Hi all
I am based in the UK. I was just about to trade in my (fully paid for) 3 year old Kia Picanto for a larger car because my wife recently (six months ago) gave birth to our son and I decided we needed a bigger car.
The rationale behind needing a bigger car was that when we go on holiday or longer roadtrips (to take my son to visit grandparents for example) we are unable to fit a pushchair and luggage into the picanto.
Handily I then read the article that tells me I should buy for what I do 95% of the time (95% of the time the wife and baby and I are not even in the car together- mostly its her getting him to and from friends who live a good distance away.
So- my new scenario is that I would like to be able to carry 2 x mountain bikes, 1 x bike trailer and 1 x large suitcase as well as the pram in the Picanto (this is on the few occasions per year that I would be maxed out on luggage and represents the ideal- not the necessary.
Anyway I am thinking of buying roof bars + 2 x bike fixing points like this :
http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php?20253and then maybe some kind of roof top bag like this one:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7405938.htmthat has a hard base so it doesnt sag.
My question is- do you think I would need cross bars (or a true "rack") on the roof to use this sort of bag or does the rigid base cover this issue?
Can anyone recommend a cleverer way to achieve my storage goals? I've seen all sorts of other racks with temporary versions, inflatable versions etc. etc. Not sure whether those avenues are worth pursuing or whether the options above are the very best version I can find at a cheapish price.
Any advice welcomed.
Thanks
Jaime