Car roof boxes are large, sturdy boxes that attach to the top of your car and provide secure, weather-proof storage for all types of gear. They free up passenger space and are available in a range of styles and sizes. If you think I left any out that should be included or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below. Here we’ll discuss the model range to help you find the roof box that best suits your needs. Why chose a Thule roofbox?

Is it better, on the sportage, to have a shorter but wider roof box, or, a longer and thinner roof box? Obviously need to ensure the box does not overhang the windscreen, nor impede the opening of the boot.If you still want to max out on your capacity with a shorter roof box they are then likely to be taller to compensate. Bear in mind this can also affect aerodynamics and negatively affect the gas mileage. Roof boxes can be expensive, and they are on the whole certainly pricier than their soft counterparts, roof bags. The Thule roof box only weighs 13.5kg when empty, so it isn’t too hard to attach it to the roof. It is sold as the budget, smaller model, with simple U-bolt fittings, but there are no complaints about this approach. It lifts up to reveal the contents and remains secure on the road.

Others concur as they also found that their luggage remained dry. This is a promising benefit considering one of the downsides below. Some roof boxes can slow your car down by over 30% which can hit your wallet in fuel costs. This is due to the added weight and drag of the roof box. How Aerodynamic Stylish, sleek, excellently reviewed Thule roof box that optimises space efficiency and aerodynamics. The other thing that baffles me is both ocean 200 & 600 boxes can accommodate 3 + 1 Thule holdalls, yet there is 120 litres size difference between the two models. How is this possible? Surely it would be better to have the long/narrow box to make the car more streamlined?If you plan to travel a lot then I would recommend spending a bit more on your roof box. Not only will they tend to be more durable, they are also more likely to include features that may well be more useful i.e. one that you can load from both sides. How They Open Short style roof boxes are good for smaller vehicles with a shorter roof. You need to ensure you box is sized correctly so it does not affect your line of sight or cause you to drive erratically. The Ocean 100 offers single side opening (passenger side), so you need to be mindful of parking and access. You will notice there are just a few centimetres difference in the dimensions, but you do notice the extra 40 litres of luggage capacity that this provides over the Ocean 80.

The boxes are aerodynamically designed so they don’t cause a huge amount of noise or drag, most users report an insignificant increase in fuel consumption. They also have a blunt rear to ensure easy opening of your boot. Thule Ocean 80 Roof box The hard, solid exterior will protect any potential thieves from taking a knife to your box, something that is an advantage over the soft exterior of a roof bag. Compatibility With Your Car Options for 1-2 working day delivery and next day timed services available on most items Zone B Surcharge AreasThe likelihood here is that this car top box will perform as users hope. The capacity and design are enough to win over plenty of families. Therefore, the Thule roof box is highly recommendable for those that frequently take long car journeys. There are four boxes in the Ocean range, starting with the Ocean 80 offering 320 litres of extra luggage space, followed by the Ocean 100 with 360 litres. The Ocean 600 is a narrower, half width roof box but still has a capacity of 330 litres and finally the Ocean 200 is the largest in the range and offers 450 litres of added luggage space. Each roof box will have a specified weight limit. You’ll want to ensure that this will be sufficient for your needs. As well as looking more stylish and sleep, the more aerodynamic a roof box, there is a strong performance aspect. There is also the direction in which they open – some open left, right or directions. Others are clamshell in nature and open upwards. Impact On Gas Mileage