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esawers

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#236190 22-May-2018 20:41
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Tell me about roof boxes...
We need something for skiing, family if 4, thinking 450l ish
What are the differences between brands?
Are the cheap sub $400 ones rubbish?

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Coil
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  #2020717 22-May-2018 20:50
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As with anything the cheaper it is the worse it will be.
Go with a second hand Thule setup over a new el cheapo. 




mdav056
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  #2020782 22-May-2018 22:12
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We've had great mileage (!) out of a Roady 450, first on an Avenir, and then on a Prius (for which I had to buy new Whisbars).  Does the trick nicely.





gml


jonathan18
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  #2020972 23-May-2018 09:58
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I went through this same thing a few years back (and got good advice on here at the time, so do google for such earlier threads). Based on that feedback I bought a Hapro, as they are seemingly at the sweet spot between cost and quality. But I did buy second-hand and don’t regret it for a minute - way cheaper than new, and for something used 4-5 times a year to cart stuff - not to look stunning - it was a no-brainer to go s/h.

Many recommended purchasing the Hapros from roofbox.co.nz, which I would have done if I hadn’t gone s/h; the owner is most helpful...



mdav056
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  #2020988 23-May-2018 10:13
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jonathan18: I went through this same thing a few years back (and got good advice on here at the time, so do google for such earlier threads). Based on that feedback I bought a Hapro, as they are seemingly at the sweet spot between cost and quality. But I did buy second-hand and don’t regret it for a minute - way cheaper than new, and for something used 4-5 times a year to cart stuff - not to look stunning - it was a no-brainer to go s/h.

Many recommended purchasing the Hapros from roofbox.co.nz, which I would have done if I hadn’t gone s/h; the owner is most helpful...

 

Yes, they are the people I got the Roady from.  Very helpful.





gml


MikeAqua
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  #2023968 28-May-2018 14:24
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We had a Thule roofbox on our Previa.  .  Quite a long one about 5 feet long.  Excellent product.  Lots of internal volume.  Easy to fit and remove, a sit had these claws that grabbed encircled the roof bars.  Lockable. No apparent wind noise.  Looked OK too.

 

I don't miss the Previa but I do miss that roof box sometimes.





Mike


scuwp
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  #2023997 28-May-2018 15:31
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Another vote for Roofbox.co.nz.  We purchased a Hapro and couldn't be happier.  

 

The chap at Roofbox was the only one we found that actually knew his stuff, and was the only one that was able to identify straight away which model fitted our vehicle and which didn't.  Even the other supposed 'roof box' specialist places didn't have a clue.  Ended up there was only 1 model that would fit our SUV ensuring the rear door could open fully, and even then it needed a small modification to the fitting system which they did for no charge. Shipped to us without any problems. 

 

Looked at cheaper ones (it wasn't that much more expensive to be honest) and they were floppy pieces of rubbish.   Ended up they wouldn't have fitted anyway. 

 

Looked at Thule and Yakima here:  www.roofrackcentre.co.nz  Very expensive!!!  





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blackjack17
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  #2024018 28-May-2018 16:29
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I got a second hand Prorack 450L and it is huge.  2300mm long

 

Be careful that the boot doesn't hit the back.  I had to adjust the mounting holes (i.e. drill new ones).  It is sitting a little further forward than I am happy with but seems stable.

 

The claw type mount ones appear much easier to use as the ones with the metal brackets are quite fiddly.





 
 
 

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Geektastic
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  #2036477 14-Jun-2018 12:37
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I have a Whisbar box - American I think.

 

It's quite a stylish design in gloss black. Got it discounted as last model etc from a roof box specialist in Christchurch. It's been very good, although up on a Discovery 3 it is pretty hard to load! It'll be going on my wife's Volvo XC 70 now I think.






josephhinvest
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  #2036493 14-Jun-2018 12:58
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Another vote for roofbox.co.nz. We bought a Hapro traxxer and ProRack Whispbars and it’s excellent. No complaints and was very easy to buy online after a few emails back and forth with Phil. Very helpful guy.

MikeB4
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  #2036498 14-Jun-2018 13:02
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I am sure you have thought of this but remember to have regard to the roof capacity of your vehicle and the changes in handling dynamics of your vehicle.


josephhinvest
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  #2036500 14-Jun-2018 13:03
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I paid a bit of a premium ($50 from memory) for the glossy black roofbox. And it does look pretty sweet. I also bought the expensive bars that sit flush with the roof rails. They are shaped like airplane wings and are very quiet and I leave them on permanently.

Click to see full size

jonathan18
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  #2036503 14-Jun-2018 13:07
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I’ve got the same bars, and also leave them on permanently. Only problem is I’ve lost one of those covers that slips over the connection points - does anyone know how easy and costly they are to replace?

MikeB4
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  #2036504 14-Jun-2018 13:11
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jonathan18: I’ve got the same bars, and also leave them on permanently. Only problem is I’ve lost one of those covers that slips over the connection points - does anyone know how easy and costly they are to replace?

 

 

 

We lost one and the Kayak shop at the bottom of the Ngauranga  Gorge got a replacement for us with in a week.


jonathan18
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  #2036527 14-Jun-2018 13:46
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MikeB4:

jonathan18: I’ve got the same bars, and also leave them on permanently. Only problem is I’ve lost one of those covers that slips over the connection points - does anyone know how easy and costly they are to replace?


 


We lost one and the Kayak shop at the bottom of the Ngauranga  Gorge got a replacement for us with in a week.



Thanks, Mike - any recollection of the approximate price?

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