Roof boxes and fuel economy

Kilty_2

Do roof boxes destroy fuel economy to the extent that rumours would have you believe?

Manufacturers of them seem to work pretty hard to streamline them, etc.

Experiences welcome

Rolandtheroadie

Last year on a run to Paignton (900 round trip) we got about 35mpg fully loaded, roof box included. Normally car does 33 mpg (down to about 30 just now, service due).
The biggest problem we had was parking. Couldnt fit into any car parks with a height restriction or multi stories.

Other options a trailer? Dont know how additional weight towed would work out against slower driving speeds.

Kilty_2

I'd die in a horrific accident whilst towing :rotfl:

Plus, a Picanto with a roof box will be ridiculous, a Picanto towing a trailer will be downright ludicrous

Parking not an issue because it'd be one house to another 300 miles away.

Kilty_2

Also - opinions on brands etc?

https://www.roofbox.co.uk will do me a "Karrite" 320L box with "CRUZ" bars for £140

Rolandtheroadie

You get motorbikes with trailers, something with similar lines and colour as the car could look quite............ Aye, stick to a roof box lol.

forgotmyname

I have a full width halfords roofbox and on a trip to cornwall i did notice an increase in fuel consumption.

3 years previously i had just over 1/4 of tank left but with the box it was under 1/4 of a tank.

You will find it less of an issue at lower speeds, At higher motorway speeds it will be worse.

Possible narrow long styles will be better with less frontal area for wind resistance.

Most boxes are the same, Dearer ones have extra locks or open from both sides. Depends on your needs.

Will storage be a problem? Mines currently cluttering the shed.

Kilty_2

Storage might be a problem....... but I've noticed that roofbox.co.uk give you a free "hoist" with it which will allow you to store it in the ceiling of a garage - don't know how well that works

LandyAndy

Kilty wrote: »

Storage might be a problem....... but I've noticed that roofbox.co.uk give you a free "hoist" with it which will allow you to store it in the ceiling of a garage - don't know how well that works

Two strips of webbing and a dozen screws?:)

Kilty_2

Probably :rotfl:

Tucker

I haven't noticed any real difference when using one.

It must reduce mpg a bit. Has too, but the few times I use it a year, it's no big deal. In fact most times when I use it, I end up leaving it one for weeks afterwards and again, can't say its made enough difference to make me sit up and take note.

Kilty_2

:T

Good stuff. If I can't sort out alternative transport then I think this will be the way forward.

Just need to work out what's worth buying and what's not