Had a wee search and there are a lot of roof rail/roox rack threads, but no so many about actual boxes.

 

We're looking at putting pram, bike trailer and any other bulky but fairly light stuff in a roof box for camping style hols and are  agonising over which one to go for. Need something pretty big, as the trailer is wide and the pram doesn't fold down be be that slim. Need something internally c 1.9m long 0.8m wide 0.4m high.

 

Anyone used any of the following and can offer recommendation or warnings?

 

Kamei Husky XXL

 

Farad F3 680l

 

Thule Karrite Odyssey 580 L

 

Anything else of a big but not too expensive nature is fine of course...

 

Cheers

Edited 21 July, 201411 yr by portland2000

I have a Thule box, but it's a few years old now and a 420 litre capacity but still going strong and never regretted spending extra over the likes of Halfords.

I have been using a Kamei Husky XXL on my Octavia estate for the past few years. It's a very good roof box. Well built, sturdy and huge. I can fit luggage in for a family of four, leaving the boot free for the dog.

 

I have probably driven around 2000 miles with it on the roof and have never had any issues. I once drove 400 miles with it continuously raining hard and it didn't let in a drop of water. I would highly recommend it.

 

The only thing to note with roof boxes, is to take care not to exceed the maximum roof load of 75kg.......My Husky and roof bars weigh about 20kg, so that still leaves 55kg of usable payload which is quite a lot of baggage. Also, like the saying 'you don't get owt for nowt' the same applies with a roof box.....I find my fuel economy drops by 15% when running with the roof box on.....but that's ok in my book as it saves me having to run a much larger car for the sake of a few trips a year.         

The only thing with a long (190cm) box is that the boot may not open without fouling the box, or you may have a front overhang which may affect the rain and light sensor if you have one, and any European toll reading devices if you have one fitted.

I have a Kamei Delphin 380

Delphin 380 gloss black right KM352

158 x 94 x 40cm, 380 litres. Weight 16kg, max load 75kg

Choose between left and right side opening

A family box with more space than 380 litres might suggest

"We think Delphin boxes are the most robust, secure and waterproof boxes on the market, easy to use and with a 6 year guarantee."

(Roofbox.co.uk)

It is a short, wide box which allows the boot to open on an Octy estate and doesn't create issues at the front either. I would highly recommend one.

BUT, may not suit the OP if he definitely needs 190cm internally!

The Kamei husky is 200cm long, and it does not foul the tailgate (on my estate anyway). It also does not affect the rain sensor, and although it appears to overhang the windscreen very slightly, you can not see it from inside the car no matter how far forward you lean.  

I have a thule motion 800 which I am sure is 2 meters. Very big, not long back from a holiday in France with it. They should be expensive but I got mine for £220 brand new on eBay from a shop in Leeds that was clearing space for new stock. At the time I didn't have roof bars and it only just fitted in the car.

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Excellent stuff, thanks all. Suspect we'll struggle to find any UK Farad users as it looks like they're a mainly Italian firm...