Update: things are progressing reasonably well.

I have the car, and so far so good, I like it a lot but have only done 1800 miles so pretty early days.

I have ordered winter tyres and wheels: 16" steels fitted with Michelin Alpin A4s (205/55R16 94H) from Reifen.com ready for the winter ski trips.

I have Prorack Whispbars (model s44) and they look really good, especially with the silver roof rails, you can see pictures here: http://s1085.photobucket.com/home/Toonfan66.

I haven't a clue where exactly the bars should be positioned but suppose it's dependant on the roofbox i will fit.

What I don't have yet is a roof box, primarily for the skis as I don't want them inside the car; I considered a ski carrier but being a bit of a one-trick-pony I decided a roofbox would be a better bet, and as I'm planning on keeping the car for ages I'll hopefully get my money's worth. Cost isn't a primary consideration so I don't want to go down the budget route (I believe you get what you pay for) although there is a limit obviously (not sure what would make me balk though, guess I'll know when it happens).

I don't know which roofbox to go for, specifically what size. I have been looking at Thule and Kamei as they seem to be the leading brands, but is a 190cm one OK, what about 200cm, or even 230cm? A problem I have is not many retailers keep stock and generally they order one in for a customer so it's difficult to try one out.

Another thing I've realised is that Thule's 'Power Grip' doesn't open wide enough to fit the Whispbars, so the easy on easy off procedure is not possible. Oh well, t-track adaptors here we come.

So, what I'm asking is does anyone have a roofbox on their Octavia estate, and even better any pictures, that is long enough to fit skis? If so advice would be welcome.

Sorry for the long post!

Edit: Have gone down the subscription route so will soon be able to post pictures as opposed to just adding a link; thought it was the least I could do considering all the advice I get from here

Thule Atlantis:

Excellent box, had snowboards and all sorts of holiday stuff in there, aero shape and easy to fit/ remove.

Edited 25 August, 201114 yr by rob_e

I have a Kamei Corvara. Very pleased with it. Not sure it is Ski length, not being a skier.

I keep it attached to the cross bars (T-Track) and just hoist the whole lot off when it is not in use.

I'll see if I have any pictures.

Thule Atlantis: Excellent box, had snowboards and all sorts of holiday stuff in there, aero shape and easy to fit/ remove.

Thanks for the reply Rob, it looks really good, and I can see I'll have to move my roof bars forward a wee bit. Sorry to ask but do you know which Atlantis, on the Thule website there are the 200 (175cm long so unlikely as I think a bit short), 600 (190cm), 780 (196cm), and 900 (235cm) models :S

PS Other half asked did it come complete with the seagul?

I have a Kamei Corvara. Very pleased with it. Not sure it is Ski length, not being a skier.

Thanks Foo,

Our longest skis are just 171cm in length (they're relatively short slalom skis for a big bloke), but I will probably end up with slightly longer ones in the next cpl of years or so (been eying up some for a while now ), I'm guessing possibly up to 190cm ish, so I need to bear this in mind.

+1 for the Thule Atlantis - I fit mine a bit further back than Rob. My old set up with steel bars is shown @

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/101012-combi-roofbox-solution/page__p__1258173__hl__combi+roofbox+solution__fromsearch__1#entry1258173

I've got some aero bars now, but your Whispbars look the business. You answered my question about the powerclamps - I have a feeling they would foul the roof too, because the Whispbars are so low.

Also I note the length of bar you can clamp too is quite short, which prevents getting a bike on too, which I do on hols.

Great pics though - your Scout looks the business.

Here's my current car and roofbox set up - very happy with it. Its an Thule Atlantis 200 and Atera aerobars and cycle carrier. I note Thule do a more streamlined 'Dynamic' range now, which might suit you if you just want to carry skis and other odds and sods.

No extra noise and the car did 47+mpg fully loaded, with two weeks camping kit, two kids and two adults.

Edited 25 August, 201114 yr by London Les

Thanks for the reply Rob, it looks really good, and I can see I'll have to move my roof bars forward a wee bit. Sorry to ask but do you know which Atlantis, on the Thule website there are the 200 (175cm long so unlikely as I think a bit short), 600 (190cm), 780 (196cm), and 900 (235cm) models :S

PS Other half asked did it come complete with the seagul?

Sorry should have said, it's a 600. Seagulls are extra.

My roofbox predates my Scout so wasn't bought to fit so to speak. It's a tad over 2 meters long & is the Thule Evolution 500. I've seen what looks to be the same model in a more modern finish so think it's basically still available.

Coincidently I just put it on last night for a trip so I've taken some pics. It swallows most ski's (except for my old 210cm XC-ski's but I'm going shorter this winter hopefully so problem solved!)

It's currently loaded with a big tent, sleeping bags & mats for 3 plus plenty other sundry items. As the dog cage takes up half the boot & the lad's in the back seat it saves the car being rammed to the rafters with gear.

It's on Thule aero-bars. I haven't noticed any extra noise but do get a dip of around 3-4mpg from memory. Even with the box at the furthest forward position possible the boot hatch touches the box when open & the first time left a small scratch on the glass. I chucked a rag between after that but last night cut some closed-cell foam & duct-taped it on the contact point on the box.

Another with the Atlantis 200, although I bought it for the old Outback rather than the Scout, and have only done a run across the suburb with the scout. Thule bars too - sorry no pics.

... It's a tad over 2 meters long & is the Thule Evolution 500. I've seen what looks to be the same model in a more modern finish so think it's basically still available.

Even with the box at the furthest forward position possible the boot hatch touches the box when open & the first time left a small scratch on the glass. I chucked a rag between after that but last night cut some closed-cell foam & duct-taped it on the contact point on the box ...

Hi Ross,

Thanks for the pictures, looks really good and great to see a longer box fitted. I Googled and apparently the external dimensions are 226x55x37 which gives me a great idea of what will probably/hopefully fit.

Thule

The Dynamic 800 is 206x84x34 so 20cm shorter which might avoid the clash with the tailgate you're experiencing. It's a bit wider so might have to mount centrally and unscrew the aerial so as not to damege it.

The Atlantis 780 (which I have seen in a shop on the shelf and it looked absolutely massive) is 196x78x44 and is even shorter; obviously not as big as I initially thought and certainly not too big.

Kamei

The Corvara 390 is 190cm long (internal 178cm) so would be OK now but not if i get longer skis.

The Corvara 310 is 220cm long (internal 208cm) so would be OK but it is almost as long as your Thule Evolution 500.

I think the upside of Kamei (dual-opening boxes) is they include t-track fittings whereas the Thule don't and have to be bought seperstely. :S

Like I said, decisions decisions!

Thanks again

... Atlantis 200 ... I note Thule do a more streamlined 'Dynamic' range now, which might suit you if you just want to carry skis and other odds and sods.

... Atlantis 200 ... sorry no pics.

Les & Inego,

Thanks for the replies. However, I think the Atlantis 200 is a tad short for what I'm looking for, and please don't apologise, you're doing me a great favour here by taking the time to reply, it is appreciated

It's a bit wider so might have to mount centrally and unscrew the aerial so as not to damege it.

I have a shorter aerial mast for that very reason:

http://www.parts4euro.com/DCShop/product_info.php?cPath=1_35_263&products_id=8

I have a shorter aerial mast for that very reason:

That's another thing to add to the list then

Update:

Have expanded the field to also include the Hapro Zenith range of roof boxes (http://www.hapro.com/en/105/hapro-zenith.html), in reality looking at the 6.5 which is 192cm long. Reasonable price, look good (in my opinion anyway), and the clamps that lock onto the rood bars open wider (up to 90mm) than the Thule ones (up to 80mm) so with thw Whispbars being approx 83mm wide should negate the need for t-track adaptors. If anyone has experience of Hapro roof boxes

Also, why are the main stockists or roofboxes closed over the Bank Holiday weekend

have yet to put my box onto the scout as only picked it up yesterday but have run a Thule Pacific 600 for the last 4yrs on an A6 Avant without any issues. I think its 180cm in length and is roomy and quiet on a cruise. Its done about 6-7 trips to the alps and apart from a hint of wind noise and a small impact on the overall mpg you'd hardly know it was on the roof. Also comes with the twist/fast-grip mounts which go on any bar (currently attached to audi specific silver bars like the thule aero's)

About £230 for the box looking online now...was £300 when it was new and due to a pricing error by Snow and Rock which they honoured, we collected new for £154

May help: http://www.thule-car-roof-boxes.co.uk/thule-pacific-top-boxes/thule-pacific-600.htm

Cheers

David

Les & Inego,

Thanks for the replies. However, I think the Atlantis 200 is a tad short for what I'm looking for, and please don't apologise, you're doing me a great favour here by taking the time to reply, it is appreciated

No worries - I had a look at my box yesterday, and it's only board rather than ski size.

Just had a look at the Hapro link - the main reason I went with Thule is that Hapro a couple of years ago was still using u-bolts and wing nuts to fix the box to the bars. Having a similar fixing system to the Thule would make it a real option if I was buying now.

Thanks for the aerial link rob_e - if I start using the box more often it's a must!

Do it properly and get a trailer

Erde do ski and cycle carriers that fix to the top of the trailer...

Do it properly and get a trailer

That is a really lovely trailer you have there, all bright, clean, and sexy(?), but maybe a tad overkill just to keep skis out of the inside of the car

True, and to be fair I am also considering a roof box in addition to the trailer as we still struggle for space

I've seen some very smart looking gloss black ones in Halfords.

I can also vouch for the Thule Atlantis 780 (Min is the silver version), it has been mounted to my current 330D Touring using Thule "Aero" bars and managed to hold 4 snowboards, 4 pairs of boots, 3 helmets and various Jackets and Boarding Pants/Gloves etc.

 

My board was the longest at 165cm and the smallest board was 156cm

 

Was great on the Autobahn although after a conversation with Thule Germany I did not push it beyond 110mph on the Autobahn for safety reasons, handled the 2000 mile trip very nicely.

 

The box will be fitted to my Octavia Combi when it arrives in June   

Edited 10 January, 201412 yr by tamkyo101

We have the Atlantis 900 which is a monster of a box but with the trailer we can carry anything!