My car is fitted with a Black Box! (Other Roof Box...)

Member Name: firemanspam

Product:	Other Roof Box...
Date:	28/09/08 (515 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very good make.

Disadvantages: Will affect fuel consumption.

The roof box i have had experience of is the Karrite Contour. This range of roof storage, is actually made by the THULE Company, who are a well known maker of these items. They make four boxes in the Contour range, all differing in sizes & shapes. The size is expressed as a number, i.e. Karrite Contour 320 is the 320 litre version. I find this baffling, roof boxes are not designed to carry hundreds of litres of liquid, so why do they insist on quoting the sizes in litres?

The sizes - in centimetres - are:-
Contour 320 - 165 x 95 x 41 LxWxH
Contour 470 - 165 x 95 x 41 LxWxH
Contour 580 - 195 x 98 x 43 LxWxH
Contour 450 - 232.5 x 69 x 38 LxWxH This one is more streamlined, for less drag.

You will have seen roof boxes, usually on cars, or sometimes on the side of the road, these ones were not secured, I am not saying these aren't safe, but must make sure they are fitted correctly, otherwise your personal belongings will end up littering the motorway, possibly causing a crash.

Having used one of these models quite a few times, I find them very good. They are the modern equivalent of an old roof rack with a piece of tarpaulin covering your luggage. These are very simple to fit. Just bolt to the roof bar, it is an easy job to load the contents, just remember to lock it to make it more secure.

These can be bought complete with all the fixtures & fittings required, including roof bars, but if your car has existing roof barsyou save money by needing just the box.

All models in the range are Black with a Silver/Grey Top, and they come with a lock & a proper key.

These boxes are made of ABS plastic, so they should not craze or crack for years.
The entire range of Karrite Contour roof boxes are made to comply with ISO 9002 and capable of carrying loads up to 50kg. They all have side opening lids, and a patented locking system. Once opened, there is a strut to keep the kid up.

Will it fit? The answer is yes, because they make them for virtually every car, I stand to be corrected of course.

Contact details: Karrite don't have a website, but Thule do, and the Karrite range is there, including accesories, you can find it here:-
http://www.thule-car-roof-boxes.co.uk/index.htm
The website is good, and it does have a very good Buying guide, plus a Sizing chart, there are very useful.

E-mail address:-
thule-roof-boxes-web-enquiry@car-roofracks.co.uk
You can phone them on 01752 600771 and they are located at:-

Thule Car Roof Boxes
Division of Car Roof Racks UK
Units 319-320,
Faraday Mill Trade Park
Plymouth,
PL4 0SP

They are available at all good motorist accesory shops and DIY Superstores.

I can thoroughly recommend these boxes, BUT remember they make you car higher, and will increase your fuel consumption. Please make sure they are fitted correctly, Thank you.

Summary: A very good way of increaing your luggage space.