roof box vs trailer

[Ade B]

Following on from an earlier thread, we have just returned from our first family camping trip (Cornwall and Dorset as Junior B's passport turned up too late )

We had the CE pretty much maxed out in terms of packing due to push chair and camping kit with stuff occupying the entire car including footwells and front passenger seat.

We've decided that we need a few more larger items (cooker stand, storage frames etc. for the next trip) and over the next few years additional kit will no doubt creep in.

So, quickly scouting about it looks like I could get either roof bars and thule type box or a foldaway tow bar and small trailer within my budget.

I've happily towed small stuff before but have no experience of a roof box.

Any thoughts?

Ade

ps. I don't want to change the car or buy a caravan

 

[imadoofus]

I don't use either, but a roofbox is presumably more secure.

And easier to park.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

Trailer...

With a trailer your limited to 60 and no outside lane frolics, even though I doubt you will know its there. I cruise with our van (at 60) and its actually a FAR more relaxing drive.

With the trailer you WILL have more room, leaving the car clutter free. I've been there with MX5's and Z3's and even the bit of space's under the seats was used for stuff...

Reversing a little tricky if you go the wrong way

You can also use the trailer for trips to the tip / carry your bikes on top also,

Roof Box.

Cheaper I should imagine, although (thule, best) quite pricey new. Smaller though and you will need a hand fitting.

The CE doesnt have a long roof? so not sure what one would look like, it may over hand the front / back

Both would need storage although the roof box you can fix up a hoist in garage and trailer could go up on end?


I would be tempted with the trailer as if you get the roof box I think you will soon fill that and get a trailer anyway especially as you get more and more stuff...

 

[BTB 500]

A removable towbar plus trailer is going to cost a lot more than roof bars and a box, but much more versatile if you don't mind the speed/lane restrictions.

But ... if you're going to tow, why not get a trailer tent?

I've used roofboxes on a couple of cars ... storing them when not in use was an issue.

 

[Ade B]

But ... if you're going to tow, why not get a trailer tent?

I've used roofboxes on a couple of cars ... storing them when not in use was an issue.

I can store a small trailer or roof box, a trailer tent has no real appeal and is a bit big to store.

Regarding speed restrictions, my trip home from Portland averaged 56mph, can't see it being an issue on most uk roads

Am leaning towards retractable towbar - have an idle fantasy of getting a small sailing boat at some point... or another track bike

Cheers,

Ade

 

[A210AMG]

Looking at that picture is exactly why I sold my 3 series convertible..

No way could I put up with that.

 

[BTB 500]

Regarding speed restrictions, my trip home from Portland averaged 56mph, can't see it being an issue on most uk roads

To get a journey average of 56 I reckon you must have been doing over 60 for a fair bit of the time (and/or over 50 on single carriageway roads)?

 

[Ade B]

To get a journey average of 56 I reckon you must have been doing over 60 for a fair bit of the time (and/or over 50 on single carriageway roads)?

You are correct, I managed about 73mph for most of M3 and M25 and varied on the A roads..

I only know this because we bought a new sat nav before we left which tells me these things as well as guiding me down farm tracks in Cornwall..


Ade

 

[dave.robbo]

I think what Bill was getting at, is that with a trailer, you're legally only allowed to do 60. Although youre average was 56, your actual speed was well above that for a fair proportion of the journey................

 

[Londonscottish]

Following on from an earlier thread, we have just returned from our first family camping trip (Cornwall and Dorset as Junior B's passport turned up too late )

Ahh - the old getting-a-passport-for-junior scenario. Until recently small kids would travel on their parents' passports. They changed all that 2-3 years agon and we very nearly got caught out twice - once with the first one and once with the second....

it looks like I could get either roof bars and thule type box or a foldaway tow bar and small trailer within my budget

I changed to an estate specifically to gain permanent roof bars and so could easly attatch a roof box/bike rack etc. The roof box I've got is full width and runs almost the length of the roof. Great for bulky but light-ish things like buggies, travel cots etc. When it's on I'm just not aware of it.

I presume you'd get a lot more in trailer but neven having had one can't comment. I also assume the traier two bar combo would cost more - might me worth it if you also user the two bar for bikes. Plus if you ever cary push bikes, two-bar mounted racks are the best.

Maybe you need both.....roof bars for box or bike rack, two bar for traler or bike rack. Then you've covered all eventualities

 

[Dieter]

Hi,

The only problem I found with a roof box (apart from storage etc.) is that it can/does pick up loads of 'squished' insects (cf front bumper/grill etc.) so they can get a bit messy....but being able to travel at 70 mph is a plus.

Cheers,

 

[Subyland]

The towbar/trailer combination is more versatile and give you room to expand, but it will be more expensive...You have to evaluate your current and future needs. Also bear in mind ease of access, not the best with a roof box; and ease of reversing: the smaller the trailer the harder it is!!!

If you really can't decide then get a trailer and buy some bars for it. You'll then be able to fit the box on top of the trailer...

 

[BTB 500]

I think what Bill was getting at, is that with a trailer, you're legally only allowed to do 60. Although youre average was 56, your actual speed was well above that for a fair proportion of the journey................

Yup, so the average speed would have been significantly lower if towing at legal speeds. And don't forget you can only do 50 on unrestricted single carriageway roads.

 

[Ade B]

Thanks for the input.

I had worked out that average speed will go down with a trailer, I guess my comment was that average speed without one is pretty low anyway, once you throw in a couple of breaks (dog/baby stops) a long journey becomes a laid back affair.

I towed my track bike around the UK and across France with my previous car so I'm happy with the logistics of trailering, with a relatively light load you just unhook the trailer and move it by hand rather than attempt reversing..

In the interim, I might take Spike up on his generous offer of renting his roof bars and I think I can source a roof box to see how we get on for our next foray later this year.

Cheers.

Ade

 

[stevesey]

Our roof box does a sterling job of taking all the body boards and wind-breaks etc for our regular week in St Ives with two teenages (now 19 & 15). But for camping I'd go for the extra space of the trailer - especially if you will have additional passengers at some point in the future.

 

[Gollom]

Thanks for the input.

I had worked out that average speed will go down with a trailer, I guess my comment was that average speed without one is pretty low anyway, once you throw in a couple of breaks (dog/baby stops) a long journey becomes a laid back affair.

I towed my track bike around the UK and across France with my previous car so I'm happy with the logistics of trailering, with a relatively light load you just unhook the trailer and move it by hand rather than attempt reversing..

In the interim, I might take Spike up on his generous offer of renting his roof bars and I think I can source a roof box to see how we get on for our next foray later this year.

Cheers.

Ade

Welsome to use mine (should logistics allow) PM sent

 

[Londonscottish]

I think I can source a roof box to see how we get on for our next foray later this year.

I bought mine s/h - spotted Merc box and roof bars in Merc magazine. Saved 75% on new price. They were 4-5 years old but well looked after. Most people only use them very occasionally.

You should be able to pick up a good Thule or whatever s/h if you bide your time. (they are expensive new)

Angus

 

[glojo]

ps. I don't want to change the car or buy a caravan

Was it your previous thread where I said you will never have enough room? Oh the joys of young children and animals.

If you are absolutely adamant about not changing vehicles (What odds will you give me against that claim??) then I reckon a trailer although I had a very nice custom made roof box.

Why the trailer?
Easier to both load and unload, plus you can carry much more and the luggage will be both secure and protected from the elements.

Problems with the roof box is that it is a HUGE barn door that takes the full force of the wind. If it rains then you will need a completely sealed roof box, which on your car will not be very big and if it's not sealed then water will get into everything.

When we were first married I can remember a suitcase chasing me along a dual carriageway we were travelling at about 70mph-ish and that suitcase was shifting! Luckily for us I saw our suitcase which had been blasted off the roof by our speed plus the strong winds. There had been some rain and the ropes had stretched.

With an estate car which you don't want........ :bannana: :bannana: You can make a compartment for the dog and have the remaining rear section for lots of luggage, but you don't want an estate so disregard that, but...................

Regards
John

 

[Londonscottish]

Oh the joys of young children and animals. With an estate car which you don't want........ You can make a compartment for the dog and have the remaining rear section for lots of luggage, but you don't want an estate so disregard that

Well I wasn't going to say anything......but here goes. When we had one baby and no dog a W202 saloon did the job. But when the second sprog came along the amount of clutter increased to the point that cramming everything into the boot was a real pain* and I knew an estate would be a good idea as you can stack stuff above window height. Most of the time I can get everything in fairly easily.

The roof box is just an insurance policy- we'll probably do week's camping this year and I'll stick the box on to carry the extra bits and bobs.

*my wife would watch me spend an hour cramming everything in with great difficulty before saying that she needed something from the bag that was burried deeper and further back than any other - grrrr!

 

[Ade B]

Was it your previous thread where I said you will never have enough room? Oh the joys of young children and animals.

If you are absolutely adamant about not changing vehicles (What odds will you give me against that claim??) then I reckon a trailer although I had a very nice custom made roof box.

Why the trailer?
Easier to both load and unload, plus you can carry much more and the luggage will be both secure and protected from the elements.

Problems with the roof box is that it is a HUGE barn door that takes the full force of the wind. If it rains then you will need a completely sealed roof box, which on your car will not be very big and if it's not sealed then water will get into everything.

When we were first married I can remember a suitcase chasing me along a dual carriageway we were travelling at about 70mph-ish and that suitcase was shifting! Luckily for us I saw our suitcase which had been blasted off the roof by our speed plus the strong winds. There had been some rain and the ropes had stretched.

With an estate car which you don't want........ :bannana: :bannana: You can make a compartment for the dog and have the remaining rear section for lots of luggage, but you don't want an estate so disregard that, but...................

Regards
John

The joys of hindsight

When I was first looking at W124s in late 06, I started looking for an estate and when we sat in one (pre baby) we just thought 'this is silly we're not there yet'.. the coupe was just so much more alluring..

Another part of the problem is the CE was a bit of an experiment to be played out over a number of years, and we've stuck a fair bit of cash into it relative to its value, and its rather nice - so I'll be hanging on to it for a while longer -

I've a stubborn streak which says that for a few trips a year I can adapt what I have rather than rattle round in a huge car all the time, however...
the price of 210 estates are tumbling though



Ade