A straightforward and perfect method for adding more room to your car and transporting anything that won’t fit inside is to use roof racks and the variety of cargo options accompanying them.
That extra room and practical storage may be helpful whether you’re transporting your mountain bike to a nearby trailhead, driving overland with long-haul necessities, or vehicle camping in a national park.
It is essential to have a sturdy roof rack as the foundation for carrying items on your car or truck’s roof before investing in a rooftop tent, gearbox, cargo basket, or accessories for your bikes, kayaks, and other outdoor equipment. This is how to choose the best roof rack for your car and your needs.
1.Decide what you wish to move.
What kind of roof rack or carrier is appropriate for your needs depends on what you wish to place on your roof. Cargo boxes and baskets can accommodate luggage and smaller goods. Bicycles, kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards may be securely stored on racks to keep them out of the way while you drive.
2.Find out how much weight the top of your car can support.
There is a limit to how much weight your roof can bear, particularly if your car or truck also has a sunroof. Side rails and crossbars sometimes have weight restrictions of their own. Your car’s owner handbook, or an internet resource if you don’t have a copy, will provide information on the roof rack and load carrier capacity.
For example, if you own a Mercedes Sprinter, you may want to look specifically for Mercedes Sprinter accessories to ensure the roof rack is designed specifically for your car’s weight capacity.
3.Calculate how much your heaviest goods weigh altogether
Make sure the total weight of the two hefty motorcycles, together with a whole month’s worth of clothes and necessities, won’t exceed the maximum weight limit of your car before loading them into a cargo box. To ensure that you don’t overload your automobile, some planning may be necessary, particularly if you want to transport a variety of products. The two bikes might be right, but your bags must fit in the trunk.
4.Examine the present roof configuration of your car.
To ensure you have all the equipment you need to transport the stuff you want, you need to know what kind of appearance your car’s roof currently has. Roof side rails extend along the sides of a vehicle’s roof from front to rear. They serve as a handy tie-down point for cargo security and a mounting point for roof cross bars.
Side rails are nearly always an option that comes from the manufacturer. Crossbars and side rails are ideal for secure and safe roof hauling. While it is uncommon for most ordinary vehicles, certain automobiles may have cross bars mounted to the roof instead of side rails, which might reduce the maximum roof weight capability.
5.Select a roof rack based on your needs.
It can be inconvenient to constantly install and remove your hitch-mounted cargo carrier, particularly if you have to do so to fit it in a garage or parking spot. Knowing how frequently you want to use it is crucial since you may be able to install an add-on, such as a folding hitch adaptor, that will allow you to fold the carrier up against your car when not in use.
Roof Racks for Different Purposes
1.Boxes for Cargo
A Roof Box secures stuff in a sturdy, easily-to-open container to your car’s roof bars for an extra layer of security. Compared to roof bags, tough plastic roof boxes offer superior security for your belongings during transit, and most are lockable. Compared to bags or baskets, they are typically more challenging to install, take out, and store.
2.Sacks for cargo
Waterproof roof bags come in a variety of sizes and forms to suit your cargo transit requirements and provide enhanced protection for your baggage. They are easier to carry and have greater flexibility than roof boxes. It folds up quickly and may be stowed when not in use.
3.Bicycle stands
If you want to avoid having your bike rack in the way or if your vehicle’s back isn’t designed to accommodate a mounted rack, roof bike racks are an excellent choice for carrying your bicycle(s). One bike can fit on each rooftop bike rack however more racks can be utilized.
4.Kayaks or canoes
Canoe and kayak racks make boat transportation easy. They are made to fit your vehicle’s roof and utilize the factory-installed roof bars. Ensure your boat is securely fastened while utilizing a rooftop canoe or kayak rack, and stop often throughout your journey to ensure it hasn’t fallen loose.
5.Cargo container
Large objects that might not fit easily in a cargo bag or cargo box can be transported with cargo baskets thanks to the tie-downs.
6.Racks for paddle boards
Paddleboard racks, which are flat and have a top strap, firmly fasten your stand-up paddleboard to both cross bars. You may occasionally stack multiple boards on top of one another for compact storage.
7.Racks for skis and snowboards
To carry your skis or snowboards safely and conveniently, ski and snowboard racks are simple to install on your car’s roof rack. Think about how many pairs of skis or snowboards you need to carry, if you need to keep anything else on the roof, and how frequently you want to use the rack when choosing a ski or snowboard rack.
In the end!
You can select the appropriate roof rack for your next big trip by knowing how much everything weighs, how much weight your car can carry, and what kind of roof configuration works best for your car.
