WHAT SIZE ROOF BOX DO I NEED?
The easiest thing to make a comparison against is what you can fit in your car boot. Both the roof box and boot capacity is measured in litres. The capacity of all the roof boxes is detailed on our website and you can Google your car boot space – so for example type “what is a Qashqai boot space” – answer is 430 litres.
The Thule Atlantis 200 is 440 litres, so you know this box is comparable in size to the Qashqai boot and the Thule Atlantis 900, which is 650 litres, is 50 % bigger than the Qashqui boot.
HOW IS THE ROOF BOX ATTACHED TO THE CAR?
To fit a roof box you must have roof bars running ACROSS the roof of your car. Even if you have roof rails running from the front to the back of your roof, you still need roof bars running ACROSS your roof.
If you don’t have roof bars, we can hire these to you. If you turn up with “wibbly wobbly” bars, I am afraid we will not fit the roof box to them.
WILL THE ROOF BOX FIT MY CAR?
You can put any roof box on a car with roof bars; however putting large boxes on small cars is unsafe. A hatchback like the VW Golf can fit a Thule Atlantis 200 or Atlantis 780, as can an SUV.
An Estate car, such as a C Class Mercedes can fit a Thule Atlantis 900; not all SUV’s can carry the Atlantis 900 as the tailgate fouls the box when it’s opened. If unsure, just ask us what we’d recommend when you make your enquiry.
DO I NEED TO DO ANYTHING REGARDING MY FERRY OR EUROTUNNEL BOOKING?
YES!!
Your car plus box and bars will exceed 1.80 metres in height, so talk with the Ferry or Train company and ask them if you need to pay any extra. Check their website and you’ll probably find the threshold is ferry (1.80m France; 2.24m Isle of Wight) and Eurotunnel (1.85m).
Number recognition technology is being used more and more by the transport industry. If you have not booked for the extra height, you may be automatically directed in to a lane for low height vehicles, which will in all likelihood have a height restriction barrier.
HOW HIGH IS MY CAR WITH THE ROOF BOX ON?
The dimension of all the roof boxes is on our website and you can Google the height of your car. So for example type “Qashqai height”and the answer is 1,595mm; the Thule Atlantis 200 is 450mm and the gap between your roof and the top of your bars will be roughly 120mm; total becomes just under 2.17 metres.
HOW MUCH WEIGHT CAN I PUT IN THE ROOF BOX?
Thule stipulates a maximum of 75kgs, although your car manufacturer may recommend less weight.
WHAT IS THE SPEED LIMIT WITH A ROOF BOX?
80MPH
WHY HAVE YOU GIVEN ME TWO KEYS?
If you have hired roof bars from us then one key is for the roof bars and the other is for the roof box.
The key has a number on it, which matches the number on the barrel. You CANNOT interchange the keys i.e. the bar key will not open the box and vice versa.
WHY CAN’T I GET MY KEY OUT OF THE BARREL IN THE ROOF BOX?
One of the safety design features of the Thule boxes is you can ONLY remove the key from the roof box when it is locked; this avoids you driving off with it open.
There are three lugs in the top of the box, which need to be seated in the locators in the base of the box. Run your hand along the lip of the box to ensure it is closed, and then turn the key. When you turn the key, three rods slide through these lugs to lock the box. If you cannot remove the key then the box is not closed.
WHAT SHOULD I PUT IN THE ROOF BOX?
The box is best filled with soft clothing, perhaps in laundry bags rather than rigid suitcases. Distribute the weight evenly throughout the box. Any item can go in, but take care if placing hard objects in the box and forcing it shut, as the lid will crack.
The contents of the box are your responsibility to insure. We are not held liable for their loss, nor for any damage to persons or property from the use or fitting of the roof box.
CAN I TAKE THE BOX OFF THE CAR?
Yes, You are welcome to remove the box if you wish. If it has the claw mechanisms undo the claws, lift them off the bars, slide them backwards or forwards and then close the claws, before removing the box from the roof. If you leave the claws open, then they may snag on your clothing or catch the car.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I HIT A HEIGHT RESTRICTION?
Height restriction bars will destroy the box. Height restrictions exist in lots of places you never notice because you use them on a day-to-day basis, in a car that easily fits under them. Supermarkets, Playing Fields, Waste Recycling Centres and multi-storey car parks are all places where we have had boxes damaged.
The most common occasion for damaging the box is “before”you leave on holiday and “after” you return, as you make journeys as part of your typical routine.
If the box does get damaged to a condition where it cannot be reused, then you forego the deposit we hold. We do however need the box returned, irrespective of its condition.
I AM TRAVELING THROUGH FRANCE ANY SUGGESTIONS?
If you plan to use the French motorways, they have tolls and to make your journey easier you might consider purchasing a Tag at emovis-tag.co.uk . This is attached to the inside of your windscreen and will enable you to avoid the queues at the toll gates.
If you are traveling through or around Paris you need to avoid a section of the A86. The south-western section of the A86 contains one of the world's longest urban motorway tunnels, which is 10kms/6 miles in length. It has a height restriction of 2m, which your car plus roof box will exceed. Plan your journey accordingly!
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