Helvetico Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 Got a pair of Yakima fat cats on the Outback and they're great, but the kids are starting to ski, so the equipment is accumulating. I can barely cram in all the stuff on long trips. Tried to get a box on before, but I can't find something that will both fit the car and accomodate my 200 cm Tanker. Yeah, it gets used only every great once in a while, but I love it. So I'll probably have to opt for a shorter box that fits the strange hatch on the OB and carry the Tanker inside the car. So here are my questions: besides more cargo volume, and greater theft-proofness, what are the advantages to boxes? Will keeping road grit and salt off the skis/boards reduce edge rust? Would appreciate replies from anybody with experience with both, especially a harried parent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nils Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 box, definitely Got a nice second hand Thule 820 spirit two years ago for 300 euros It accomodates 4-5 snowboards ( I can barely travel with less) one beeing 196cm ( room for even longer up to 205 i'd say); 7 pairs of skiies 5 of them beeing kid's size ( 100 to 150) and the poles plus extra smaller bags of gear( bindings, tools, shovel etc)...It takes basically 1 min to fill and lock and same to empty. The only downside of a box is that it accumulates water from melted snow on the gear: since its watertight, it has no drain. Gas mileage is not bad ( + 0,5l/100km) and is very silent and profiled which is great against sidewinds. Hope this helps Nils Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helvetico Posted January 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 Definitely helpful. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 Loading and unloading with the box is very convenient, just toss it all in. No need to worry about arranging everything just so, fiddling with ski bags for minimum wind noise, etc etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 The box is so useful. After you pack the skis and boards, you can throw bags in too. It's like having another "way-back". It's also useful for summer trips. Throw the kids' bikes or other toys in the way-back and your luggage in the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowrider Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 Stinkey boots, wet clothing , melting snow doesn't soak your car interior, all good reasons to use a box, good place to threaten to put fighting kids. My box even withstands 120 km open on the highway (no damage, nothing lost, lucky ) Now i'm the last one to check the box ! Only issue with Subaru wagon is interference with tailgate so position box carefully (depends on cross rail height). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slopestar Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 I drive a 2000 4matic Benz wagon (IMHO the best AWD wagon out there) And recently gave up my Yakima powderhounds and a metal basket for a used "space cadet" from yakima and I love it. yes my boards (all over 160) do not fit but EVERYTHING else does! Mileage and road noise are both better/quieter than before. 8 wingnuts internally to remove and access is very easy. If i want to go back to surfracks or re-install the hounds/ 10 minutes tops... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calle Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 I would say box, and a lambo to go with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nils Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 Last thing about the Thule: Screw on tbars takes 1 minute! the system has claws that grip the tbar, with 4 oversized nobs you screw from the inside of the box. The box is light enough you can put it alone ( big size guy preferable) on the roof is car is not too high. ( my kids help me because the VW sharan is a bit high for a single person to put box on roof ( ( 1m90 height of tbars)) Last cool thing u can open it on both sides, and key cannot be removed unless box is closed ( prevents from driving with box hood open)... As Jack said, you can squeeze anything in a box without wondering about weather....usefull in winter for gear, but also in summer for bags / luggages / food... max load for this one is 70 kilos. N offtopic: 4matic is incredible indeed...quattro is also great...got only 4motion but its already enough for any snowy roads! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobD Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 One day I'll get around to installing one of these in my roof box just to reduce the moisture from melting snow and wet gear in the summer. http://www.amazon.com/Solar-Roof-vent-Shed-Greenhouse/dp/B001C89GV8/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allee Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 Stinkey boots, wet clothing , melting snow doesn't soak your car interior, all good reasons to use a box, good place to threaten to put fighting kids. My box even withstands 120 km open on the highway (no damage, nothing lost, lucky ) Now i'm the last one to check the box ! Only issue with Subaru wagon is interference with tailgate so position box carefully (depends on cross rail height). I couldn't live without my box. I use it for snowboards and snowshoes in the winter, and camping gear and muddy mountain bike gear in the summer. I only have a tiny car so it basically doubles my storage space, and I can't even fit a 173 board in the car without it being right up in the shifter - so it makes my drive more confortable too. Mine's a big old style long box, but I can still get it on and off the car by myself, and it doesn't seem to impact gas mileage significantly. The only downside is that because the box is longer than the car, I can't open my hatch all the way, but that's a small inconvenience. I scored the box in the breakup with my last long term BF. I think I did pretty well - he sure as hell ain't getting it back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piusthedrcarve Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 I like Thule roof box so much and got two for me: flat one for quick trips and bulky one for family trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 Mine's a big old style long boxMine's long too, I can fit my 200 cm Tanker in it. Not a problem with the hatch though as I put it on my huge-ass minivan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 I agree with the love for roof-top boxes - way better than a rack. I will say that one of my riding buddies has a rooftop box and I was worried about edge dings when we all chuck our gear up there, so I went to a fabric shop and bought a couple yards of soft-shell fabric that was on clearance. I use some of this to wrap any boards that go in the box, securing with some webbing straps with buckles. I used to use a bag for this, but it takes up a lot of space in the box -- the wrapping method is cleaner, and I can wrap 2 boards together base to base. Board sleeves would work well too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobD Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 I agree with the love for roof-top boxes - way better than a rack. I will say that one of my riding buddies has a rooftop box and I was worried about edge dings when we all chuck our gear up there, so I went to a fabric shop and bought a couple yards of soft-shell fabric that was on clearance. I use some of this to wrap any boards that go in the box, securing with some webbing straps with buckles. I used to use a bag for this, but it takes up a lot of space in the box -- the wrapping method is cleaner, and I can wrap 2 boards together base to base. Board sleeves would work well too. This stuff works really well to put a soft layer between boards and skis. It's non slip, so things don't slid around as much, and is full of holes to let water drain or evaporate. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KEWLFI/ref=asc_df_B000KEWLFI1846945?smid=A1QTD1JR6DNCXK&tag=nextagusmp0403821-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B000KEWLFI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mellow Yellow Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 Box all the way.... just throw my boards in Bomber sleeves so they don't beat each other up on the way home.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarvingScooby Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 Both box and board rack will be the best. If box positioned on one end there will be an empty space next to it that is wide enough for another shorter board rack which is help full for longer decks and after playin board can be position upside down and by the time you reach your place most if not all snow gone. With COMBI configuration might be better to position the box on top passenger side for better stable car if driving by your self. RT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow 15 Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 I like Thule roof box so much and got two for me: flat one for quick trips and bulky one for family trip. That's another good use for a box, family trips. After one hour into a four hour journey and you have just heard "are we nearly there yet?" for the 7 trillionth time, put the kids in. Make sure its not air tight and its padded enough so you can't hear em banging around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helvetico Posted January 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 Wow, lots of useful responses! No Yakima racks available here in Switzerland, so I'm focusing on Thule. I should also mention that I'm limited by low garage height: lots of indoor garages here have clearances at or just above 2 meters, so I have to measure and re-measure everything carefully, or I'll end up destroying not only the roof box, but low-hanging pipes full of God-knows-what. I've already screwed up once trying to take the cheap way out and buying a box from a giant local hardware/do-it-yourself chain: had to take it back after wasting time trying to install it based upon the advice of a clueless clerk. Going to have to go to a local specialist and lay out serious cash to get it done right. I like the kids-in-the-box threat, too. On the carrot end of things, I find double-DVD players hooked up to earphones do a fine job of shutting them up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEJ Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Garage height is an issue that has to be looked at carefully. Almost bought one for my Explorer, then measured everything and realized I couldn't get one to fit into the garage. DAMN! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUD Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 I vote box as well. We use alot of salt here on the roads. One thing about boxes. GET THE BOARDS OUT AS SOON AS YOU GET HOME! Being that the boxes are mostly black they heat up nicely in the sun which melts the snow and turns them into humid little boxes that will rust the crap out of your edges..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddy Tat Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Garage height is an issue that has to be looked at carefully. Almost bought one for my Explorer, then measured everything and realized I couldn't get one to fit into the garage. DAMN! I built my garage with 9' ceilings and an 8' door just so I could drive in and out. Tahoe makes it with the 820 boxter with inches to spare. Consider the Thule Atlantis 2100 it'll hold anything up to 220cm long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nils Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Helvetico, I'm using the thule box with thule bars on the rails of my VW sharan: its as low as it can get, but i'm avoiding underground car parks. On the french highways the top of the box touches sometimes the Toll gates clearance chains ( 2m) so I assume the top of the box is at around 2m02. If you have a normal car ( not a SUV or family bus) you should be good, even in car parks.. The thule spirit is well designed since the claws for gripping the Tbars are recessed within the box to gain clearance...( check side view) As for the moist remark > its more than true: remove gear if you go into melting temps..If the weather stays subzero and cloudy you're fine...If its sunny it will condense in there and create rust pretty quick on the edges and non stainless or aluminium parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.a Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Wow, lots of useful responses! No Yakima racks available here in Switzerland, so I'm focusing on Thule. I should also mention that I'm limited by low garage height:. There are numerous box manufacturers in Europe that sell for 1/2 of what Thule or Yakima go for, but of course you take a hit in your "cool-meter" by not having a Thule/Yakima sticker on your box :) One thing I cant stress enough is make sure your rails and box are compatible, there are numerous different systems, rails, studs - all using different sized screws or clamps. I have a Kamei thats 230cm long and its a life saver, my only regret is that I should have bought a bigger one (similar with flat screen TVs). What nils has, the Thule 820 would be perfect, enough space for boards, boots and whatever else is wet, keep all the dry stuff inside. You still have to use board bags to protect your boards since they do move around a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helvetico Posted January 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Will these uncool boxes accomodate the rear spoiler on the Outback's hatch? This is what I'm talking about: http://rackattackportland.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/outback-2010-boxter-5.jpg A quick look at the Kamei website reveals nothing that will not obstruct the hatch, which means not getting it open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.