June 18, 2025 Dean Horton

Can You Fit a Bike Rack and Roof Box Together?

Need both a bike rack and a roof box for your next trip? You're not alone. Whether it’s a family holiday or a weekend cycling escape, combining both can save space — but only if done safely and correctly.

Here’s how to make it work on your car, SUV or van.

🚗 1. Can They Both Go on the Roof?

Yes — if your roof bars are wide enough, and your vehicle’s roof load limit allows it, you can mount a roof box and a bike rack side by side.

Consider:

Roof bar length (usually 118–135cm for most cars)
Width of your roof box (often 60–90cm)
Space left for bike trays (each bike needs ~20–25cm width)

✅ Best setup: Aluminium T-track bars with modular slot fitting

🔗 Shop Roof Bars

📐 2. Weight: The Silent Deal-Breaker

Always check your car’s max roof load, which includes:

Weight of the roof bars
Roof box (typically 12–20kg)
Bike rack tray(s)
Actual bikes + box contents

Example:

Roof bars: 6kg
Roof box: 15kg (empty)
1 bike + tray: 17kg
➡️ 38kg total — safe on most vehicles (50kg+ limit)

🔧 Tip: Roof tents or e-bikes? You may exceed your limit — check your vehicle handbook.

🧭 3. What About Front Clearance?

Bikes are taller than roof boxes.
If you’re mounting both:

Place the roof box in the middle or side
Bikes should be offset (side-mounted), angled away from aerials/antennas
Check garage clearance — bikes can add 70–100cm height

🚙 4. Roof + Tow Bar = Best Combo

If your vehicle has a tow bar, the easiest option is:

Roof box on the roof
Bike rack on the tow bar

Benefits:

Lower bike loading height
Keeps roof load under limit
Avoids awkward side-by-side squeezing
Great for 3–4 bikes + box

🔗 See: How to Choose a Bike Rack

❗ 5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Blocking the boot with a boot-mounted bike rack + roof box
🚫 Exceeding weight limits — especially with 2+ bikes
🚫 Poorly secured loads — use proper straps
🚫 Buying bars too narrow — check bar width before ordering