Roof Boxes: Family sized roof boxes

We're delighted to take orders for boxes of any size and shape, but it's fair to say that there are shapes of box which have proved in our experience to be the most appropriate for general family use. (Families who take advantage of our exchange scheme often tell us why they're exchanging.) Many families will be happy with a Short Wide Hapro Roady 4000, (with space for one bike carrier if used on aerobars); others will go for a maximum capacity Long Wide box. But if there are (say) four of you, and if you think you'll need to carry bikes as well as a roof box, then consider a "Medium-Long Medium-Wide" box - decent capacity with space for one or even two bike carriers on aerobars, or (this shape is ideal for five people who also carry bikes) a Long Medium-Wide box, a similar width to the Medium-Long boxes, but with more capacity.

In spite of their different nominal capacities (330 litres to 480 litres) we can get the same amount of standard luggage into each of the Medium-Long Medium-Wide boxes, demonstrating that it's length, width, and low profile box to bar fittings that make the most difference to real world usefulness. Box height is the least important measurement unless you have something specific to carry. On this subject, if you find that you can't get your children's buggy into the roof box, usually because it's too wide and deep, we suggest that you put the buggy in the boot and the contents of the boot into the roof box.

Our favourite boxes in this category are still the KAMEI Delphins, the 390Ks or the 470s, available in either a deep gloss black or a scratch-resistant silver finish. The KAMEI Corvaras are head turners, and their central locking technology is uniquely useful, but for all round value - price, utility, looks - we think the cheaper range takes the honours.