Hi everyone,

we want to go on a week's camping holiday in August and although we have a ludicrously big vehicle (Kia Sedona), it has the usual passengers OR luggage people carrier dilemma and we will need to carry 7 passengers so as much stuff as possible needs to go on the roof.
Much as I'd like to buy a shiny, new top-of-the-range Thule, the cost is out of my reach, especially for a once-a-year use.

I've heard it's possible to hire boxes, but can't find much in the Cambridge area.

If I go the eBay route, what should I look for in terms of pitfalls?

Would it be reasonably easy to build something fit for purpose or would the cost/time required make it unfeasible?

Any advice, people?

What week in August Jim?

I would go against the DIY option. If it fails it could cause enough devastation to change your, and others, lives forever. Have you considered a trailer?

Other than that I would hire as roof boxes take up a lot of room and if you use it once more i would be surprised.

http://www.roofbox2hire.com/roofbox_large.html look like they might be your guys, Jim? They're in the next county, at least...

Thanks for the advice. Last week in August Nellybear.

Bockers, you are probably right; gone are the days of plywood, bungee cords and polythene.

That looks interesting, Neil.

Options to mull...

Googling 'roofbox rent' produced loads of hits, all much of a muchness on price.

Damn Jim, same week I'm away or you could have used my work 'display' one that I'm dispalying to Devon and back !!!

Sorry

Thanks anyway Nelly - it's obviously the week to be away. Not sure about "displaying" your work roofbox in Brittany mind you!

Neil, it was mostly location. If it's a 50-mile round-trip it might not be worth it; I couldn't see one in Cambridge itself. Not a thorough investigation, I confess!

Edited to support my vote in favour of DIY (which may be based on Carry on Camping footage)

As I child, I clearly remember a long car journey to the West Country, crammed into a yellow VW 412 Variant. On hearing a peculiar whooshing sound as we rounded a right hand bend, I looked out of the back window to see our roof rack skidding to a halt in a hugely convenient layby.
With much trepidation (and enough inventive swearing from my Dad to stoke the fires of curiosity in a 7 year-old) we turned back and found everything in perfect condition. Dad had done his usual loadmaster special on the luggage, so not a single sleeping bag had budged. He had, however, neglected to tighten up the screws holding the rack to the guttering. How we continued the journey in tense silence barely daring to breathe for fear of attracting the simmering fury of the driver laughed.

Jim, they deliver, and don't charge rental for the delivery period.