Trailer vs roof box and towbar box combo.

[misdee]

What's easier?

Pro cons of both.

marking my place…we did the roof box thing last year, and we were absolutely heaving. Although DD2 was only 18 months old at the time, so lots of baby paraphernalia. Things can only get better - right?!

Cost of tow bar puts me off a little (a lot actually) not much change out of £1000 by the time we've bought the tow bar, trailer, locking lid (we spend the night in Poole before jumping on the ferry in the morning) and increased ferry charge.

We have both but roof box is far easier, but if its really heavy stuff then the trailers best.
Have a look at Discount towing for tow bars of second hand on Ebay assuming you have some one to fit it?
Its all down to how much stuff you need to take our camper van can fit two roof boxes on but its high to start with so wont fit in most car parks with or with out a roof box.
Have you thought about hiring a roof box?

I have an old ford galaxy but all seats in use. It came with a tow bar fitted.
I really don't like the idea of towing.

Have always camped light before as only got the car at the end of last summer. We used to hire a mini bus.

You really don't fit much in a roof-box, misdee. What tent do you have?

We have a 7 seater car with the 2 rear seats up leaving next to no boot space. We plan on getting a trailer for our tent and equipment. The idea is we leave the trailer packed in the garage with all our camping stuff so we don't have to keep packing just attach the trailer & go.

I don't have a garage to store a trailer in, though a small one might go down the alley behind the houses to the back garden,

I currently have a 5m soulpad with inner tent. it does all fit behind the two rear seats, but leaves no room there for anything else. middle row has toddler car seats, so we could use the foot wells and pack things in there.

Do you mean the roof box type thingy that goes and sort of sits on the bumper? I remember Aitch trying that out, but can't recall seeing them? Perhaps that plus a roof box?

Actually, misdee, if your tent will fit in the car, then you might just get away with the roofbox. I was thinking of my car and my tent and your car sounds a lot better. I have NO room in the boot when the back seats are up.
of the soulpad!

yes, its a box that sits on the tow bar. press.thule.co.uk/thuleUKPress.asp?pressID=156

We started out with the mpv, added the roofbox and now we've had to add a trailer! We do take everything . It was a relief to get the towbar and have a bit of space.

We put our 5m soul pad in the footwell in front of two child seats. I'm going to work on downsizing the shituseful equipment I take with me. Otherwise our first continental foray would cost more on the ferry.
It's worth factoring in fuel efficiency with trailers and roof box. Do the manufacturers give guidance? I would have thought a roof box would be worse, but how much driving before the cost overtakes cost of the tow bar?

Decided to get the biggest roof box we can afford. Will be going to local go out doors shop for advice on bars. Thule bars/fitting for my old beast is coming in at £144

We've done both, the big advantage of a trailer is having somewhere lockable to store stuff when you are there.