When we leave on long journeys, holidays, or big moves in the car, there is a set amount of space that we can use before the car is packed.
At this point, most people would get rid of some of the stuff that is taking up space, or – if you have the cash – buy a trailer or hire a company to move this stuff.
This is not exactly ideal and takes a lot of time and effort to do. Companies long ago saw this problem and came up with a rather elegant solution: the roof box.
These babies are perfect for storing more stuff in your car without losing space in the actual car itself.
The issue is that cars only come in certain sizes, with most cars being relatively small compared to the bigger models.
As such, it is crucial you get the right size roof box for your car.
Too big and you’ll overburden the car, too small and what’s the point of the roof box.
So what is the right size of roof box? In this article, we seek to answer this very question.
Table of Contents
What Is A Roof Box?
A roof box is a compartment built into the roof of a vehicle. They are usually made from plastic, but may also be metal, fiberglass, or wood.
The purpose of the roof box is to store items that take up a significant amount of room in your car.
This could include things like camping equipment, bikes, skis, snowboards, golf clubs, kayaks, surf boards, and anything else that you might want to bring along when heading off on an adventure.
Roof boxes are often used by families who are going on holiday together and need somewhere to put their belongings where they won’t be in the way of other passengers.
They are also commonly installed in SUVs because of its ability to hold all sorts of gear without making your car look out of place.
What Is A Good Size Roof Box?
As mentioned above, the main thing you need to consider when buying a roof box is how large it will fit in your car.
Different cars have different sized roof boxes, so make sure you know which one fits your needs.
If you don’t, you risk overloading your car and damaging it, as well as potentially causing damage to yourself.
There are three primary factors you should consider when choosing the best size roof box for your particular car.
These are:
- Your current load capacity
- How much cargo you plan on carrying
- Where you intend to carry the cargo
As far as the first factor goes, you should note that larger vehicles tend to have larger roof boxes. That means that they are better suited to holding larger loads than smaller vehicles.
However, you should also bear in mind that larger vehicles usually cost more than smaller ones, so it may not always be practical to go for a larger model.
As for the second factor, this refers to how much cargo you actually plan on bringing along with you.
You should think about this carefully, because having too much luggage will lead to increased strain on your body and tires.
If you’re planning on hauling lots of heavy objects around, then you should ensure that you select a roof box that has enough space to accommodate them.
However, if you’re planning on just using it as a storage area, then you can probably afford to opt for something smaller.
Finally, the third factor relates to where you intend to use the roof box when it comes to storing your cargo.
Some people prefer to keep their stuff close at hand, while others like to keep it further away to avoid getting distracted by it. It really depends on how organized you are.
So depending on your needs, you may find it easier to use a smaller roof box for short trips or a larger one for longer journeys.
Excluding car factors and focusing on what people need, then choosing a roof box is slightly easier.
For the lowest number of people (a two-person trip), generally a roof box that is 12 cubic feet and 340 liters is perfect and for the highest number of people (a five-person trip), usually a roof box that is 21 cubic feet and 595 liters is good.
However, it should be noted that you need to check how much weight your car can carry before committing to these types of roof boxes, as you will also need crossbows as well as the box.
How Do I Decide Between A Roof Box And Trunk Box?
You can mostly tell whether a roof box or trunk box is better suited to your needs simply by looking at the difference between them.
Roof boxes are typically wider and taller, while trunks are narrower and shorter.
The fact is that trunk boxes only save a small amount of space, because they are placed directly in the car as well, so it doesn’t seem as good when you look at it.
In addition, roof boxes are usually designed for long term storage, whereas trunk boxes are more suitable for quick loading and unloading.
As such, most people would recommend the former option.
Is There Any Advantage To Installing A Roof Box?
Installing a roof box is often done to help increase the available space inside the cabin of your vehicle.
While this is true, it’s important to remember that there are some downsides associated with adding a roof box to your car.
For example, you’ll need to remove the rear seats before you install a roof box, which can limit the number of people you can comfortably seat in the back of your car.
Another downside is that the lack of a large interior space in the roof box can make it difficult to store personal items in the vehicle when the back and roof box are full.
This means that you might end up having to leave these items behind when you travel.
There are also additional costs involved with installing a roof box, such as those related to purchasing the roof box itself, as well as installation fees.
Fortunately, many roof boxes come pre-installed in new vehicles, making it easy to add a roof box to your existing car without paying extra money.
Can I Buy A Roof Box Online?
Yes, you can! The easiest way to buy a roof box is through an online retailer. Most retailers offer free shipping options and allow you to purchase multiple roof boxes at once.
Moreover, you can see exactly what you’re getting before you place an order. Online retailers also offer great customer service.
They typically respond within 24 hours and provide detailed instructions on how to install your roof box.
Conclusion
The size of a roof box right for you and your vehicle is difficult to judge.
But you should take some things into account: the size and carry capacity of your car, the length of your trip, and the number of people going.
By using these three factors, you should be able to find the perfect roof box for you.
