If you’re like me, you’ve spent way too long arranging and rearranging luggage in your vehicle, searching for a way to make it fit. You may be a master at Tetris, but sometimes there’s just not enough room in the car. So what do you do? You’ve got two options. You can pile luggage on top of everyone’s lap (not the driver’s though!), or you can get a roof box. But before you invest in one of these car top luggage boxes, you need to know a bit about them. So read on to learn everything you need to know about roof boxes.
What is a Roof Box?
A roof box — sometimes called a cartop carrier, a roof cargo box, or a cargo carrier — is a box designed to carry extra luggage. There are also cargo bags available that serve a similar purpose, but in this article we’ll be talking about hard-shell carriers that require a roof rack for proper use.
Are Roof Boxes Universal?
Unfortunately, roof boxes are not universal. But all do require a roof rack for use. Even so, not all roof racks are designed the same, and not all roof boxes are, either. If you get the wrong roof box for your roof rack, it will not fit properly.
This is easy enough to avoid. Just be sure to measure the roof rack on top of your car and check to ensure that the roof box is compatible.
The big worry here is hatch clearance. Since most vehicles with roof racks have a rear hatch that opens upward, it’s important that you get a roof box that doesn’t impede the hatch. Luckily, some roof racks have adjustable cross bars, meaning you can move the bars forward to avoid the hatch-clearance problem. But even if your roof rack is adjustable, you’ll still want to make sure the roof box you’re looking at will fit.
To do this, measure from the middle of the front cross bar all the way to the open hatch. Keep this number handy when you search for a roof box, as you’ll want to be sure the installed box measures under it.
Are Roof Boxes Worth it?
If you frequently transport a lot of luggage, roof boxes (especially Thule) are worth it. They provide additional secure and waterproof storage space for your belongings. But the best roof boxes don’t come cheap, so it’s a good idea to ask yourself a few questions to determine if a roof box is worth it for you.
How Often Will You Use the Roof Box?
The most important question to ask yourself about a roof box is how often you’ll use it. If you don’t take trips with a full vehicle often, the investment may not be worth it to you. But if you take one or more big trips every year, then you will probably benefit from getting a roof box.
Do You Have Room to Store the Roof Box?
Another question to ask is whether you have a place to put the roof box when you’re not using it. These things are bulky and require a decent amount of space. You can’t just tuck a roof box away in the linen closet.
However, keep in mind that you can store stuff inside the roof box when it’s not in use, which may help you make room for it somewhere in the house, garage, or storage shed.
Do You Plan on Keeping a Car with a Roof Rack?
Remember that a key ingredient for a roof box is the roof rack. If you’re planning on trading for a vehicle without a roof rack, or getting rid of your vehicle altogether, a roof rack may not be the best investment. Keep in mind that you can have a roof rack installed aftermarket, if the need arises.
If, after answering these questions, you think purchasing one isn’t for you, you can always rent a roof box.
Are Roof Boxes Safe?
When roof boxes are installed and used correctly, they are very safe. Manufacturers design them to handle high winds and bumpy terrain. For maximum safety, you should follow your vehicle’s manual and the roof boxes instructions to the letter. It’s also important to keep the following in mind.
Increased Clearance
Roof boxes add height to a vehicle. And while it’s unlikely that you’ll run into an overpass that’s too low for your cargo box (unless you drive a monster truck), you do need to be mindful of parking garages, tree limbs, hotel driveways, and fast food drive-throughs. Measure the height of your cargo box once installed and place the number on a sticky note on the dash to help you remember.
Know the Weight Limits and Keep a Stable Load
To use a roof box safely, it’s important to know how much weight your roof rack can handle. You’ll find this information in your vehicle’s manual. Things like a moon roof can affect how much weight the roof rack can handle. No matter the number, make sure to stay under it. And don’t forget to include the weight of the roof box.
It’s also important to keep a stable load in the roof box. You’ll want to put lighter items up there to maximize the space while staying under the weight limit. But no matter what you put in there, you don’t want it shifting around as you brake or accelerate, so make sure to pack it securely and safely.
Make Sure It’s Closed and Locked
Before you drive anywhere with the roof box on, make doubly sure that the box is closed and locked. All cargo boxes come with locks. So even if you’re not worried about someone stealing your luggage while you’re driving (they would have to be pretty talented to do that), you should still lock the box. If it’s locked, it means it’s also closed. The last thing that anyone wants is their roof box coming open and their luggage flying out all over the highway!
Are Roof Boxes Secure?
Roof boxes, when installed correctly, are incredibly secure. In essence, roof boxes have two jobs: to carry luggage and to make sure that the luggage stays secure on the top of the vehicle. This is why roof boxes come with hardware that enables you to attach them securely to the roof rack.
Some roof boxes can be difficult to install the first time, but this is necessary for the secure attachment of the box. Most boxes include both heavy duty bolts and reinforcement plates that go outside the box on the top and bottom of the crossbars. The bolts usually extend down through the box itself and through holes in the two places, ensuring that the box won’t move. Once you’ve installed the box, you can try to move it with your hands to ensure it’s secure.
You may also be wondering about keeping thieves out of the box. As mentioned above, roof boxes all come with locks which will prevent anyone from coming up and opening the box. That said, these boxes are often made out of heavy duty plastic or fiberglass. So, while they’re not easy to get into by any means, a determined thief with the right tools (perhaps a saw, drill, or hammer) could break into the box given enough time.
If you’re worried about someone breaking into your roof cargo box, it may be a good idea to transfer the luggage into the car and lock it there if you won’t be near the vehicle for several hours.
Are Roof Boxes Waterproof?
Roof boxes come rated as waterproof or water resistant. If you’re really concerned about rain or snow, you may want to go with a waterproof one, but water resistant roof boxes also do a great job of keeping water off of your luggage.
Most roof boxes are designed with a top lip that comes down over the bottom lip, meaning that water would have to be coming up from underneath the roof box to get between the two lips. Some splashes from rainfall aren’t a problem for these boxes.
With a quality roof box, not rain, sleet, or snow will compromise your luggage.
Are Roof Boxes Noisy?
A common concern about roof boxes is their noise factor. After all, no one wants a constant, loud humming or vibrating sound while they drive. The good news is that the majority of roof boxes are aerodynamic enough to reduce noise to a barely noticeable hum.
Roof cargo bags can be noisy, especially if they flap in the wind while you’re driving, but you probably won’t even notice the roof box is there.
Are Roof Boxes Easy to Install?
Most roof boxes are fairly easy to fit to the roof rack. Like anything else, there’s a bit of a learning curve. But, it shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes to secure any given roof box to the vehicle.
Roof boxes are not complicated. Some even come with “quick fit” systems that make things even easier. But as long as you follow the instructions, you’ll get the box secured in no time. And once you learn how to do it, you’ll be able to get the box on and off even quicker.
Are Roof Boxes Car Wash Safe?
It’s never a good idea to go through an automatic car wash with your roof box on your vehicle. Car washes aren’t designed with roof boxes in mind. For this reason, the roof box, the car wash, your car, or all three could become damaged in a car wash.
It’s inevitable that you’ll get some poor smashed bugs on your roof box, just as you get them on your windshield and grill. Unfortunately, taking your roof box through a car wash is a risk that’s not worth taking. Instead, you can go to a manual car wash where you can use the tools they provide to clean both your roof box and your car at the same time.
Just keep in mind that spraying your cargo box with a strong jet of water from a low angle may get water into the box itself. So if you still have luggage in there, it may be best to wait until you can take the luggage out to use a manual car wash.
Do Roof Boxes Get Stolen?
Like anything else of value, roof boxes do get stolen on occasion. While this isn’t common, it can happen. However, keeping your roof box locked and your vehicle nearby is a good way to keep it from being stolen.
While it’s difficult for someone to get into a locked roof box in order to undo the hardware, it can be easier for a thief to remove the crossbars of the roof rack. Many of these bars are only secured with screws that can be removed with the right tool. However, you can get locking roof rack bars or install an alarm lock on your roof racks to serve as a deterrent or to alert you if someone attempts to steal the roof box.
Do Roof Boxes Affect MPG?
Unfortunately, roof boxes do negatively affect MPG. Even though they’re aerodynamic, they still add surface area and wind resistance to the vehicle. You can expect a loss of between 10% and 20% with a roof box on, according to Consumer Reports.
Many factors determine how much fuel efficiency you lose, such as the type of car, the size of the roof box, the speed at which you’re travelling, and the weather. Still, it’s important to realize that your gas mileage will suffer with a roof box on. So, if you’re not using it, it’s always a good idea to remove it!
In Conclusion
Roof boxes are useful for safely transporting luggage you can’t fit in your car. When used properly, they’re secure, safe, and water resistant. However, they are an investment, which means you need to determine whether you actually need one before purchasing a roof box.
You’ll need to think about how often you’ll use the roof box, as well as where you’ll store it, how big it needs to be, and whether it will fit on your vehicle. Most roof boxes aren’t noisy and are easy to get on and off of the vehicle, but they do have an impact on miles per gallon.
Thanks for reading this post. I hope it has helped you determine whether you need a roof box!