Cargo roof boxes, safety, and justifications ;)

[haylmom]

SO I'm trying to justify spending x-hundred dollars to buy a roof box (Thule Cascade 677). Right now it is only my daughter adn I that ski and I have a small coupe for a car and we carry the skis (ALL the time, they don't leave the car to come in the house...no room there either) inside the car. We put down the side back seat to fit them in there, and it is really getting annoying having them inside the car, adn it gets in the way of the carseat seatbelt buckle, etc. Does anyone have any ideas or justifications for me so I feel better with this purchase? Maybe we don't even need it!? i'd like to hear that side too.

Thanks!

 

[AnnKH]

I can't help you - I desparately want one!

There are 4 of us (often more, when we take a bunch of Boy Scouts or church kids skiing). The skis go on the floor of the van (DH's are too long to go sideways), and I'm always afraid that someone is going to step on them. It would be so nice to load up everyone's skis and poles on top (and boots, on the way home). We borrowed one once and it was delightful!

Our problem is that we were NOT thinking ahead when we bought our most recent van - no roof rack. If I could buy just the box and slap it on my roof rack, I'd do it in a minute - it would come in very handy for Scout camp week and other road trips. But it's toughter to justify the box AND the rack. Right now our budget doesn't include lift tickets and new toys.

 

[persee]

I really like my box - Thule Evolution 1600. The only thing I don't like about it is the method for attaching it to my bars but Thule has fixed that nicely with the new Atlantis line. I might even have RackAttack retrofit the new clamps on my box. It's really great because you jsut put the ski stuff up there and let it be. When the skis are all wet and sloppy they can melt/drain off up there rather than in the car. And better than a rack the skis stay nice and clean. Plus I dont' have to hear them rattling inside the car!

So I'm a BIG fan of the box. The only real drawback is that it makes my car too tall to fit in most parking garages - my home garage has 8ft doors so it DOES fit in there!

I've noticed that the box on my car doesn't hurt my MPGs, but the rails and box style fit really well with the profile of my car so I suspect your results may widely vary.

 

[Jilly]

Box it up. Skis are locked and protected from the elements. No one can see the skis or anything else that's in the box. But, please bring the skis in a night. DON'T leave them in the box. Your skis need some TLC. Wipe and dry them before you do anything, or you will need to sharpen those edges more often from the rust that will form. Also the do roll around up there. That can/could cause some damage. Think fast stop, everything moves forward. The box can be transfered from car to car. I've had mine for forever. Changed it this year, as it didn't work with the new truck.

 

[w.ski]

Get a box, you won't be sorry. I have a Thule Atlantis 1600. Very easy to put on/take off the car, and I can open it from either side. Great for toting skis, and whatever else needs toting.

 

[lucine]

Go for the box

it is an anti theft device and.....you can use it for lots more than skis
when we camp we can stow all the extra stuff in there and fit in lots o people.

I notice about a .4 mpg difference in the winter, I have not computed the fuel loss in the summer, but I think it may be more (or it could be the AC)
AND.... it keeps the car cleaner so you could justify it in that way you know- better resale cause the car is pristine!

 

[haylmom]

Ok, I bought it. The Thule Cascade 676.... I've got the skis loaded up and ready to go for the morning! Its SOOOOO nice already to have my backseat back. Plus, my daughter isn't trying to play with poles, etc. (no jammed fingers either!) I'm a happy mom right now

 

[persee]

Also the do roll around up there. That can/could cause some damage. Think fast stop, everything moves forward.

Actually the box I have (thule evolution 1600) has straps inside (they're actually attached to the inside the box part of the mounting brackets) that can be fastened around the contents (ie skis and poles) to keep them securely in place as you travel. If not for these straps DH would go bonkers from sounds of the skis banging while bouncing up and down on those bumpy mountain roads.:ROTF:

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Way to go, hm! You WILL like having this thing. I miss mine---got passed on to the "next generation"..... A couple of well-placed rolled up old towels (which often come in handy anyway) can also solve the banging around problem. We generally would wipe our skis off before putting in the box, then roll up the towels and place above/below/between. Worked for us. Enjoy!

 

[lv2ski]

I think the boxes are neat but never did get one b/c of the garage factor. Do be careful going into garages. A friend of ours has a mid-size saab suv and damaged his box pulling into the Tremblant garage Not a good way to start the ski-vacation. However, if your car is not too tall it may not even be an issue!

 

[toughgirl]

box vs. ski carrier

I pose another question. We were thinking of just purchasing those ski carriers that clamp down on our skis for short trips b/c we have the sport tube for longer trips (we just strap the sport tube down w/cinches on the roof rack and it seems to work ).

Do you think it would be better to buy a box?

 

[MaineSkiLady]

I pose another question. We were thinking of just purchasing those ski carriers that clamp down on our skis for short trips b/c we have the sport tube for longer trips (we just strap the sport tube down w/cinches on the roof rack and it seems to work ).

Do you think it would be better to buy a box?

This is what I use. The box we purchased to replace the one that we gave away is TOO LONG for the vehicle we bought it for---meaning that the hatch can only be partially opened. For short trips, the clamp rack is okay. Most lock. I'd rather have a box....

What kind of vehicle? Putting one on a SUV can be challenging, and with consequences. Ours WILL NOT FIT through the garage door (7' high) with a box on it. We're really stuck between a rock and a hard place - and with a box that won't work on either vehicle. Getting stuff in and out of a box in a high SUV is also challenging.

If you do go w/a box, do your math very, very carefully beforehand. Ours was a closeout/damaged goods, so we didn't put much $ into it, but it's still too bad it's unusable. I live in salt/sand/logging truck country, and I've never seen our skis in a clamp rack get absurdly dirty. Binding covers used to be available - I haven't seen them around stores in years.

 

[persee]

What kind of vehicle? Putting one on a SUV can be challenging, and with consequences. Ours WILL NOT FIT through the garage door (7' high) with a box on it. We're really stuck between a rock and a hard place - and with a box that won't work on either vehicle. Getting stuff in and out of a box in a high SUV is also challenging.
.

Heh. This was a problem initially for me - I had a CR-V and with the box on it would not fit in our garage with only 7 foot doors, so when we needed to do some work to our garage (including new garage doors) we decided to go for 8ft doors. Now that I have the Pathfinder everything still fits through no problem. As for parking garages I dont' even bother. Parking garages on average only offer a clearance of 6'6" if you need to do the math.

As for getting things in/out. I picked up this nice little collapsible rubbermaid stool at Walmart. It's rated for up to 300lbs and stores nicely behind the passenger seat for assistance in accessing the box. You can always get the tire-step from Thule as well as otherbrands to help in accessing things on your roof. For reference I wouldn't be able to reach my skis even in one of those clamp-down holders w/o the stool!

 

[toughgirl]

I have a toyota matrix so I wouldn't have a problem with the height. I think I decided to pass on the box for now b/c of money and storage issues. I'm thinking I'll get the clamps for quick trips and just continue to strap the sport tube to the roof for longer trips.

 

[haylmom]

Well i've used the box two days now, and I LOVE it.....its so easy to get in and out of...(however I learned quickly that getting up with ski boots is not the best idea) lol I already had the rack on my car so it wasn't like I needed to get the whole package, however, i definately think it was worth it for us!

 

[Jilly]

I've a friend with a family. Now Andre is short and they have a van. So picture a 5'5 guy with a small step ladder to just get into the box. Used to laugh at him. Then we got the truck. Well same problem. Step up with the back door open, hang onto the factory rack part and place stuff in. Ah, Andre used a small folding step ladder. So it goes in the truck in the winter and in the kitchen for the summer.

 

[geargrrl]

I have a toyota matrix so I wouldn't have a problem with the height. I think I decided to pass on the box for now b/c of money and storage issues. I'm thinking I'll get the clamps for quick trips and just continue to strap the sport tube to the roof for longer trips.

Really derailing here, but how do you like the Matrix? I test drove one today and it's really on my radar. How is it on snow? It survived our test drive through really deep nasty unplowed slush just fine.

Back on topic, did you get factory bars, or aftermarket like Yakima/Thule.

thanks.

gg

 

[MaineSkiLady]

We've got the collapsible stool as well - much easier to fit in the car than a regulation one - but DH is also a short guy/height challenged and needs help. I think I have a longer reach than he does (also a longer inseam!)

Re the Matrix, is it still available in 4WD? I heard that the Toyota/Pontiac (Vibe) joint venture was eliminating this option from their newer vehicles. If that's the case, it's not a contender for my vehicle replacement. When the model was first released, 4 was an option. Where I live, 4 is NOT an option....no 4WD, no go.

 

[geargrrl]

We've got the collapsible stool as well - much easier to fit in the car than a regulation one - but DH is also a short guy/height challenged and needs help. I think I have a longer reach than he does (also a longer inseam!)

Re the Matrix, is it still available in 4WD? I heard that the Toyota/Pontiac (Vibe) joint venture was eliminating this option from their newer vehicles. If that's the case, it's not a contender for my vehicle replacement. When the model was first released, 4 was an option. Where I live, 4 is NOT an option....no 4WD, no go.

2009 will have AWD option, not 4x4. You did mean AWD, right? They had it in earlier versions, but did drop it for a few years. The Mazda3 may also have AWD.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Yes, AWD. Maybe it was Pontiac that decided to forego? Guess if Toyota is offering it, Pontiac will as well - joint venture. I am searching for vehicles of this size (no hurry, my old Subaru is still fine), probably won't go Subaru again due to absurdly high insurance costs, at least here. Hoping to read reviews soon about new Nissan Rogue, which might be another contender. Mazda would work too. I just have to have a hatchback, whatever I wind up with. Too used to having them, can't imagine having to deal with a car/trunk. Also want/need roof rack for box. Miss having one...