Conference terri::cars_uk

	Carol, I know nothing whatsoever about this subject, but I've
	been wondering about getting one of these for the Peugot 405
	estate we're just buying.  They seem like a neat idea (as
	opposed to the old days of bolting a roof rack to your 
	Standard Ensign, throwing some cases on and tying the lot down
	with bungies).  So, any experience out there 

	Dave

    Glad to know someone else with an estate who carries 3 tons of c---
    around and is looking at these boxes! Count me in for info.
    
    Mike

    
    
    
         I bought a roof box for my 3 series BMW last Aug. for use on
       Holiday in Cornwall, it was only used on the motorway, but didn't 
        seem to make that much of a dent in the MPG. As for noise it could
        only be heard if you opened the Sunroof (suprise suprise), it was
         also easy enough for me to load, but I am 6 foot so if your short
        it maybe a problem. I bought mine from Halfords, its an Halfords
         own make and I bought thule roof rails at the same shop.
    

    
    ...If you've got an estate AND you need a roof box, perhaps you really
    need something bigger.....
    

	Currently we have a Cavalier SRi as the family car.  We're
	just buying a Peugot 405 estate.  Guess which has the bigger
	cubic capacity?  The Cavalier by 1 Cubic foot.  The
	cavalier is fine for us (family of four, two children 5 and 3).
	However, I've been thinking about buying a tent (like a huge
	frame tent) for quick weekends away.  Now my dad used to
	get the tent plus everything in a Mk I cortina plus roofrack
	plus 4 kids so I figure that the Peugot can cope...

	Dave

    I don't have a roof box, but I do have (two) estate cars and I put
    something a little larger on the roof... like a boat.. I am a keen
    Laser dinghy sailor and as I must take my toys on holiday.. the boat
    comes too.
    
    What has surprised me is that even when using my biggest car, Pug 505
    GTI estate, I still get 25-27 mpg, which is much the same as without
    anything up top.
    
    The little estate. Fiat Tempra SLX S/W (company motor) still manages
    about 30 mpg (normal figure) with the boat on top.
    
    The point is that if the box/boat on your roof is quite
    aerodynamic/hydrodynamic you do not seem to appreciably increase the
    fuel consumption, so you can get the biggest one you like so long as
    it's got a nice pointy front end..
    
    P.s  Only drawback about roof topping a boat is getting it up there!!
    (no double entendre intended) 'cos the boat weighs a mere 70kg and is
    13 feet long..
    
    Cheers   Dave (whose cars come conplete with dents in the roof!!
    

    Carol,
    
    You could also ask this in the IOSG::EURO_SKIING notes conference as it
    would normally be the skiing folks who would have experience with these
    boxes. 
    
    I bought one a few years back while in Munich basically to save having
    to fit a few pairs of skis plus boots etc. inside the car. Normally the
    weight issue is not a problem but when you are buying think about what
    you want to put in it and check what the limits is in the box specs.
    
    
    >>>Are they noisy, 
    
    No not really.
    
    >>>are the long thin ones better than the short fat ones,
    
    All depends on what you want to carry in it
    
    >>>do they have much drag
    
    From what I remember it was more top speed that got me (1.3L car so it
    took longer to get upto a reasonable speed on the Munich-Austrian
    border autobahn). 
    
    >>is it difficult to get luggage in and out?
    
    Well that depends on if you need a step ladder to reach it on the roof
    of the car.
    
    
    If you also have to buy the roof rack you may also want to think about
    one which you can lock with a key. With mine you screw the rack down
    and then lock a plate over the screw/holes with a key so the whole
    thing, box included, can't be nicked in one go! Same goes for thinking
    about locking the box lid as well.
    
    As mentioned above think about what you want to put in it, the maximum
    weight and then check that the rack and box can take the contents
    dimensions and weight. 
    
    Also when you have the box loaded up don't try too many fast moves
    because you will find the car can behave a bit differently due to the 
    change in the center of gravity.
    
    Dave

re .5

Ah yes but don't you remember how cavernous the Mk1 Cortina boot was! My dad had
one and yes 2 adults and 3 kids plus the majority of necessities for a summer in
our caravan was easily achieved. (Why then do I with one small 18month old
struggle with a big estate???) Come to think about it my dad used to carry
everything in Ford Pop when I was the only child, hmmm methinks I have to check
the missus hasn't sneaked the kitchen sink in.

Mike

p.s. thanks for the info

    I used one on a new 3 series BMW when i went skiing. MPG suffered but
    mre to do with the sheer load being carried (4 adults luggage skis
    etc). It did make a constant whine though, talking about noise. I think
    a smoother, more areodymamic box may have helped. Overall it was a
    success. However invest in a good secure roofrack. You don't want the
    worry it might come off (it has happened to me!). The BMW one cost �200
    just for the rack. Hire of the box was extra!
       
    Rupert

re -1
>    etc). It did make a constant whine though, talking about noise. I think
>    a smoother, more areodymamic box may have helped. Overall it was a

Can you remember what sort it was, or even what shape it was?  It sounds like 
one to avoid.

Carol

    It was a continental make. Can't remember the name. It was not that
    new. It looked like a black coffin, with a slightly tapered front!
    
    If you went for one with rounded edges I think you'll be better off
    than we were. This one didn't look as if it would be quiet!
    
    Rupert

    The Laguna estate has fitted roof rails, and you get a kit of
    transverse bars. The front end of the rails is near the door pillar,
    and the instructions for the kit say that your load mustn't extend
    forward of the rails.
    
    Should I take this seriously? Do French families never use their
    Lagunas on a ski holiday?
    
    As you might guess I'm hoping to use the skibox this summer but not
    wanting to see the roofload peel off like a shuttle booster rocket.
    
    Mike

I would guess that if the centre of gravity is on the bars, it'll be 
OK.

Alan