How Much Height Does A Roof Box Add To A Car?
A roof box can add a significant amount to the overall height of your car, but there isn't one measurement that applies to every vehicle. The final height depends on the car itself, the Roof Bar Hire system being used and the dimensions of the roof box fitted above it.
This matters for one very practical reason: your car is taller than it was when you left home. Low car parks, garages, drive-throughs, ferry decks and height barriers all need a little more thought once you're travelling with a roof box.
There Is No Standard Roof Box Height Increase
Two cars using roof boxes can end up with very different overall heights.
A lower estate or hatchback starts much closer to the ground than a large SUV. Roof bars also position the box above the vehicle roof, while different boxes have different external dimensions.
The safest approach is therefore not to rely on an approximate figure found online. You need to know the height of your particular vehicle with its actual roof box and bars fitted.
What Determines the Final Height of Your Car?
Think of the finished setup as three components:
- The height of your vehicle.
- The additional height created by the roof bars and mounting system.
- The height and position of the roof box itself.
Vehicle design makes a considerable difference. Someone hiring a BMW setup could end up with a different overall measurement from a customer using a Kia, Ford or Volvo, even where a similar roof box is being carried.
The same principle applies to our SUV and 4x4 options. A larger vehicle may already sit relatively high before anything is attached to its roof.
Why Roof Bars Need to Be Included in Your Calculation
The roof box doesn't simply sit flush against the roof of the vehicle. It is mounted using an appropriate bar and fitting system.
That means looking only at the published height of a roof box will not necessarily tell you how much taller your complete vehicle will become.
If you're interested in what sits between the car and the box, our How Do Roof Boxes Attach To Cars? guide explains the different parts of the setup. You can also read more about Roof Rack Hire.
Watch Out for Multi-Storey Car Parks
This is probably the situation where knowing your new vehicle height matters most.
Many car parks have a clearly displayed maximum height at the entrance. Once a roof box is fitted, don't assume that a car park you normally use is still suitable.
Check the stated restriction before driving underneath the barrier. If your overall vehicle height is close to the stated limit or you're uncertain, find another suitable parking option rather than taking the chance.
A roof box is excellent at creating more luggage space. It is considerably less useful after meeting a concrete ceiling.
Don't Forget About Your Garage at Home
The first height restriction you encounter might be before the holiday has even started.
If you normally park in a garage, check the available clearance before attempting to drive inside after your roof box has been fitted. The same applies to underground parking at flats and workplaces.
This is especially worth remembering if you arrange fitting several days before departure and then automatically follow your normal parking routine.
Height Barriers Can Appear Where You Least Expect Them
It's not only multi-storey car parks that use restrictions. You may encounter height barriers at:
- Retail and supermarket car parks.
- Hotel car parks.
- Public parking areas.
- Country parks and visitor attractions.
- Camping and caravan sites.
- Recycling centres.
- Airport parking facilities.
- Underground parking.
Once the roof box is fitted, getting into the habit of looking upwards before entering restricted areas is worthwhile.
Taking a Roof Box on a Ferry
If you're driving abroad, remember to provide the appropriate vehicle information when making travel arrangements.
A roof box changes the overall dimensions of the vehicle, which may be relevant when booking ferry travel or other vehicle transportation services. Check the operator's requirements and provide accurate dimensions where requested.
Don't simply book using the dimensions of the standard vehicle and forget about the large piece of additional equipment sitting above it.
What About Eurotunnel and European Road Trips?
The same basic principle applies when heading further afield: know how tall the vehicle is in its travelling configuration and pay attention to restrictions encountered during the journey.
European road trips often involve unfamiliar hotels, underground car parks and service areas. You may know exactly which local car park your ordinary vehicle fits into in Solihull or Coventry, but that knowledge isn't much help when you're approaching an unfamiliar barrier hundreds of miles from home.
Knowing your actual height gives you something concrete to compare with the restriction shown on the sign.
Does Roof Box Size Make a Difference?
Potentially, yes. Capacity and external dimensions are different measurements, so you shouldn't determine vehicle height simply from the number of litres a box can carry.
We offer options including our Large 470-litre and Extra Large 580-litre roof boxes. If storage capacity is your main consideration, browse our Roof Box Range or read Which Is The Best Roof Box?.
Whichever option you use, the important measurement for height restrictions is the finished vehicle after the equipment has been installed.
Does a Car Without Roof Rails End Up Lower?
Not necessarily.
Different vehicles use different mounting arrangements. Some have raised rails, some have flush rails, some use fixed points and certain vehicles without visible rails can use other compatible systems.
The roof configuration affects how the equipment is installed, but you still need to consider the complete fitted height rather than assuming one type of mounting system will produce a particular measurement.
For more on compatibility, see Can I fit a roof box to a car with no rails?.
Write Your New Vehicle Height Down
Once you know the overall height, keep the figure somewhere easy to see while travelling.
You could put a temporary note somewhere visible to the driver, provided it does not obstruct controls or visibility. This is particularly useful on a long holiday when you have been driving for several days and the roof box has started to feel like a normal part of the car.
That little reminder can be valuable when you suddenly arrive at a barrier displaying a maximum height.
Remember the Roof Box When the Car Is Empty Too
One easy mistake is associating the roof box only with travelling to and from your holiday destination.
Imagine arriving at a holiday cottage, unloading every suitcase and then driving into town for dinner. The luggage may have gone, but the roof box is still there.
The same height restrictions continue to apply until the equipment has actually been removed from the vehicle.
Professional Roof Box Fitting in the Midlands
Midlands Roof Box Hire professionally fits equipment for customers travelling from Nuneaton, Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield, as well as customers visiting us in Tamworth.
Our range includes premium Thule roof boxes together with compatible supporting equipment where required. You can find out more about the installation process at Does roof box hire include fitting?.
One Measurement Worth Knowing Before You Leave
A roof box gives you considerably more carrying space, but it also changes the physical dimensions of your vehicle. The important figure isn't simply the height of the box. It's the overall height of the car, bars and fitted roof box together.
Know that measurement before travelling and keep it in mind whenever you approach a garage, car park, barrier or other restricted entrance.
If you're preparing for a journey, you can also read Do Roof Boxes Reduce Fuel Economy?, learn What Is A Roof Box? or see our guide on how to pack your roof box properly.
For roof box hire, How much does it cost to hire a roof box? explains our pricing, or Contact Us with your vehicle details and travel dates to discuss a suitable setup.