I just completed my first-ever trip with a roof box, and while it was largely successful, there were definitely some "learning moments." Here's what I wish someone had told me before I set off from Birmingham to the Lake District.
Mistake #1: Packing the Night Before
What I did: Packed the roof box at 10 PM the night before departure.
The problem: Poor lighting meant I couldn't see properly. Forgot to check if the lid closed fully. Next morning, discovered I'd left a gap—thank goodness for that pre-drive check!
Better approach: Pack in daylight, or at least have good lighting. Do a final check in the morning before leaving.
Mistake #2: Not Doing a Test Drive
I installed the box, packed it, and headed straight onto the M6. Big mistake. After 20 minutes, I noticed unusual wind noise. Pulled over at the services and discovered one clamp had loosened slightly.
Lesson learned: Always do a 10-15 minute local test drive first. Check ALL clamps afterward. This could have been dangerous on the motorway.
Mistake #3: Forgetting Height Clearance
My car is usually 1.7m tall. With the roof box? 2.1m. Nearly drove into a 2m height barrier at a car park. Heart attack moment!
Remember: Add 30-40cm to your usual car height. Be cautious with:
- Car park barriers
- Drive-through restaurants (avoid them!)
- Low tree branches
- Multi-story car parks
What I Got Right
Not everything was a disaster! Here's what worked perfectly:
- Using soft bags: Much easier to pack than rigid suitcases
- Keeping car keys separate from box keys: Avoided lockout situations
- Packing heaviest items in the middle: Better weight distribution
- Taking photos of the packing: Made repacking for the return journey easy
The Best Surprise
How much MORE we could bring! We took camping chairs, a portable BBQ, extra blankets, and all sorts of "luxury" items we'd normally leave behind. Made the trip so much more comfortable.
The kids even got to bring their bikes (strapped in the car, but the roof box freed up the boot space for them).
Final Thoughts
Despite the rookie mistakes, I'm converted. Already planning our next trip and considering buying rather than renting. The freedom and space a roof box provides is genuinely life-changing for family travel.
Fellow first-timers: What did you learn from your first roof box experience? Any disasters or brilliant tips to share?
Rented Equipment Used
Below are the 2 rented items of equipment used in this trip for you to try yourself: Firrak Multi-Fit Roof Bars – Kia / Hyundai / Mazda and Thule Touring 200 (Volvo OEM) – 400L Gloss Black Roof Box.
Let a Roof Rack & Roof Bar Hire live again!
