Pushed for luggage space? Hit the roof!
Planning a spring break but wondering how you’re going to fit everything in the car? Geraldine Herbert has the simple solution
A ROOF box is great option if you need a bit more space in your car, but there are a few things you need to consider before buying.
1 Load and weight: Check your car’s manual to make sure that the load, including the weight of the roof rack itself, doesn’t exceed the maximum; ensure you factor in the weight of the box, the roof bars, as well as the luggage you are going to carry.
2 Size and shape: Roof boxes vary in size and shape and while most are rectangular, some are wider and some are shorter than others. When deciding which best suits your needs, always look closely at the dimensions rather than the capacity of the roof box. For a family of five, a medium-width roof box is the best option as it will allow you plenty of storage space but means you still have room on the roof for bikes or anything else you may want to carry.
3 Quality and Price: Don’t opt for the cheapest option, particularly if you are planning a skiing holiday as brittle plastic can crack in cold weather.
4 Fitting roof boxes: Before you can fit a roof box, you will need to have roof bars fitted. These need to be compatible with your particular car. Also ensure that you opt for a system that is genuinely easy to attach and detach from the roof.
5 Locking: Ensure the roof box can securely close as you need to protect not only your possessions but also other road users should the roof box inadvertently open or detach. Ideally, opt for a roof box with a central locking system.