If you've ever loaded up the car for a road trip, you'll know how much of a challenge it is to find space for anything. From suitcases to backpacks, kids' toys to food and other provisions, it doesn't matter how big the car is because nothing ever seems to fit in.
Since moving to countries as vast as Canada and Australia, our time on the road has increased when we take our holidays. I've also been fortunate to experience some epic road trips to a number of inspiring destinations thanks to this blog.
Anything that can make my time on the road easier and more comfortable is always welcome. I'm therefore excited to reveal that Yakima Australia has come on board as a travel partner, providing a Skybox 18 cargo box and Whispbar Rail Bar roof racks for upcoming trips around Australia.
Given our passion for travel, I don't know how we survived for so long without storage car equipment like this.
It's as if somebody gave me an extra car to store things in. The guide tells me the Skybox has 18 cubic feet of storage but, to you and me, it simply means space, glorious space. And 510 litres of it, freeing up precious room for me and mine.
I can load four suitcases into the cargo box, or beach toys and accessories, or a tent and all of our camping gear, or sets of 215cm skis if we like. We even used the cargo box when we moved house.
Once the Skybox is mounted on the roof (quick and easy to do - lift the box onto the racks, then tighten and lock the four internal clips), I can get into it from either side thanks to a unique double-sided hinge system.
There's no reaching across trying to stuff everything in from one end. Just pick your point of entry and open the box up. Plus it's lockable, which means everything is safe and sound.
My issue with any cargo box was always going to be the weight - getting it on and off the car, but also when driving. This doesn't seem to be a problem with the Skybox as it's lightweight but with a sturdy frame, which doesn't flex and vibrate when the car is moving.
I can't hear a thing once it's up there.
There's no wind noise, it doesn't move around on the racks, I can't feel any drag and our things remain immovable inside. What's more, it's completely waterproof so everything remains dry when it rains.
Above all else, the Skybox is a sleek piece of design and looks great sat on top of the car, matte black on black. Yet it's not the only streamlined travel tool in town.
The Whispbar roof racks are a design revelation.
We once purchased a car manufacturer's own racks - clunky, not at all aerodynamic and kind of ugly. Times have changed and the lockable Whispbars sit snug against the Mazda's rails without a bump or a burr. Again, easy to install and ditto for taking them back off.
The only slight gripe with the Skybox is that when you secure one side shut, you have to double-check the locks did their thing. Otherwise, when you open up the other side, both sides can open causing a bit of chaos if not dealt with quickly.
This aside, I love exploring this country and I'm going to love it a lot more with the extra comfort and ease of travel that the Skybox 18 will bring to our journeys.
So bring on the travel and here's to more road trips because this Skybox needs a decent work-out and we need our next Australian travel fix.
For more information on the complete Yakima range of cargo boxes and roof racks, visit the website here.
Are you a keen road tripper or do you prefer other styles of travel? How do you like to travel and where's next on your list?
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