Roof rack and box question (1 Viewer)

[Mags52]

Our Geist has a roof rack and ladder fitted. I'm not sure what make it is. I've been up on the roof once and see that there are parallel bars attached to the rack going across the width of the van and these seem to be adjustable. We're thinking of getting a roof box - or indeed a roof bag- not too deep as we don't want it to be much higher than the 'bump' at the front (overcab bed).
Two questions:
1) How do we fit the bars that are needed to hold the roof box on? The last time we had one of these it was on an estate car and they were made by Thule to fit to the side bars whereas in this case I'm assuming they would fit to the parallel bars as they are closer together. Hope that makes sense.
2) Can we use any roof box e.g. Halfords or Thule or does it need to be a specialist motorhome box?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Terry]

Hi Mags have a look if the bars are adjustable/move-Yes you can fit any type of box but most want a Fiama type built for a M/H with the areo dynamics of a brick We fitted a large car type to ours (more areoD) and it cost 4 mpg from 31 mpg down to 27 mpg,brim to brim fills on same journey I would recommend fitting a back box if you can and stay away from the roof box if possible--I would take ours off today but SWMBO wants it on to keep dog food and 2 chairs in it
terry

 

[Mags52]

4mpg! Jings!
We'll have to think again if that's the effect - diesel being liquid gold and all.
The trouble with the back box idea is that we have bikes on a towball rack.
Maybe we'll have to rationalise on internal storage space... we do have a fair bit of it with an underbed space that's cavernous and we also use the overcab bed for storage but by the time we've put golf clubs and trolleys plus fishing gear in the underbed area is full.

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[upmarkethippy]

Hi Mags have a look if the bars are adjustable/move-Yes you can fit any type of box but most want a Fiama type built for a M/H with the areo dynamics of a brick We fitted a large car type to ours (more areoD) and it cost 4 mpg from 31 mpg down to 27 mpg,brim to brim fills on same journey I would recommend fitting a back box if you can and stay away from the roof box if possible--I would take ours off today but SWMBO wants it on to keep dog food and 2 chairs in it
terry

Hi,
Just looking at Terry's avatar, ha has a low profile m/home and you say you have the bump on the front.

You may just find that it does not make quite as big a difference.
If you can get the box as close to the rear of the 'bump', hopefully the air will not catch it too much.

Safe travels.

Cheyne

 

[Terry]

Hi,
Just looking at Terry's avatar, ha has a low profile m/home and you say you have the bump on the front.

You may just find that it does not make quite as big a difference.
If you can get the box as close to the rear of the 'bump', hopefully the air will not catch it too much.

Safe travels.

Cheyne

Hi Cheyne,wanna bet ?I stuck ours straight onto the roof behind the Heiki roof (sticks up about 4 ins) in the hope it would reduce drag It also knocked about 10 mph off top speed What I should have done was told SWMBO we could not fit one :thumb: If I had known it was going to cost me 10 mph/4 mpg I would never have put it up there-we have plenty of space in the van to stick everything except the chairs (we have other chairs that go inside )even they could be bungee strapped to the rear ladder oh:
terry

 

[aba]

i took a towable generator to maryport the other week it weighed just under 1 ton and that cost me 10 mph and 5 mpg.

so looking at terry's quote you'd be better getting a small trailer for your bikes and other stuff.

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[Mags52]

We're definitely going to rationalise the existing storage space. Thanks for all the advice and comment. Glad I asked before I bought one. :thumb: