Roof boxes

[mykbhoy]

I’m looking for advice on roof box and rails. We’ve stepped down in size of boot buying an XC60 with the intention of using a roof box for our camping gear. Does anyone have any experience of a good product and indeed, any advice on products to avoid. I know Volvo have their own options too but Manufacturers own tend to be very expensive. The bigger box the better. Thanks in advance

[Bonefishblues]

If bigger is key, also check out roof bags - many are bigger than the biggest boxes, and much, much easier to store for the 50 weeks a year they aren't being used.

[Aljsv]

I have Thule roof box and bars. It’s easy to fit the bars (make sure buy the locks for them). The box slides on top of the bars and secured with locking clamps. I need some steps when doing this.

Make sure your box can be opened / loaded and unloaded from both sides of the car.

[Thekilt]

volvo ones are jsut re-branded Thule one anyway (many car manufacturers do this)
in terms of a box, the bags are meant to be good, but make sure they dont flap aroudn much. if your lucky you can somtimes find bars and box second hand together.

Tip: check on Thule website for the bars for your vehicle, and search for the bars on ebay/other site. The fittings to your vehicle are specific, so you might get a good deal on say a BMW/Audi/VW roof bar set and roof box, and just need to change the fittings.

[garethXC]

check out Halfords ones as well - they are also well made & abt half the price of others... Ive had the same one for over 10 years now & its still faultless...

[V8XCV]

My advice is to get bigger than you think you will need, most are quite low profile and hard to actually get decent sized bags in.

Also look at the locking mechanism, if they have 1 key point and sliding bars inside they can jam if heavily loaded and be very hard to lock (I've seen ours with a ratchet strap round it as it would not lock).

I don't like ones like this:



The better type I've found have two independent locks.

Most feel really flimsy so don't be surprised. Ours is an old halfords own brand I think from about 10y ago, stronger than it looks when trying to get into a multistory car park...... don't ask.