21 replies to this topic

[(philip)]

I've got a lovely Open Classic, well it runs and is mechanically sound, it's going in on August 1st to get a lot of bodywork done and a re-spray.

 

I love it.. But. There's always a but.

 

I want to do some long trips, inspired by some trips on here! Amsterdam (not very long at all) will be the first, and then maybe Edinburgh next year.  The problem is there's not much space, and you can't put a roof rack on the BOC.  The back seat is taken up with a very old and very big boxer dog, leaving very little space for anything else.

 

So do I get a trailer? Is that going to be a pain on a longer trip?

 

or more drastically do I get rid of the BOC after it's sorted and looking pretty, and get something I can put a rack on, or go for an estate (probably my dream mini is a nice clubby estate)?

 

My other half wants to keep the BOC but I keep thinking about practicalities rather than fun-ness.

 

What to do..!!??

 

What would you do more to the point?

 

[miniman retford]

Why can't you put a roof rack on ? gutter mounted rack should be ok.

[(philip)]

I guess just because I wouldn't be able to use the sunroof, I kinda think if I can't use it why have a BOC...

[Quincy Sparks]

How much does the roof 'stick up' when rolled back? There must be a rack with enough clearance (or that could be modified) to allow the roof to open under the roof rack. Might be a bit noisy with a load up top, but you'd still have the fresh air :)

[Lukie-J]

You could get an estate then have a BOC style sunroof fitted? Best of both worlds?

[(philip)]

Hmmm I will look into a rack, I guess on a long trip, where I will be on motorway etc the roof would be closed anyway, and then it would be taken off while pottering around at the destination.

 

I think ultimately, I would love a clubby estate though. Maybe I am making excuses... :)

[minisilverbullet]

I would forget about a trailer, you need to totally adjust your driving style with one = no fun. 

 

I would go for a nice gutter mounter rack. 

[(philip)]

I would forget about a trailer, you need to totally adjust your driving style with one = no fun. 

 

I would go for a nice gutter mounter rack. 

 

Any chance you could suggest a particular one?

[minisilverbullet]

 

I would forget about a trailer, you need to totally adjust your driving style with one = no fun. 

 

I would go for a nice gutter mounter rack. 

 

Any chance you could suggest a particular one?

 

not a particular one no...but any gutter mounting rack for a classic car will fit (if it is adjustable for width.) I bought one from Swedish ebay, which originally came from a volvo amazon. 

[Steely]

you could still have a roof rack on. It would just mean that you can keep a watch full eye on the stuff you have on it.

[SurreySprite]

There will probably be enough clearance for a roof rack, you'd just need to be careful when opening and closing the roof. Unless you are going to be carrying luggage on the roof rack very regularly i wouldn't see it as a massive problem.

You can't get rid of a BOC!

[firstforward]

Try a dog kennel.

[petechap]

don't get rid just to go travelling in another mini with all the money and effort you will have put in this one, get a roof rack but drive with your windows down, if your camping or staying at a hotel leave your stuff and roof rack (one of those two piece paddy hopkirk jobbies) where your staying and blast the mini for the day round the surrounding European countryside with the roof open.

[AVV IT]

Have you considered fitting gutter mounted roof bars, as opposed to an actual rack? If you were to use those instead, then you could mount them and your luggage toward the back half of the roof, leaving the front half of the roof clear so that your view from beneath through your open sun roof is much less obscured. Just a thought!!

[(philip)]

Just won this on fleabay. http://www.ebay.co.u...984.m1497.l2649

 

Fingers crossed!