[Michachael]

Hi

One of my biggest concerns in buying the THULE MOTION XT ALPINE box, is that the general rule for the roofboxes is that you should not drive faster than 80MPH / 130KMH.

I regularly do long drives across Germany and my average speed is usually 150-160KMH, if weather and traffic allow of course.

I'm considering the ALPINE version (i.e. more streamlined sporty roofbox of Thule) and only putting in light stuff like clothes, pillows, ... Probably never more than 40-50KG in total (vs the 75KG allowed).

Has someone here experiences of higher speed, or an article about it?


Thank you
M

[SKBSY8]

I don’t have the alpine ver. but motion xt xl. When I go over 80 you can start to hear “wommmm” sound because the cargo box is beating against the wind(larger profile/size vs alpine?). I’ve also seen someone with the same cargo box on a mini van going over 85 (I know because my car was as fast as his &#129762 and the cargo box looks fine. Im thinking if low profile roof rack will make things different or not because the cargo box sits closer to the roof so is less wind drag and more aero dynamic with the car itself.

Alpine looks pretty low profile to me.

[TheFatArmadillo]

We have the Thule Motion XT in XL size. Have had it for years, multiple extended periods of time (multiple hours) at 85mph. We’ve had small bursts to 90mph with no issue. That said, I haven’t tested at 100mph.

[dream54ing]

Also have the Motion XT XL, gone as fast as 100mph, typically 85-90, in over 20 road trips. First few trips, we kept it under 80mph for precaution, but seem fine as we slowly speed up. We even got a speeding ticket at 96mph

Driven it full and empty and never had an issue; didnt notice any wind noise out of the ordinary.

[jad03060]

I don't think you could fit one of their optional farings on the thing, but that might help deflect some of the wind, create less drag, and potential problems.

You can get some significant forces on the thing. If any of the attachments are not locked down tight, the flexing could walk out a nut or screw. There's also a long-term limit on how much and often you can flex anything before it fails. Higher speeds, more flex, more deflection, higher risks of failure.

[Norbimmer]

I have the Thule Alpine with Thule wingbar edge roof rack and have done the exact same trips, Autobahn at 150-160 km/h and no issues. I have had peak speeds of 170+ km/h as well, but try to keep it at 150 km/h for the most part. Fuel consumption also increases a lot on the 45e beyond that. Going beyond 130 km/h is of course on your own risk.

The combo is also quiet, no annoyingly high wind noise. You do hear it, but that is also to be expected. I did adjust the position of the front rack after the initial installation which did cancel a slight whistling tone I had on the first testdrive. Once done you know where to position the racks next time. Easy to install, done it many times.

The box do move a little up/down with a slight vibration if you look thru the panoramic roof which feels alarming at first. I have driven 8000 km with it by now and no issues.

[Mojobaggins]

Originally Posted by jad03060

I don't think you could fit one of their optional farings on the thing, but that might help deflect some of the wind, create less drag, and potential problems.

You can get some significant forces on the thing. If any of the attachments are not locked down tight, the flexing could walk out a nut or screw. There's also a long-term limit on how much and often you can flex anything before it fails. Higher speeds, more flex, more deflection, higher risks of failure.

I have the fairing wind deflector on mine and it makes things more quiet as it reduces the wind turbulence underneath the cargo carrier. Here's a photo of my X5 with the Motion XT - Alpine. I drive over 80mph a lot and been over 100mph with no issues.

[Michachael]

Just for folks who are reading this and wondering how it went.

No problem driving +170KM/H with the roofrack.

[Aleq]

Originally Posted by Mojobaggins

I have the fairing wind deflector on mine and it makes things more quiet as it reduces the wind turbulence underneath the cargo carrier. Here's a photo of my X5 with the Motion XT - Alpine. I drive over 80mph a lot and been over 100mph with no issues.

Do the deflectors help to quiet the wind noise even with roofbox? I was living in the impression it's for the roof bars alone...

[E91toG05]

Only one way to find out….

[Aleq]

Buy, try, sell? :-)

[starlights]

One additional and often overlooked suggestion - position the front tip of the roof box a little bit back (guessing 2-3 inches behind the start of the sunroof) so at speed the air is deflected over the box by windshield and not get trapped underneath (if the front of the box was too far forward), else you will hear loud humming noise from the box.

Since there is a weight limit and its same for all sizes, I would get (actually got :P) a L instead of XL or XXL for the sake of suggestion above.

[BlkGS]

Can you imagine how quickly you'd get sued for your roof box flying off your car and into someone else? Holy crap that's be bad.

[sharkymcpeterson]

If that’s the limit it wouldn’t last 5 minutes on my roof…..

[eelnoraa]

I have seen an OEM BMW 520L box on X5, going beyond 85MPH. It is not me. I always obey the speed limit

[matowi]

I guess there’s a a question if you should go above the limit even if you technically could

Clearly, everyone involved is covering their risks and they reduce the limit to stay within reasonably safe zone. It’s obvious the whole setup can withstand greater speeds than the claimed limit of 130kmh, provided the roof bars and the box itself are properly mounted and fastened. They’re sturdy enough

On my recent trip through Germany, on a derestricted stretch of Autobahn, I was shocked to see an F15 X5 with two boxes up on the roof overtake me while I was going above 200 km/h

So, yes. You can go fast with them. Doesn’t mean it’s wise or safe

Also, I heard/read stories of what happens when people are too confident and the box gives up - luggage flying around, box veering off the roof, all kinds of scary and dangerous stuff happening. I surely wouldn’t want to be in a situation like that

One of the benefits of having the X5 (in my use case at least), is that I no longer need to have the box

I used to put it on my 7-series and hated it passionately every time. The noise and low speed cruising killed all the joy of driving

[matowi]

And oh, every time I see the pictures of my 7, I remind myself how beautiful that car was. Nostalgia kicks in

[PunsGalore]

Originally Posted by matowi

And oh, every time I see the pictures of my 7, I remind myself how beautiful that car was. Nostalgia kicks in

I LOVED the look of the pre-LCI model of your old 7 series.. probably my favorite since the E38.

[Portocale]

The best box ever, if you have a towing hook. Easy go to 200 km/h without any noise.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by matowi

And oh, every time I see the pictures of my 7, I remind myself how beautiful that car was. Nostalgia kicks in

Yeah, that was a great looking car. Shame they ruined it on the new ones.

[matowi]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

Yeah, that was a great looking car. Shame they ruined it on the new ones.

Yeah… I can’t understand who on the BMW design team looked at the current 7 in its development and approved of it saying “Yes! This is the epitome of what BMW represents. Let’s go!”

My eyes hurt every time is see it :/

[jad03060]

Those roof boxes flex under load. The buffeting increases as you go faster. There's a limit on how long the material will last before it starts to fracture. Go fast at your peril...and, check things out periodically to look for any stress fractures beginning, or fasteners loosening. They should last nearly indefinitely if you don't exceed their limits. If you only use it occasionally, you may never reach its limits. So, some travel above the recommended speeds may in fact work well...extended use over time may not and could end catastrophically.