FAQ

The price depends on the roofbox, your hire dates and how long you need it. Our hire pricing page shows guide prices, so you can get an idea of the cost before enquiring.

October–March hire prices are 15% lower, including half term and Christmas. Send us your car details, dates and requirements for a personalised quotation, including any separately charged services such as delivery and collection.

Roofbox hire includes compatible Thule roofbars and fitting kits where needed, as long as Thule makes a suitable system for your car. We also include professional fitting and removal during normal appointment hours, luggage straps and a hands-on demonstration.

We measure your car’s overall height after fitting and show you how to open, close and lock the box. Delivery, collection and any agreed out-of-hours appointments are charged separately.

Tell us what you need to carry, how many people are travelling and your car details. We’ll help you choose a suitable size and model from the equipment available for your dates.

Capacity in litres is useful, but the shape and internal dimensions matter too. If you have a particular pushchair, tent, suitcase or other large item, include its dimensions in your enquiry.

We check compatibility before confirming your booking. Please provide your registration number and the make, model and year of your car, together with any relevant roof details.

Not every vehicle has an approved Thule roofbar fitting. Existing roof rails or bars do not automatically mean a particular roofbox will fit. If a roof-mounted setup is unsuitable, we can discuss another option, such as a towbar cargo carrier, where compatible.

Complete our online quotation request with your car details, hire dates and what you need to carry. We’ll recommend suitable options and reply in less than two working hours.

To proceed, follow the instructions in your quotation and pay the £50 booking deposit within 48 hours. Equipment is not reserved until the booking deposit has been received.

There are two separate deposits: a £50 booking deposit to secure your booking, and a £100 refundable security deposit for the hire.

The security deposit is returned at the end of the hire, subject to the equipment being returned without damage and the hire terms being met. Your quotation explains the payments required.

Once the equipment has been returned and checked, eligible security deposits are refunded as follows:

Cash: returned in person.

BACS: the refund is processed by the end of that working day.

Credit or debit card: we initiate the refund immediately and provide a refund receipt. It normally takes 4–5 working days to appear in your account, with the first working day being the working day after removal. The banking processing time is outside our control.

Hiring is worth considering if you need extra space for occasional trips, would rather leave fitting to us, or do not have room to store a roofbox and roofbars between journeys.

Buying may make more sense if you use the equipment frequently and have suitable storage. Compare the complete purchase cost, including compatible bars and fitting kits, with the cost of hiring for your likely trips.

We also sell new, as-new and used equipment, including ex-hire stock. Ask us what is currently available.

Alongside roofboxes, we hire Thule roofbars, roof-mounted and towbar-mounted bike carriers, towbar cargo carriers, ski carriers, ladder carriers and related accessories.

Thule GoPack bags are also available to hire. Tell us what you need in your quotation request and we’ll confirm compatibility, availability and price.

We have over 900 five-star reviews across Google, Facebook and thebestof. Visit our Customer Feedback page to read about customers’ experiences.

Fitting and removal take place at our Datchworth premises in Hertfordshire, SG3 6SG, by appointment. We’ll provide the details you need before your visit.

Please attend at your agreed time so we can fit your equipment and give you a demonstration without rushing.

We’ll contact you at least three calendar days before your hire starts, normally by WhatsApp, with instructions for choosing your fitting appointment through our online booking system.

If you have a timing restriction that could affect fitting or removal, tell us when you enquire. This gives us the best opportunity to plan around it.

Our core fitting and removal hours are 9am–5pm, by appointment. Available days and times depend on the hire schedule and season; appointments are grouped to help us work efficiently and keep costs down.

Telephone contact hours are separate from fitting hours. Please do not assume an appointment is available simply because we are available to take your call.

Please plan to attend during normal appointment hours. An out-of-hours appointment may occasionally be possible by prior agreement, but it is not a standard part of the hire and carries an additional charge.

If your travel plans create a particular difficulty, explain it when you enquire so we can confirm what is possible before you book.

Fitting a roofbox and roofbars generally takes around 12–15 minutes. Your appointment also allows time for a demonstration, measuring the fitted vehicle’s height and completing any outstanding paperwork or payments.

The total appointment takes longer than the fitting alone, so please allow time for us to explain the equipment and answer your questions.

Yes. Delivery and collection are available, normally within 25–30 miles of our Datchworth premises, subject to availability. They are charged separately from the hire.

Select delivery and collection in your quotation request and provide the address. We’ll confirm the charges and whether we can accommodate your dates.

For an agreed delivery or collection, we provide a two-hour arrival window and normally call or text around 30 minutes before arriving.

Yes, we offer a professional fitting service for customers’ own equipment, subject to compatibility and its condition.

Contact us with your car details and the make and model of your equipment. Photographs and any fitting-kit details are helpful. We’ll confirm whether we can assist and provide a price before arranging an appointment.

Yes. Our photo gallery shows equipment fitted to customers’ cars. It can help you picture a setup, although we still need to check compatibility for your specific vehicle.

Please bring physical photo identification confirming your identity and proof of your current home address. A UK driving licence showing your current address is acceptable. If you bring a passport, please also bring a recent utility bill or bank statement confirming your address.

Digital images or photographs of identification documents are not accepted. We may be unable to hand over the equipment if you cannot confirm your identity and home address. In these circumstances, no refund will be given.

We measure your car’s overall height after fitting and give you the figure to use when checking clearance. The height depends on your vehicle, roofbars and the particular roofbox.

If you need a height estimate before booking a ferry or LeShuttle crossing, tell us when you enquire. We hold measurements from previous fittings and may be able to help, but an estimate does not replace the measurement taken after fitting.

Check your operator’s current booking requirements and declare the roofbox and overall height as requested. Remember to check clearance at car parks, garages, accommodation and other height restrictions throughout your trip.

Roofboxes are particularly useful for lighter, bulky luggage such as clothing, bedding and soft bags. Soft bags usually make better use of the space than rigid suitcases.

Keep within the permitted weight and the box’s internal dimensions. Distribute the contents as instructed and secure them with the supplied straps. The lid must close and lock without being forced.

Remember that you need to lift items onto the roof. Splitting a large tent bag into smaller loads may make packing easier. Ask us before booking if you need to carry anything unusual.

The permitted luggage weight depends on the limits for your car, roofbar system and roofbox. The lowest applicable limit governs what you can carry.

Your vehicle’s roof-load limit includes the weight of the roofbars, fitting system, roofbox and its contents. You therefore need to deduct the equipment’s weight to work out the allowance remaining for luggage.

A roofbox rated to carry 75kg does not necessarily mean your particular car can carry 75kg of luggage in it. Follow your vehicle handbook and the instructions for the fitted equipment. Ask us if you need help understanding the limits.

Read Thule’s roof-rack load guidance.

Check your vehicle handbook or tyre-pressure label for the settings appropriate to the total load you are carrying, including passengers, luggage and roof-mounted equipment.

Check pressures as instructed by the vehicle manufacturer, and return them to the appropriate settings when the load changes after your trip.

Thule’s roofbox instructions state a maximum of 130km/h, approximately 80mph. This is an equipment limit, not a recommended cruising speed or permission to exceed the legal speed limit.

Always follow the applicable speed limits and any lower limit specified for your equipment. Reduce your speed to suit the load, wind, weather, road and traffic conditions. Roof-mounted equipment can change how your car handles.

Read Thule’s roofbox safety instructions and follow the instructions supplied for your particular setup.

On our Thule roofboxes, the key is designed to release only when the lid is properly closed and locked. A retained key can indicate that the lid has not fully engaged.

Do not force the key or lid. If you can reopen the box normally, check for luggage or straps obstructing closure and rearrange the contents so they are not pressing against the lid. Close and lock the box as demonstrated at fitting.

If the problem continues, refer to the instructions or video provided after fitting and call us on 01438 289030. Do not drive until the box is securely closed and locked.

We do not provide insurance for the hired equipment or its contents. Please arrange adequate cover for the replacement value of the equipment and for the belongings you carry.

Ask your insurer specifically about hired roofboxes, roofbars or carriers and their contents. Do not assume they are automatically covered by your car or travel insurance. We can provide equipment details if your insurer needs them.

Yes, we hold public liability insurance for the products and services we provide. This is separate from the insurance you need for the hired equipment and your belongings.