The last time we went out of town for the weekend, we put three bikes, four backpacks, a set of golf clubs, a bike trailer, a scooter, a kids kayak and two kids into the two back rows of our Ford Flex. I’ll give you a cliff notes version of the way to Canmore - and it included a two year old screaming because she had a kids kayak looming over her head for most of the three and a half hour road trip.
For now, it’s cramped with only two children in our vehicle and the third row folded down. When it comes time to add more children to our family and we’re actively using the third row, we’re going to be even more strapped for room. What then?
I’m all about finding solutions - and the solution in this case is a rack for the vehicle. A roof box is an option that we, as an on-the-go family, have been searching for and comparing for the better part of the year.
Solution: Thule Roof Box
Using the Thule Buyer’s Guide, you can search for the products that match your vehicle. For us, that was a roof box. You can log-on, and choose the carrier type, the carrier size, length and enter the make, model and year of the vehicle. The Buyer’s guide will provide you with the recommended products for your vehicle. Next, you can compare the features of each product and find the right size and type for your vehicle.
We need something that’s going to be easy to put on the Flex, and just as easy to take off. Even the laziest, don’t-want-to-pack-until-the-last-minute-mom, like myself, can attach it to the rooftop. We need an easy mounting system that’s going to allow me to get ready for a weekend away, and a solution that’s going to allow us to bring along things like boogie boards, golf bags, tents and sleeping bags, bike helmets, tires and much, much more - for those weekends away.
That picture above? That’s our vehicle filled with bikes, luggage, scooters and everything we need for a weekend away. It’s incredible how quickly it filled up - and it’s fine for now, until we need use of that third row. For our next weekend in the mountains, we’re going to be giving the Thule Sonic a go, and see how it can help us to clear up some important in-vehicle space.
Sooner than later, I foresee less junk in our trunk.
