Are Roof Boxes Safe?

Yes, roof boxes are designed to provide safe additional luggage storage when the correct equipment is fitted to a suitable vehicle and used properly. The important parts are compatibility, secure fitting, sensible loading and following the instructions and limits that apply to the vehicle, roof bars and roof box.

A roof box shouldn't simply be attached, filled with as much luggage as possible and forgotten about. Used correctly, however, it can be an extremely practical way to move suitable belongings out of an overcrowded boot or passenger compartment.

At Midlands Roof Box Hire, professional fitting is included with our hire service, helping to make sure you begin your journey with an appropriate setup for your vehicle.

What Makes a Roof Box Safe to Use?

Roof box safety isn't determined by one feature alone. Think of the box as one part of a complete system consisting of:

• Your vehicle and its permitted roof load.
• The appropriate roof bars and fitting components.
• The roof box and its mounting system.
• The luggage carried inside it.
• The way the vehicle is driven once everything is fitted.

Each part matters. A premium box cannot compensate for incompatible roof bars, and a correctly fitted box can still be used incorrectly if it is overloaded or poorly packed.

Professional Fitting Removes a Lot of the Guesswork

For someone who only needs additional luggage space once or twice a year, buying equipment and working out the fitting system yourself can involve a surprising number of components.

Midlands Roof Box Hire provides professional fitting as part of our roof box hire service. We'll establish a suitable setup for your vehicle and fit the hired equipment before your journey.

Does roof box hire include fitting? explains this part of the service in more detail.

How Does a Roof Box Stay Attached to the Car?

A roof box is mounted to appropriate roof bars rather than simply resting on the vehicle roof. The exact supporting system depends on the car.

Vehicles can have raised rails, flush rails, fixed mounting points or other compatible fitting arrangements. Some cars without visible roof rails can still accept roof bars using the correct vehicle-specific system.

You can read How Do Roof Boxes Attach To Cars? for a closer look at the complete setup, while Can I fit a roof box to a car with no rails? covers vehicles without conventional raised rails.

Are Roof Boxes Safe at Motorway Speeds?

A correctly fitted and appropriately loaded roof box can be used for motorway journeys, subject to the instructions and limitations applying to the equipment.

There isn't a special UK speed limit created simply by fitting a roof box to an ordinary car, but you must still obey the applicable road limit, follow any speed guidance for the equipment and drive according to traffic and weather conditions.

A roof box changes the aerodynamics of the vehicle, and strong crosswinds may be more noticeable. Smooth driving and an appropriate speed are therefore particularly important during poor weather.

See Can You Drive on the Motorway With a Roof Box? and How Fast Can You Drive With A Roof Box? for more detailed guidance.

Can a Roof Box Be Too Heavy?

Yes. One of the most important aspects of safe roof box use is staying within the applicable weight limits.

You need to consider the limits specified for the vehicle, roof bars and roof box. The weight of the box, bars and mounting equipment can also count towards the vehicle's permitted roof load.

This means a large amount of empty physical space does not necessarily mean you can continue adding luggage.

How Much Weight Can A Roof Box Hold? explains why the lowest applicable limit for the complete setup needs to be respected.

Safe Packing Matters Too

Correct fitting keeps the box attached to the vehicle. Correct packing helps keep the contents where they should be.

Suitable luggage should be distributed sensibly rather than concentrated at one end, and belongings should be appropriately secured so they cannot freely slide around when the car accelerates, brakes or changes direction.

Particularly dense and heavy belongings may be better carried securely and low down inside the vehicle where appropriate, subject to the vehicle manufacturer's guidance and applicable loading limits.

Our How Do You Pack a Roof Box Properly? guide looks at this in detail.

Don't Overfill the Roof Box

Our Large roof box provides around 470 litres of storage and the Extra Large option around 580 litres, but neither should be packed in a way that interferes with the lid or locking system.

If you have to force the lid down because a suitcase is pushing against it, rearrange or remove luggage. The box should close and lock correctly without belongings obstructing its operation.

Capacity is about more than getting everything physically inside. See How Much Can You Put in a Roof Box? and What Can You Put in a Roof Box? for more practical advice.

Are Roof Box Locks Secure?

Our premium Thule roof boxes provide lockable enclosed storage, which helps prevent casual access to the contents.

However, a roof box shouldn't be treated as an impenetrable safe. Sensible security precautions still apply, particularly when leaving a vehicle unattended.

Make sure the box has been properly closed and locked, remove the key and avoid leaving particularly valuable belongings unattended where possible.

Can a Roof Box Open While You're Driving?

A correctly closed and locked roof box is designed to remain closed during normal use. Problems are more likely if the box has not been operated correctly, luggage interferes with the closing mechanism or equipment is damaged.

Before every journey, make sure the lid has closed correctly and the locking mechanism has properly engaged.

If something prevents the box from closing normally, don't force it shut and drive away. Repack the contents and identify the obstruction first.

Should You Check a Roof Box During a Long Journey?

Yes. A quick check during a suitable stop is sensible on a longer journey.

Once the vehicle is safely parked, check that the box remains properly closed and locked and that nothing appears loose, damaged or out of position. Follow any checking or retightening instructions provided for the particular equipment.

If you hear an unusual rattling or movement while driving, find somewhere safe to stop and investigate rather than ignoring it for the rest of the journey.

Does a Roof Box Make a Car Less Stable?

Adding equipment and luggage to the roof changes the vehicle's weight distribution and centre of gravity. The box also changes its aerodynamic profile.

How noticeable those changes are depends on the vehicle, equipment, load, speed and conditions. This is another reason to avoid overloading the roof and to use smooth steering, acceleration and braking.

Strong crosswinds deserve particular attention because the roof box increases the surface area exposed to the wind.

Are Roof Boxes Safe in the Rain?

A properly fitted roof box can be used during normal wet-weather driving. Poor weather should, of course, influence your speed and following distance just as it would without a roof box.

Quality roof boxes provide enclosed, weather-resistant luggage storage, but we wouldn't describe them as guaranteed watertight containers. Particularly moisture-sensitive belongings should receive additional protection inside the box.

Our guide to Are Roof Boxes Waterproof? explains the distinction between waterproof and weather-resistant storage in more detail.

Don't Forget That Your Car Is Now Taller

Some roof box risks have nothing to do with the equipment becoming detached. A much more straightforward problem can occur when a driver forgets there is something above the car.

Once a box and roof bars are fitted, be careful around:

• Multi-storey and underground car parks.
• Garages.
• Hotel parking entrances.
• Height barriers.
• Drive-through facilities.
• Other low structures.

How Much Height Does A Roof Box Add To A Car? explains why knowing your complete fitted vehicle height is worthwhile.

Are Roof Boxes Safe for European Road Trips?

Roof boxes can be used for long-distance and European journeys when the vehicle and equipment are suitable and all applicable requirements are followed.

Before travelling abroad, check the current motoring rules for every country on your route as well as your insurance and breakdown arrangements.

If you're travelling by sea, make sure your ferry booking correctly accounts for the dimensions of the vehicle with its roof box fitted.

See Can You Take A Roof Box To Europe? and Can You Take A Roof Box On A Ferry? for our dedicated travel guides.

What About Fuel Economy?

Safety isn't the only change you'll notice after adding equipment to the roof.

The additional weight and aerodynamic drag can increase fuel or energy consumption, particularly during faster journeys. How much difference it makes depends on several factors including the vehicle, speed, box, load, route and weather.

Do Roof Boxes Reduce Fuel Economy? covers the efficiency question separately.

A Simple Roof Box Safety Checklist

Before setting off, check that:

• The roof box and bars are suitable for your particular vehicle.
• The equipment has been correctly fitted.
• You are within the applicable vehicle, bar and roof-box load limits.
• The contents are sensibly distributed and appropriately secured.
• No luggage is preventing the lid from closing correctly.
• The roof box is properly closed and locked.
• The key has been removed from the lock.
• You know the approximate overall height of the fitted vehicle.
• You understand any usage or speed guidance applying to the equipment.
• You will adapt your driving to wind, rain and other road conditions.

Quality Equipment and Professional Fitting

Midlands Roof Box Hire provides professionally fitted roof storage for customers preparing for family holidays, weekends away and longer road trips. We regularly help drivers from Solihull, Hinckley, Lichfield, Bromsgrove and Coventry, as well as customers visiting our Tamworth base.

We use quality equipment including Thule roof boxes and can provide compatible Roof Bar Hire where required.

If you're considering roof box hire for the first time, What Is A Roof Box?, Why Are Roof Boxes Useful? and Which Is The Best Roof Box? provide useful background before choosing your setup.

So, Are Roof Boxes Safe?

Roof boxes are designed for carrying additional luggage on suitable vehicles, but safe use depends on getting the fundamentals right: compatible equipment, correct fitting, appropriate loading, secure closing and sensible driving.

Respect the relevant weight and equipment limits, check the box before and during longer journeys, remember the increased vehicle height and respond appropriately to changing road and weather conditions.

Browse our Roof Box Range, check how much it costs to hire a roof box or Contact Us with your vehicle registration and travel dates to arrange professionally fitted roof box hire.