What is the most aerodynamically efficient roof box? Roof boxes are not exactly designed to make your car go faster.
After all, having an extra storage compartment on the roof is only going to increase the amount of drag you’ll experience while driving, ultimately slowing you down.
However, most roof box manufacturers have this in mind while designing their products and aim to make the boxes as aerodynamic as possible.
Of course, your car will still be slowed down somewhat by a roof box but not as much by the more aerodynamic options.
There are two main types of roof boxes: fixed and removable.
Fixed roof boxes are permanently attached to the vehicle and cannot be removed without damaging the vehicle.
Removable roof boxes can be easily installed and removed from the vehicle.
The best roof boxes for your needs depend on what type of roof box you want to use.
If you’re looking for something that’s easy to install and remove, then a removable roof box might be better suited for you.
However, if you want something that’s permanent and won’t come off when you require it, then a fixed roof box may be a better option.
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the various types of roof boxes available on the market and finding out which is the most aerodynamic and efficient.
Table of Contents
How Does Aerodynamics Work With Cars?
Ok, now it’s time for a quick physics lesson. Don’t worry though, we won’t be getting too technical!
Aerodynamics is the study of how air flows around objects, including vehicles.
It’s important to understand how air moves over your vehicle because it affects the overall performance of your car.
When you drive, there are three major forces acting upon your vehicle: gravity, friction, and inertia.
Gravity pulls your car downwards towards the ground. Friction slows you down as the tires grip the road surface.
Inertia keeps your car moving forward even after you stop pressing on the accelerator pedal.
These three forces work together to keep your vehicle moving forward. When you add any kind of object to your vehicle, these three forces change.
For example, adding a roof box increases the total weight of your vehicle, making it harder for gravity to pull your car downwards.
This means that your car has to push itself upwards against the force of gravity with its own momentum.
This is where aerodynamics comes into play. Air acts like a fluid; it pushes up on your car just like water would push up on a boat.
When your car encounters air resistance, it gets pushed backward.
As long as your car is moving forwards, it doesn’t really matter how fast or slow it goes.
But once you stop moving, the air resistance becomes greater than the force of gravity pulling your car back down.
This is why cars with low-profile spoilers (aka “air dams”) tend to be slower than other cars – they reduce the airflow underneath the car, causing the car to lose momentum and move backward.
Now let’s talk about roof boxes. Adding a roof box changes the shape of your car.
Your car no longer looks like a normal sedan; instead, it looks like a sports coupe. Because of this, the amount of air flowing under your car also changes.
Since the roof box adds more mass to your car, it causes your car to have less speed and momentum.
As a result, your car will get pushed backward by the air resistance created by the roof box.
The faster your car is going, the bigger the effect of the roof box on your car.
What Makes A Roof Box Aerodynamic?
Now that we know a little more about how aerodynamics relates to cars, let’s think about what might make a roof box more aerodynamic.
In general, the aim of roof box manufacturers is to make the box as thin as possible towards the front, getting wider as it goes back.
Think of other aerodynamic objects like an airplane or a dart that also use this design feature.
Similarly, roof boxes will always be as smooth as possible on the top, to avoid air resistance catching on any protruding parts and slowing the car down.
Which Roof Box Is More Aerodynamic: Soft Or Hard?
You’ll often see roof boxes or at least some kind of roof-based storage space made out of a soft or hard material.
Soft roof boxes are made with a strong fabric that allows you to fit all kinds of awkwardly shaped objects inside.
Hard roof boxes are typically made with plastic or metal which makes them stronger and sturdier but doesn’t have as much maneuverability when it comes to fitting differently-shaped objects inside.
So, which is more aerodynamic? Certainly, the hard material roof boxes are more aerodynamic than soft material ones.
Soft roof boxes will have their shape changed by the wind and will end up contorted into an aerodynamically inefficient shape.
On the other hand, hard-material roof boxes will not change their shape because of any wind or air resistance.
Therefore, their carefully designed, aerodynamically efficient shape will be maintained, and your vehicle won’t be as inhibited by drag.
What To Look For In An Aerodynamic Roof Box
The most important thing to look for in an aerodynamic roof box is the size.
A large roof box will cause your car to become more sluggish and less responsive.
If you’re looking for a small roof box, then you should go for one that has a smaller profile. Another factor to consider is the type of material used.
You want something that can withstand the elements without being damaged over time.
Finally, you need to check if there are any protrusions sticking out from the roof box. These could create unwanted turbulence in the airflow around your car.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a roof box that will help your car perform better, then you should definitely choose a hard material one.
It will allow you to store larger items while keeping your car’s performance unaffected. And remember, don’t just buy anything off the shelf!
Take a few minutes to research different roof boxes before making your purchase.
There are many options available, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a great one.
