Anders Dinsen
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« on: February 11, 2010, 01:22:24 pm » |
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I just fitted our new roofbox on our Grand Espace. I started searching for some additional luggage space since we're having a friend of one of my four sons with us this year when we go to Provece during Easter. That means we're going to have all 7 seats occupied on the trip => not enough luggage space inside the car. It will also allow us to fit two more persons in the car when we go to Le Mans, and we also knew we would need it during our summer holidays. There are many cheap boxes around, but I finally settled on one of Thule's top range boxes. Thule is good quality, it has universal fit claws, opens both sides, is collision tested, and then it sits low on the roof racks, reducing the effective frontal area somewhat. I've taken a few photos of the box showing how it's sitting on the car: http://gallery.dinsen.net/v/biler/soelvpilen/tagbox/We also had a roof box for our previous Espace. That was fitted using the special clamps from Renault/Matra which are tailor fit around the roof racks. Here's a photo of it: http://gallery.dinsen.net/v/biler/espaceje0a/DSCF0222.JPG.htmlIf you compare with the Thule box, I think it sits better on the car than the old one did with the custom clamps. The reason is that the Thule box is well supported. Of course the clamps will protect the roof rack bars better, but I think Thule's system is plenty good enough. Tip hereby passed on! And no... we can't wait to go to La Côte d'Azur and get away from all the snow! /Anders
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1982 Talbot Matra Murena 2.2 prep 142 2017 BMW i3 "Charged Professional" 94Ah
Used to own: 2001 Renault Matra Grand Espace "The Race" V6 24v 1997 Renault Matra Espace 2.0 8V 1987 Renault Matra Espace J11 2.2
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Anders Dinsen
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« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2010, 09:38:26 pm » |
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Thanks, The price was 3700 DKK plus shipping so it ended at 4000. The model is "Spirit 780". I couldnt' find it much cheaper, not even in Sweden. I bought it here: http://www.boksxperten.dk/I haven't tried it on the motorway yet. I might do so in the weekend. I expect will make some noise. And also increase fuel consumption a bit. As far as I remember, the bars can take 50 kg. With the box weighing some 16 kg, that leaves a good 30 kg for cargo, which should be all right. We still have a fair amout of space behind the back seats for heavier items. One thing, that's really nice about this box is that it opens both sides. The way the claws are tightened inside the box and can be slided back and forth makes it really easy to fit and remove. /Anders
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1982 Talbot Matra Murena 2.2 prep 142 2017 BMW i3 "Charged Professional" 94Ah
Used to own: 2001 Renault Matra Grand Espace "The Race" V6 24v 1997 Renault Matra Espace 2.0 8V 1987 Renault Matra Espace J11 2.2
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TheJoker
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Posts: 278
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« Reply #13 on: April 26, 2010, 02:26:50 pm » |
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We're also using a roof box for our Espace when we take the bikes onboard. We just use a cheap Halfords one. It's not noticeable from inside the car. No extra noise, no extra fuel consumption. I made my own "holders" by bending a 6mm threaded bar into suitable U-shapes. I use double nuts on the inside of the box to secure the four clamps. Does 36 mpg with the two bikes in the car, the roofbox on top at GPS indicated 80mph. And yes, the rear is sagging a bit. I've been thinking of airbags inside the springs, or wherever they're mounted.
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Grand Espace 2.2 dCi 2001 Silver KTM 990 SuperDuke R Dead: BMW K1200R
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