Roof Boxes

[acb]

Hi,

I purchased original Toyota Roof Rails for my 5 door Auris (haven't fitted them yet).

Are roof boxes standards, i.e. do all boxes fit all rails?

I will be travelling overland with the car and storage is important. Can anyone suggest a brand / model he is happy with.

Regards,

Al

[balli hi]

Hi,

I purchased original Toyota Roof Rails for my 5 door Auris (haven't fitted them yet).

Are roof boxes standards, i.e. do all boxes fit all rails?

I will be travelling overland with the car and storage is important. Can anyone suggest a brand / model he is happy with.

Regards,

Al

Hi acb

I purchased a Fapa Roof Box priced at £170 , around six years ago now , for my car at the time which was an Escort , i found it to be an excellent roof box , sturdy and well built , and never had any problems at all with it , however i've just done a quick search and i could'nt see any company's still selling that particular brand , the company i purchased my box from are called The Roof Box Company ( See Link ) http://www.roofbox.co.uk/roof-boxes/ ,

There are plenty of good makes on the market , and the name Thule is one that springs to mind . Roof Box's are fixed to your roof rails via 4 clamps ( horse shoe shaped ) which you place on the rail bottom side up and through into the roof box where you then place a brace over the clamps and tighten with nuts .

I still have the roof box but as yet have not purchased the Toyota roof rails for my Auris , basically i've been put off by what other members have posted on here , about the problems they've had with fitting the rails to their cars , what with having to have their doors lowered to accomodate the foot of the roof rail , and all the accompanying problems that come with that , however no doubt you will be attempting to fit your rails soon and i will be interested to learn how you get on ....... be sure to let us know , good luck with it all

[acb]

Hi,

I purchased original Toyota Roof Rails for my 5 door Auris (haven't fitted them yet).

Are roof boxes standards, i.e. do all boxes fit all rails?

I will be travelling overland with the car and storage is important. Can anyone suggest a brand / model he is happy with.

Regards,

Al

Hi acb

I purchased a Fapa Roof Box priced at £170 , around six years ago now , for my car at the time which was an Escort , i found it to be an excellent roof box , sturdy and well built , and never had any problems at all with it , however i've just done a quick search and i could'nt see any company's still selling that particular brand , the company i purchased my box from are called The Roof Box Company ( See Link ) http://www.roofbox.co.uk/roof-boxes/ ,

There are plenty of good makes on the market , and the name Thule is one that springs to mind . Roof Box's are fixed to your roof rails via 4 clamps ( horse shoe shaped ) which you place on the rail bottom side up and through into the roof box where you then place a brace over the clamps and tighten with nuts .

I still have the roof box but as yet have not purchased the Toyota roof rails for my Auris , basically i've been put off by what other members have posted on here , about the problems they've had with fitting the rails to their cars , what with having to have their doors lowered to accomodate the foot of the roof rail , and all the accompanying problems that come with that , however no doubt you will be attempting to fit your rails soon and i will be interested to learn how you get on ....... be sure to let us know , good luck with it all

My roof rails are original Toyota so I'm not expecting problems (I hope). I'll be fitting them in the first week of July and will report back anything I observe.

[Beretta]

I'd be interested to hear how the fuel consumption is affected by these, as its not good to start with, and with a roof box it must be even worse?

[acb]

I'd be interested to hear how the fuel consumption is affected by these, as its not good to start with, and with a roof box it must be even worse?

Mine is a Diesel so I can't compare to your Auris. I would presume that it would add some drag. Before I had the Corolla D4D hatchback (2004 model) and this had sufficient storage for my needs. The Auris is really designed badly as far as storage is compared.

BTW, Are roof boxes universal -- My original question :-)

[balli hi]

I'd be interested to hear how the fuel consumption is affected by these, as its not good to start with, and with a roof box it must be even worse?

Mine is a Diesel so I can't compare to your Auris. I would presume that it would add some drag. Before I had the Corolla D4D hatchback (2004 model) and this had sufficient storage for my needs. The Auris is really designed badly as far as storage is compared.

BTW, Are roof boxes universal -- My original question :-)

Yes roof box's are universal , you can fit them to any car , you just have to make sure that the box is the correct size ( length wise ) for your car , i'm sure if you look up any website selling roofbox's , advice on choosing the right box will be given , the main thing you have to look out for is the over hang to the front and back of the car , as said if you look up a website just enter the car make and model , and a list of suitable box's will come up .

As for fuel consumption , obviously you will get less miles for your money , there are a few things that will effect performance , firstly weight , so naturally the more weight the car has to pull the more consumption go's up , secondly speed , the faster you go , you'll use more fuel anyway plus more wind drag is caused . Try to choose a box that is aerodynamically designed , and Thule boxs are good on this front .

Once you have settled a particular box , why not google for reviews , to guage oppinion on wether its any good or not .

PS

The roof rails that some of the guys on here had problems with ( if i'm not mistaken ) were also original toyota roof rails , i'm sure there's a thread on here somewhere , the problem occurs because there has to be a set clearance between the foot of the rail and the top of the door , and for some reason it can't always be obtained without lowering 1 or 2 of the doors , anyway please do let us know how you get on

Edit :

Have a look at this http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=96043

[Beretta]

I'd be interested to hear how the fuel consumption is affected by these, as its not good to start with, and with a roof box it must be even worse?

Mine is a Diesel so I can't compare to your Auris. I would presume that it would add some drag. Before I had the Corolla D4D hatchback (2004 model) and this had sufficient storage for my needs. The Auris is really designed badly as far as storage is compared.

BTW, Are roof boxes universal -- My original question :-)

Not trying to hijack the thread, but the Auris SR 180 is a diesel.

Back to boxes.

[balli hi]

My roof rails are original Toyota so I'm not expecting problems (I hope). I'll be fitting them in the first week of July and will report back anything I observe.

Hi , just wondering if you have fitted your roof rails yet , and wether or not , you have experienced any problems ?

[balli hi]

My roof rails are original Toyota so I'm not expecting problems (I hope). I'll be fitting them in the first week of July and will report back anything I observe.

Hi , just wondering if you have fitted your roof rails yet , and wether or not , you have experienced any problems ?

Obviously must have had problems ??, cos you have not posted your findings

[Jarod]

I have fitted original roof rails. I got no problem.Screws must be tighten hard (a rail just moved about 3cm, as i didn't tihten the screw much)

If you have only rails it whistles very loud, sound is like in a horror when the wind blows to scare you :)

But i fitted 2 bike carriers, and now there is only silent sound

[balli hi]

I have fitted original roof rails. I got no problem.Screws must be tighten hard (a rail just moved about 3cm, as i didn't tihten the screw much)

If you have only rails it whistles very loud, sound is like in a horror when the wind blows to scare you :)

But i fitted 2 bike carriers, and now there is only silent sound

Hi Jarod ,

Thanks for the info , nice one