 weeks away with 2 teenagers and a dog, you know the score; load the caravan (sensible) and pack the boot and more kit on the drive still to be loaded. Will a roof box affect stability of the outfit? Anyone witnessed any particular problems a roof box has made? Are they a good idea or should I scale down?
Jaybee
Post last edited on 26/06/2006 20:38:23
------------- And That My Friend Is The Bottom Line!!!!
A few experienced caravanners have told me that the roofbox actually aids the airflow over the top ot the car and caravan, and that it is therefore a good idea.
Havent tried it yet - but if it wont work Lord help me cos I cant possibly go to france without a roofbox!
just watch your total weight. The car can hold and pull what the car can hold and pull, whether its in the roofbox or not!
of course you can go to france without a roofbox...... we have 3 kids 2 of which are teenagers and all the usual rubbish including a big awning and dont take the roofbox.
------------- Off to Florida for first holiday abroad without caravan in years, poor wee thing will be untanned this year
I have used a roof box for the last 10 years, long before we started this caravanning milarky.
We use it for the bulky/light stuff...it will take three chairs, groundsheets, porch awning, tables, clothes line, tv aerial and our shoes. I would'nt be without one.
Noisey as bu***ry at 95 but then again ....'cant have it all!
We have an Halfords roofbox & I can't believe the amount of stuff it'll take. I've never heard of the stability of the unit being altered because of a roofbox, to be honest I'd expect it to cost fuel insted of saving it, If it made any difference at all. The way I see it is that if all our kit was in the van, we'd not be able to get in there without unloading a rake of it, with some in the roof box, we can have a cuppa on route & the kids can get to the toilet. I wouldn't want to be without ours.
We also made a spur of the moment descision to store the van on site once & because we had the roofbox we were able to bring home everything that HAD to come home & leave the rest in the van until our next visit.
I did see a picture in one of the magazines once where a trailer tent camper had put a frame over his trailer tent & mounted a roofbox on it, I thought it was a brilliant idea.
Definitely uses more petrol with the roofbox. France with no roofbox? Okay - so where do I put the awning, deckchairs, table and chairs, windbreak, inflatable mattresses, dinghy, oars, inflatable canoe...kevin the inflatable crocodile, airbeds......gazebo..........
And dont say the boot! Because thats full of suitcases, gas bottles, portable gas barbecue, groundsheet, mini fridge for the car, remote control aeroplane, portable tv & dvd, microwave. Tennis Raquets, fan for if its too hot, heater for if its too cold, (Am very tight for weight in the caravan as you can tell) Besides which, I cant get IN the boot throughout the journey because the bikes are on the bike rack which means I cant get it open...
And before you tell me i'm taking too much stuff......I KNOW!
Like Patrice awning and groundsheet go in the roof box no problems.That is apart from trying to load it, but the caravan steps come in handy.Worth it,s weight.
Hi Jaybee
We've used a roof box for years always carry the awning,2 chairs, top coats and boots etc in it. Oh and a small set of alloy steps to be able to reach in it.
Check what weight is allowed to be carried in it some of them have a max of about 40kgs.
We use a roofbox, I would recommend a Thule, you can open it either side.
I know you said you needed to have it for your holiday - so have you considred renting one? The idea is, rent one, then at the end of the summer season, approach the shop you rented it from then offer to buy it off then cheap. That is what we did, and we bought the largest box, for around £200 less than new. Obviously places like Halfords would not do this, and remember they may have a bit of wear and tear.
------------- Julie
Summer 2016 Camping las Dunas, Spain
Woop Woop I won £50 of Halfords vouchers for one of my camp site reviews - make sure you do yours!
I've got a long volvo one, that I used to use with my trailer tent for extra things, worth there weight in gold. I am thinking of selling it, only used twice ( when I had a V70) but I lost the volvo fixings, so I have had to make some, I will accept £95.00 if you wish? let me know, it opens both sides and is long and thin, grey black, Good condition. regards Richard
------------- Adventures can start or end anywhere, you just need the right attitude
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 Boxes
a joke! 
