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Topic: Tent in roof box?

NuCampers

25/7/2018 at 12:35pm
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: Coleman Hawkins 4

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Going back down to Cornwall in a fortnight and are already dreading trying to fight the camping equipment and essentials plus 2 kids and dog in the car.

Last year we had the tent in the boot (Vango Orava 600xl) which is pretty heavy, 2 bags plus side awning and carpet which all takes up a lot of space. We store the roof box in the garage over winter with the tent inside it and I was going to transport the tent this way when we went to Devon last year but thought it may be too heavy to have on top on the car.

Am I right in thinking this and would it be better/safer to have it in the boot or would it be safe enough to put in the roof box?

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dmsplat

25/7/2018 at 12:46pm
Location: North West
Outfit: Obelink Familia 6; ESVO Bedouin 280

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Personally I wouldn't want to shift my centre of gravity that high. It might be fine, but my preference would be the boot.

RainMagnet

25/7/2018 at 2:05pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Karsten 350

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I would keep in mind a couple of things:-

1. The max weight your roof rack / roof bars can take, an average is around 50kg but I would consult you car & roof bar manual.

2. Are you going to injure yourself attempting to lift the tent into the roof box.

VangoMan02

25/7/2018 at 5:54pm
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As your tent weighs approx 30kg I would take it outof its bag and roll it out along the length of the roof box if possible. This will spread the load evenly , rather than a big lump in the middle of your roofbox.

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seanfdh

25/7/2018 at 6:11pm
Location: North Devon
Outfit: Robens Fairbanks Coleman Phad X3

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I just wouldn't put the tent in the box for travel. Light and bulky goes in the box. Tents and the like in the boot.

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Sean

tango55

25/7/2018 at 9:35pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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If you have you ever drove a car with a heavy weight in the roofbox you'll find it's a rather daunting experience especially going round sharpish bends. When the top heavy weight swings over to one side then straightens up, the weight acts like a pendulum and can cause the vehicle to sway the other way slightly so you need to reduce the speed accordingly. You are much safer keeping heavy weights as low as possible, very much the same principal as towing a caravan and keeping the heavy awning on the floor whilst in transit.

VangoMan02

25/7/2018 at 10:40pm
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I agree the best place for a tent is in the boot or low down on the caravan floor as I do myself.
I also agree a roof box is better used for light equipment such as sleeping bags etc..but..I think if the OP distributes the weight of his tent which is 30 kg as I mentioned and put nothing else in the roofbox it would be ok.I think you would need to be speeding around corners faster that you should for the car to lean over drastically and cause stability issues.
What about all those cars/ 4x4's with roof tents.
I carry two kayaks on my roof bars which weight a total of 40kg and never had an issue and travelled all over Scotland with this setup without issue as many people do.

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NuCampers

26/7/2018 at 8:13am
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: Coleman Hawkins 4

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Thanks for all your replies. I think I'll stick with the tent in the boot (also because my wife said that's the best way lol).

The unpacking the tent and spreading the load is a good option though.

Thanks again.

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27 - 29/05/09 - Woodhouse Farm, Winksley
03/07/10 - Pheasant Inn, Leyburn

dmsplat

26/7/2018 at 9:03am
Location: North West
Outfit: Obelink Familia 6; ESVO Bedouin 280

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Quote: Originally posted by NuCampers on 26/7/2018
(also because my wife said that's the best way lol).

There's your answer right there!!

VangoMan02

26/7/2018 at 10:28am
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Quote: Originally posted by dmsplat on 26/7/2018

Quote: Originally posted by NuCampers on 26/7/2018
(also because my wife said that's the best way lol).

There's your answer right there!!

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duffs54

26/7/2018 at 1:17pm
Location: Cambs
Outfit: Ford Duetto Autosleeper

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Quote: Originally posted by VangoMan02 on 26/7/2018

Quote: Originally posted by dmsplat on 26/7/2018

Quote: Originally posted by NuCampers on 26/7/2018
(also because my wife said that's the best way lol).

There's your answer right there!!

Of course it is the right answer

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Duffs54

Johnnie Boy

27/7/2018 at 6:58am
Location: Cleveland
Outfit: Swift select 164

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If your within the maximum weights of the roof and roof bars/box and you have the muscle to get it up there, I can't see it been a problem as long as you drive accordingly.
Carried my inflatable awning in a roof box on my van, thing is I just about bust a gut getting it up there so bought a Bakrak which bolts on to the tow ball... great bit of kit, but obviously you need a tow bar on your vehicle.

www.bak-rak.com

scrumble

31/7/2018 at 10:47am
Location: Cambridgeshire
Outfit: Moslty in a Pennine Pathfinder nowaday

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I think the issue of weight in ther roofbox is overstated. We used to carry a large Khyam in the roofbox, it was fine and had no handling problems (Ford Mondeo), often had other similar loads in there.

THe roofbat load and Box load rating should be considered though.

Our Mondeo with roof rails had a 100KG load rating, so could fit a maybe 20KG box and load it up with no problem.

Then we got a trailier, which made life so much easier and less stressful :-)

Now we moslty use a folding camping.

Mucker1884

31/7/2018 at 3:02pm
Location: Derby.
Outfit: Karsten 350+Awnings

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Thinking out loud/setting cat among pigeons/stirring the pot etc etc...

I just wonder, IF one was to be involved in a RTA, even if totally and utterly unconnected to being top heavy, and almost certainly caused by someone else, but it ultimately transpired that one's roof box was over weight, would one's insurance remain valid?
I suppose the same thoughts can be provoked if the scenario was replaced with an overloaded car (with or without roofbox)?

Anyone know any facts on this score?

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scrumble

31/7/2018 at 6:27pm
Location: Cambridgeshire
Outfit: Moslty in a Pennine Pathfinder nowaday

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My understanding is:

1. It's only an issue if being oveloaded was a factor in the RTA. Insurance companies can't use an unrelated infringement to wriggle out of a claim. There has been some case law on this IIRC

2. If being overloaded was a contributory factor, the insurance is still valid - certainly in legal terms - the third party cover we are required to have.

Of course it may well affect your claim for your damages, in the same way that badly maintained car can if say pooe brakes were a factor.

will look for a link later

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