A few months ago I said that I was going to get a roof box but have yet to do so, but will do so shortly. I still can't really decide whether I should go for the cheapest that I can find (Halfords) or something from the Roof Box Co, which will be a little better. I envisage it will be used about 10 times a year.
The thing that slightly puts me off Halfords is that they seem to be just a short, fat, tall box rather than anything that has been slightly sculptured at a pretence (?) of lessening the drag.
Presumable a long, thin box has less drag than a short, fat one but how is real world mpg affected? Also do these sculpted boxes help with the mpg and if so by how much (ie is it worth spending a little more as this would save on fuel bills)?
Any thoughts/advice would be welcomed.
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no idea about MPG, but the other advantage of a long thin roofbox is the ability to get into carparks!
I work in an office building, and the first 4 floors are carpark. It is amazing that people 'forget' there is a canoe, bicycle, roofbox on the car until they hear that horrid thump, followed by some scraping noises!
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CM,
It depends what you want to put in it! I've got a Karrite short fat box (cheap Thule), and it did not seem to affect my old escorts economy too much. Side winds could be a problem though. Some boxes drop over the roof bars, which could lessen wind noise a tad, but mine doesn't but is still OK.
If you intend to use the box often, a cheap box is probably too flimsy (most of the halfords boxes are PP). The ABS boxes are much stiffer, and you can get them online the same as a "normal" halfords box.
I also saved money by getting an ex-rental box. Good as new apart from a few scratches.
Hope this helps
Joe
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Hi CM - any news yet ??
I have a short fat top box and wouldn't be without it for those long trips fully loaded up. With a couple of nippers, to equip I'd go for the fatest, longest and widest box you can and forget about wind resistance etc. - you won't be using it every day after all. I found by accident that by fitting the box further back and tilting the sun roof the wind noise (and I'd guess resistance) was greatly reduced. OK in summer but not winter I'll grant you. Big is best I say !
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Ps Mine's a Thule Weekender BTW - expensive when I bought it about 8 years ago but well made.
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Doc Rubber, Thanks for the info re:ABS - I will be sure to choose ths rather than PP. Where did you pick up a 2nd hand one? I don't mind a scratch or two.
Volvo - no news yet. Due date is 10/5 so any day now I hope
I'm quite tempted by a Fapa Alto 460. Seems to fit more in for £225 than a Thule does. Is there a catch somewhere?
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CM,
I got mine from www.roofracks.co.uk/main/used_roofboxes.htm
(sorry if the link doesn't work)
My box is a hybrid (abs base, PP lid) which seems to work well, but I don't think they make it any more. It's also 450l!
Joe
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