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      10-12-2012, 06:49 AM   #1
philtrick123
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X3 Roof Box Advice

Hi all,

I'm planning a 4 person ski trip for next year & I need to get a roof box to hold skis and 'stuff'. Ideally I'd like to buy a used mid size roof box (size?) but a friend has a very large Thule Atlantis 900 box he can loan me FOC. I'm concerned about windscreen overhang from the top box.
Some sites say not to worry about it because the there is a gap under the box for airflow.
Can anyone with real life experience of roof boxes on the X3 give me some tips.
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      10-12-2012, 09:14 AM   #2
TotalPower
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I have a roof box 460 on an x3 and it was shorter and 1/2 the width of the overall roof. Large enough to hold lots and lots of clothes and stuff. I'd use roof racks to transport ski's or go with the largest box you can find. We traveled with total 4 people, full trunk, full roof box and the car drove great. No wind noise, adverse handling or sluggish performance. I wouldn't mind trading up to a larger box so I can pack it easier....no point in having a box that won't let you take everything you want + have enough room to not spend hours packing.
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      10-12-2012, 03:07 PM   #3
philtrick123
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Found a deal for a low cost roof box and bars. Seems like good value for something I'll only be using a couple of times a year.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roof-Bars-...80994212254%26
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      10-12-2012, 04:01 PM   #4
pokerface
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I wonder if BMW has this sort of set up as well?

http://blogs.insideline.com/straight...ng-a-load.html
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      10-12-2012, 04:04 PM   #5
khaiql
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Just a heads up to make sure that the roof box doesn't make contact with the roof "aerial fin" at the back or tailgate when it is raise. I have a Rhino 550L box that is about 20-25 cms shorter than the Thule 900 (it is just over 2 metres long) and just notice the front of the box when it is position from the drivers seat. Personally, I would probably find another 20-25 cms obscuring the top vision annoying especially as these boxes are quite wide as well.

Also note that the roof rails are only rated for 100 Kg of which the roof racks and box may well account for 30 Kg already, leaving you with 70 Kg load inside the box. I wanted to get the Thule roof bars but the foot attachments are only rated for 50 Kg (notwithstanding the roof rails are rated for 100 Kg). Check with the other roof bar manufacturers what the feet attachments are rated for as I have found that the solid rails on our F25 are often significantly lower than if they were "normal" roof rails like in the previous model.
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      11-21-2013, 05:38 PM   #6
BigJake
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*revived*
I too am looking for a roof box(preferable thule) for my '13 X3. I wanted to get the sonic alpine, but I guess it is too long at 96". What else are folks using?
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      11-26-2013, 06:18 PM   #7
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Height for loading is sometimes discouraging purchase of rooftop boxes.
Standing on the gutter obviously helps but check that the box hinges on both sides or on the side suitable for right hand or left hand drive vehicles as the case may be. Some boxes sold in Australia only opened on the driver's side which made loading harder and, if in traffic, more dangerous.
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      03-08-2014, 07:06 AM   #8
Pchsu
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJake View Post
*revived*
I too am looking for a roof box(preferable thule) for my '13 X3. I wanted to get the sonic alpine, but I guess it is too long at 96". What else are folks using?
I am also in the market for the roof box and have the exact same concern for the sonic alpine. Anyone actually get to test it?
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