My experience with a roof box on my Tata Safari: Happy after 65k kms

January 9, 2025

It combines practicality, style, and safety, enhancing the road-tripping experience. If you’re considering one, I hope this helps you make an informed decision.

BHPian Ajirules recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

2+ Years and 65,000 km with a Rooftop Box: My Experience

Hello BHPian Friends,

Whistleblower- As someone passionate about long road trips and frequent family travel, I’ve been using a rooftop box for over two years now, covering more than 65,000 km. In 2021, shortly after purchasing my Safari, I fitted a rooftop box and shared my initial impressions after 2,000 km on Facebook . Now, with my Team-BHP membership and years of experience, I’m revisiting the topic, hoping it helps fellow enthusiasts.

Why I Needed a Rooftop Box back in 2021

Traveling with seven adults often meant cramming duffel bags and small suitcases into the cabin, which compromised comfort, especially for seniors. I wanted:

A legal solution without much called out hassles from authorities. Despite traveling across Kerala, Bangalore, and even to Mumbai, I’ve faced no issues with RTOs. For peace of mind, I carried a printout of Tata’s brochure featuring the Safari with a rooftop box, but I’ve only received curious questions or compliments from officials and onlookers.
Aesthetic appeal that wouldn’t ruin my Safari’s bold looks.
Spacious utility to hold duffel bags and soft luggage.
Stability and safety at highway speeds of 90-100 km/h.
Easy loading/unloading and unobstructed sunroof operation.

After research, I considered three options:

Luggage Bag Carriers (Amazon/Similar):
Affordable but required ropes and weren’t rainproof – One was luggage bag carrier that can be fixed on the top. However that needed a lot of tying up ropes sipping up the big bag. These are available online from Amazon and I’ve seen them installed on some cars.
Ajanta Carriers:
Known for good quality, but I couldn’t see one in person, and color compatibility was uncertain. They’re from Mumbai or so and ship anywhere and they officially have a website and a shop. Thev even export their items. One thing I felt after talking to them is they were confident on experience and they had a good network right now.
Pentair/Thule Rooftop Box by:
– Recommended by a Tata dealer in bangalore itself but priced high.
– A vendor in Kochi, 5GOff-Road Huboffered a professional installation (with live demo) at a worthy price.

Why I Chose Pentair

Matched the Safari’s aesthetics (in my opinion!).
Robust build quality for long-term use.
Supported sunroof operation (with minor restrictions).
Hands-on installation by 5G Off-Road Hub. for such costly accessories.
Practical perks: It even protects my sunroof from falling coconuts in Kerala!

The setup cost ₹40,000:

Box (400L): ₹31,000
Roof rails: ₹7,000-₹8,000
Installation: ₹2,000

Note* There were two sizes for the boxes – medium and large. The medium box comes to around 25,000/- The large box comes to 31,000/-. medium Box is more higher .First Trip:
A 250 km drive from Kochi to Munnar with seven adults and their luggage. The box proved stable even on hilly terrain and hairpin bends. Over time, I’ve driven across Kerala, Bangalore, and beyond, and the box has been reliable at highway speeds. Today, even when I don’t need it, I leave it on as it has become a part of my Safari’s identity.
Pros

Enhanced Road Presence: Draws attention and curiosity on highways and in villages.
Practical Storage: Ideal for soft bags, accommodating luggage for seven passengers.
Convenience: Easy to load/unload and weatherproof.
Sunroof Protection: Shields against falling debris and coconuts in Kerala.

Cons

Height Restrictions: Be mindful of low-clearance areas like mall parking or railway gates.
Noise with Hard Luggage: Soft bags are quieter in the box.
Sunroof Limitation: While functional, no more sticking your head out.

After 2+ years and 65,000 km, the rooftop box has been a worthwhile addition. It combines practicality, style, and safety, enhancing the road-tripping experience. If you’re considering one, I hope this helps you make an informed decision.
Happy driving and safe travels! XXXXXXXX