Autoboxing is certainly a useful and necessary thing. For our not quite Soviet and moderately Europeanized motorists, a car box has come to the rescue of a roof rack that looks, frankly, pathetic. The article provides advice on what questions you need to ask yourself in order to choose the best roof rack.
How to choose a roof box?
When purchasing a car rack, you need some knowledge to avoid a bad purchase. The main criterion for choosing a car trunk is the internal volume - here, as they say, it’s “the boss’s business” and there will be no difficulties with this - the larger the volume needed, the larger the car trunk we buy.
However, there are also dilemmas like this: “I’m carrying 4 pairs of skis, boots and 3 snowboards - how much luggage space do I need?” Don’t worry, car boxes also differ in purpose: wide and short (boats, luggage), narrow and long (skis, snowboard equipment and other long items).
Another criterion by which car boxes differ is displacement. So, there are boxes with a volume of 300 liters. (small), 300-500 l. (medium), 500 l. and more (large).
The most important factors for choosing a car box are the number of things to be transported and the length of the car. There is no point in installing car boxes over 180 cm on a miniature Peugeot, because this will worsen the mounting and aerodynamics of the vehicle. The distance between the securing crossbars will be too large, and this will not allow the box to be secured well enough. This can create an emergency situation on the road, plus the risk of loss and damage to things.
There are also more specialized autoboxes, specifically designed for transporting certain items - bicycles, skis, snowboards. It is worth paying attention to them if ordinary boxing is not suitable for some reason. Purchasing specialized autoboxes is still a thankless task, because you are unlikely to be able to use them to transport other items.
Options
There are a variety of devices on the market - from compact to maximally capacious, differing in both volume and size. As for the roof box for the KIA Rio X Line, then, as the experience of the owners shows, it would be most advisable to purchase a roof rack with the following characteristics:
- Volume – about 400 liters;
- Length – about 175 cm.
Approximate boxing parameters
Such dimensions allow you to operate the box without interference - it will not hang over the windshield and obstruct your view, and it will not interfere with the opening of the fifth door.
IMPORTANT! The dimensions indicated in the manual and the actual dimensions may differ, since manufacturers often measure boxes by the outside. This means that you need to subtract 60-70 mm from the indicated value - this will be the length, height and width of the internal space.
As for choosing a narrow or wide roof box for the KIA Rio X Line, each option has its own advantages:
- Wide guarantees a larger usable volume inside;
- Narrow reduces fuel consumption and saves space for other devices, for example, a bicycle rack.
Types of autoboxes
The bicycle box is mounted on the roof of the car. For fastening, crossbars of any type are used. The difference in cost may depend on the company/material/manufacturer.
Autobox for bicycles with mounting on the rear door of the car. When choosing this type of box, it is necessary to take into account the design features of the bicycle - with a rigid frame in the shape of a triangle or a folding one, as well as the number of bicycles (as a rule, boxes are purchased for 2 or 3 bicycles). In addition, it is important to take into account the features of the car - will the box and bicycle block the rear lights, where the supports of the trunk rest: they can be mounted on the glass, door or bumper, as well as the load on certain parts - the tow bar or the rear wheel.
Car racks designed for transporting skis and snowboards are also different. Some types are mounted directly on the roof and do not have crossbars.
The autobox for transporting boats is very convenient, it allows you to avoid damaging the skin and other elements of the boat.
What to look for when buying a roof rack
Roof boxes are not complicated devices, and you don't need to surf the Internet for weeks to make the right choice. There are a few factors to consider that are important and the selection will automatically narrow down to a few models from which the final choice can be made.
Dimensions
This factor is important for several reasons. First of all, the roof rack should be selected for the vehicle in such a way that it does not obstruct visibility from the front and does not block the ability to open the tailgate. So don't go overboard with its size.
The optimal solution is that the roof box does not overlap the windshield by more than 10-15 cm and is located at the same distance from the end of the roof; this rule applies to station wagons, hatchbacks or SUVs. Of course, the situation is different for sedans; in their case, the box will almost always block the rear window, but, of course, this does not obscure visibility and does not create problems when opening the tailgate.
IMPORTANT. The driver's view must not be obstructed.
Installation
Almost every box manufacturer has its own solution regarding the mounting method on the base rack. Although the term "particular" is used somewhat exaggeratedly, because the general idea of this approach to the topic of attachment is similar, but the individual systems differ in detail.
When choosing a box, you should make sure that there is a base rack or whether the rack you are going to buy matches the selected box.
- T-groove assembly of aluminum beams is the fastest, most aesthetically pleasing and most aerodynamic assembly method. Compatible with beams with T 20mm groove. It usually also takes up little space inside the box;
- Assembly using clamps controlled by handles is very fast and very easy to use. Fits most base racks except those with very wide beams;
- assembly with U-shaped clamps - to reduce the price used in budget boxes. This type of fastening is compatible with steel and aluminum beams with an oval cross section.
IMPORTANT. In most cases, for boxes that come standard with this mounting system, adapters can be purchased that allow them to be installed in the T-groove of aluminum beams.
Capacity
Each vehicle has restrictions on the maximum roof load; relevant information can be found in the vehicle's owner's manual. The values recommended by the manufacturer must not be exceeded. Please remember that the base stand and box have their own weight.
And if the maximum permissible roof load allowed by the manufacturer is, for example, 75 kg, then after deducting the weight of the average supporting frame and roof rack, the residual load capacity is approximately 50 kg.
Interesting facts about autoboxes
• If the box is slightly longer than the roof of the car, then it’s okay - neither the appearance nor the functional features will suffer from this, contrary to popular belief.
• Long and narrow trunks reduce gas mileage and improve car aerodynamics, and not vice versa.
• Main materials of manufacture – ABS, fiberglass, soft plastic. The difference between ABS plastic and soft plastic is that the latter will not make noise at high speed, while the former is more reliable.
• In modern autoboxes you can transport even the most “capricious” items: glass and music equipment.
• The noise from an expensive and cheap box differs upward only at speeds above 120 km/h.
• According to reviews of car boxes, the most reliable manufacturer is Thule.
Lock and stops
This is one of the most important parameters when choosing a roof box for the KIA Rio X Line. A high-quality lock is a mechanism that ensures tight closure of the entire sidewall due to 2 rods.
In the case when the box opens in both directions, there should be 2 such locks. In addition, you can buy a product with an additional nose lock, which significantly increases the reliability of the fixation, but only if you remember to close it.
There have been many cases where cheap boxes equipped with a flimsy lock opened while driving.
As for stops, they are usually of 2 types:
- Spring;
- Gas.
Spring stops have a long service life (subject to lubrication), while gas stops are more comfortable.
The best option would be a product in which the lid opens in both directions. This is very convenient, but such products are noticeably more expensive.
An example of a box that opens in both directions
Tips for installing a car box with your own hands
1. When installing the box, pay attention to the reliability of the trunk (after all, the car box is attached to the trunk). 2. Installation of the box is done according to the instructions. Note that you first need to install a regular roof rack, and then install the box. Make sure the weight is distributed evenly. 3. When installing the box on a hatchback, make sure that the box does not interfere with the opening of the rear door. 4. The box must be installed parallel to the ground. 5. Before starting to move, check whether the structure is securely fastened.
Have you read the article but still don't know what to choose? In this case, a box with a volume of 500 liters is suitable for you - its capacity is enough for all items. Steel models are preferable. Have a good travel!
Material
Aluminum is a durable, corrosion-resistant and lightweight material. An excellent solution for the trunk, but expensive.
Steel is a strong and cheap material, but heavier than aluminum. The steel trunk makes noise when driving at high speed.
Plastic is a corrosion-resistant, cheap, lightweight material. At the same time, plastic is less reliable than metal (at high speeds such a trunk vibrates). Therefore, it is not suitable for the manufacture of crossbars and luggage baskets.
There are two types of plastic:
- ABS plastic is a more durable material compared to soft plastic;
- soft - less noise when driving at high speed.
Fiberglass is a strong and resilient, but expensive material. Fiberglass roof racks are considered premium products.
Fabric – used for making soft boxes.
Cross members
View
Rectangular cross members are the cheapest and most versatile, but due to poor aerodynamics they increase noise levels and fuel consumption. Such crossbars are compatible with any boxes and types of fastenings.
Aerodynamic (oval) - due to their streamlined shape they reduce noise levels and fuel consumption, but are expensive. Such crossbars are not suitable for all boxes - some models require special adapters.
“Wing” is an improved version of the airfoil. These crossbars are considered the least noisy, but, as in the previous case, they are not compatible with all boxes (adapters are purchased if necessary)
Miscellaneous
Length - helps to assess the compatibility of the cross member with the roof of the car. It is worth considering that the space for installing the trunk is less than the length of the rack.
The height of the paw (diameter stand) is usually 15-20 cm. A high height is undesirable, since it negatively affects the stability of the car and the aerodynamics of the trunk.
Adjustable installation height – makes it possible to adjust the cross members to different cars. Crossbars with this option are rare.
Fastenings are of two types.
- Standard – designed for a specific car brand or model line. Although the scope of application of such mounts is limited by the corresponding brand, they are the best option for such cars.
- Universal – designed for a wide range of makes and models of cars. When choosing universal mounts, make sure that they are suitable for your specific vehicle. Often these mounts are less reliable than standard ones.
Design
One-piece - monolithic design, which does not allow the trunk to be expanded or disassembled. As a result, such models are bulky and inconvenient to store. But in terms of strength, solid luggage racks are superior to folding and collapsible analogues.
Folding - the design consists of parts movably connected to each other. This design is more compact than a solid one, but inferior to a collapsible one. Folding models are easier to use than collapsible ones, and they eliminate the risk of losing an element.
Collapsible - the structure is disassembled into individual parts. Such models are compact and easy to store (elements can be located in different places). Meanwhile, assembling and disassembling the structure is more difficult than folding and unfolding. The disadvantage is the risk of losing a separate part.
