To take full advantage of the freedom that the car gives, an additional roof rack that travels with you on the roof helps. With a small investment and minimal effort, you stop tamping your “native” trunk, playing Tetris with things, and take a lot more things on a trip, including fishing rods, skis and snowboards. Autoboxes, outwardly very similar, have different capabilities and features. In our article, we will tell you how to choose an autobox and what characteristics it is better to focus on in the first place, and which ones are best left aside.
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The best autoboxes | ||
| 1 | THULE Touring M 200 | Best for active family holiday |
| 2 | Hapro Traxer 6.6 | The most reliable |
| 3 | Lux Tavr 175 | Functional and inexpensive |
| 4 | Yuago Avatar | Best budget solution |
| 5 | Koffer A440 | The best in tightness |
1. Material
What material is better to choose autobox?Car roof boxes are most often made of ABS plastic, sometimes it comes in tandem with corrugated polystyrene. There are models made of soft plastic and fiberglass.
soft plastic at high speeds it makes less noise than its competitors, but such autoboxes cannot be called durable.
fiberglass - durable wear-resistant material, but not very suitable for lovers of high speeds.Autoboxes from it make more noise than others.
ABS plastic not afraid of ultraviolet, high thermometer readings, frost-resistant and impact-resistant. Such autoboxes serve for a long time both in summer and in winter.
You should not focus on the large thickness of the case. Leading manufacturers choose for their boxes thin and flexible ABS plastic that can withstand the loads intended for it and at the same time weigh less.
THULE Touring M 200
Best for active family holiday
2. Autobox dimensions
What size would be optimal?
Boxes come in different sizes. When choosing, you need to build on the specifics of the luggage that you plan to carry in it, the budget and the type of car body.
Long and narrow. If only skis and snowboards will ride in the box, you can limit yourself to a narrow and long trunk. The optimal length will be 10 cm longer than the length of the skis, and the width is enough 45-75 cm, depending on how many pairs of skis and snowboards you need to place on the roof.
Short and wide. To transport things, you can choose an autobox 110-175 cm long and 75-100 cm wide. Such models usually cost a little cheaper than others.
Long and wide. The most versatile trunk has a length of more than 175 cm and a width of 80 cm. They can fit more things, and the bottom of them, as a rule, is reinforced with additional aluminum strips. Due to these features, the carrying capacity of overall autoboxes is increased by 20 kg.
Autobox has the right to be longer than the roof of the car.This does not affect the safety of the trip and the safety of luggage. However, hatchback, liftback, station wagon and crossover owners should consider the possibility of opening the fifth door. And garage owners should take into account the height of the garage door so that a car with a trunk can easily pass through them.
3. Box volume
Should I focus on volume?By volume, autoboxes are conditionally divided into 3 groups: with small (up to 350 liters), medium (350-500 liters) and large (500 liters) capacity. The most popular models belong to the middle group. They are usually suitable for cars and larger SUVs. A versatile option that will appeal to most.
Often, when choosing an autobox, buyers are repelled by its volume. Only this indicator is considered by all manufacturers in different ways. Yes, and depending on the size, the capacity of two different trunks with the same volume will be different. Therefore, volume should not become the main factor in choosing an autobox.
Hapro Traxer 6.6
The most reliable
4. load capacity
How much can you really carry in an autobox?The load capacity of autoboxes is most often in the range of 70-75 kg. But sometimes there are models designed for a load no heavier than 50-55 kg, and some roof racks can withstand loads up to 90 kg. But this does not mean at all that if you install a box with a maximum load capacity on the car, you will be able to use it to the fullest.
The weight of luggage that can be loaded into the box should be calculated taking into account the permissible load on the roof of the car (usually 70-75 kg for cars and up to 150 kg for SUVs), the weight of the box itself (about 15 kg) and the weight of the luggage system (about 5 kg). ). This means that it will be possible to put in the trunk no more than 50 kg for cars and no more than 120 kg for SUVs. Exact values are calculated individually for each individual machine and box model.
An increase in the weight of the car due to a loaded autobox entails increased fuel consumption. On average, a car with a "heavy" roof consumes 5-10% more gasoline than the same car, but without an autobox.
Koffer A440
The best in tightness
5. Color
Choose a model to match the car or contrast?
Ideally, when the box and the car are in harmony in design and look like a single whole. It is not easy to find a roof rack in the same color as the car if the car is not the most common shade. Most often, black, white or gray wardrobe trunks go on sale. These are universal colors that are suitable for any car. They look stylish in both matte and glossy finishes.
A small nuance: glossy boxes look very nice against the background of a shiny body, but they are more expensive, and in terms of practicality they are inferior to matte ones. More often they turn out to be more fragile, besides, road dust is more noticeable on them and fingerprints remain.
If desired, you can paint the autobox in any color or paste over it with a film.Then it can turn green, orange, or at least look like the back of a ladybug - it all depends on the idea of the car owner.
6. Fittings and fasteners
What is more reliable - staples or clamps?Most manufacturers use Eurolock fittings and spring or hydropneumatic racks. The cheapest models are equipped with furniture stops that do a good job with the tasks at hand. True, their service life is shorter than that of others.
The two main ways of fastening to the crossbars are U-shaped brackets and crabs. Some companies produce their own types of mounts (QuickFixing, QuickDock), which make installing the autobox a trifle even for one person.
U-brackets are fixed from the inside of the trunk with "lambs". This method is not inferior in reliability to the others. Its only drawback is that it is inconvenient to crawl up to the latches to secure them.
Clips "crab" allow you to quickly and securely fasten the box to the trunk. Such mounts are more common with foreign or large Russian companies.
7. Lock
How is the box locked and opened?Most autoboxes open from two sides - from the sides. This method is considered the most convenient for the driver and passengers, since you can approach from any side to take the right thing. With a two-way opening system, you won't have to wipe your dusty car with you while you reach for the thing on the opposite side.
Roof racks are also on sale. with one-sided opening, and they are cheaper than their universal counterparts. But these models are not so convenient. They can be advised to drivers who travel alone and do not tamp their box “to the eyeballs”.
Two-point and three-point locks are installed on autoboxes, in which, when the key is turned, the trunk is locked immediately in 2 and 3 places, respectively. They will reliably protect things from casual passers-by, but they are unlikely to resist an attempt by a professional hack.
8. Price
How much does a reliable car box cost?The range in prices of autoboxes is huge - they can be found at a price from 9 to 150 thousand. But the cheapest ones are hardly worth buying if you plan to use the luggage box often. Such models can quickly burst, especially in the cold. There are times when they open at speed, which greatly spoil the joy of the trip.
It does not always make sense to buy autoboxes with an exorbitant price tag. Advanced models may have an ergonomic design that allows you to travel on the track at speeds above 150 km / h. The only question is: where in our country is it allowed to fly like that? And built-in lighting, a display with an indication of the tightness of the closing of the box are functions that you can easily do without.
Reliable quality car boxes for intensive use are in the price range from 15 to 30 thousand rubles.
Yuago Avatar
Best budget solution
9. Speed
What is the maximum allowed speed with boxing?Most often on models with an aerodynamic design, there is a speed limit up to 130 km/h. The most advanced models can easily withstand a trip at speed up to 160 km/h, unless, of course, the car and the track are designed for this.
During short-term maneuvers, it is possible to exceed the speed limit with an autobox on the roof. But if you keep moving faster than the manufacturer of the roof rack, you can damage the body of the car or be left without boxing at all, as it will come off.
If you know in advance that your speed will be higher than recommended, do not load the case to the maximum allowable. But don’t leave it empty either - the maximum speed with an empty case should be up to 90 km/h. An unfilled wardrobe trunk strongly sails and vibrates along the body. The minimum load for a safe ride at the maximum permissible speed is 15 kg.
The higher the speed of the car with a loaded roof rack, the longer the braking distance and the greater the chance that the car will be pulled off the path during sharp turns and strong crosswinds. In addition, strong noises appear at high speeds. Choose safety and comfort during your trip!
10. Brand
Who are the best autobox manufacturers?The recognized market leader is the company Thule. This is a Swedish manufacturer whose name is associated with reliability and functionality.
Dutch hapro does not concede in quality and successfully passes various tests for durability.
Italian brand Farad has achieved a high level of security with its double security locks. But Russian firms also have something to offer car owners.
Firm Yago launches stylish and high-quality wardrobe trunks on the market at a loyal cost. A good option to get a quality and beautiful box at a nice price.
Luggage carriers Lux also successfully compete with foreign brands, demonstrating excellent quality and variety of models at affordable prices.
And autoboxes Koffer car owners like it for its wall thickness, perfect tightness and protection of luggage from dust and moisture.
The best autoboxes
In stores you can find a huge number of autoboxes of different brands. Pay attention to worthy models of popular manufacturers that we have selected for you.
Top 5. Koffer A440
Autobox with reliable walls 5 mm thick and high load capacity. It can become a faithful companion on long trips in frosts and hot showers - strong ABS plastic easily withstands the winter, and good tightness will keep things in any weather. Customers like the matte finish of the trunk, its spaciousness and the ability to open it from both sides, as well as its ease of use and maintenance. Included are straps to tie things. A functional and affordable box serves car owners for a long time and without any complaints. But the design of the model does not cause delight - a classic without bells and whistles.
Top 4. Yuago Avatar
One of the best representatives of domestic production has a volume of 460 liters and a load capacity of 75 kg. Reinforced pallet, longitudinal steel rail optimally distribute and hold things, protecting them from damage at maximum loads. The Euro Lock locking system locks the autobox in one motion, and more than 2000 combinations of the larva provide high secrecy of the case. Manufacturers also thought about preventing the driver from leaving with an open box - the key can only be removed from the closed lock.To all the advantages of the model, an interesting and practical design is added with a reference to the movie "Avatar", as well as a budget cost. But buyers have dissatisfaction with the tight mount and the quality of the trunk plastic.
Top 3. Lux Tavr 175
A nice roomy box with double-sided opening is another model of a domestic manufacturer. It is considered by many to be the best for fishing and camping because it has enough volume to distribute fishing gear and camping equipment inside, and is also a reasonable price. The model has a small carrying capacity, so there is no bottom reinforcement, and the plastic seems flimsy to some buyers. But almost everyone confirms the excellent aerodynamic properties of the trunk and sound comfort when driving, even at high speeds.
Top 2. Hapro Traxer 6.6
The Premium-Fit mounting system allows you to attach the rack to any type of crossbar. The dimensions of the autobox allow you to carry long skis (up to 182 cm) in it, and the volume of 410 liters provides good capacity for other things. The trunk can be loaded up to 75 kg if the car allows it. Boxing weight - 18 kg, i.e. only owners of station wagons, minivans, crossovers can fully use its potential. The 3-point locking system and easy opening/closing system make the case easy to use. True, for the list of advantages you will have to pay 2-2.5 times more than for Russian boxes.
Top 1. THULE Touring M 200
Elegant and functional. With a volume of 410 liters and a load capacity of only 50 kg, this roof rack can accommodate 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards. The double-sided opening system and convenient Fast-Click clips make using the autobox easy and pleasant. The kit comes with straps for fastening, allowing luggage to reach in complete safety. Buyers in the reviews highlight the beautiful design, spaciousness and ease of installation of the model. But they warn that at speeds above 100 km / h, the autobox starts to make a lot of noise. This is especially noticeable if the car has poor soundproofing. The cost of the model is above average, but the box from the most famous and trusted brand is worth every ruble spent on it.
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