Roof racks/boxes and tow bar boxes

gingerbongo · Joined: 21 Sep 2012 Posts: 1733 Location: Devon

So it seems that an expanding family makes space an issue in multiple areas of life!! We’re off on holiday in a few weeks and it’s just dawned on me how woefully short on space we are in the car.
We have a BMW X1, which actually flatters to deceive in terms of usable space. Until I find enough money (not for a long time) to upgrade to a nice estate, then we need a medium term solution.

2 x adults, 2 x children.

So 2 big suitcases (basically take up the whole boot with the parcel shelf off), 2 Trunki’s and a couple of bags. Two seats in the back are lost to a baby seat and toddler seat.

Biggest issue however is the need to fit the pushchair in! Worst case scenario is it has to be the big, modular one - iCandy - car seat fits in, but we’d then need to take the other attachment as it’s not that comfy for our beefcake 7 month old. Best case scenario is that she’s big enough to ride in the cheap, crappy, small stroller that we have used for previous holidays with the other daughter.

So, that leaves me with one option as far as I can see – roof rack/box/hitch solutions.

Are Thule the way to go … or is that just brand snobiety at its best?

Any info or advice on different setups – there seems to be multiple different options, shapes, sizes etc. Some attracting pretty high price tags! Is second hand a decent option (I have about 3 weeks to sort)? I like the idea of one on the toe bar as it’s out of the way, but is it a pain in the a$$? Roof will obviously affect MPG, but I’m only travelling from East Devon to Bristol and I’ll take it off when not using. Assume that’s the same for the roof bars as well as well as the box?

Thanks in advance
GB

mattsurf · Joined: 28 Sep 2016 Posts: 852 Location: Zug, Switzerland

What about a hitch mount bike rack, and attach the stroller to it. Thule one is excellent as it drops down to allow the boot to open and close. You will be transporting more bikes in a couple of years, so probably a more useful investment than a roof box

gingerbongo · Joined: 21 Sep 2012 Posts: 1733 Location: Devon

JaRok2300 · Joined: 01 May 2014 Posts: 461 Location: Worcester, UK

I recently bought a 2nd hand Thule tow bar mounted 3 bike rack for £65 and bought/fitted the towbar myself for £125. (That is an old VW T4, I think the wiring is more complicated on modern vehicles)

The rack fits in a couple of minutes, just one clamp that tightens on to tow ball and the electric plug. I was a bit sceptical about one clamp on a spherical object but used it with 3 MTBs no problem at all.

You can also get storage boxes that fit to the rack if you're not carrying bikes that might be useful in your scenario too.

Ps. The rack tilts to allow you to open the boot with it fitted but on my T4 this still didn't work so had to take it off when I got to camp site. as I said it only takes a minute and makes a handy stand for the 3 bikes when on the ground.

Jorgan · Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 11:14 am Post subject:

Let's rewind to the basics. Do you think Jason Bourne (or Fox for that matter) use suitcases? No, they use squashable holdalls.

I don't know about the X1, but under the boot floor, where the spare wheel would normally live is a big space in our Outback; I can store 2 bike wheels in bags plus other associated squashables. You may well have a useable space there of some kind; especially if you remove any polystyrene 'tool shelf' like we have.

Stop thinking like a civilian Wink

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gingerbongo · Joined: 21 Sep 2012 Posts: 1733 Location: Devon

gingerbongo · Joined: 21 Sep 2012 Posts: 1733 Location: Devon

Symes · Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Posts: 1360 Location: P!ssed off land

Do you really need to take the children?
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