R55 Roof cargo box
#26
#27
The Mini crossbars are Thule Aero bars, so all those accessories will work. I have roof rails and bought the Mini Crossbars. The Thule racks and Yakima racks will work with the Roof Rails. I just went with the Mini crossbars for aesthetic reasons. I think you can go with wider crossbars via the outside setups but you should be able to get the setups to work for you..
#28
This is the box I use. Very usefull, with 2 kids. Camping, Chrismass away from home, skying. Even some trips to Costco...
http://www.cargotek.ca
http://www.cargotek.ca
#29
One of the fundamental axiom's of transportation is that you tend to utilize the available cubic space before you exceed the weight. (Cube out before your weigh out). A 16 ft3 box would have to be loaded with "stuff" at 10 lbs pr ft3 to exceed the roof bar weight limit.
#30
So here's my dilemna We got rid of our Explorer and now have not one, but two Mini's. I just bought a standup paddleboard....basically a 12 foot long surfboard. I'd occasionally like to carry it, but don't want to permanently mar the roof of the R56 or drill any holes. Haven't tried it yet, but I may be able to lower the roof on the cabrio, rear back the passenger seat, and stick it in there.
I haven't looked at all the options yet.
Any longboard surfers out there?
I haven't looked at all the options yet.
Any longboard surfers out there?
#31
HeyCap'n Bill, I ride long and short boards, but I got Roof Rails on my Clubman. But, I have seen a MiniR56 with a longboard attached with a soft rack..meaning one with straps. Also you may want to see if a regular set of rigid racks would make the spread from side to side. I know with my 4Runner, I found a set of racks that worked with a gutterless roof.. Good Luck and Keep Motorin' and Glidin'
#32
That Black Thule Atlantis 1600 looks great. I have the factory roof rails (not roof rack) and the factory cross bars. Does anyone have pictures of this setup? What additional parts are needed to mount the Thule box to the factory cross bars? I've just started researching this and it doesn't seem Thule's compatibility guide is current. I believe I need a fit kit and locks. I see EMS has the box for ~$420 now.
-Kin
2009 Blue MCC
Woodside, NY
-Kin
2009 Blue MCC
Woodside, NY
I'm going to purchase the Atlantis 1600 as soon as I can sell my brand-new MINI rooftop storage box - at 12 cubic-feet its just not big enough for our camping needs.
Last edited by chris.dg; 01-30-2009 at 05:08 PM.
#35
#36
IZZG - it all depends on what you want to fit in there. For me, it's skying with the kids all week-ends. And I don't think you can get Canvas bags as big as a cargo box, can you?
1. Lockable
2. Waterproof
3. Longer items fit in there
4. More aerodynamic (less wind resistance)
And a question for KWW5. With the OEM bars and rack, the top of your bars weems to bee sitting higher than the OEM Mini rack I have. Can you mesure from the roof (between the "dunes") to the top of your load bars (holding the box), please?
Thanks
1. Lockable
2. Waterproof
3. Longer items fit in there
4. More aerodynamic (less wind resistance)
And a question for KWW5. With the OEM bars and rack, the top of your bars weems to bee sitting higher than the OEM Mini rack I have. Can you mesure from the roof (between the "dunes") to the top of your load bars (holding the box), please?
Thanks
#37
MyroMini,
rear, distance from roof to bottom of the cross bar = 3 1/8 inches
front, distance from roof to bottom of the cross bar = 3 7/8 inches
front, distance from roof to bottom of the cross bar (including the rubber lip thingy) - 3 3/4 inches.
Sorry, I didn't read the request carefully before going to the car. If you would still like the measurement to the TOP of the cross bar, I'll look at that tonight.
rear, distance from roof to bottom of the cross bar = 3 1/8 inches
front, distance from roof to bottom of the cross bar = 3 7/8 inches
front, distance from roof to bottom of the cross bar (including the rubber lip thingy) - 3 3/4 inches.
Sorry, I didn't read the request carefully before going to the car. If you would still like the measurement to the TOP of the cross bar, I'll look at that tonight.
#38
You can get some canvas bags at around 15 cubic feet-which is comparable to some of the boxes, and they come with locks. I can definitely understand the other features though. I'm just trying to fit cargo and one bike on the roof so looking at all options(the weight would never touch a hundred pounds total)
#40
this is the perfect size and i searched for "thule atlantis 1600" and found several things that sort of match that search.
why are there many options that say thule #### atlantis 1600?
like:
thule 686 atlantis 1600
thule 686B atlantis 1600
whats the difference?
thanks! and sorry for the ignorance.
-bryan.
why are there many options that say thule #### atlantis 1600?
like:
thule 686 atlantis 1600
thule 686B atlantis 1600
whats the difference?
thanks! and sorry for the ignorance.
-bryan.
picked this up today at lunch.
i need the storage for an upcoming trip and even tho the dealer is still him-haw'n about the dealer installed roof rack not fitting properly i said skip it.
picked up a thule atlantis 1600. works well, not alot of road noise. doesent overhang the window. i will pit up better picts and a detailed report in the weeks to come.
wife wanted blk , i wanted sliver to match the skunk stripes,.
we got blk.
i need the storage for an upcoming trip and even tho the dealer is still him-haw'n about the dealer installed roof rack not fitting properly i said skip it.
picked up a thule atlantis 1600. works well, not alot of road noise. doesent overhang the window. i will pit up better picts and a detailed report in the weeks to come.
wife wanted blk , i wanted sliver to match the skunk stripes,.
we got blk.
#41
then i found one vendor just selling a plain old "thule atlantis 1600" with no number between "thule" and "advantis" - is this the one?
http://store.mpgear.com/thuleatlantis1600-freeship.aspx
thanks!
-bryan.
http://store.mpgear.com/thuleatlantis1600-freeship.aspx
thanks!
-bryan.
this is the perfect size and i searched for "thule atlantis 1600" and found several things that sort of match that search.
why are there many options that say thule #### atlantis 1600?
like:
thule 686 atlantis 1600
thule 686B atlantis 1600
whats the difference?
thanks! and sorry for the ignorance.
-bryan.
why are there many options that say thule #### atlantis 1600?
like:
thule 686 atlantis 1600
thule 686B atlantis 1600
whats the difference?
thanks! and sorry for the ignorance.
-bryan.
#42
#46
#47
Jameszimo,
Thanks alot for the picture, I think this seals the deal for me. I want to be able to get at least on thule bike tray on the OEM rack as well. Im planning on using the box for skis, snowboards, camping, cycle support stuff, and luggage... it seems it will do this well but still allow me to get at least one bike on the roof...
what do you think about the 1200 so far?
Thanks alot for the picture, I think this seals the deal for me. I want to be able to get at least on thule bike tray on the OEM rack as well. Im planning on using the box for skis, snowboards, camping, cycle support stuff, and luggage... it seems it will do this well but still allow me to get at least one bike on the roof...
what do you think about the 1200 so far?
#48
Jameszimo,
Thanks alot for the picture, I think this seals the deal for me. I want to be able to get at least on thule bike tray on the OEM rack as well. Im planning on using the box for skis, snowboards, camping, cycle support stuff, and luggage... it seems it will do this well but still allow me to get at least one bike on the roof...
what do you think about the 1200 so far?
Thanks alot for the picture, I think this seals the deal for me. I want to be able to get at least on thule bike tray on the OEM rack as well. Im planning on using the box for skis, snowboards, camping, cycle support stuff, and luggage... it seems it will do this well but still allow me to get at least one bike on the roof...
what do you think about the 1200 so far?
I've only been using the 1200 since early Jan, but it works well so far. During a recent long weekend I was able to get all of our luggage up in the box and save the Clubby boot for the stroller... We have 2 small children that accompany us everywhere we go . (On other occasions I've also been able to fit the stroller up in the box as well with some room to spare).
The only other activity I've used it for so far is Costco runs! Hope this helps.
#49
Thanks for sharing jupiterfish! That Thule box looks just right on the Clubman. I've been a Yakima guy for years, and they have a "Skybox 16" that is a little (7") longer than the Thule Atlantis 1600. I wonder if that would make much of a difference - I guess it will depends on where that 7" ends up with respect to the front cross bar.
I'll need to put a shorter antenna on, but the fit is darn near perfect. We have the OEM roof rails and cross bars installed, and the Skybox's front adjusters are at their limit. The back ones can move about 6 inches or so toward the back. Our crossbars are spaced at the recommended distance, per OEM instructions, which I 'think' is 75cm (~29.5").
I'll get more pictures when we mount it and bring it home, in another 2 weeks or so.
-Jim
Last edited by carman63; 08-30-2009 at 06:26 AM.
#50
roof box on clubman
I ended up with an Thule 1800 XT as wanted a box long enough for cross country skis. The 1600 was a more perfect fit for the car, and was the nicest aesthetically, but i think this looks great. I could move the front cross bar a wee bit closer to the front but the rack guys suggest this is more aerodynamic.
Silver was a perfect match for the mini silver and looked so fab that the rack guys took photos. I did have to take off the attennna for this long a box.
Anyone who actually wants a roof rack ever for your mini should get the factory roof rails option on a new clubman, the other options are a nightmare, and these things are great. I could fit tons and tons of different options to my car. I sea-kayak and the rails allow a pretty big spread between the cross bars, which is essential with the longer boats i use.
I went for aftermarket Thule aerobars. Why?? Just cause they were pretty and Thule is easier to remove than the Yakima system. Thule boxes were much more attractive, and a much easier system to put on the car.
I am trying to attach a picture if anyone is interested.
Silver was a perfect match for the mini silver and looked so fab that the rack guys took photos. I did have to take off the attennna for this long a box.
Anyone who actually wants a roof rack ever for your mini should get the factory roof rails option on a new clubman, the other options are a nightmare, and these things are great. I could fit tons and tons of different options to my car. I sea-kayak and the rails allow a pretty big spread between the cross bars, which is essential with the longer boats i use.
I went for aftermarket Thule aerobars. Why?? Just cause they were pretty and Thule is easier to remove than the Yakima system. Thule boxes were much more attractive, and a much easier system to put on the car.
I am trying to attach a picture if anyone is interested.