Roofbox For New Avensis Hatch

May 8, 2005

unfortunately the boot isnt big enough when we go camping (with 2 dogs and 1 baby) so i have been looking at a roofbox. as Thule seems to be quite popular this seems to be the one i might go for but i have seen the toyota one on the website.

is this any good?. i think it wont be comparable to the Thule.

otherwise does anyone have any comments/recommendations

thanks

matthew

May 9, 2005

To be honest, the Halfords ones are alright. Quite sturdy, reasonable locks, and big enough to fit two cases and a few other things in there leaving the boot free for prams and travel cots and stuff. Or in your case the dogs.

Mike.

May 9, 2005

thanks for the advice mike.

am i right on this?. the avensis can carry 50kg on the roof according to the manual. the roof box will weigh between 18 and 26kg the feet and bars about 5kg leaving 20-25kg available for luggage. this doesnt sound much at all. with the boxes being able to carry nearly 500litres of stuff what can you fill them with that doesnt take you over the weight limit?

thanks

matt

May 11, 2005

We are campers too - no dogs but 2 kids. We have an avensis estate (bought a new one yesterday in fact and hoping the bars we already have for the old avensis estate will fit!).

We bought the Halfords bars and box which is longer and narrower rather than square if you know what I mean. Reasoning was that in time, like this coming summer, we'd be around to taking 4 bikes so one would need to go on the roof alongside the roofbox.

We have foundboth the bars and box to be absolutely fine and alot cheaper than Thule. We don't actually have the locks on the bars but you can, and we should, buy them.

In the box we can put loads of stuff but mix both heavier and lighter things to keep the weight down. Just getting sleeping bags/mats/cycling helmets etc in their is great as it keeps the 'messy thing' all together.

Hope that helps

Sara

May 11, 2005

thanks for the info. but how do you manage to load the roof with bikes and a box and still keep the weight below 50kg?

cheers

matt

May 11, 2005

thanks for the info. but how do you manage to load the roof with bikes and a box and still keep the weight below 50kg?
cheers
matt
←

Got a Toyota one brand new £150 if u want it pm me for info

May 12, 2005

In fairness we haven't as yet put a bike on top - will do at end of May hol - but it will only be one bike on the roof.

We always end up with 'bit n bobs' in the roof box i.e. camping cooker and stand (probably the only heavy things), windbreaks (don't tend to take them now though), bike helmets, sleeping bags and mats, kids toys, etc so mostly it is fairly light stuff. BUT it's great getting all of these things into the roof box and out of the way of the boots.

Obviously you need the boot empty for the dogs but we can still pack up our boot with all the heavier things and more standard shaped things.

Sara

May 12, 2005

the dogs normally sit on the back seets. they have their own seatbelts. i think we need to look at what we can put in the box which is light yet bulky. like you said sleeping bags etc will be best. last month when we went it was ok going because i had time to pack proerly but coming back i only just shut the boot and that was with us eating all the food.