Lotus99

I was reading on Thule's brochure that they say 85 mph / 130 km/h. What are your real life experiences for those who have gone around those speeds or greater?

Also, do you think it matters what the max speed is / the stability of the box, if it's full or empty? Which is worse?

miika17

I think that 130-140km/h is a good limit. The box takes a lot of wind and makes you have to steer more in high speeds. The noise is also pretty annoying, too. The noise is louder, if the box is empty.
I have driven through Germany to the Alps a couple of times. There were no speed limits, but I did not dare to drive faster than 160km/h while having the box on the roof.

Kell

Regularly travel at about 90 with ours with no real problems. And it's a big box too. 540 litres I think, given its name (MontBlanc 5400), we bought it SH so I never really knew for sure.

The only thing I found with it was that the bars whistled - but we did have square bars and I'd lost some of the ends. I've just got some new AeroBars and new feet from Thule, but not had them out of the box yet.

steelman

I've passed 200km/h in Germany with my Thule, chasing a Saab... No problem. I actually called the Thule main office in Norway before my trip, and they "recommended" 130 like you say - though the alpine skiing team travel around Europe with these boxes all the time, and he guessed they were pushing the limits all the time... So, he didn't say it straight, but I understood his statement ;-)

A good rule is to not put heavy things up there, and don't let anything bounce around in the box because it's half empty. Put sleeping bags, clothes and lightweight stuff in the box, and the heavy things low in the car. Keep in mind the max roof weight limit too.

I don't notice the box much when I put it on, only when there are strong sidewinds or passing a semitrailer and such.

Lotus99

Cool, thx everyone!

Kell

As said above though, try and pack sensibly. Keep the heaviest things in the car so the centre of gravity remains as low as possible and put bulky, but light, things in the box. That way the car when the car does get blown off course with sidewinds etc, it doesn't feel as unstable.

norsecarnut

the strength of the box/model may matter but I know the Thule Boxter and Spirit are built more rigid than their other models. These hold their shape better.

This one is the Spirit :

norsecarnut

Lotus99

LOL! Is that 145 MPH with a box on??? Thule Engineering would love to hear from you with real world testing results!

And I like how the cruise is set at 90 MPH! I like how you drive!

norsecarnut

well now, I didn't say that was my car or speed photo but you are free to assume what you like....

My cargo boxes are well utilized though as you know, generally FULL. a couple bikes, camping gear, skis, etc.