I recently bought a Karrite contour 470 L roof box and was just wondering whether anyone else has one of these and if it will need to be strapped down also.
Hi Caradan haven't got one but as with all roof boxes its better safe than sorry have seen loads of peoples cloths and stuff along the motorways while at work so I'd say strap it down as well mate you don't want your smalls all over the roads do ya?
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I've just bought one, and did a trial fit and pack today. Unfortunately it didn't take all of the extra equipment I've bought since our first camping trip when the car was full anyway
The fit between the upper and lower sections is very good as is the locking mechanism, so I wouldn't expect any problems (it actually takes a bit of effort to get it open after you've unlocked it).
However, I too have seen items of camping equipment scattered across a motorway, creating a serious hazard, so I reckon a few minutes extra securing a luggage strap around it is well worth it .
I would also use the supplied straps to tie the contents together.
I read on a previous post the advice to use a strap on the roof box for extra security, so, this past week-end on our first outing I duly strapped the roof box.
All the way down the motorway we had a loud annoying whine from the strap as it vibrated at speed in the airflow.
Moral, strap the roof box end-to-end and NOT side-to-side, as I had done, to avoid this whine.
I think the ones with multiple locking points are much more secure. Ours is, and we have never strapped it down. No problems yet! Also, you can't get the key out of ours unless it is locked properly.
Mine is like yours Paul - multiple locking points and can't remove the key unless it is locked. However on the second use of it earlier this year it came open on the Motorway. Luckily I had used the internal straps for most stuff and the ony thing that started to come out was the groundsheet I had thrown in at the last moment.
Could've been a potential disaster, not to mention how scary it was having to pull on to the hard shoulder with only 3 young children and a dog in the car, trying to secure everything.
We have already bought two straps for our next outing!!
What speed can you go to with a roof box on or does that depend on the box , I know if you carry bikes on the back of a car or have a trailer you must not go in the overtaking lane ( not that I do when loaded up ) but did wonder about boxes , also mine has 6 locks and sticks a bit even when unlocked to get it open , and I only go up to 55 / 67 mph with my box on .its a Thurle 700 and I use the straps inside all the time.
I must get my other half to read this thread. I bought straps to secure our roof box after reading a previous post on this site. Used them for the first time this weekend & hubby & friends spent the whole weekend taking the mickey saying it looked like we had a broken box & perhaps I should have bought another strap to secure the bonnet of the car in case that came open too!!!
Better safe than sorry is what I say. And no, I am not buying another strap for the bonnet!
Mine is an Atera, with central locking. We got a package deal with bars from www.roofbox.co.uk .
I would always make sure that I pack the box properly, it should never be full enough that you have to apply pressure to shut the lid -if it is, then there is a continual force trying to push the box open when you are driving, and this may be where the problem of the lid opening is coming from.
I used to borrow my neighbours old Halfords roofbox, it wasn't much to look at but it was durable and had 2 places that you could padlock on the side and really robust clips at the front and back (4 fasteners in total) It would never have opened on the m/way.
I have just bought the 3/4 width 470L box from halfords, it was half price. It looks really nice but it feels flimsy compared to my neighbours old roof box and it has only one lock to close/fasten it. I will definitely be getting a luggage strap otherwise i fear that our smalls will be on display on a motorway or autoroute this summer. Not worth the risk.