Roof Top Vehicle Pods

Duh · Guru

Roof Top Vehicle Pods

blaze · Guru

I have a canvas one Vic, its nearly like one bag in another and has a double seal around the zip. I liked it better because it was better to jam funny shaped things in. Its made by rhino and the fading memory says somewhere around $250
cheers
blaze

Duh · Guru

Thanks Blaze,

Sounds like they may be around the $300 mark plus, and then more for roof bars and tray rack....

http://www.rhinorack.com.au/AccSubCategory_Luggage-Bags_4.aspx

Another option to think about. confuse

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

I have a Thule 80. It is (well, was when I bought it three and a half years ago anyway) the smallest size made by Thule. I think the actual pod was about $300, then I needed to buy the bars and the 'brackets' which suited the Discovery roof rail-tracks. All up I think about $580.

I had a Rhinorack 'pack basket' before the pod and whilst I was happy enough with that, I really do think the pod is much better. It holds all that I want - including my chainsaw, 10ltr jerrycan, and other assorted bits and pieces.

It is very aerodynamic and I think it provides a good 'windbreak' for the van - directing the air flow back up and over the van ... no scientific proven data to back that statement up just that I seemed to get a bit better fuel consumption after fitting the pod.

Here are a couple of photos for your interest.

Cheers - John

Duh · Guru

Thanks John, smile

Yours looks great, thanks for the photo's, I will give that some thought, maybe look at getting one of those on my return from my trip.

I think the smaller one like yours would be suitable for me, also cheaper. smile

Duh · Guru

I'm still looking at these, so what is the difference in Roof Pods and Roof Boxes, the shape? Also how do Rola bars stack up again Thule?

I noticed that Supercheap sell Roof Pods/Boxes, but I'm not sure what brand they are. confuse

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Ours was a Thule, bit bigger than Rockylizard's. We used to put the tent into it and several other bulky items. It can be a problem with shape though, and the tent etc was heavy to lift so high. We have now given it to the kids, they put heaven-knows-what paraphernalia for their children in it. Its still going strong at 10 years old, its lockable, and water-proof... but the soft ones have their advantages too.

Duh · Guru

Thanks Gerty, I am wondering if Roof Pod is a trademark name used by Thule and that is why others use the name Roof Boxes, although some don't look as streamlined as the Thule ones and more square like (the hard case ones that is).

Duh · Guru

Hmmmm.........looks like it's a good idea to keep these pods locked, lol smile

!cid_part9_06070505_01020409@gmail.jpg

countryroad · Senior Member

Maybe think about exactly what you'll be putting inside...probably would be opened and individual items eg. folding chairs, table, light bulky stuff removed. I think I'd have that sorted first. Then you'd know what size.

Robyn

Cruising Cruze · Guru

I have one hat we keep for when the mother in law comes over,it's her travel spot biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

btw we told her to she knows them biggrin biggrin biggrin

-- Edited by Cruising Cruze on Sunday 6th of October 2013 06:36:09 AM

Duh · Guru

Thanks Robyn, I'll keep that in mind. smile

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Sorry to be flippant - but those rooftop thingys remind me of coffins - hey maybe they have a double purpose - I like things with double uses!!!!!!!!

Duh · Guru

Reminds me of that Chevy Chase movie CC and Jules where their MIL dies on holiday with them so they roll her in a carpet and put her on the roof rack.

Hmmm........never thought of using it as a coffin, maybe I could use it to collect road kill for food when I'm running out of money before pension day.... wink

Happywanderer · The Master

I bought a surf board bag from the op shop for $5 some time back. When I get it sorted will sit nicely in the well above the cabin. There are a couple of brackets up there, just not sure if Occy straps or something else needed to keep it secure. Can access it from the front zip window of the pop top.
That is if all going well I don't need the well for the solar panel which hopefully will go on top of the pop top roof.
The surf board bag is heavy duty and sturdy.

Duh · Guru

Sounds good HW, I had a mazda campervan pop top years ago that had the same type of roof well, I carried a dome tent in mine wrapped in a blue tarp (folded so it faced towards the back, not the front) and used occy straps on those little hooks around the roof well to hold it on. My reasoning was if I had to have the vehicle repaired, I still had a low cost option of the dome tent to use in a CP while the van was being fixed/repaired etc.