Road-tripping is a favorite pastime of many families. For shorter distances, driving is generally easier and cheaper than flying. Plus, it’s much more economical to move lots of luggage in a car or truck than it is to pay extra money for luggage on a plane trip. But you may find yourself with more luggage than space in the vehicle. If so, your first thought is probably about a roof box or car-top carrier. And if you don’t foresee needing to use a roof box often enough to purchase one, you may wonder whether they’re available for rent.
Roof boxes are available to rent from some equipment rental companies across the world. These rentals are also available online. The rental process is pretty painless, but you’ll find that roof box rental prices vary widely depending on the size and style of box you decide on.
Where Can You Rent a Roof Box From?
After reading our guide on roof box FAQs, you may be surprised to learn that there aren’t any major names in the business of renting roof boxes. Companies like UHaul sell roof boxes and roof bags, but they don’t rent them. Most major car rental companies don’t offer roof boxes, either. This means that you’ll probably have to do a little searching to find a place to rent a roof box. Most places are local, meaning you’ll need to find one near you. Then you’ll need to physically go there and pick up the roof box.
There is at least one company that will actually ship you a roof box rental. You use it for a predetermined amount of time and then ship it back to them when you’re done.
Here is an example of a notable roof box rental company:
- Rentluggage.com – Get a roof box shipped to you for your rental period.
Other than these two companies, pickings are pretty slim for nationwide roof box rentals. But that doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to find a rental company near you. If you live near a major city, you should be able to find an equipment company that will rent you a roof box for a fee.
How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Roof Box?
There are a lot of factors that determine how much a roof box will cost to rent. Since there are not many nationwide or big-name companies that rent these pieces of travel equipment, I’ll give you some examples from local companies around the US and their prices. This way you’ll get a good idea of what you may spend when renting a roof box.
Roof box rental prices range from $10 per day from private individuals all the way up to $66 a day from a rental company. Size and brand also factor into the pricing, with more well-known roof boxes like Thule demanding higher prices.
Even with these higher prices, though, Thule roof boxes are worth it.
| Company/Website | Location | Capacity/Max Weight | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| www.rentluggage.com | Ships to You | 8 Cubic Feet / 75 Pound Max | $199 for 3 Days $209 for 1 Week$249 for 3 Weeks |
| openroadoutfitter.com | Denver, Colorado | 16 Cubic Feet18 Cubic Feet21 Cubic Feet (No Max Weight Listed) | From $85 for 4 Days (16 Cu. Ft.) to $245 for 1 Month (21 Cu. Ft) |
As you can see, prices vary pretty significantly across the different companies. If you can find someone in your area with a roof box for rent on loanables.com, you may get a pretty decent price.
On the other hand, if there’s nothing available near you and you want to get a like-new roof box shipped to you, you can expect to pay around $200 for three days. But, shipping both ways is included in this price, which I’m sure is a big contributor to the cost. After all, shipping a roof box takes up a lot of space on a truck or a plane.
However, when you consider that these kinds of roof boxes cost anywhere from $400 to $1000 to purchase, finding one to rent may seem like a better idea. Particularly if you don’t foresee a future need for one.
What Size Roof Box Should You Rent?
Determining what size roof box to rent can be a little tricky. After all, it’s hard to picture what 16 cubic feet of your luggage looks like. Most of us don’t think in terms of cubic feet. Still, it’s good to know exactly how much stuff you’ll need to put into the roof box.
You’ll want to keep heavier items in the vehicle and put lighter, bulkier items in the roof box. You also want to consider the size of your car and the specifications of your particular vehicle’s roof rack. If you have a smaller vehicle, you’ll probably need one of the smaller roof boxes.
All that said, here’s a general guideline of how much stuff you can fit into standard sized roof boxes. Your own experience may vary.
- 12 Cubic Feet – Big enough to store luggage for 2 people.
- 16 Cubic Feet – Big enough to store luggage for 3 people.
- 21 Cubic Feet – Big enough to store luggage for 5 people.
If you’re planning on carrying skis or snowboards, you’ll want to make sure to get a longer box that the sports equipment will fit inside. 6-foot boxes work well for this.
Is Your Car Roof-Box Ready?
Your car must have a roof rack and crossbars on it in order to carry a roof box. You should also look at the vehicle’s owner manual for any details pertaining to the best positioning for the roof box, since the crossbars on some vehicles can be moved.
Most roof boxes come with adjustable mounting positioning and hardware, but this doesn’t mean that roof boxes are one-size-fits-all. So it’s important to make sure that the roof rack and the roof box are compatible, and that your rear hatch has the proper clearance and won’t hit the roof box when it opens.
Here’s a video showing how to install a roof rack on a car with a bare roof:
Benefits of Renting a Roof Box Over Buying One
Renting a roof box does have some benefits over buying one. Renting is certainly not the right tactic for everyone, but it’s ideal for some.
- May cost less, depending on the rental length and price.
- Those who don’t own the vehicle they will be using or another vehicle with a roof rack will benefit from renting.
- Ideal for those who don’t have a place to store the roof rack when it’s not in use.
- Ideal for those who know they won’t need the roof box again any time soon.
- Ideal for those who will be selling their vehicle or getting another one without a roof rack.
- Doesn’t require the large up-front investment that buying does.
- Renting is a great way to test and see if a roof box is right for your needs.
In Conclusion
You can definitely rent a roof box, but they’re not generally available from big name companies like UHaul or car rental companies. However, you should be able to find a place near you to rent a roof box for a reasonable price. If you can’t, you can always pay a little bit more to have one shipped to you.
Renting a roof box in person is helpful because you can make sure it fits well on your vehicle. But, with a little research, it’s possible to make sure you’re getting the right roof box sight unseen!