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ROOF BOX BUYING GUIDE
Choosing a roof box is relatively simple; they area a versatile luggage solution suitable for all year round.
Getting Started
Rain, hail, snow, or shine, it’ll suit your other storage needs without requiring multiple straps and accessories. They are the perfect solution for transporting: excess gear, camping equipment, prams/strollers, skis and snowboards, wakeboards, golf clubs, and anything else you need to transport. Before purchasing a box, you need to consider the dimensions of your vehicle, racks, and desired contents. Lastly, you’ll want to pack the box so that your gear stays safe.
Vehicle
Keep in mind your vehicle's size and where the boot opens. Some small hatchbacks are not appropriate and not recommended for larger boxes, as rear access maybe could become obstructed. If you are concerned, you can visit your local Rhino-Rack dealer to fit your vehicle.
Roof Racks
You will need to ensure the width between your roof racks is suitable to install the desired box. All boxes will state the minimum and maximum allowable distance to install the box. The measurement can be found on the product page under specifications and the instructions provided. If you use a flush rail roof rack such as an RVP, 2500 RS, or StealthBar, you will need to check your bars are wide enough to install a roof box. Check the width of the racks is greater than the width of the mounting clamps.
Contents
If you are purchasing a box to transport specific gear such as fishing rods, skis, and snowboards, ensure the internal dimensions of the box are greater than the items you wish to transport. Find the internal dimensions for each box under “specifications” on the product page.
Load Ratings
Keep in mind your vehicle's load rating, which you can find in your user manual or check on our website through the vehicle selector. The weight of gear you can carry is the vehicle load rating minus the weight of your racks, the weight of the roof box, and other rack accessories you may have. Combining those weights will tell you the weight you can put inside your box. The box itself may have a load rating, which refers to the weight that the box can safely handle. It does not increase your vehicle load rating, so use whichever rating is lower. For more information on load, ratings see our Load Carrying Guide.
Load Securing
Ensure you pack the box with even weight distribution, to reduce changes to vehicle handling and prevent stress points. We recommended you use the tie-down points inside the box to stop contents from sliding, which could affect vehicle handling or cause damage to your gear. Lastly, always lock your box before driving, this is as much a safety feature as it is for security, the last thing you want is your property being spread across the road at high speed.
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