Hi everyone.I wonder if anybody can help me please with what may well seem like a dumb question.We have recently bought an Eldis Autoquest 400 with what appears to be Fiamma roof rack (just a surround but with no cross bars)attached and basically I'm not sure how to use it.I've been up on the roof and it's in good condition and I have the Autoquest owners manual which tells you the weight it will carry.Do I just strap things down to the roof and if so what can I use to stop things rubbing on the paintwork?I've been on Fiamma's web site and am thinking of buying the 'set fixing bars' (which fit to the rack not the roof) to take a top box we've got.Any ideas would be much appreciated.Many thanks Dave.
Are you wanting to fit a top box to your vehicle or do you want to carry other items on the roof?
Fiamma used to sell a tie down kit for top boxes which consisted of ratchet straps which you secured around the roof rail bars and are cloth hence they do not damage the paint. The alternative to this is to drill the roof and permanently fix, not an idea I realy like as more holes means more possible places to leak.
Eventually I'm going to get the Fiamma fixing bar set for the top box.Two bars fix to the roof rack side rails, front to back and two more fix to these across the roof(side to side).No need to drill the roof! Until then I still want to carry things directly on the roof (if possible) ,wind break etc.Is it ok to do this and what is the best way to protect the paint on the roof.
Ive got a top box on my van and in all honesty I thought it would be a great idea, but am yet to use it. We have a garage model which takes most of our stuff for our family of four. With the top box I get to scared that I am going to fall off the roof and ruin my holiday. (hence why I send the kids up) I may use it when we europe in summer, but I am convinced it reduces the fuel economy and speed, So think carefully before you committ
Hi Panagah.Unfortunately we've not got the garage space (Probably a good job,as it 'd only get filled with junk like my car garage).I'm not quite so sure my top box would make much difference to the aero-dynamically challenged autoquest but I certainly take your point about falling off the roof.Still with four kids and a lot of the storage space taken up with water heaters and the like, I think I'll eventually have to go for it.We've only just recently bought the motorhome ,so we'll have to see how we get on first time out.Hopefully this will be sooner rather than later.All the best
Our Hymer had a roof box on it when we bought it and is invaluable for soggy wetsuits after a day on the water, and is positioned to one side to leave enough space for the kayaks to be rack-mounted next to it.
I don't think it makes enough difference to aerodynamics to worry about reduced fuel economy but does obviously make Henry the Hymer more top-heavy, so caution has to be taken going around corners.
Phil
------------- Our motorhome loves Rock'n'Roll... it rolls all day and rocks all night ;0)
I found, in general, a top box is a pain. If you need the extra storage of "things" it is best to take what you need IN the van. Or if you need all of it most times, get a small lockable trailer, it,s a lot easier on the road and the van rides better. But, don't go backwards!!!!!!!
We have carried many things on the roof of our Kontiki with them firmly secured with ratchett straps and sheeted over. As long as the roof is suitable for loading on and excessive weight is not placed on it I cant see why you should have a problem.
Light weight things like a windbreak should be fine directly on the roof as long as it is protected as mentioned before but i would wait until you have the extra rails befor mounting a box, just dont forget the extra few inches of height it will give your vehicle
------------- take it 1 day at a time.... anything else is just greedy