Driving impressions of your 5 with a cargo box on the roof

[daphray]

Hello,

I am new to the forum and would like to hear from those of you whose have driven with a cargo box on your Mazda 5.

The reason I am asking is that I am considering selling our car (Subaru Legacy GT) that we currently use for "cargo box" duty on long trips and switching to using our Mazda 5 for long trips and "cargo box" duty.

Just wondering how the Mazda 5 fares on the highway when it is loaded (driver+3 passengers+cargo box+camping gear):

- does the high center of gravity with the cargo box affect handling too much?
- how does the cargo box plus passengers affect merging and passing - do you still feel safe when merging and passing with the extra wind resistance and weight

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[phunky.buddha]

Here you go.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...track-(Thule)-Aero-1300-Roof-Cargo-Box-Review

 

[deisz001]

I'm using a Hapro Carver 6.3 and am fully satisfied with it. It never felt like there actually was anything on the roof. It must cause some extra gas usage, but I can't tell it from the statistics (so it's less than the normal variation).

 

[GO-IRISH3]

I don't have one yet, anyone have the Thule Aeroblade load bars with a cargo box? How does it sound with no fairing? I'm looking into getting a box, but was concerned on how will the wind effect the box, noise without a fairing. I don't hear much noise at all with empty bars.

 

[SuperJETT]

We have our box on the 5 this week. You don't notice it. Our's is a Yakima Rocketbox 16, one of the long ones and wide enough to put a full size suitcase in.

Yesterday we dropped all 3 kids off at camp for the week so I had all 3 suitcases in the box and their pillows/sleeping bags in the car. Worked great.

 

[rat240]

are mazda5 with a huge 20 cu ft roof box
drove from California to laughlin to las Vegas

the car felt the same on highway but having the entire car packed with, 5 people and their suit cases was a pain when driving uphill

parking was sort of a pain due to height of the box

 

[Robotazky]

are mazda5 with a huge 20 cu ft roof box
drove from California to laughlin to las Vegas

the car felt the same on highway but having the entire car packed with, 5 people and their suit cases was a pain when driving uphill

parking was sort of a pain due to height of the box

I used to drive my GTI down to Bullhead City and Laughlin just to feel the power( altitude change). Those towns are something to behold. Mind me asking what you were doing driving from LA over to that area? Laughlin reminds me of "Breaking Bad", except with a dirty power plant in downtown.

 

[alsomme]

I prefer the roof racks that are made for ski.
This one is Skiguard Carving.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123810246-Show-us-your-5!&p=6106451&viewfull=1#post6106451
Looks better