Trailors vs roof-rack boxes

[Daniel EzraLogue]

My estate car (740) has roof bars (in the shed), and a tow bar.

We own neither a trailor, nor a roof-top box.

For a smallish amount of luggage, which is more fuel efficient, and easier to use (I have towed trailors, and caravans before)?

[Rossi-fan]

Roof-top box for me.

[kevinbis]

Roof Box is the better choice in my opinion.

[The Hooded Claw]

Trailer & Roof box fer me ...

Roof box fer yer Holiodays

Trailer fer taken all the crap you accumalate in the Garage / Garden to the tip on a Sunday Morning ...


(Guess where I've just bin???) ...

[V70Driver]

No brainer, roof box. I used mine all the time when the twins were born, it stored the double buggy easily with room to spare then loads in the boot. No problems reversing, parking, holding up the traffic etc. The box will reduce your mpg by aerodynamic airflow drag across the top of the car. The trailer will reduce mpg by aerodynamic airflow and weight drag as well as minor stability with driving.
V70Driver

[Stephen Edwin]

Agree as above, I have used an old trailer and an old home made roof top box, each have their value and the top box makes the car far easier to drive and park etc. For heavy loads, the trailer has to be the choice.


I'm interested as an aside, how well do modern commerically made roof top boxes keep water out? I'm possibly needing to buy one with a capacity of at elast about 2.2 metres long and about 30 cm square cross section, if I can find one and if it will keep the contents dry.

[johnjp]

I know someone had a roofbox nicked from his car, it was empty at the time but I think if it was full, and had a lot of weight and roofbars well secured, it would be too diificult for one or two people to lift.
I have integral roofbars - though I have yet to try fixing the box directly to them.
A trailer is relatively easy to lift.
I did a 350 mile trip with a roofbox and saw no real difference in mpg.
Even with a good trailer set-up there always seems to be something to go wrong with the electrics, on car or trailer.
On balance I would stick to a roofbox.

[johnjp]

Originally Posted by Stephen Edwin

how well do modern commerically(?) made roof top boxes keep water out?

I`ve not had even the slightest problem with water in mine.

[gmain1967]

No contest - roof box. Aside from anything else, easier to drive with, easier to park with and if you are on holiday and use a ferry, you don't get charged more for the additional length...

As for getting nicked, trailers and caravans still get nicked. If someone wants it really badly, they'll steal it no matter what....

[Oilydad]

Roof box for me too, because the other thing that nobody else has mentioned, is that whenever you attach a trailer, you will be subject to different speed limits, and you are prohibited from using the outside lane of a motorway with any trailer.

The law states at the moment:

The maximum speed you can go to on a UK motorway or dual carriageway with a trailer is 60mph. You may not use any trailer in the outside lane of a Motorway in the UK. Assuming there are no roadworks or other lower speed limits in force (as in places where 30mph and 40mph restrictions are often in force), the fastest you can go on a single carriageway is 50mph.

THAT will seriously slow down any long journey.

You've also got to find somewhere to stow the trailer safely when you get to your destination. It's also been know to happen when people are going on holiday that where a family stop for a meal, they come out to find the trailer gone!! NEVER leave a loaded trailer/caravan etc unattended. They are just SO easy to steal. Cheap padlocks knocked off, and rope through the tow bar and they are away!!