How tall is a roof box? How much height does a roof box add to a car? Is it worth adding a roof box to my car?
A roof box is a type of vehicle modification that adds extra space above the rear seats.
Roof boxes come in various sizes and shapes, depending on the manufacturer. They usually increase the cargo capacity of a car or SUV.
Roof boxes can be added to almost any vehicle. The amount of height they add depends on the size of the roof box.
However, if you know that you’re traveling somewhere that has a height restriction like some ferries do, you’ll want to know ahead of time how much height a roof box will add to your vehicle.
The average height of a car in the US is around 5 feet, a little shorter than the average height of an adult.
So, how much height can you expect a roof box to add to this?
Well, a completely empty roof box will often add around 5 or 6 inches of height to a regular car.
Depending on the design of your roof box, a loaded one could add any amount of height to the vehicle or even lower it.
This is because the weight of any luggage you have in your roof box will cause the car suspension to lower the vehicle slightly.
Therefore, the overall height of your vehicle with a loaded roof box could completely depend on what you have it loaded with.
In general, though, a safe estimate is around 6 inches of extra height on top of your vehicle.
Of course, it’s always a good idea to check out the measurements of any roof box you buy to make sure it fits your requirements.
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Should I Get A Roof Box?
Roof boxes are pretty handy for those of us who like to go on long road trips, camping trips, or simply need to travel with a lot of large or heavy equipment that simply won’t fit in the trunk of our car.
They can be used for storing tents, sleeping bags, luggage, or even something like a pair of skis!
Let’s take a closer look at what exactly roof boxes are and how they work to help you decide whether you should get one for your own vehicle.
Benefits Of Using A Roof Box
There are many benefits of using a roof box over just leaving things in the trunk. Here are some of them:
It Makes Driving More Comfortable
When you’re sitting in the back seat of a standard sedan, there’s not really anywhere else to store things but the floor or the trunk.
This means that if you’re taller than most people, you’ll probably end up having your legroom taken up by whatever doesn’t fit in the trunk, which can make things pretty uncomfortable, especially on longer journeys.
With a roof box, you can actually sit more comfortably in the backseat of your car.
It Increases The Storage Space Inside Your Car
If you’ve ever tried to cram everything into the back of your car, you’ll understand why roof boxes are so useful.
Even if you don’t mind your legroom in the back seats being taken up by extra luggage, having a roof box allows you to take even more bags and items with you, meaning you’ll never be left without an essential item for your trip.
It Allows You To Carry Larger Items
If you’re planning on taking a trip somewhere where you might need to bring along a tent, sleeping bag, or other large items, then a roof box is going to be very helpful.
It Helps Protect Your Belongings From Damage
Many roof boxes include a cover that protects the contents of your roof box from the elements.
This means that no matter how bad the weather may be outside, your belongings will still remain dry and protected.
They Allow You To Carry Heavier Items
A roof box is usually designed to hold a certain number of pounds.
However, if you plan on carrying anything heavy in your roof box, you’ll want to make sure that it holds enough weight.
They Keep Your Car Cleaner
One thing that you definitely don’t want to do when traveling is leave dirty clothes, shoes, or other items lying around the back of your car.
This isn’t only unsightly, but it can also attract dirt and grime onto your seats and interior. If you use a roof box, this problem is eliminated.
Disadvantages Of Using A Roof Box
While roof boxes have their advantages, they also come with some disadvantages as well.
Let’s take a look at these disadvantages now:
They Can Make It Harder To See Out Of Your Car
Depending on the size of your roof box, you may find that it blocks your view out of your windshield.
However, this should really only be an issue if your roof box is too large for your car and hangs over the front too much.
As long as you do your research and get an appropriately-sized roof box for your vehicle, you shouldn’t have this issue.
They Can Affect The Handling Of Your Car
Your roof box is going to add a significant amount of weight to your vehicle.
As such, it could change the way your car handles while driving.
You may notice that your car feels less responsive than usual, and it won’t handle as a normal car would.
Some Roof Boxes Aren’t Compatible With All Vehicles
Some roof boxes are specifically designed for specific types of cars.
For example, some roof boxes are made for hatchbacks, others are made for sedans, and yet others are made for SUVs.
However, many roof boxes are universal and can be used on any type of vehicle.
Conclusion
Roof boxes are great because they help you maximize space inside your car.
They also allow you to carry larger items and protect them from the elements.
However, there are also some downsides to using a roof box.
These include making it difficult to see out of your windshield, changing the handling of your vehicle, and not being able to use it in all types of vehicles.
So, which one is right for you?
That depends entirely on what kind of car you drive, what kind of things you like to bring along, and whether you want to spend extra money on a roof box or not.
