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Subject Topic: Height of Car with Roofbox Post Reply Post New Topic
16/7/2021 at 5:44pm
 Location: Bolton
 Outfit: Avondale Dart 510 5
View Geoff48's Profile View Profile   Reply to Geoff48 Reply   Quote Geoff48 Quote  
Joined: 06/9/2009

Platinum Member
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I put a roofbox on my car earlier this year. Because of its shape size and weight its difficult to remove so its been left on the car, I don't usually do much mileage without the caravan so I am not too bothered about the extra fuel. I noticed that on my UK staycation this year most car parks have height barriers of 2 metres. I'm not sure if anyone does measure the car height with roofbox and although I know the height of my car, roof rails and roof box I reckoned I could just go under a 2 metre barrier with 4 or 5 cm clearance. Went to the local recycle centre today and to my delight my car did fit under their 2m height barrier. I roughly checked the height before I went with a 2 metre piece of timber and a builders spirit level at right angles over the box. Maybe I was being over cautious? Has anyone any other methods of checking the height?


16/7/2021 at 6:12pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
View Monty15's Profile View Profile   Reply to Monty15 Reply   Quote Monty15 Quote  
Joined: 17/9/2015

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I've got a fairly high roofed 7 seat 'people carrier' in the first place, with the roofbox fitted it's around 2.2m high, so it was important to measure the overall height fairly accurately.

I placed a piece of timber side to side across the roof box, then measured vertically to the ground on both sides, then averaged the 2 readings to get the actual max height. I measured the height in several places to ensure I found the true highest point.

Most car park height restrictions are a minimum of 2.4m high, but when you take into account the usual ground lumps, bumps and ramps, not to mention bent/sagging bars, on entrances, '2.2m high' gets very snug on some!

I don't leave the box on when not needed, as it would be a problem on the very lowest barriers and exclude me from those places.


16/7/2021 at 6:30pm
 Location: Derby.
 Outfit: Karsten 350+Awnings
View Mucker1884's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mucker1884 Reply   Quote Mucker1884 Quote  
Joined: 01/7/2012

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I took the recorded height to top of roof rails from the manual of our 7 seater mpv. Then added a physical measure of footback and roof bars combined. Then another adding roof box to that.
I then double checked total height from ground using a second person, and a long spirit level.
I then printed the 3 different heights (for the 3 potential set-ups) to a label, and stuck it to the visor, as a quick re-cap, if needed.

... That was until 3 days ago, when I changed my car (a similar sized but different make mpv) and will now need to change the roofbar footpacks, (Flush roof rails now, as opposed to previous raised roof rails) so I plan to do exactly the same process... maybe next week... need to buy the new footpack first!


As an aside... first time we went on Eurotunnel, we had a Kia Sedona (no roof box at that time) measuring 1805mm max height.
Muckerette didn't fancy the claustrophobic low ceilings of the double decker, so I played dyslexic, and claimed my car was 1850... bang on the limit for us to join the motorhomes in the single decker high carriages!
The lady at the final checkpoint did question it, but it was drizzling, so she didn't fancy getting out to measure us, and waved us through!
We got the roof box before our next trip, to remove any doubt!

-------------
2024: 38 nights thus far...
2023: 47 nights
2022: 40 nights
2021: 30 nights
2020: Just 24 nights
2019: A personal best 50 nights
2018: Just the 30 nights
2017: 34 nights
2016: 32 nights
2015: 38 nights
2014: 34 nights
2013: 36 nights
From July 2012: 23 nights


16/7/2021 at 6:34pm
 Location: Bolton
 Outfit: Avondale Dart 510 5
View Geoff48's Profile View Profile   Reply to Geoff48 Reply   Quote Geoff48 Quote  
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Thanks for your reply. I really like your method. There are a lot of entrances to barrier restricted car parks that are rutted and uneven and agree this does make it difficult to judge. I'd need an extra pair of hands to remove or fit the roof box. I use the box because my grandchildren are often with me, the box helps to keep my caravan weight legal. As they become older they take more, even on weekends.


17/7/2021 at 9:16am
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser
View iank01's Profile View Profile   Reply to iank01 Reply   Quote iank01 Quote  
Joined: 30/6/2004

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We have a jeep Grand Cherokee and with roof box it will only just get under 2.3m but definitely no 2.1m. Recently while on holiday in Poole it was a real pain as most of the barriers are set to 2.1m for most car parks. Problem is that at times you cannot see the sign until you actually enter the roadway to the car park. You then have to back up which can be a hassle if another car has followed you in.


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17/7/2021 at 10:30am
 Location: Bolton
 Outfit: Avondale Dart 510 5
View Geoff48's Profile View Profile   Reply to Geoff48 Reply   Quote Geoff48 Quote  
Joined: 06/9/2009

Platinum Member
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Thanks for the reply, before changing the car this year I hired roof rails and boxes and never really knew the vehicle height with the hired box so I kept clear of height restriction barriers. I've seen barriers 'set' at various heights 1.9, 2'0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4 and there probably many others. I have a genuine distrust of the accuracy of the height notices. I suppose I haven't been affected too much because I haven't used a 4 x 4 for towing and my cars have been hatch or estates. This year I have used street view to look at the various car parks I am likely to use and so far the barriers I have seen are 2.0m so hopefully I will fit (albeit carefully)


19/7/2021 at 3:18pm
 Location: Barry (Not quite the island)
 Outfit: Bailey Platinum 642
View katycymru's Profile View Profile   Reply to katycymru Reply   Quote katycymru Quote  
Joined: 26/5/2010

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I measured ours for when we went away. Went to a car park with height restriction in Holland, but knew how high it was, so literally crept under with a couple of mm to spare. Drew a rudimentary drawing and kept it in the driver's visor, as had various combination of kids/adult bikes/roofbox. Remember to measure when empty as well, as a full load will lower you down!


19/7/2021 at 4:13pm
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser
View iank01's Profile View Profile   Reply to iank01 Reply   Quote iank01 Quote  
Joined: 30/6/2004

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I have now removed the roofbox and brackets. Probably sell it if I find we can get by without needing them.



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