Roof box storage outside – something to contain/protect it?

Okey dokey – got an Exodus 470L roof box and it is basically too big to go anywhere in the garage so the back garden it is! Anyone got a cunning way of covering/containing it? I’ve found some roof box zip up container things but the 470L seems *just* too big on at least one dimension (165 x 95 x 41cm says Google) and while I have a couple of tarps, I’d prefer something that is zipped up/sealed sort of thing. I will admit I haven’t done a comprehensive search but I thought, “I bet STW will know…” so here we are.

Anyone got any cunning tips for achieving this?? Cheers!

I put ours behind our shed covered in a big tarp. It is stood up and I put some hooks into the back of the shed and secured it with a bungee. Works fine and saves it taking up save elsewhere. It only cost me £60 second hand so I am not to precious about it but seems well enough protected.

Cool, also now looking at this hanging system: https://www.winparts.co.uk/luggage-transport/roof-bars/roof-carrier-accessories/c1593/hapro-hanging-system-box-lift-29774/p519185.html

I guess if it can be suspended from the rafters (and me hit my head on it literally every time I go near it) that could be an option.

Maybe one of the plastic bags a super king mattress comes in may work?

Will it not go up in the rafters?

‘Store’ our huge Thule outside, it’s a roofbox, its waterproof it’s fine!

Ours just sits next to the shed until I need it. It’s a roof box – it’s doesn’t really need protecting as such. They are awkward things to store though because they’re so bloody big! The instructions that came with ours (also Exodus) say it must be stored flat.. and not on it’s side or end.. not sure why that is TBH.

We had an old style matt plastic one and it did need a bit of protecting as it went mossy otherwise. But with painted/smooth ones, pretty sure a coat of wax and then just leave it on end somewhere it won’t fall over or get too much sun or wet leaves would be ideal.

Our neighbours haul theirs up on to the flat roof and tie it to the chimney to stop it blowing off in high winds.

Thanks for replies. I get it that at present it is out in the elements all year round, but unlike sitting on the grass in the garden or even leant up against the side of “something” (we don’t have anywhere to do that conveniently) there is just the feeling that something creepy and crawly will find its way in, and generally make wanting to put your luggage containing clothes and toddler paraphernalia inside less attractive. We don’t have any rafters in our garage. I’ve bought one of those winch system things – “only” £20 so if it proves to be folly, it’s not a huge gamble. Hopefully it’ll be the way forward, cheers all.

I keep ours outside, used to leave it wrapped in a tarp, then left it out for a year without, on its side. Got a bit sun bleached and the metal buckles of the straps rusted a little but a wire brush sorted that out. The inside had a small bit of water and dust / leaves but only took a few minutes of cleaning with a damp cloth. I’m thinking of replacing our box next year and will either keep it in the garage up against the ceiling (its easier to get on the car from there) or next to the shed like the current one, but use a tarp. Order something from amazon of a big enough size and tuck it under the box and it will be fine.

My son went and bought one without any consideration of where he was going to ‘store’ it – ended up in my garage and I have is suspended vertically at one side of the garage. Not happy as it takes up a stack of space for what he’ll use it once in a blue moon.

Tarp to keep the UV is all that is needed. fossy tell him to take it back, life lesson learned (unless of course you also use it).

Son lives with us, so a bit stuck. My car is big enough, and when it’s loaded, it usually has 4 bikes on the roof. I’ve got it out of the way enough as the garage is mainly bike stuff. My bike rack is hung in-front of his roof box.

Not happy as it takes up a stack of space for what he’ll use it once in a blue moon.

I think for most people, a roof box is something they’ll use 2-3x/year (certainly that was our experience, and once we got past the pushchairs and travel cot stage it served as a storage box for the roof bars and bike carriers, so got punted on on the ‘Bay).

Surely there must be a business in renting them out?