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 Topic: Roof box or trailer
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10/6/2017 at 7:46am
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: None Entered
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Joined: 24/8/2009 Diamond Member 
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We have had the lot: roof box, backup box and trailer.
The roof box is a must, but get the biggest your vehicle can accommodate. We started off with a snazzy Thule, then changed it for a bigger capacity Kamei from the Roofbox Company (brilliant customer service and I'd thoroughly recommend this company). The Kamei is equally as good as the previous, top of the range, Thule.
The downside to a roofbox is that you've got to store it somewhere when not in use. And they're bulky. We got some free straps from the Roofbox Company with our Kamei purchase and so suspend ours from the garage rafters.
Thule Easybase and Backup box: give a good amount of additional luggage space but you have to be aware of weight limits etc. Biggest downfall is that it makes it a chore to access the rear door on the vehicle (have first to lower the Easybase, which is a PITA when there's a loaded box or bag on it). We then sourced a specific Thule bike carrier which can be used instead of the Easybase and is ostensibly easier to lower. It was still a PITA and we wouldn't get another.
We bought a Brenderup trailer with a Thule top. Then had extra sides added and changed the top for a hard top with rails. Then added a roof box to the rails. Then found it was too difficult to lift the lid with the roof box on, so had yet another set of sides added and got rid of the roof box. As you can tell, nothing is ever straightforward and requirements do change.
The downside to a trailer is storing it in the garage or on your driveway. You also have to work out where you'll store it on your pitch when the tent is pitched and the car parked (that can be a bit of a problem if the pitch is a bit tight or if there's a tree in the way etc.). The plus is being able to store the majority of your camping stuff in there (if it's watertight) and so - theoretically - being able to just chuck a few clothes in a bag and set off. If the trailer is big enough to accommodate all the stuff, that is.
Right now, we have a roof box and a trailer tent with underbed storage. The majority of our gear stays in the trailer and lighter stuff goes into the roof box. It's not a bad compromise.
I'd suggest starting off with the biggest roofbox you can safely fit (as has already been mentioned, you don't have to reduce your speed like you do when towing a trailer). If you then find you don't have enough space, look at getting a watertight trailer, big enough to accommodate most of your camping gear.
Post last edited on 10/06/2017 07:50:27
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17/6/2017 at 8:28am
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I guess by 53lt you mean 530lt, that's a good size for a RoofBox, we have a Kamie Delphin 380lt for all the light weight stuff, Tent and Poles still go in the car, and the rest goes in the Trailer.
As there are only the two of us, I remove the rear bench seat from the car, which frees up a little more space, but more importantly allows the rear seat uprights to drop down flat, and makes for a better cargo area in the car.
We did once go down to the Ardeche with a Thule 900 Back Up a Box, hanging of the towbar, I sold the Thule Back Up Box the same week that we got back from France, for us it was not a good solution.
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