How to store a roof box in
your garage
If you’re looking for a safe place to store your roof box, then look no further than the humble garage. Your garage is (hopefully) safe and watertight – the right conditions for keeping your roof box secure.
In this guide on how to store a roof box in your garage, we provide some simple and straightforward tips for protecting your roof box.
Why should I store my roof box?
Removing your roof box and storing it might seem like a hassle, but there are some excellent reasons why you should do so.
Fuel efficiency
The first is that roof boxes create drag, which can slow your car down while you’re driving. This translates into lower miles-per-gallon and larger fuel bills! You’re also limited in how fast you can drive when you have roof bars and a roof box fitted. As a result, it’s a good idea to store it away when it’s not in use.
Keep in good condition
Roof boxes are big and bulky and can become damaged while on your car, so removing it is going to keep it safe.
Protection from weather
Finally, keeping your roof box on your car can expose it to extremes of weather. Left in the full gaze of the sun, the roof box can become hot, which can use it to warp. Ice cold temperatures can cause your roof box to become brittle and even crack, so keeping it in your garage is the safest and best option.
Clear a space in your garage
If your garage is jam-packed full of junk, then clear it out first. You will need to identify a big-enough space for the roof box to live.
Avoid high-traffic areas where it could become damaged and try not to store it next to bikes, motorbikes or scooters.
Ensure the space won’t damage the roof box
If you want to rest your roof box on the ground, we recommend you don’t place it on the concrete floor. This could damage the bottom of the box.
Instead, raise it from the ground on a couple of planks of wood. If you can’t do this, then at least place a sheet underneath it.
Don’t lean your roof box against a wall or somewhere it can fall, this will only lead to damage and disappointment.
Mount your roofbox to the wall
If you’re handy with a drill and confident with a bit of DIY, you could mount the roof box on a wall. To do this, you can purchase ready-made roof box mounts that include pads to keep your roof box protected.
Don’t want to fork out for a roof box mount? A couple of hooks secured to the wall should be sturdy enough to hold up most roof boxes.
Cover your roof box
To keep your roof box free from scratches, dents and damage, cover it with a sheet. Even an old decorator's dust sheet will provide some protection.
Prepare the roof box
Before storing your roof box, give it a thorough clean inside and out. Remove anything that’s inside the roof box and place it inside your garage.
One tip is to spray some penetrating fluid on locks and catches. This ensures that they’ll work smoothly the next time you come to use them.
Never store the key in the roof box!
Remove the key (or keys) from your roof box and store them somewhere safe inside the house.
Keys can become stuck inside lock mechanisms, or the mechanism can seize up. By spraying some penetrating fluid inside the lock and removing the key, you’ll ensure it’s ready to work when you need it.
If you do lose your roof box key, Halfords is here to help. We stock almost 200 replacement roof box keys suitable for all major makes and models.
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