Latest posts for the topic "Roof box v ski rack"

Roof box v ski rack

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:05:36 GMT

Driving to the Alps on the 31st.

We're a bit stuffed for space as 5 of us in the car and we're trying to decide whether to try and get hold of a topbox - borrow or hire.

We usually just use a rack, but thinking of how much extra we can fit into a box.

Anyone use them? Are they worth using? Thinking of fuel consumption from drag, weight. Will that weigh out benefits of carrying more? Do they fit as much in as they claim?
Obviously realise they come in different lengths and we'd need a long one

Apologies if asked before, can't remember seeing topic before.

Dids.

Re:Roof box v ski rack

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:31:52 GMT

A top box is a great investment if you have a car or estate. I often use one even with an extended 7 seater van. On a long trip the passengers are less cramped. For water sports you can keep the wet stuff out of the vehicle, likewise for camping.
I have a large box and it makes maybe one or two miles per gallon difference on a long haul.

Re:Roof box v ski rack

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 07:34:33 GMT

Dont forget it may put you over height for the crossing and could incur extra charges

Re:Roof box v ski rack

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 07:49:48 GMT

Trencher wrote:A top box is a great investment if you have a car or estate. I often use one even with an extended 7 seater van. On a long trip the passengers are less cramped. For water sports you can keep the wet stuff out of the vehicle, likewise for camping.
I have a large box and it makes maybe one or two miles per gallon difference on a long haul.

Thanks for that. I think we'll go for it. (subject to the below...)

Re:Roof box v ski rack

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 07:50:52 GMT

Tony_H wrote:Dont forget it may put you over height for the crossing and could incur extra charges

Thanks, that has occurred to me. We're going on the tunnel so was going to give them a ring today before I made a final decision.

Re:Roof box v ski rack

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:26:04 GMT

Your car with roofbox needs to be less than 1.83m I use a roofbox with ski rack alongside which will carry 3 pairs of skis leaving the roofbox free for ski poles etc as ski bindings take up a lot of room

Re:Roof box v ski rack

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:51:26 GMT

Now that's a good idea. So a narrow box as well as ski rack.

We have an estate car, even with roof box will be under the max height allowed.

Re:Roof box v ski rack

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:44:37 GMT

Borrowed a roof box when we drove to Austria in Feb, worked a treat for us as we had 5 in the car and wanted the extra space. Took food etc. going and on the way back any boots, ski boots and used ski kit we put in in black plastic bags and shoved in there. Loads of room in them and doesn't cram the car full.

No extra fees if you are over 1.85m on Eurotunnel, you just go in a taller train, best to book it and if you don't take the roof box they will just put you on the earliest train anyway.

Bit of a pain for us as there were 3 vehicles in our group, we had to wait for a the next train with the taller ceiling as we were at 2m, so the other 2 went on ahead and had to wait 20 minutes when they got off in Calais.

Re:Roof box v ski rack

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:59:00 GMT

If you're putting skis on the roof rack, please dont make the mistake of just clamping them in without covering them first.
They'll get ruined if you just put them in the rack. Just some thick plastic would do as long as it doesn't vibrate in the wind!

Re:Roof box v ski rack

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:51:28 GMT

Tony_H wrote:If you're putting skis on the roof rack, please dont make the mistake of just clamping them in without covering them first.
They'll get ruined if you just put them in the rack. Just some thick plastic would do as long as it doesn't vibrate in the wind!

I would second that. Ski racks are great for locals to go a few miles, but I would not want to expose skis and especially bindings to hundreds of miles of motorway muck. Then again, ski racks do have great poser value.

Re:Roof box v ski rack

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:31:36 GMT

Also clamp them tail ends forward, otherwise they can flap!!!

Re:Roof box v ski rack

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:35:09 GMT

felthorpe wrote:Also clamp them tail ends forward, otherwise they can flap!!!

That deffo shows the numpties. :D

Looks like a top box it is then.

Thanks for all the replies.

Re:Roof box v ski rack

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 19:59:44 GMT

I would say roofbox rather than a rack unless you like your skis being covered in birds poo:) It's a long drive too... We only drove from Geneva to Zermatt...

Re:Roof box v ski rack

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 23:55:30 GMT

Decision made.
Borrowing a long roof box that will take 4 pairs skis, boots and apparently plenty besides.

Not seen it yet.

Incidentally, is there nothing on the market that will protect bindings or is it a case of fashioning something yourself?

Re:Roof box v ski rack

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 06:02:17 GMT

When I bought skis online and they were shipped by post bindings were wrapped in cardboard that was fixed with duct tape. Seemed to work.

Re:Roof box v ski rack

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 06:27:02 GMT

I have had both over the years .... roof box for me 8)

Re:Roof box v ski rack

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:09:37 GMT

Dids1 wrote:

Incidentally, is there nothing on the market that will protect bindings or is it a case of fashioning something yourself?

Bubble wrap and insulation tape.