Zafira B 2008 additional storage solutions

JDBoy

Please help!
I am completely befuddled by all of the options to increase the storage on my zafira b. I basically need a way to carry stuff for camping (preferably my tent) on the roof. I want the cheapest but also safe option but every search I do just ends up with companies trying to sell me their products. So can I use a roof bag without bars or get bars and strap my tent bag to it or is there another option that I am unaware of?

Goudy

You generally need roof bars before you can fit anything else like a roof box, bag, cycle carrier or carrier basket (new name for a roof rack)

These run the width of the roof and either clamp to any existing roof rails (that run front to back) or fit into the fitting in the roof which were built into the car from the start for such items, then the carrier/bag/box is fitted to them.

Thule do a range of roof bars and folding bags, boxes and carriers, though they tend to be high end.
Halfords should be able to sort you out with a reasonably priced set of bars that fit and help you fit them.

After that, you need to work out what will travel where and what is best for the job, but it's not just a matter of bigger is best and sling everything up top.

You need to know the weight limit of a roof storage system, this usually is in the cars handbook, but it's often around 50-70kg including the bars/box/rack, so you might have to stow heavier items in the boot and lighter items like clothes etc up top, which would lend it's self more to a roof box as they keep items dry, they are also pretty quiet.

You could strap straight to the roof bars (but not direct to the roof), if you can manage it securely and it's weather proof, though if you are driving any distance you might have to put up with it howling and flapping about for hours on end.

There are a few other options, but they involve a towbar.
A small camping trailer obviously has some driving limitations (you are speed limited), but you can buy racks that fit the towbar that take boxes/bags similar to roof boxes, again these have weight limits similar to the roof bars, your towbar weight limit should be in the car's handbook, though as a guide it's usually 50-70 kg.

Herzlos

roofbox.co.uk should give you a few options.


You can get some roof bags which don't require bars but they aren't great solutions since the straps run through the window seals and bring in water. Great for rare use though as they store very small.

More likely you need roof bars, and then a box that attaches to them. Prices vary wildly depending on what fittings you have on the car and the quality of the box. If it's just to carry a tent than a cheap box will do fine.


With roof storage you need to be very careful about weight (you're capped to about 50kg), distribution (the weight needs to be evenly spread and over the bars), height (you're not getting into a car park with a barrier) and storage (where are you keeping it when not in use).


If you've got a lot of camping stuff, or a lot of stuff in general that you're not using very often, then a towbar and small trailer are the better way to go.

JDBoy

I am a bit tempted by the roof bag as it would only be used for camping in the summer holidays so definitely not frequent use. A trailer would be great but would be way out of my budget. I like the idea of a tow bar rack but I dont know if I have the fittings for it.
My roof weight is 77kg so quite high apparently.

JDBoy

Have decided to get the roof bars from roof box.co.uk will weigh the ten and if it's too heavy I will use an oversized hold all that I have in the loft thanks x