Help I've just spent 800 pounds on roof bars and a roof box

[Falleybollolo]

Sorry I know this is a ridiculous first world prob but I am rushing about getting us ready for camping while trying to finish off work and I have realised not enough boot space so ran to halfords, spent about 350 on the black thule roof bars and then 470 on a 300 litre thule roof box which on second thoughts looks too small but the 500l was an absolute beast and I have no where to store it.

Have I been an absolute mug and just paid a fortune for something that adds little to the boot space?

It's being fitted tomorrow and is already paid but I could change the roof box size I think as they had both in stock.... Help!

They hold a surprising amount - I have the large one and it takes 2 dog bed ( Labrador sized) plus towels, soft side clothing bags etc . Just check the weight limits as it would be easy to overstuff.
Also when filling, just open one side at a time.

If you have a garage you can hang them with a pulley system , storing the bars inside, or vertically against a wall with brackets. ( those systems cost another £100+)

Ah OK the large one - good to know as maybe I will change? The small one looks like it will be tiny!
No garage but could hang in the down stairs loo?

We leave ours on which probably is bad for fuel consumption but we have nowhere to store it and a small car plus three kids!

My friend stores hers in her garden shed.

We have a large one but I'm only 5' tall and can't reach the middle of it so my DH has to empty it. We store it hanging on an old metal towel rail which he mounted to the outside wall of the house. It works well but we have to leave it slightly open so any rain water that it catches drains out and then clean the inside before we use it.

Go for the 500 litre box! It holds an awful lot.

We hang ours on screws on our shed when we aren’t using it.

I've just had one fitted - went for a 470 l roof box and it looks massive inside, but I have an estate. I'm travelling with 4 teenagers this summer so needed the luggage capacity. The kit will live in our shed when not in use - will be a bit crowded until the horde heads off to uni, but we'll cope.

Do people think the 300l is probably too small and that I should get the 500 and I guess I could store it in the car port? Better for a family I guess to get the large one? Thanks all for help 👍👍

Always go as big as you can. You will find things to fill it with. Although im wincing At the prices you are paying.

We store our roof box in the shed attached to a side wall.

Just to offer a different perspective on 'bigger is better'.....

1. If you might want to put bikes on the roof of your car alongside the box then the smaller one (which will still hold a lot) might be worth considering.
2. Also worth checking the weight your car can hold on the roof (although even filling a big box with bulky light items unlikely to get near max weight)

@Falleybollolo

Do people think the 300l is probably too small and that I should get the 500 and I guess I could store it in the car port? Better for a family I guess to get the large one? Thanks all for help 👍👍

Why not hire one? Then you don't have to store - and they fit them!

When our kids were small and we went camping we had a large roof box which was great for all the bulky lightweight items like sleeping bags, toys, pillows, beach stuff and the buggy.

Go large OP. You'll fill it.

Just in case anyone cares

I bought the big one thanks all!

@Falleybollolo

Just in case anyone cares

I bought the big one thanks all!

Yes - good idea! definitely get the biggest one you can fit on your car. You can always sell on ebay if it is too big in future years.

You need it for camping. As the kids got older we also got a trailer and we camped and wanted more comforts.