Some time ago I posted a thread about the handirack system - thanks to all who posted replies. We bought a handirack and holdall for a trip to Ullswater at the end of May. The rack did not suit our car or us and was sent back straight away and a refund obtained. The holdall was fixed to standard roof bars and off we went. The journey was wet and when we arrived at the site everything in the holdall was wet despite being wrapped up, meaning the bedding had to be dried out, as did the holdall itself, not easy in a confined space.
We examined the holdall on site and a small hole was found in a seam. Fortunately the journey home was dry and the holdall was sent back to Handiworld and another refund was given. For our main holiday this month we bought and used a Karrite roof box, with no problems whatsoever.
Our verdict is that the holdall idea is a good one but we could never have peace of mind in bad weather. Plus we have far more faith in steel fixings rather than straps - the roof box is the winner for us.
Thanks for posting this, you have saved me some money, numerous other posters have mentioned their stuff getting wet in bad weather and thats without the holdalls having holes in them, been looking for Handirack/holdall on Ebay for a while, don't think i'll bother now.
I bought a Thule ranger roofbag/box thingy a bit ago on Ebay for £60(during winter/out of season )- used it for the first time a few weekends ago during bad weather and everything was bone dry when we arrived.(had sleeping bags, airbeds, chairs etc in it) Well chuffed with it, and reccommend it to people who dont wanna store a full size roofbox.
Quote: Originally posted by MW71 on 16/8/2010
I bought a Thule ranger roofbag/box thingy a bit ago on Ebay for £60(during winter/out of season )- used it for the first time a few weekends ago during bad weather and everything was bone dry when we arrived.(had sleeping bags, airbeds, chairs etc in it) Well chuffed with it, and reccommend it to people who dont wanna store a full size roofbox.
I have a Handi rack and although it it comes in handi it is no way as good as a proper roof rack, all the above problems plus if it rains the water soaks through the webbing straps and drips into the car and the handi rack will scratch the roof of your car - no problem for me as I have a shed of a car at present.