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Hi, first post.  Being a family of four hillwalking campers, our Vectra hatchback (despite the big boot) is jammed absolutely solid with gear, including part of the rear seat.  We need to get a roof box, but I'm honestly struggling with the choice.  I've looked at most sites and have a feel for prices, but I'd appreciate some advice regarding makes and styles.

The car roof is about 150cm from the rear roof aerial to the front of the roof, which pointed me in the direction of the Thule Ocean 100, which is about 140cm long.  However, that's the cheapo version of the Thule range and apparently not the quality you'd expect.  One site said the Karrite 380 is similar to the Ocean 100, but cheaper, but a review I saw wasn't too encouraging. 

The next one up in quality is the Thule Atlantis 200, which is 175cm long, but that would stick out either end and I would maybe need to remove the aerial.  With the hatch up, the box would need to stick out about 20cm beyond the front of the roof.  I don't mind spending extra for better quality, but I'm concerned that it's simply too long for a hatchback roof.

Is there a rule which says that boxes shouldn't stick out over the front of the roof?  If people think there are any alternative solutions, please let me know.

Hi, we went to talk to the guy at Halford's for some advice before buying for our Audi A6, as we'd never used one before. We ended up buying the Thule bars and Halford's own box.

Quote: Originally posted by EricS on 04/3/2006

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The car roof is about 150cm from the rear roof aerial to the front of the roof, which pointed me in the direction of the Thule Ocean 100, which is about 140cm long.  However, that's the cheapo version of the Thule range and apparently not the quality you'd expect.  One site said the Karrite 380 is similar to the Ocean 100, but cheaper, but a review I saw wasn't too encouraging. 

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I've had one for 2 years and can't fault it

The Thule 100 I mean

There is no rule about the over hang but it may strain the fixings etc also may make it more prone to water ingress as it is under more pressure in the windflow.

I used to have this trouble with my A4 estate until I realised I didn't need to have the hatchback up all the way.

Seen the thread on roof bags recently?

Also with a squarer one you can get more awkward shapes in.

I got a huge one from local motor factors 600 litres for £ 200 because you always seem to fill the available space.

Quote: Originally posted by r1ck06 on 04/3/2006

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... on our car ariel is a flexi one and bends under the box.

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Quote: One site said the Karrite 380 is similar to the Ocean 100, but cheaper, but a review I saw wasn't too encouraging.

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   Personnally I woulnt get a skinny one and would get the biggest you can. I bought a halfords one second hand and used it all the time with our old car .Use a zafira now as a 5 seater so can pack every thing in the huge boot. Still have the old roofbox though as it is used on a shelf in the garage to keep the camping stuff in, and it will always be handy in case I need to take more people in the car and use the bot for the two extra seats.

Paddy hopkirk roofbars do not seem to get much of a grip on the roof mounting points on the zafira mind , so it will probably  be the same on your vectra if the mounts are in those push back pockets on the trim..I have some but wouldnt feel comfortable using them to mount the roofbox. Best avoided!

have you considered a small trailer, you can fit more in, take some out of the car, this will be more efficiant from a weight carrying point of veiw, as well as less of an mpg drop compared with the roof box, the car is also more stable, the weight in a roof box makes more differance than you may thnk

the only draw back is the speed limit reduction.

as said, there is a limit of about 60kg in your roof box, compared with 750kg before you need a braked trailer.

I got an Atera Odessey from www.roofbox.co.uk uses same sort of framework as in the more expensive Thule Atlantis and is a similar size to the one I was looking at but a lot cheaper.  They were really helpful, if you e-mail them with your query they'll get back to you.

Kate