Roof box - A practical upgrade for a family car!

Roof boxes were originally invented to carry ski equipment in a small car. Over the past 25 years, it has become a frequently used accessory, especially during the winter season. Installation errors and improper loading of cargo boxes have caused several accidents. Read in this article what to look for when using a roof box.

Roof boxes for bulky items

For a long time, the trailer was the only option to increase the carrying capacity of the car. It has plenty of shortcomings: sharply the dynamics of the car’s movement changes, maneuvering is much more difficult, especially in reverse. And further: from the age of 10, a separate driving license is required to drive with a trailer.

The roof box was invented to make it easier to carry light but bulky items in standard family cars. . Initially, such a need existed mainly in ski equipment. Even in service cars, transporting long skis and vulnerable ski poles to the resting place unharmed in a fully loaded vehicle was a challenge. Nowadays, roof boxes have become very popular for transporting long items.

Another target group for this product are cameramen and photographers. Camera tripods, lighting equipment and backs can be transported very comfortably in the cargo box . However, it is important to follow certain rules when loading roof boxes. Otherwise, driving with a roof box becomes unprofitable or even dangerous. Read everything you need to know about installing and loading a roof rack in this companion.

Roof box construction

The trunk is an aerodynamically optimized plastic box. This material has become the standard for roof boxes because it is light, cheap and waterproof. Roof boxes have a shell structure. The top shell covers the bottom half making it waterproof even at high speed .

He has strong hinges on the one hand and a reliable locking mechanism on the opposite side, preventing the trunk from opening while driving. The trunk is attached to the trunk with special brackets. It is imperative that roof rack fit to the car.

In the past, traditional roof racks were attached to the roof gutter of a car. They are definitely not suitable for roof boxes. The updraft created by the roof box is too strong for the universal roof rack. A suitable roof rack is fastened to the provided fastening points in the roof support and securely fastened there. This solution ensures safe installation of the roof box.

Proper installation for safe and economical driving

When installing a roof rack, two things are important: accessories must be complete and undamaged. If the roof box or its brackets are already cracked, the system can no longer be used. . The load will widen the crack, eventually causing the box to fall, creating a dangerous traffic situation for you and other road users. And even if it only causes material damage: a heavy fine for negligent use of a damaged roof box cannot be avoided .

The roof rack is attached to the roof rack according to the manufacturer's specifications. Many manufacturers even prescribe tightening torque, and this should be respected. Not every roof box fits every car. Therefore, good advice and preliminary research are very important.

For fuel economy reasons, it is important that the box was installed directly on the roof rack . The curved roof box increases the vehicle's aerodynamic drag. Approximately 20% more fuel consumption has to be considered . If the roof box is properly installed, this value will not be exceeded unnecessarily.

Before installing the trunk, check the hinges and locks . They tend to stretch on cheap products. The wind force pulling the roof rack is stronger than expected. Therefore: before installation, check the hinges, whether they allow both halves to enter, and the lock for reliable functioning.

The roof box must be lockable. Otherwise, it will become an easy target for thieves. Branded manufacturers equip their products with quality locks, as opposed to cheap products.

With all the correct installation and selection of quality parts additional fastening of the box with two tie-down straps will not harm. Lashing straps with integrated ratchet are particularly suitable. Note: These belts can withstand high tension. In the case of a plastic box, it is easy to exaggerate. The fastening belt should not be pulled all the way. It is enough to adjust it manually so that the box does not move. The remaining piece of the strap should be removed, preventing it from loosening and fluttering in the wind.

Significant price difference

Comparison of roof boxes will show that prices vary widely. Prices from branded manufacturers such as Thule or Kamei , often three times higher than unknown manufacturers. A cheaper product is less durable, and in terms of ease of installation and safety cannot compete with products from a quality supplier. Opening drawers while driving, instability of hinges and locks or jamming of products that can only be opened by force are no exception for roof racks. up to 150 EUR (± 135 GBP) . A branded product often costs over €500 (±£440) . The best quality is obvious:durable material, matching locks and hinges, and a secure mounting system make a quality branded roof box a long-term investment . After the purchase, you only need to worry about efficient loading.

Safe and correct download

The trunk is only suitable for light items, its position, not stability, makes it unsuitable for heavy items. The heavier the roof box, the higher the vehicle's center of gravity . Sooner or later you will feel the weight of the car being pulled on at every corner. In addition to the inconvenience, it can be dangerous. Therefore: Only place items in the roof rack that will not fit in the roof rack. Long, large and light items are perfect for roof racks. You can also put other items in it, if they are not too heavy, for example. 

For example:

blankets pillows sleeping bags air mattresses and mats for kitchen towels, diaper bags and toilet paper rolls tents gardening Tools

Less suitable:

drinks boxes device gas cylinders trays of canned goods bags of cement or stonestires and wheels

The rule of thumb is: everything light and long goes in the cargo boxes, all heavy things go in the trunk.It is important that the luggage carried in the cargo box cannot move. Rolling objects can break, damage the roof box or even open it. Therefore: always stow the roof box to the limit so that everything stays in place. Pillows, blankets, and kitchen paper rolls are great buffers.

Include own weight and volume

Branded products are not only more stable than cheap roof racks, but also lighter . This is especially important when loading. The load on the cargo box must not exceed 50 kg So 5 kg difference is 10% . Less matters a lot, and this also applies to volume. Most car boxes have volume 320 - 380 liters . Some manufacturers advertise containers over 500 liters . These volumes are usually achieved through aerodynamics with higher fuel consumption as a result. Therefore, the roof box must always match the actual needs. Only then does driving with added payload remain economically viable.