Last year I crammed everything inside the car, including 4 pairs of skis, but to be honest it was a bit of a squeeze. The skis had to lie straight down the middle, pointing upwards and resting over the folded down middle seat at the front. They projected forward about 9 inches between driver and passenger and impeded shoulder room a little. So this year they're going in the box, which I haven't used for a few years and never on this car. I'll be interested to see what damage it does to fuel consumption. I managed to average about 50mpg last year, cruise control set to 80mph across France.

My 110 4x4 with a Ranger 90 softbox fitted, managed fill to fill between 35 and 43.7 mpg last July on our run to CZ and Austria.

We used standard Thule square bars; with the softbox fitted we got no noise from the rails but box off then yes some buffeting, however we could live with it and left the rails in place for our trips out and about.

With the softbox, once arrived you can easily remove it and roll it up with out it taking up a lot of room in the accommodation. Believe there's a ski carrier version.

Regards,

TP

Regards,

TP

If I was in the market for new kit I might go for the softbox option TP, but I've got a perfectly serviceable Thule skibox (looks a bit battered, but nowt wrong with it) and I've already got the Skoda roofbars which I bought last year to put the bikes on the roof. Bars and box will stay on for the duration. Once we're there I won't be using the car very much.

We did quite a lot of miles touring about from our digs, so the perfect solution being able to jettison the thing once we arrived.

Anyway have a good trip and stay safe,

TP

I plan to do a lot of miles on skis! Box is on now, looks OK.

Roofbar tip I just made on another thread as well - Prorack Whispbars from roofbox co.

They go flush between the roof rails instead of above - they are a bit narrower (obviously) but dead gorgeous and completely silent.

I leave them on because I think they actually make the car look better.

All this talk of skiing makes me very jealous, I SHALL find a deal that allows me to go!

If I was in the market for new kit I might go for the softbox option TP, but I've got a perfectly serviceable Thule skibox (looks a bit battered, but nowt wrong with it) and I've already got the Skoda roofbars which I bought last year to put the bikes on the roof. Bars and box will stay on for the duration. Once we're there I won't be using the car very much.

Nowt Steve!

Are you trying to become a Yorkshireman???!!!!

Have a good trip and hope you come back in one piece.I fell on my good knee at christmas (sober, no ice!!) and both knees are now sore just coming up to crown green season.

Cheers

Peter.

I quote this article every time these myths come up about the TONS of extra fuel a roof box (or anything on a roof) uses. Truth be told they DON'T.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/229776/the_mpg_mythbusters.html

The test car's consumption dropped by 0.2 mpg with the roof box on... Yes 0.2 mpg.............

Results at a glance

30.5mpg – Astra’s baseline fuel economy

30.4mpg – Two front windows a third open

30.3mpg – Roof bars and laden roofbox

30.2mpg – Two front windows totally open

29.7mpg – Four tyres down to 20psi

28.0mpg – Air-conditioning on

27.2mpg – Three large adult males in the back seat

24.1mpg – Roof bars and laden roofbox, plus three adults in the rear, a bike carrier with two adult bikes and air-con

Interesting read that. Never seen that before!

FYI I put up some images of my roof bar setup here.

Interesting Johann - I'll let you know when I get back if my experience supports that thesis. Peter, I've been living amongst you heathens so long that I even caught myself saying "nine while five" the other day when somebody asked me the opening times of a local shop. Carnivorous - interesting - those roofbars you have look virtually identical to a Volvo labelled set I used to have on my old V50.

Anyway, box is on ... will be checking levels, pressures etc and giving Betty a quick wash and packing all the gear on Friday ... then 5.00am Saturday it's M62, M1, M25, M20 to the tunnel, then via Reims to Troyes for an overnight stop, and on to Val D'Isere on Sunday morning. Photos to follow in due course.

Very jealous, enjoy the trip!

P.S. none of the manufacturers make their own roof bars afaik, so OEM will likely be Atera, Thule or Prorack. Maybe the Volvo ones are made by Prorack....

Very jealous, enjoy the trip!

P.S. none of the manufacturers make their own roof bars afaik, so OEM will likely be Atera, Thule or Prorack. Maybe the Volvo ones are made by Prorack....

I'm sure you're right.

I quote this article every time these myths come up about the TONS of extra fuel a roof box (or anything on a roof) uses. Truth be told they DON'T.

http://www.autoexpre...ythbusters.html

The test car's consumption dropped by 0.2 mpg with the roof box on... Yes 0.2 mpg.............

Results at a glance

30.5mpg – Astra’s baseline fuel economy

30.4mpg – Two front windows a third open

30.3mpg – Roof bars and laden roofbox

30.2mpg – Two front windows totally open

29.7mpg – Four tyres down to 20psi

28.0mpg – Air-conditioning on

27.2mpg – Three large adult males in the back seat

24.1mpg – Roof bars and laden roofbox, plus three adults in the rear, a bike carrier with two adult bikes and air-con

Johann

I have to say thank you for this one - it's something that I had heard part of but not all - maybe I can put the bike rack on without too much trouble... wonder what the difference is between an MTB and Road Bike :think: ...

Fingers crossed it's only 2 weeks until I get the motor so I can find out...