I fitted my roof box to my VRS estate last weekend for the first time since i got the car but i had to mount the box further forward than i would have liked as it was fouling the roof mounted ariel. Are there any alternative ariels availabe? I noticed someone on this forum who had a picture in their sig that showed a "shark tail" type of ariel. Is this a skoda option? The shark tail type would be perfect or even a shorter stubby type ariel. I never measured how short it would need to be but im guessing around no more than 100mm high. Less would be better. Any advise please? Also if there is not a skoda genuine parts option i would consider aftermarket types as long as it didnt cause me any potential warranty issues. Cheers in advance for any help.

I bought one of the aerials below to use when the roofbox is on. Seems to work ok. Don't really listen to the radio in France though as my French isn't that good!.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221118619614#ht_500wt_1128

I think the idea is to get the weight forward as much as possible, un-aesthetic as that may be for you.

I bought one of the aerials below to use when the roofbox is on. Seems to work ok. Don't really listen to the radio in France though as my French isn't that good!.

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...4#ht_500wt_1128

Does it just screw straight in? Looks ok if it does. How did affect your reception for the radio?

I have the same problem wih my roofbox. I unscrew the aerial and move it down towards the roof....about half way between fully up and flat on the roof and retighten it.

The aerial very slightly snags on the open tail gate when in this position, but not much.

Mines a 2006, so not sure if you can do this on the newer aerials.

I think the idea is to get the weight forward as much as possible, un-aesthetic as that may be for you.

I wasnt sure where exactly i should be mounting it as there are no marks or indicators on the roof rails but in the roof box instructions is said that mounting further back should reduce wind noise. I have to mount my thule roof rails quite close together and forward to try and miss the ariel. It still rubs against it however. The instructions says 700mm apart minimum but im struggling to get this because of arial and because of the bit on the skoda roof rails thats about 2/3rds towards the back which ties the rail to the roof. This bit means i have to fix thule roof bars in front if it where it looks like i should be fitting the thule bars behind it. The roof box performed fine on the journey at motorways speeds and there was hardly any noise but for peace of mind i think it would be better mounted further back plus the fact that the ariel still rubs against it surely cant be good in the long term.

I think with the newer aerials it is probably best just to unscrew it completely - and perhaps cover the stub with PVC tape if needed. You can get a shorter aerial online (look for OEM Polo roof aerial), but I suspect that will still snag.

For interest - I have a shortish box (Atlantic 200) - others have gone for shorter ones too.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/101012-combi-roofbox-solution/

I had the same problem last year when fitting our roof box. I had already bought a stubby aerial off ebay, as I liked the look of them over standard, but hadn't got round to fitting. Our roof box is a long slim one, so had no chose but to have over the aerial. The stubby aerial fitted nicely under the box, and doesn't get in the way when I have 3 bikes on the roof. I read people complaining about stubby aerials not being any good, but I've had no problems with reception, except in the Highlands/Lake district where the normal aerial would struggle too. It cost less than a tenner delivered.

Just a tip for fitting, mount the rear roof rack fitting in front of the bar 2/3rds down the rail. This way if it should move for any reason you won't foul the rear hatch/door when you open it. Trust me from experience, nice chip in the spoiler now .

Does it just screw straight in? Looks ok if it does. How did affect your reception for the radio?

yes, it just screwed straight in. Worked fine in the southeast down to Folkestone but didnt use the radio abroad. Dunno about where the radio signal is marginal.

Cheers for responses. Never thought about it fouling the boot lid if i move it back, i better check that out. I needed a long roof box as it will hold my snowboard again in the future, as soon as the little one is old enough, hence why i need to try and move it back a wee bit. The link someone sent for a stubby one on ebay lookds a good idea as its only a few quid. Think ill order one. If reception is slightly comprimised then thats not a total disaster. I'll probably leave the short one in the roof box and only swap them when using the box rather than leave it on all the time.

See the first sentance of post #5.

This is what I do too, problem solved, and no need to buy a new ariel.

See the first sentance of post #5.

This is what I do too, problem solved, and no need to buy a new ariel.

Newer model ones don't fold flat, they just unscrew.

Have ordered a short stubby one off ebay. £6 so pretty good. If it works. If not the idea about jsut removing it and taping up hole temporarily sounds a good idea. Cheers.

I tried an eBay short mast but it was pants.

I now have an OEM sharan stubby - super short, great reception and fits fine under the box.

Or, persuade everyone that they don't need as much stuff! So much cheaper. Any arguments, tell them you will buy anything you forced them to leave - should they actually remember that they were going to bring it but didn't. Be creative, the route has strong crosswinds, height into hypermache carparks etc.

If you are going abroad, check height. Some operators don't like or as compensation make you pay more.