What is the name of the trunk on the roof of the car in the form of a boat: the complete guide

Small boat owners often face the challenge of transporting their property to their destinations, a standard trailer is convenient but not always available or allowed in a particular location, which is why many motorists are looking for alternative ways to attach the boat directly to the body of the vehicle.

Actually, boat-board This is most often a specialized boxer It's a streamlined box, or a reinforced expedition basket with pawns, and it's shaped like an overturned boat or canoe, which provides great aerodynamics, and understanding the right terminology will help you find the right equipment faster in store catalogs and avoid confusion when ordering.

There are several types of designs that can visually resemble a boat, but have different functional functions: some are designed to store things inside, others serve as an open platform for mounting the boat itself from the outside, and it is critical to understand these nuances, because the choice of mounting type depends on the safety of the cargo and the stability of the car on the track.

Terminology: boxing, basket or lodging?

When they say “boat trunk”, they usually mean “boat trunk”. windboxingIt's a closed plastic container that is mounted on the crossbars, and it's shaped to minimize air resistance, and it really looks a bit like a boat hull, and it protects equipment from rain, dust and theft, making it popular with tourists and fishermen.

However, if your goal is to transport the most inflatable PVC boat or kayaking, then you do not need boxing, but a system. lodgement Logs are curved supports that follow the contours of the bottom of the boat, and they are attached to the crossbars, and they allow you to securely lock the boat with your keel down or up, depending on the design, and this is the closest analogue of a rooftop boat, because you're carrying the boat, not the things in the container.

The third option is an expeditionary metal-basketIt's a welded pipe structure that can also be elongated, streamlined. Unlike a box, a basket doesn't have a lid, but it allows you to secure bulky cargo, including boats, with belts, and the choice between these three options depends on what you plan to transport most often.

• 🚗 Autobox: A sealed plastic container for personal belongings and equipment.
• ⚓ Logins: soft or hard supports for the transportation of boats and catamarans.
• 🛡️ Expeditionary basket: open metal platform for bulky cargo.

It is important to note that the use of lodgement Unlike boxing, where things lie inside, a boat on the roof is directly exposed to oncoming air flow, and improper fixation can cause the center of gravity to shift and even tip over at high speed.

Design features of the "boat" form of the carboxes

Aerodynamic boxes, which users often associate with the shape of the boat, are made of durable ABS plastic, which is resistant to ultraviolet light and low temperatures, and typically have spaces of 300 to 900 liters inside, allowing tents, sleeping bags, clothing and even small motor boats to be disassembled.

A key element of the design is the cross-mounting system, and modern models are equipped with fast-mounting mechanisms that allow you to install the box in minutes without tools. Aerodynamic profile The front end reduces wind noise, which is often caused by square structures, which is especially important for long trips on the highway.

⚠️ Attention: The strongest box has a maximum load limit, exceeding the permissible weight specified in the instructions. Thule or AtlantThis can cause deformation of the bottom of the box and damage to the roof of the car.

The box often has belts or nets to hold the load, which prevents things from moving around, which prevents the appearance of foreign knocks. Some models have a double-open lid system, which allows you to open the trunk from either side of the car, which is very convenient in crowded parking lots.

The sealing is another important parameter. Quality boxes are equipped with seals around the perimeter of the lid. However, it should be understood that the term "sealed" in this context means protection from rain and snow, but does not imply complete water resistance when washed under pressure or immersed in water. Internal electronic devices or documents are still better to pack in sealants.

Lodge systems for boat transport

If your question, "What is the trunk called?.." was about the device for carrying the boat itself, it's about the pawn system, which is a special bracket that is mounted on standard or reinforced crossbars, and there are two main types: soft-coated and hard metal.

Soft lodgings are coated with rubberized material that prevents damage to the hull of an inflatable boat or catamaran. They tightly fit the sides, providing reliable fixation. The rigid variants are metal arcs, often with rubber linings at points of contact, such systems are more durable and suitable for the transport of heavy aluminum boats.

Installation of the boat on the paddles requires compliance with a certain technology, first the boat is laid on the supports, then fixed with the bow and stern falines, as well as transom belts across the side. Cargo centre It plays a crucial role: shifting the boat to the left or right can cause a dangerous roll of the car.

Type of system	Materials	Load capacity	What's the point?
Soft losements	Steel + rubber	50 kg	PVC boats, kayaks
Rigid arcs	aluminum	80 kg	Aluminum boats
Universal.	Composite	60 kg	Equipment, boards
Expeditionary	Steel	100 kg	Heavy loads, canoeing

When choosing a system, you should pay attention to the width of the step between the brackets. For long boats (more than 3.5 meters), it is recommended to use four points of support or install additional crossbars, which will reduce the load on the hull of the vessel and prevent it from sagging in the center while driving on rough roads.

Expeditionary baskets: an alternative to boxing

An expedition basket is another version of the trunk that can be used to transport boats. Unlike a closed box, the basket is a welded structure of pipes, often powder coated, with no walls and roof, allowing loads of any height to be placed, limited only to common sense and traffic rules.

The main advantage of the basket is its versatility, and it can be mounted on it as the boat itself, turned upside down by the keel, as well as various crates, canisters and bicycles. Metallic construction It can withstand a lot of stress, but it has a lot more weight than plastic, and it's important to consider this when calculating the maximum load on the roof of the car.

The aerodynamics of baskets are usually worse than those of capsule boxes; the angular shape creates more noise and increases fuel consumption; however, many models are equipped with fairings (spoilers) on the front, which partially solve this problem, and installing such a deflector is a mandatory step for comfortable driving at speeds above 90 km / h.

How do you reduce the noise from the basket?

To reduce the whistle and hum from the expedition basket, you can use special aerodynamic cross-sections, and also tightly pack the cargo, covering the voids inside the basket with soft things, which prevents air swirling.

The boat is mounted in a basket using scrub belts with a ratchet mechanism, it is recommended to pass the belts not only across, but also along the structure to prevent longitudinal displacement. The corners of metal pipes should be protected with soft linings, so as not to damage the sides of the boat when vibrating.

Aerodynamics and the impact on fuel consumption

Installing any cargo on the roof of a car inevitably affects its aerodynamic properties. A trunk in the form of a boat, whether it is a streamlined box or an overturned boat on a lodging, creates additional resistance, which leads to increased fuel consumption, especially at speeds above 80-90 km / h.

Studies show that empty boxing can increase consumption by 5-10%, and an open boat or basket can increase consumption by 15-20% or more. drop-shaped minimizes turbulence, while angular loads create zones of thinning and swirling.

⚠️ Attention: When driving with a load on the roof, the sailing of the car increases significantly, side wind can cause the car to be demolished from the trajectory, slow down and avoid sharp maneuvers.

To minimize fuel costs and noise, it is recommended to remove the luggage systems when they are not in use. Constant driving with empty crossbars or boxing also creates resistance. If you plan a long trip, calculate the route in advance, taking into account the possible decrease in average speed.

Security rules and legal aspects

In Russia and many CIS countries, the dimensions of the cargo should not exceed the width of the vehicle by more than 0.5 meters on each side, and the height from the ground is 4 meters. If your boat or box is outside these limits, you must mark the cargo with special signs "Large cargo".

Load anchorage The use of conventional ropes is unacceptable, only special car belts with tensioners, the cargo must not shift, fall or endanger other participants in the movement, in the event of an accident due to a poorly secured boat, the responsibility lies entirely with the driver.

Also worth remembering is the maximum load on the roof specified by the car manufacturer, which is usually 50-100 kg of dynamic load (in motion). Static load (when the car is standing) may be higher, but you need to focus on the parameters for the moving car.

• 📏 Check the dimensions: width with a load not more than 2.55 m.
• 🔗 Use only certified belts and screeds.
• 👁️ Mark the cargo with a flag or flashing light if it covers the headlights or protrudes from behind.

Before each trip, it is recommended to check the mounts every 50-100 km. Vibration on the road can ease the tension of the belts. cross-section and places of their contact with the roof - they should not rub against the body.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I wash a car with an installed box on an automatic wash?

Most modern sinks have height limits (usually up to 2 meters), a box or a boat on the roof may not fit into these dimensions, and powerful brushes can damage the mounts or tear off the load.

What is the maximum weight that can be loaded into the roof trunk?

The maximum weight depends on two factors: the load capacity of the luggage system itself (usually 50-75 kg) and the permissible load on the roof of the car (indicated in the instructions for the car, often 50-100 kg).

Do I need to shoot boxing for the winter?

Removing the box for the winter is desirable to extend its life and avoid exposure to ultraviolet light and temperature changes on plastic, and empty boxing increases sailing and fuel consumption if you continue to drive the car, it is better to store it in a horizontal position in a cool place.

Will universal boxing be suitable for any car?

The versatility of the boxes is relative, the main thing is the presence of longitudinal rails on the car or the ability to install crossbars, the length of the box should not interfere with the opening of the trunk or hood. hatchbacks and short crossovers often require smaller boxes or with a sliding mechanism.