Member Since: 26 Feb 2013
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 227
Roof boxes and bike racks
Right then....
I want to minimise stuff in the van for many reasons and therefore want to buy a roof box and put at least 2 (adult) bikes on the roof and if possible a childs bike too...
What's my best options please?
cheersD4 Fuji White HSE with Black Pack, TV, RSE, Tow Pack, Side Steps & Heated Steering Wheel
12th Apr 2013 8:28 am
Ent
Member Since: 12 Oct 2007
Location: In the cack
Posts: 6488
Thule all the way pal Club Exped trailer
Club Timed Climate
Club Flappy paddle steering wheel
Club 300bhp
Club Prospeed test pilot/lab rat
Club National Luna Stella conditioner
12th Apr 2013 9:13 am
Gabbo
Member Since: 26 Feb 2013
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 227
thanks but I was hoping for recommendations of what will go with what. I need a big (500l) roof box, will the bikes fit next to it and if so how many etcD4 Fuji White HSE with Black Pack, TV, RSE, Tow Pack, Side Steps & Heated Steering Wheel
12th Apr 2013 11:48 am
Ent
Member Since: 12 Oct 2007
Location: In the cack
Posts: 6488
Have a look at the Motion 800 roof box and the 591 bike carriers. I think you will get two bikes up there if you spin one round so the handle bars aren't together. I have the older Alpine 780 and there is room for two bikes on top.Club Exped trailer
Club Timed Climate
Club Flappy paddle steering wheel
Club 300bhp
Club Prospeed test pilot/lab rat
Club National Luna Stella conditioner
12th Apr 2013 2:06 pm
smaskins
Member Since: 16 Jun 2009
Location: SE London/Kent
Posts: 295
And Thule roof bars - not Land Rover - as you'll get at least an extra 6" either side.
Don't knock 6"
12th Apr 2013 3:02 pm
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
thought the roof bar loading was only 75kg. Wont a big roof box (full) and 2 bikes be over that??
AlVolvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
12th Apr 2013 3:43 pm
smaskins
Member Since: 16 Jun 2009
Location: SE London/Kent
Posts: 295
That's true, best put light weight bulky stuff up there.
But then you're average roof rack weighs about 30kg, so almost makes it pointless!
The car will be ok, insurance is always a different matter.
12th Apr 2013 3:54 pm
Gabbo
Member Since: 26 Feb 2013
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 227
It will be light stuff going in a) 75kg limit b) im not killing myself putting heavy things inD4 Fuji White HSE with Black Pack, TV, RSE, Tow Pack, Side Steps & Heated Steering Wheel
12th Apr 2013 7:11 pm
WarPig
Member Since: 15 Feb 2013
Location: S.Yorks
Posts: 77
Im wanting to get a roof box to use on my Defender along with my Thule 591 bike carriers.
I was in my local Thule dealer (The Journey Centre) the other day and the new Thule roof boxes come with claw type grips that clamp around the roof bars by turning a thumb wheel inside the box. Although these claw grips can be replaced with 'T-bolt system' depending on which roof bars you have. Its also worth considering a roof box that has dual side opening so you can access it from either side.
The negative side to roof mounted bikes is having to watch for low bridges, and decreased fuel economy. I carry our two adult bikes on a Maxxraxx mounted behind the towball which keeps the ball free for towing, and our childs bike on the roof.
Click image to enlarge
Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated 1996 Defender 110 300tdi Bonatti Grey
Last edited by WarPig on 14th Apr 2013 7:17 pm. Edited 2 times in total
14th Apr 2013 4:40 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Bikes go on my MaxxRaxx on the tow bar leaving the roof for the box. Having tried a few combinations the above works for me and keeps the weight inside limits and gives easy access to the boot.
Getting bikes on the roof is not easy and it is 2-person job with the risk of dinting the car or cracking glass. The car is seriously tall with bikes on the roof and that may matter too.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 27 Dec 2009
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 6551
Got a Thule tow ball mounted 2 bike carrier for sale if anyone interested
Andy
14th Apr 2013 6:46 pm
Gabbo
Member Since: 26 Feb 2013
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 227
Thanks Robbie ill have a look at maxxraxx. They look goodD4 Fuji White HSE with Black Pack, TV, RSE, Tow Pack, Side Steps & Heated Steering Wheel
14th Apr 2013 8:19 pm
dubbs
Member Since: 18 Apr 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 3626
I know a Thule 591 bike carrier will sit alongside a Thule Atlantis 780 on the D3 with LR bars as that's what we did.
Now I have a BuzzRack 3 bike carrier on the back which will tilt out of the way when required and use the Atlantis 780.
If you want larger then the Motion/Atlantis 900 is even bigger and the one I'd go for to get max storage up top.
Worth looking on Ebay - the Motion range are the rename for the Atlantis so if you know what you're looking for then getting the Atlantis will get you a cheaper version.
The BuzzRack is good as the bikes strap in properly like a 591 - the wheels are gripped on sliding supports then the bikes clamp to posts as opposed to hanging off poles and being strapped together like some other systems.
Downside - no towing at the same time - I'd recommend the MaxxRaxx if you want to do that but be aware with a removable tow bar you need to send it off to have a special adapter plate fitted before you can use it.
HTH
14th Apr 2013 8:57 pm
Gabbo
Member Since: 26 Feb 2013
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 227
Right its decided 4 bike maxxraxx
Thanks dubbs ours is detachable. Who does the adapter plate?D4 Fuji White HSE with Black Pack, TV, RSE, Tow Pack, Side Steps & Heated Steering Wheel
14th Apr 2013 9:33 pm
WarPig
Member Since: 15 Feb 2013
Location: S.Yorks
Posts: 77
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
