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Subject Topic: Roofbags and the Law Post Reply Post New Topic
07/9/2016 at 1:30am
 Location: None Entered
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Hi All,

Im a relative newcomer to camping, but myself and my family have well and truly caught the bug! The only problem we are having is getting everything into our car. I've been looking at roof bags which can be bought reasonably cheaply online, but my car (Ford Focus 5dr Hatch) does NOT have roof rails or bars.

My question would be, in the UK can I legally put a roof bag on my car without roof bars or rails? Obviously I would be suitable tethering the bag to the roof of the car via straps which would run through the car (as seen in various US-based photos on google), but I just wanted to know where I stood with regard to the law.

Any advice that can be offered on this would be much appreciated.

:)


07/9/2016 at 6:47am
 Location: Coventry Hull
 Outfit: Outwell Nevada M & Awning 2015
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Not sure it that's illegal or not.

Why not just go and get some roof bars? Much better than strapping through the car. I've heard stories of people doing that and when it rains the ratchet staps absorb all the rain and it starts dripping on the inside of the car showering everyone inside.


07/9/2016 at 7:06am
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Yep, probably best to get down to your local car accessory shop, the Mont Blanc Classic roof bars and feet, will be around £75 far cheaper than Ford OEM, and will do just the same job as the more expensive Thule models.

Got my Mont Blanc Classic set a few years back, and when the car was changed in May 2015 for a new Mk7 VW Golf, all I needed to do was buy the relevant Mont Blanc foot pack, which was just £15 at the time.

It's a great system, and should be fine if the car model gets changed again, just a case of having the relevant foot pack, if the car does not have roof rails.


07/9/2016 at 7:29am
 Location: Sweet Home Inversneckie
 Outfit: Swift Elegance 565 Volvo V70 2.4
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Bought a set of Thule bars and feet locally, second hand from Gumtree.
Went and checked them out. A Few sqirts of oil into the locks, a strip and 'proper' clean and it was a fraction if the cost.
I Would worry about marks on the roof, regardless of how well you attach it.


07/9/2016 at 8:25am
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It's 'legal' until it falls off. A cop can stop a car if they believe it has a dangerous or insecure load but a properly secured roof bag would not be that.


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07/9/2016 at 10:40am
 Location: New Milton Hants
 Outfit: Compass Magnum Classic 540 (now sold)
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Would imagine that the wind noise level is going to be horrendous not to mention drag and it's an awful long way to the south of France.

A streamlined fibreglass roof box would be preferable albeit more expensive!

Vin Blanc

-------------
Now retired from active caravanning. - really miss it!


07/9/2016 at 12:46pm
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Think some of these don't require roof rails.

-------------
XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.


07/9/2016 at 2:46pm
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: Toyota Granvia (Wellhouse)
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As has been said, strapping something directly to the roof, no matter how securely you may(may not?) manage it, will damage/buckle/scratch it to some degree..

This isn't just a short trip to the tip or the journey back from the DIY store, this is you all going on your holi-bobs!
Get some roof bars and maybe a cheapie box off *ebay?
(* we bought a used Halfords box local,for 50 quid)...

(Slightly off topic but my niece used to use those padded strap/bars to secure her canoe to her car..and the only way to really secure it, was to buckle the roof!   )


07/9/2016 at 3:53pm
 Location: Canterbury
 Outfit: VW Caravelle & Illusion 800
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http://www.handiworld.com/handirack-194/handirack.html

Try handi rack.


07/9/2016 at 4:03pm
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: Toyota Granvia (Wellhouse)
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Quote: Originally posted by djespie1 on 07/9/2016
http://www.handiworld.com/handirack-194/handirack.html

Try handi rack.



Those "tubes" look like what my niece used..
As I say, possibly okay(ish) to keep in the boot, for the occasional, unforeseen trundle back from the DIY store etc..but I'm not sure they'd be my option for a planned family camping holiday?



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