With my ever expanding family we can now no longer fit 2 children 2 adults a Labrador all the stuff that comes with kids, tent, my kayaking gear etc inside our Scout, so I need to get a box for the top. Already have a Kayak which I carry on the roof using ECKLA curved uprights on Thule standard 120 cm roof bars so need a box to fit alongside. Some web research has suggested that the Thule Pacific 500 might be the best option. Has anyone had any experience of using a box on an Octavia Estate with bikes or kayak alongside? Reviews, comments appreciated. The Thule Pacific 500 is only 320 litres (seems a bit small?).

Hi

Have you looked at the Farad range? I have a 480L F3 on the top of my VRS on aero bars and it takes up about half the width. The box is very good quality and is dual opening at a good price. They are manufactured in Italy but they delivered to me in 3 days from placing the order. Their web site is www.styleform.eu

Hope this helps

The Roof Box Company: sales and hire of bike racks car rack bike carrier bike rack, Thule roof boxes, Atera, Autoform, Kamei and Karrite roofboxes, roof bars, bike carriers, snow chains and other car and travel accessories is a useful site for all things roofbox related

good response andy , but simbo' was better

I don't know how you'll fit a roof box on the car... I've got trouble fitting the kayaks, never mind getting the tent in the car!

Nice car!

Put the kids up for adoption, stick the misses on eBay & rehome the dog?

Ample space then - Simples! HTH?

PMSL :rofl:

I'm pretty pleased with my roofbar/box solution.

http://briskoda.net/octavia-ii/combi-roofbox-solution/111668/

The Thule (I think Atlantic 760) box allows 240mm space on the bars on both sides, which is enough for cycle carriers (mine are 180mm wide), but this is only usable with aerobars, because the clamps clash with the car bars with steel bars.

Not sure how much space you need, but 480mm seems a reasonable amount.

Les.

Thanks Guys, I have been playing with the tape measure today and I recon the half width box (circa 50-60 cms) is the way to go the 3/4 is just too wide. I have about 70cm clear space between the footpacks if I don't hang my kayak right on the edge. As bmp points out kayaks can take up a bit of space, although mine is not an open boat as its a whitewater tourer hybrid so a bit less bulky than his. I am not keen to allow for the ends of the bars in my measurements as not sure that a box fitted correctly would be able to go beyond where the bars sit on them? I suppose I could test drive one at Halfords at the weekend as they often have display ones sitting outside. Might give it a go Saturday, but with all the rain this week I might go paddling instead.