Quote: Originally posted by tentation on 10/7/2013
Still begs the question what ever happened to cheap roofracks with bars spaces so you could actually put stuff on!
Surely it would be possible for someone to bring some sort of lightweight basket to market that would cost less than £50 or so?
It's probably some sort of Euro regulations and crash test requirement that makes it harder to sell something cheap and cheerful, that and the need to exploit a few more gullible punters like me.
I've been having the same dilemma. There are are cheaper roof tray baskets on ebay for £99 but in the end I went for a Thule Xpedition 821 basket - which I managed to get from Amazon for £240. We'll be using this to put the HandiHoldall on (as it really didn't work that well putting it on roof bars) plus other bits - and also for laying the bikes on for non-camping trips.
Am hoping to get it on the car for a test run tomorrow night, so will try and post some pics.
Thule type gear can be had on ebay, I'd set up a search to get emails of new listings. A few years ago I sold a pair of Thule bars, feet, and 3 of the nice aluminium bike racks for about £40 the lot. Probably at least £250 quids worth at new prices.
------------- Mike
My advice is worth no more than the price paid for it
I will definitely keep an eye on eBay - that's where my genuine Citroen roof bars for £20-odd came from - and then the £5 'security' key which is just a five sided allen key. Not sure what extra security it offers when you can just buy new keys, but it keeps the dealers happy when saps like me lose them I suppose :)
Anyway, I love all your advice, but I've put the feelers out to try and get hold of a pallet anyway. The gap between my bars is about 75cm apparently, and I guess they are 4 to 5 ft wide (not measured them, they're not here, and google has failed to come up with an answer)
A Euro pallet is 80cm by 120cm so it should pretty much fit straight on top of the bars without too much trouble. It isn't going to be pretty (in fact I can imagine my other half complaining that we look like The Beverley Hillbillies) but I'm sure it will work if I strap it down well and reinforce the nailed joints in the pallet with some screws.
For camping trips we have the trailer, so it doesn't seem worth spending money and finding room in the (bursting) shed for a rack when I can just paint up a pallet and slip it behind the shed - who will steal a pallet, after all?
You could always stretch a child across the roofbars and lay bikes on top. No need for pallet and you would gain additional room in the car?!?
------------- Nick
2017
April - New Forest(9)
May - Dorset (9)
August - Camping Le Pin Parasol, Vendee (18)
October - East Mersea (8)
and five nights in the one man tent!
keep an eye open for the old type gutter mount roof rack ,remove gutter mounts & fix to your new citroen roof bars with U clips.It what I did with my old roof rack & my C5 roof bars
Sorry, only just seen your reply helenh - that's exactly the sort of thing I suppose.
However, plans have been progressing, and I've acquired a pallet (we go away next week)
It fits well and the bike fits on it. All well and good - then I thought I'd better find some way of attaching it and realised that for the price of the couple of ratchet straps I was going to need I could buy a roof-bag from JTF - http://www.jtfmegadiscountwarehouse.co.uk/
Folds away into a stuff bag and the bike fits in (if I take the front wheel off) - and it was less than £20.
So apologies for no pictures of the pallet on the car, and thanks for all your help and ideas!