Roof Boxes

[Canonite]

Been looking at increasing the load carrying capacity due to recently acquiring a rather large special needs rehabilitation pushchair. This is much larger than our old one and doesn't fold down too well, making it swallow up pretty much all of the boot space.
With selling either car at the minute not being an option we decided to look at roof boxes and agreed it would be a decent solution. As most of our holidays are in the UK we do tend to lug all our stuff around with us so think a roof box could be just the thing for us.

I'm just concerned about it blowing off the roof or becoming unlocked and having to retrieve my mucky socks and underpants from the dual carriageway. Are they good to have? I can think of a load of reasons to have one and a couple for not having one.
Was looking at the prices of the Rover ones in the accessories brochure which were nearly £300. Thought thaty was expensive until I visited Halfords and saw the prices of theirs.

[Nobby09]

Hi Alan,

Check out www.roofbox.co.uk (http://www.roofbox.co.uk), or www.roofracks.co.uk (http://www.roofracks.co.uk), I personally used the former and found them to be good value, hope this is a help.

I have used my roofbox for a couple of years now, and when attached properly, is very dry and secure, carrying loads all round Europe with no problems.

regards

Garry :}

[windrush]

Yes Alan I brought from the Roof Box Co and got very good service and advice

[Canonite]

Thanks chaps. I'll take a look. Be nice to get a proper Rover one. Who made them?

[Roverowner]

I bought 2 Rover ones from LES (SMC). They are a bit flimsy compared to the Thule on from the 90s that we also have. They were still in their boxes behind his place and it was a right old rigmerol to get both on the roof. Mainley because we were in the Pre-production saloon and it doesn´t have any -bung- holes in the roof strips. Got the strips off and LES gave me a bolt so that I could clean the threads out, yes they were there. After what seemed half a day, with the wife and 1 year old Brian -loving- the countryside, managed to get both of the mounted, sid-by-side. Of course had to rotate one of them so the lock faced outwards. Anyway, we ended up going back to Sweden with the car aswell and the boxes we full of stuff (been to Corins;)) These boxes have 3 fixing points along the edge where you shut it up. If you get one make sure that all these are home otherwise it could be a problem. With them properly closed an locked they are as stable as any other. We drove to Harwich from Bournmouth and then from Esberg in Denmark to Linköping in Sweden without a hitch. We didn´t go all that slow:o

After getting home I got them off and checked them thoroughly. No damage and no stress points in the plastic. They have a nice -quick release mechanism to get them off without much hassle. So if you can get one..... do. I´ve sold one to a Swede for 75 pounds which I thought was fair as it had only been used once. LES sold these 2 for 40 quid each because of -space- problems. I could get the manufacturer if you like as it says on the inside of the lid.....

[jimn]

I've got a Thule roof-box (actually bought from Halfords a good ten years ago) and, as long as all the fixings are tightened up correctly, I've never had any concerns about it opening or flying off. This one has locks on both sides so you can open it from either side which is very useful.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pQGLeYnvNjM/T3h_w8qREqI/AAAAAAAAQJ8/Ker1F0K8BM4/s800/IMG_20120401_164937.jpg

(I've just noticed that the roof-box looks tiny in this picture but I think that's more down to the size of the 75 ;))

Now I just need to find some roof-bars that don't whistle when the roof-box is not on the car. The current ones were from Lidl!

[Tim]

I've got the same and its a great load carrier. Think your box could go back 150mm Jim. My bars don't whistle and they look to be the same as yours, oval Thules.

http://www9.mgcars.org.uk/mgoc260/photopost/data/500/medium/IMG_46491.JPG

[guru]

We used ours for a 2 week camping tour last year

http://www.reedham.org/images/camping2.jpg

If fitted properly they're very secure and to be honest when driving I just forgot it was there. As long as you're tall then getting stuff in and out is easy however my wife (5'3") did struggle a bit, so after a while I got up and gave her a hand :D

[Canonite]

Thanks for all the advice guys.
I am now the proud new owner of one of these, a Rover one, unpainted.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5463/7095893385_92c3ec0858_z.jpg

[Tim]

Nice one. Would look good the same colour. :)

[Canonite]

Yeah, it does look nice in the brochure though this is unpainted. It would look ace if it matched the Cowley wedgwood.
I have noticed though, the launch car doesn't seem to have any threaded captivations for the roof bars. I checked the ZT and they are quite visible under the bungs.

[Canonite]

Help. Were all cars fitted with the captivations for these?
The ZT has a visible threaded captivation under the bung, but the 75 doesn't seem to have the same thing.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8008/6959404648_ff4e8fe6a5_z.jpg

Is this right? Or is there something under it?
I didn't want to unscrew it as it has a seal washer as the chrome side trims have to prevent water ingress.

[pob06]

Where did you buy the Rover roofbox from Canonite??

[Mikejr]

Now I just need to find some roof-bars that don't whistle when the roof-box is not on the car. The current ones were from Lidl!

Hi Jim, If you need silent roof bars look no further than the Whispbar.

They are designed by a New Zealand company and can be purchased from the Roofbox Co.

They are far from cheap but they are the Rolls Royce of bars, virtually silent and negligible impact on fuel economy. Also, if you ever change your car (unlikely for us Rover owners of course :D ) you just need to buy new feet.

[Canonite]

Where did you buy the Rover roofbox from Canonite??

Private sale mate. It's lovely.
Can anyone help with regard to the mountings in the pics above?

[Roverowner]

Well, all I can say is that they should be there somewhere. My pre-prod had them under the roof strip (but no holes or bungs) As a last resort you´ll have to take the roof strips off to really make sure. If there aren´t any then you will have to get the type that grab between the door aperture rubber and the roof.

Had the same problem with the Volvo 480 I had, but Thule made special feet for it. Thing was that there was a place for the -grabber- feet along the top of the door aperture but nothing over the side back window. Dutch enginuity.... So they made an ingenious -help- feet and side rail that allowed the load to be put on the right place on the roof (even though the bar wasn´t directly supported:o Worked at high speed;):D

An idea of the type of feet...

[Roverowner]

The MGR roof box we have. Found some photos:

[stocktake]

Private sale mate. It's lovely.
Can anyone help with regard to the mountings in the pics above?
sure its been answered on another thread by jim, i'll go have a look .........:getmecoat:

edit; :o I see you have seen it and it doesn't answer your question

[Canonite]

sure its been answered on another thread by jim, i'll go have a look .........:getmecoat:

edit; :o I see you have seen it and it doesn't answer your question

:D it was me being a newbie. I never checked any of the other bungholes ;)
Jim was right, its just a painted cap.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8027/6967348998_fe0718c1e9_z.jpg
The kit isn't getting delivered until tomorrow but at least I know it'll fit now in time for friday.

[Canonite]

Happy days :D It just arrived.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7083/7115121457_c5400a1ef5_z.jpg

It's HUGE!

[KBX10]

Happy days :D It just arrived.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7083/7115121457_c5400a1ef5_z.jpg

It's HUGE!


I've got of these and yes it is huge! We use it for our annual camping trip to Devon and I'm always surprised just how much I can fit in. You won't be disappointed.

[James_Death]

Oh Bung Hole....:D

On A side Note these boxes are viewed as being superb, build quality capacity...

Kamei...

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/roof-boxes/