Roof rack / roof box rookies

p3gg

Hi all,

We're planning a major road trip across Europe and have started to have thoughts about increasing our car's capacity by adding a roof rack and/or roof box. Problem is we know nothing about these...

So, can anyone offer any advice/experiences re:

i. Where to obtain a rack/box without breaking the bank
ii. Effect on fuel consumption
iii. Effect on car handling
iv. Any special regulations in other countries
v. Anything else you can think of

Any help gratefully appreciated.

Wig

i. Halfords for a price comparison & then google.... roof boxes for online stores. roofbox.co.uk for example.
ii. neglible - about 2mpg (more if you don't use a roof box)
iii. almost none
iv. not that I know of
v. Thule are the best. Locking roof rack is a good idea.


If your car has gutters you can use cheaper gutter racks, if no gutters you will probably need to buy a purpose built rack from your car dealers.

gatra_2

p3gg wrote:

Hi all,

We're planning a major road trip across Europe and have started to have thoughts about increasing our car's capacity by adding a roof rack and/or roof box. Problem is we know nothing about these...

So, can anyone offer any advice/experiences re:

i. Where to obtain a rack/box without breaking the bank
ii. Effect on fuel consumption
iii. Effect on car handling
iv. Any special regulations in other countries
v. Anything else you can think of

Any help gratefully appreciated.

I looked into a roof box as we do Centre PARCs a lot with the kids, but opted for a small trailer as it means when I get to CP all I need to do is to unhitch and push straight up to the front door and unload no stretching up or long walks when unloading.

Just don't do what i did once, I had two bikes on top and forgot (Wife was going on abit at the time nag, nag, nag.)about them and tried to enter a multistory carpark. Need I say anymore.