Roof box fitting in Exeter
Professional roof box fitting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-85
Typical Duration
30-60 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Roof box fitted securely to your roof bars. Positioned centrally, all clamps tightened correctly, load limits checked, ready for your trip.
Get Your Roof Box Fitted Right
Holiday in three days and you're staring at a roof box in your drive? Professional fitting means it's centered properly, clamped securely, and you can actually sleep the night before you leave instead of worrying about it falling off at 70mph.
💡 Pro tip: Don't load your roof box to the weight limit. Manufacturers assume perfect weight distribution - reality is lumpy suitcases and asymmetric loads. Stick to 75% of rated capacity for peace of mind.
Why Professional Fitting Matters
Badly fitted roof boxes cause expensive disasters:
| ✅ Fitted Right | ❌ DIY Disaster |
|---|---|
| Centered on bars, aerodynamic | Wonky, catches wind badly |
| All clamps tight and checked | Falls off on motorway (yes, really) |
| Within load limits | Overloaded, damages roof/bars |
| Opened and tested before loading | Can't open it once loaded |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Position box | Centered on bars, front/rear balanced |
| Secure clamps | All fixings tightened to spec |
| Function check | Open, close, lock tested before loading |
📦 You're Left With
- Securely fitted roof box
- All clamps properly tightened
- Working locks and latches
- Ready to load and drive
Pricing Guide
| Complexity | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Standard box (4 clamps) | 30-40 mins | £60 |
| Large box (6+ clamps) | 45-60 mins | £85 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Assumes bars already fitted.
Perfect For Your Holiday If...
✅ Extra luggage needed - family holidays, skiing, camping
✅ Not confident fitting - instructions confusing
✅ Want it done right - peace of mind before long trip
✅ Tight schedule - holiday tomorrow, no time to faff
Why Choose Us for Roof box fitting in Exeter?
Correctly positioned and centered
All clamps properly tightened
Load capacity checked
Ready for immediate use
What to Expect
Step 1: Check Compatibility
I'll verify your box is compatible with your roof bars - check spacing, bar profile, and load capacity.
Step 2: Position & Center
Box goes on centered and straight - important for aerodynamics and even weight distribution.
Step 3: Clamp & Test
All clamps tightened properly, box pushed and pulled to check security, latches and locks tested.
🔧 DIY Tips
Fitting your own roof box? Here's how to do it safely:
🔧 What you'll need
- Your roof box (compatible with your bars)
- Tools supplied with box
- Tape measure
- Step ladder or stool
- Second person (boxes are awkward alone)
📐 Fitting procedure
- Check box fits your bar spacing (measure first)
- Open all clamps fully before lifting box
- Center box on roof (equal overhang front/rear)
- Position clamps on bars (not between bars)
- Hand-tighten all clamps before final torque
- Tighten clamps in diagonal sequence
- Test box doesn't move when pushed hard
📐 Positioning tips
- Measure overhang front and rear (should match)
- Box should sit level (not tilted)
- Leave space to open rear hatch/boot
- Check you can still reach clamps once loaded
- Forward-pointing end at front (aerodynamics)
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not centering box (catches wind, looks terrible)
- Overtightening clamps (cracks box or bars)
- Clamps not on bar properly (box shifts)
- Loading before checking clamps
- Forgetting to test locks before filling it
💡 Pro trick: Before loading anything, drive around the block and listen. Any creaking, whistling, or movement noises mean something's not quite right. Much easier to adjust when it's empty than when you've packed your holiday in there.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚗 Load distribution matters: Put heavy items in the middle of the box, light stuff at the ends. Uneven loading makes the car handle weird and can overstress the clamps. And never exceed the box's weight limit OR your car's roof load limit (whichever's lower).
Fuel costs: Roof boxes kill fuel economy - expect 15-25% worse mpg on motorway journeys. Factor that into your holiday budget. The bigger and taller the box, the worse it gets.
Highway speeds: Roof box manufacturers specify maximum speeds (usually 80-90mph). Ignore that at your peril - aerodynamic forces at high speed can rip boxes off or damage your roof. Stick to legal speeds anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need roof bars fitted before a roof box?
Yes - roof boxes mount onto roof bars (crossbars), not directly to your car roof. If you haven't got bars fitted yet, that needs doing first. Then the box clamps onto those bars.
How do I know if my roof box fits my bars?
Check the box manufacturer's fitment guide - they'll specify compatible bar spacing and types. Most boxes fit most bars, but there are limits. If your bars are too narrow, too wide, or wrong profile, the box won't fit safely.
Can you help load it after fitting?
I'll fit the box and show you how the clamps work, but I'm not a removal firm - loading your holiday gear is down to you. I can advise on weight distribution though - heavy stuff in middle, light at ends.
How tight should roof box clamps be?
Tight enough the box doesn't shift when you push it hard, but not gorilla-tight - you'll need to undo them again. Most boxes have torque indicators or click stops. I'll tighten to spec for your system.
Is it safe to drive straight away?
Once fitted and clamps checked, yes. But drive the first mile gently, pull over, and check everything's still tight. Clamps can settle in the first few minutes. I'd check again before any motorway driving too.
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