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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32432 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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ZsZ Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2010 Posts: 1642 Location: Budapest Hungary, Europe
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Posted: Tue May 18, 2021 4:44 am Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box |
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I am not familiar with the US market, but I think Thule boxes are available there. They are good quality but pricey. Here in europe there are some good Czech made ones which are for the third/half of the price of the Thule ones.
There are ones which can be opened from only one side, they are cheaper, but I prefer double sided opening for convenience.
The one are sold here are not sealed but have double lips so water ingress is not a real problem. However it is wise to put things in bags up there.
New expensive boxes have some special clamps that close while you crank some handscrew. Old style cheaper ones have U brackets with two hand knob nuts. _________________ Zoltan
1.9 MTdi 2wd Multivan (ex Caravelle)
Van since 2006, engine since 2008 |
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Steve M. Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013 Posts: 6798 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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Posted: Tue May 18, 2021 4:47 am Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box |
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What style of luggage box do you want?
Long narrow style like a Yakima "Skybox" or a wider flatter box or a square type box like the one you had earlier? _________________ This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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mikemtnbike Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015 Posts: 2778 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Tue May 18, 2021 4:50 am Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box |
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Can't go wrong with Thule or Yakima. Worth the money, yes they are essentially as weatherproof as anything can be. A good thing to buy used IME, patience is a virtue even if you don't have the time. _________________ 1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual |
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Steve M. Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013 Posts: 6798 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15129 Location: Syracuse, NY
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32432 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Posted: Tue May 18, 2021 4:59 am Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box |
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Steve M. wrote: |
What style of luggage box do you want?
Long narrow style like a Yakima "Skybox" or a wider flatter box or a square type box like the one you had earlier? |
I really don't know.
I guess I'm looking for a fairly low profile?
My trip West will involve some home repairs at various visits with family/friends across the Nation.
I'll probably carry my tools up top in the box. Mitre box, various types of saws, hardware, small air compressor and finish nail guns, hand tools, etc.
I'll be building a tool storage system in the Van for everyday work use.
But come travel time the tools will relocate and the built in storage rack will become space to carry clothing, bedding, food, cooking stuff, etc in the Van.
Dave _________________ Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert |
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space Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017 Posts: 667
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Posted: Tue May 18, 2021 5:07 am Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box |
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Keep an eye out at garage sales I picked up a thule for $35
thule has a 3 point internal locking system
I have a sears style topper as well
the sears style seems to deform a bit in the wind allowing the possibility of some of the latches giving way, rain getting in etc
final analysis =long and low thule is much quieter, thule 3 point is seems more secure and structurally superior _________________ 82 westy
w:
2.5 JDM Subie
Rear discs |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32432 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15129 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Tue May 18, 2021 5:43 am Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box |
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the thule swings out to the side.. it's not as inconvenient.
keeps the weight down low.. so it handles better and doesn't impact MPG numbers. _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32432 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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unplannedbbq Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2012 Posts: 228 Location: NC
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Posted: Tue May 18, 2021 7:49 am Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box |
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I know you're frugal, so if you're looking used - I've been happy w/ our 25 year old Thule adventurer roof box - long and skinny, continues to serve us well on all vehicles.
stock pic-
They show up all the time on Craigs down here in NC. ABS plastic, not glossy, tough as anything, new keys can be ordered for $8 on amazon if you can read the lock code off the cylinder.
Just ordered replacement gas struts for our Thule box for annual summer trip w/ the LC100. (our '86 weekender will ride again one day, but so many other projects...).
eTrailer sells a refurb kit https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Thule/TH04997.html.
I've run the Thule on the van, wagons, pop-up camper, and now the land cruiser _________________ '86 x-1wd, now w/ 2wd! Wolfsburg Weekender
"However not an ideal swap unless it was all you had and you needed to escape some distopian 3rd world country." - Mongoswede |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7400 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Tue May 18, 2021 8:50 am Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box |
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djkeev wrote: |
which boxes are good?
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Thule and Yakima are decent. They nearly all open on either side nowadays, i.e., no choosing driver side or passenger side opening. They are still large, lightweight plastic parts which are flimsy. They’re not like opening and closing a car door or trunk in that they can be opened and closed thousands of times w/out any thought. They require care to open and close and you might be shocked on how grumpy they can be when you’re trying to open or close them and there’s the slightest obstruction twisting them. You may be frustrated at the relatively small opening when fully opened (they don't open 90 degrees).
Packasport boxes are hardshell fiberglass made in Oregon and are three steps ahead of Yakima and Thule but if you had sticker shock before... otyou may appreciate the quality.
https://www.packasport.com/
djkeev wrote: |
What boxes should I avoid?
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The vinyl bags work but are not fun for accessing regularly to get tools, parts, etc. They’re great to unload to make camp and reload to depart,
djkeev wrote: |
Are the boxes really water tight?
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If you’re putting the gear in a roof-top box they’re waterproof enough. Don’t put thousands of dollars of camera gear unprotected in the box.
djkeev wrote: |
How do the boxes fasten to the rooftop rack crossbars?
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The box mfrs. will sell you all sorts of clamps priced similarly to their boxes. A hardware store will sell you u-bolts priced similarly to u-bolts. Each works well.
djkeev wrote: |
The last luggage box I has was a Sears Xcargo decades ago.
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If that was two plastic clamshells strapped together it’s nearly equal to a $600 Yakima box, minus a glossy finish, a brand sticker and hinges and locks that can be convenient.
Have you considered building a plywood box? Regardless, DuncanS will be along soon to describe how to build a fiberglass box that is far superior to anything available on the market...and he'll be correct.
The swingout hitch mounted boxes are far more convenient although my friend's version of this can require two people to swingout when loaded (one to lift, one to operate the latch). _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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Steve M. Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013 Posts: 6798 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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Posted: Tue May 18, 2021 9:43 am Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box |
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You can always cheat on the location of the cargo box!
_________________ This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32432 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Steve M. Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013 Posts: 6798 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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Posted: Tue May 18, 2021 9:54 am Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box |
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Maybe I'm obsessed with cargo boxes?
_________________ This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6235 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Tue May 18, 2021 10:05 am Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box |
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I have a Thule Mountaineer that's been on the van for 15 years. It's huge and they don't make this model anymore. If you can find one used I would recommend one. Keep an eye on your craigslist. I also have a piece of metal grid on my rack that I can strap things too or put a rooftop cargo bag on.
_________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto
Last edited by PDXWesty on Tue May 18, 2021 10:57 am; edited 1 time in total |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6235 Location: Portland OR
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space Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017 Posts: 667
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Posted: Tue May 18, 2021 10:47 am Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box |
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djkeev wrote: |
Packasport boxes......
I'm sure they are great but $2,000 - $4,000 ?!?
Yeah......... that ain't happening!
Dave |
At that price may as well haul another vanagon as your "box" _________________ 82 westy
w:
2.5 JDM Subie
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15129 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Tue May 18, 2021 11:59 am Post subject: Re: Roof top luggage box |
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_________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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