pj_andrew Posted September 28, 2006 Report Posted September 28, 2006 I recently looked on here for recommendations and info about roof bars and roofbox and didn't find anything specific so in the interests of fair play I'll post my findings. I ended up getting bars and box from Thule. Bought them all online at www.roofbox.co.uk Car is an 01 2.3 with roof rails. Needed to get the feet (the bits that actually fasten to the roof rails). Model is Thule 755.Also bought the bars (which fasten to feet and go across). Model is Thule 862. (These are the Aero bars which are more expensive than normal bars but they are well made and look pretty slick). The feet need a little bit of putting together but it's not difficult. You then fasten them to the bars and then to the roof. It's a clever system and when you remove the bars the whole thing comes off in one peice so the feet stay fastened to the bars. It's very quick too. The feet lock. At first I didn't see why this was significant. However it'll stop anybody stealing your roof rail kit or your roof box which when you add it all together is worth a pretty penny. For a roof box I ended up getting a Thule Atlantis 780. It was a compromise of cost and size. It's big, not too big and not too expensive. It has "Power grip" fasteners. These are actually claws/pincers which you open before putting the box on the roof and then tighten using rotating knobs inside the roof box. Initially I was sceptical that this would be very strong but it is. The pincers grip the bars very tightly. The pincers and the bars have rubber contact points so nothing slips. Very impressive and very quick. We did over 1000 miles at 80 mph with no problems. The roofbox is just about light enough and such a size that one person can put it on and off the car roof. However I'm over 6 feet tall so anyone smaller might find it a bit more tricky. Ideally it's a 2 person job. The box opens from both sides. This is very useful as what you want is always around the other side! People mention wind noise from a roofbox. I didn't notice any. In terms of mpg I didn't notice any significant difference to normal. In hindsight what might I have done differently? I might have bought the bigger roof box (the 900) BUT it would be heavier, take 2 people to lift onto the roof, be more difficult to store and would have cost quite a lot more. The 780 was a good compromise. By the way the guys at www.roofbox.co.uk were excellent. I was silly and left it all to the very last minute! I ordered it all on Monday and we were due to go away on Thursday. I paid extra for the next day delivery and they guarenteed it would arrive and it did. Full marks (and cheaper than Halfords). (If anyone wants to see photos then I can send them). Quote
pj_andrew Posted September 28, 2006 Author Report Posted September 28, 2006 One general photo. This is the car fully loaded when we've just arrived in France. 2 adults, 4 children and stuff for 3 week holiday. Oh and one of children posing ! Quote
Guest BagPuss Posted September 29, 2006 Report Posted September 29, 2006 Thought it was a day trip to somewhere? :o :o Good recommendation, I'm looking into a RoofBox and Bars at somepoint.Cheers for the pointer. :lol: Quote
tim-spam Posted September 29, 2006 Report Posted September 29, 2006 We did over 1000 miles at 80 mphShhhhhh.......you may get told off........ Seriously though, very good info - thanks. I've already got the Thule roof bars and agree with everything you said. But I may need a roofbox at some stage, so your info will be very handy. Quote
pj_andrew Posted September 29, 2006 Author Report Posted September 29, 2006 We did over 1000 miles at 80 mphShhhhhh.......you may get told off........ Strictly in France only of course ;) Quote
Guest HairyPlateEater Posted September 29, 2006 Report Posted September 29, 2006 Aaaaahhh ... that old chestnut :P :ph34r: Quote
anadin Posted September 29, 2006 Report Posted September 29, 2006 We did over 1000 miles at 80 mphShhhhhh.......you may get told off........ Strictly in France only of course :ph34r: well thats far too slow with a roof spoiler like that, you only get the wind noise at 120mph :P Quote
Busman Posted October 2, 2006 Report Posted October 2, 2006 Good combi I myself have cheaper black bars and a 580 Ltr Halfords box found on EBay for a lot less than their rip off prices. Quote
MrT Posted October 4, 2006 Report Posted October 4, 2006 I find the Thule aero bars make a piercing whistling sound if you don't have the rubber strips in the top. Quote
pj_andrew Posted October 5, 2006 Author Report Posted October 5, 2006 I find the Thule aero bars make a piercing whistling sound if you don't have the rubber strips in the top. I'm interested as to when would you not use the rubber strips on the top of the Aero bars? Quote
MrT Posted October 5, 2006 Report Posted October 5, 2006 When you have multiple items on the bars where the T feet slide into the slot. Thule bike holders and load stops use this method as do some Thule roof boxes. If you are not familiar with this way of mounting look at diagram 5 on page 4 of these instructions The only way to have the rubber in then is in little pieces between the items and I don't want to cut my rubber strip up. Quote
pj_andrew Posted October 5, 2006 Author Report Posted October 5, 2006 When you have multiple items on the bars where the T feet slide into the slot. Thule bike holders and load stops use this method as do some Thule roof boxes. If you are not familiar with this way of mounting look at diagram 5 on page 4 of these instructions The only way to have the rubber in then is in little pieces between the items and I don't want to cut my rubber strip up. I see. Makes sense. Quote
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