Project: Swagger Wagon

[Apoc]

I'm pretty sure this is the one: https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/cargo-car...-_-1680020

It's pretty expensive, but I went to a local shop and asked a million questions about the 10 different boxes they had on display. In the end, I opted for Buy Once Cry Once because I wanted the best balance of size and low drag/noise. This box is silent if you have the sunroof visor closed and has some minor wind noise with it open. I also have the Thule aero blades and can open the sunroof with the box on with no clearance issues.

I can report that it's possible to fit a full size crib/toddler bed mattress in there with a small play yard, a large play yard fencing system, sleeping bags, three camp chairs, duffel bag, and a few other things I'm forgetting. Realizing we could basically fit a makeshift crib with the mattress and play yard was a game changer.

[JustinG]

Good to know. My bars/box are silent with the roof cover closed, was worried a larger box would generate more noise.

I think I'm gonna go with the 18cu ft Yakima. Seems to be the same as your Thule, and will fit what we need in the future.

[Nis01]

Good to know. My bars/box are silent with the roof cover closed, was worried a larger box would generate more noise.

I think I'm gonna go with the 18cu ft Yakima. Seems to be the same as your Thule, and will fit what we need in the future.

Off topic but I picked up the 16 cu ft Yakima skybox earlier in the year, it holds an excessive amount of crap.  If you ever want to trial it out you are more than welcome.  The 18 cu ft is longer and therefore would restrict the hatch fully opening on the Jeep, may not be a problem for the wagon.  I can't say that its completely silent at highway speeds but its minimally audible and easily drowned out by the radio.

[Apoc]

I guess this if the best place to put this...

I was inspired by Justin post about hanging his roof box. I originally had these rafter hangers because I was going to put the factory trunk lid in the garage, but I realized I could hand the box. Our garage is pretty tiny - it wouldn't fit a modern car - so our previous method included two people scaling two ladders simultaneously to lift the box into the rafters. We had an old iron curtain hanger lying around, so I managed to pull this together without a trip to the hardware store. It's way more stable than I expected; the bungee is there is keep it from swinging freely. The 911 is fucked if there's ever an earthquake, but we'll probably be dealing with much bigger problems at that point.

Yeah, my garage is kinda a shit show. After renovations like rewiring the whole house, I ran out of desire to do anything about the garage. We won't be in this house in 5 years.

[Apoc]

Anyone have experience with all season runflats in the snow?

I've got the OEM Pirelli Cinturato  P7 All Season Runflats and am not interested in replacing the rubber or buying winter wheels for snow tires. That said, we're going to start our family adventures into the mountains this winter and I'm wondering if chains are necessary. The snow ratings aren't great on the tires, so I'm wondering how they'll work on a few inches of fresh powder and/or compact snow. 

For context, chains are often recommended if people don't have AWD because the mountain passes are ~4,000 ft and often crews cannot keep up with the rate of snowfall. Note that AS are considered "traction tires" so the only situation where chains are required for us is the bottom scenario. I guess it doesn't hurt to always carry them, but I'm curious about personal experience.

[JustinG]

My experience with passenger car all seasons in snow has shown they are garbage. Both FWD and AWD applications.

Just get chains or snows and call it a day.

Thanks for the reminder to start looking into Snows, since this car has Summers.

[Apoc]

I had AS (not run-flat) on my S4 and they were pretty great for NOVA snow.

I guess can just get a pair and keep them in the trunk, just in case.

[.RJ]

Those AS run flats are going to be garbage in the snow. Keep some chains around and when the tires wear out replace them with non-run flats, the car will be better in every single way.

I'm happy with the michelin pilot a/s 3+, FWIW.

[Apoc]

the car will be better in every single way.

Except when you get a flat tire on the highway at midnight while driving home with your toddler and all your luggage in the car... after a four hour weather delay and a flight across the country. I really don't care how the car is the rest of the time. It gets driven 5,000 miles/year and I'm only doing 10% of it. The rears are are only eights months old, so the car will be gone before they wear out. We've had this conversation - your priorities are way different than mine.

[Sijray21]

No experience with run flats, but why not just keep a set of chains in the car 'just in case'? It'll be a last resort measure for any bad snow/ice. If there's a lot of snow the ground clearance of the f31 (or lack there of) will really be the thing that holds you back. When I drove in Lake Tahoe in 'AWD or Chains' conditions an AWD car with all seasons would've been fine. If it accumulated another 3" or so an SUV or truck or snow tires with good tread would've been needed.

I can't imagine the rubber compound for any AS (run flat or not) will be good enough for true winter conditions.

[Apoc]

No experience with run flats, but why not just keep a set of chains in the car 'just in case'? It'll be a last resort measure for any bad snow/ice. If there's a lot of snow the ground clearance of the f31 (or lack there of) will really be the thing that holds you back. When I drove in Lake Tahoe in 'AWD or Chains' conditions an AWD car with all seasons would've been fine. If it accumulated another 3" or so an SUV or truck would've been needed.

I can't imagine the rubber compound for any AS (run flat or not) will be good enough for true winter conditions.

AWD is legally required to carry (not install) a pair when conditions are "tire chains required," so I'm going to pick up a set. Really I'm trying to gauge how fancy/spendy I want to go - if I need them more than once every other year, I'll want something that isn't annoying to use. I envision having the put a set on while traveling (there are dedicated areas) to get over the pass and then disconnecting 10 miles later.

[Sijray21]

I can't see you needing to use the chains unless the conditions are going to be really bad. The Conti DWSs (when newer/more tread) were fine in a FWD GTI in about 3-5" of snow one evening when i had to go home to pick up Alissa to drop her off at work at her hospital (tysons to fairfax to Arlington). I had to take a bunch of side roads (including non-plowed ones) since fuk-wats around here got their RWD summer-tire-mounted sports cars stuck everywhere. I have to imagine a BMW with xDrive would be better, too.

[Apoc]

Read some bimmer forums and this brand seems to be well rated for low clearance applications: https://amzn.to/2RU5Hje

One interesting thing I read in the reviews is to carry two sets in case one breaks. I like to be prepared, but that's probably overkill.

I picked up a set, so I guess I'll try them on this weekend and report back.

[.RJ]

My experience has been that run flats arent really run flats - a good piece of debris will render them useless and yore calling a tow truck.

[Apoc]

When the above scenario happened to us, I drove the six miles home on it with no resulting damage to the wheel. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[WRXtranceformed]

Chris went to college so that he didn't have to change a tire

[HAULN-SS]

I have busted 3 tires in the Cadillac...i gave up on run-flats. On lower profile situations it seems to me that the sidewall is way more susceptible than the tread, and that makes the run flats useless

[Apoc]

I finally got around to trying out the chains. They were far easier to get on than I expected; getting them off is probably going to be the pain. These are really only for extreme emergency, so I'll never have to use them if all goes well. 

Unfortunately, both rubber retainers are split to varying degrees. I read a review that recommended to carry a spare set, which felt like overkill until I saw this. I think these are manufacturing defects, but hopefully this isn't a sign of the quality of the product. Amazon is sending me a full replacement; I'm probably going to pick up an extra set of retainers just in case. 

I'm tempted to drive into the mountains Thanksgiving weekend just to take them for a whirl. 

[Apoc]

Spending a long weekend in the Cascade Mountains, before I start my next job. We ended up driving straight into the clouds. More pics coming once I find some unplowed roads. 

[ScottyB]

More pics coming

you damn well better. that looks awesome!